Jump to content

Digital camera as director's finder?


Luke Prendergast

Recommended Posts

  • Premium Member

I ditched my dinky micro director's finder with the idea of replacing it with a Pentax OptioMX digital camera, which I never got around to buying. I'm looking now at the JVC GZ-MC200E. It can record 8.5Mbps video at 720x480 and takes 1600x1200 stills. 10x optical zoom. Does audio too. Storage is a Microdrive.

The idea is to use it on location scouts for stills and video and audio notes, and on set as a director's finder. It's minus any calibration and markings out of the box but that won't take much figuring. Has anyone here used a mini digital camera as a finder? Any words of wisdom?

 

 

363073.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Premium Member

Hey,

 

It should be useful. Working out the framing and lens length matches might be a problem. It could also help with continuity. I wouldn't depend on it exclusively for exposure unitl you have an idea of how close it's exposure latitude matches your main cam.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

P+S Technik (Spelling?) has a Digital Directors finder that you stick on the end of any consumer Digital Video Camera, and it allows you to attached 35mm film lenses (Its similare to a Mini35 for consumer cameras), this way you can get acurate focal lengths without conversions, among other things.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Premium Member
I ditched my dinky micro director's finder with the idea of replacing it with a Pentax OptioMX digital camera, which I never got around to buying. I'm looking now at the JVC GZ-MC200E. It can record 8.5Mbps video at 720x480 and takes 1600x1200 stills. 10x optical zoom. Does audio too. Storage is a Microdrive.

  The idea is to use it on location scouts for stills and video and audio notes, and on set as a director's finder. It's minus any calibration and markings out of the box but that won't take much figuring. Has anyone here used a mini digital camera as a finder? Any words of wisdom?

363073.jpg

 

 

Hi,

 

I use a Nikon D70, its image sensor is very close to S35. For lens focal length selection its spot on.

 

Stephen

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...