21Jan GH3 with Carry Speed VF-3 LCD View Finder
If you think your GH3 camera needs and LCD View Finder, here’s how Scott Pendleton modified the Carry Speed VF-3 LCD View Finder to fit [Thanks Scott]. Typically the GH3 body is too short, so you’ll need to have the GH3 Battery Grip to start.
The next problem is that the GH3 battery grip relocates the tripod mount to the right (not centered). This causes a problem for the VF-3 not being able to shift far enough to the left to line up properly. Scott then grinded the alignment plate and drilled a new hole that will allow the Loupe to align properly. You can figure it out from the images below but keep in mind this will definitely void any product warranty.
Click any of the images (above) for a larger view. You can find the Carry Speed VF-3 LCD View finder at the CarrySpeed.com website (here).
Carry Speed VF-3 DSLR LCD View Finder with Quick Release
And if you’re wondering what Eye Cushion Scott is using on the Carry Speed VF-3, it is specifically the Blue Star Oval Long (not oval large) found via B&H below
Blue Star Eye Cushion Oval Long for Carry Speed VF-3.
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January 21st, 2013 at 7:23 am
This is OK, but the need for the battery grip is not, to me.
Anybody knows what happened to the new loupe made especifically for the GH3 the Manfrotto guys announced months ago?
Maybe I´m wrong, but it seems like a dead project…
January 21st, 2013 at 8:03 am
Interesting eyepiece mod. Do you know the story behind it … e.g., where it came from? Thx
January 21st, 2013 at 9:29 am
I hear a new Carry Speed Viewfinder will be released shortly. Supposedly, it will be compatible with the GH3 sans battery grip.
January 21st, 2013 at 9:37 am
“Grinded down” ….”ground down” would be the correct form, irregular but such is the nature of English.
January 21st, 2013 at 10:35 am
Where did you get the different eyecup?
January 21st, 2013 at 12:35 pm
@Cassius – Those are Blue Star cushions. I’m guessing he has to use the Oval Long found here: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=blue+star+eye+cushion&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma&Top+Nav-Search=
January 21st, 2013 at 4:58 pm
Argh ! i’am waiting for the large oval one !
January 22nd, 2013 at 8:07 am
@Cassius, yes, per Emm’s suggestion a while back, I’m using Blue Star’s Red Microfiber Oval Long Eye cushion (Note: it is the Oval LONG not the Oval LARGE). Here is the direct link on B&H:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/444662-REG/Blue_Star_90122_90122_Red_Microfiber_Oval.html
It fits great is is infinitely more comfortable than the rubber eyepiece.
Thanks.
January 22nd, 2013 at 5:51 pm
@Scott, Hi! Look what’s happen if i order it from B&H to France :
SubTotal: $6.95
Duties & Tax : $47.19
Shipping: $43.35
Order Total: $97.49
I ordered last week the large one from an ebay seller(thinking it was similar to zacuto’s viewfinder)
hopefully it wasn’t the same price ! I’ll buy the long one if i find a good deal with shipping charges ! Did you try the large one? As you said “it is infinitely more comfortable” and hard to “view” without it when you are used to!
January 22nd, 2013 at 5:58 pm
Those items are quite difficult to find in France…If somebody is looking for an OVAL SMALL or LARGE cushion for an other viewfinder, here is the ebay link :
http://cgi.ebay.fr/Bluestar-Brand-Viewfinder-Eye-Cushion-Large-Oval-Microfiber-Blue-/271025073803?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f1a5a6e8b
January 22nd, 2013 at 8:37 pm
@Cyrille, I have not tried the Oval LARGE version so I cannot say whether it will work nicely with the VF-3. The rubber eyepiece on the VF-3 is definitely oval shaped so I would think the oval Blue Star cushion would be best but perhaps when you get your LARGE version you could let us know here whether it works well or not.
Note: the cushion ships very flat and small. It would fit in a C5 mailing envelope (A4 folded in half). I wonder what the shipping from the US to France would be for a flat envelope?
January 23rd, 2013 at 5:07 am
@Scott I usually buy my cushions to a French store recommended by blue star. As they didn’t get anymore large one’s, i found a seller from ebay. This seller is from US and the shippement cost 6,56 USD. It’s not so expensive and it might be a simple envelope. I will tell you how it fits !
January 23rd, 2013 at 11:50 am
@scott – Just got the cushion. It fits quite good !
January 25th, 2013 at 9:58 am
From the looks of it a single QR plate between eyepiece and camera should put it up enough for the GH3. Has anyone tried that? I have seen the double QR plate for the GH2.
January 25th, 2013 at 10:45 am
@AdRath – That might work very well, but it will not work directly with the Battery Grip because the tripod hole for the grip has been offset from the center. Not a great design.
January 28th, 2013 at 6:49 am
I was talking without the grip. Camera body with QR system will get the body high enough to work with this VF-3. Wonder what minimum hight is required to fit the VF?
March 4th, 2013 at 6:25 pm
Okay, well that’s annoying. I purchased the VF3 because @emm said it’d fit on the gh3 on another post. But clearly he hadn’t tested it.
March 14th, 2013 at 7:49 pm
Emm,
Any further info on the Carry Speed mod for the GH3? Is it really viable or a PITA? I returned one to them after trying in on my GH3, but that was before the article. I see tha Flashpoint is selling the same Swivi unit on Ebay a little cheaper. Any experience with them or comments?
Thanks,
John Frey