While most newer mirrorless and smaller cinema cameras have eyecups for the electronic viewfinder, not all of them are the most functional or comfortable.
After running a successful Kickstarter in March 2014 for the Canon C100 C-Cup, Tomas Schneider and Andrew Miller are back with another version for the Panasonic GH4. As a refresher though, if you missed the campaign, here's what they came up with for the C100 (thanks to Newsshooter for the heads-up on the G-Cup):
Video is no longer available: vimeo.com/87483793
If you've ever used an ENG camera or a higher-end cinema camera, you'll know how important a good eyecup can be. It's not just about making the camera functionally better by blocking out more light, it's also about being much more comfortable if you've got your eye on it for long periods of time.
That's exactly what the guys were trying to accomplish with their design, and they've now got versions for both the C100 and the GH4/GH3. Here's more info and another look at the G-Cup, which is going to run you $35:
We've designed the G-Cup as simply as possible so that we can make it as cheaply as possible. The G-Cup doesn't add a diopter or lens, it simply changes the shape of the EVF's cushion. The G-Cup is designed to work with the Panasonic GH3 and GH4. It is NOT COMPATIBLE with the GH2.
And here is another look at the C100 version, which runs for $45, and ships with the chamois for added comfort:
We've designed the C-Cup as simply as possible so that we can make it as cheaply as possible. The C-Cup doesn't add a diopter or lens, it simply changes the shape of the EVF's cushion. However simple, the C-Cup dramatically improves your shooting experience for a reasonable price.
The C-Cup is only compatible with the C100.
You can obviously add a chamois to either eyecup (you can see one on the C100 directly above), as they are pretty cheap, and it's likely you're going to want to replace it after enough usage. Tomas also mentioned that the G-Cup should be adaptable to the a7S, so I'm sure at some point we'll see a version for that camera and possibly other cameras like it. It's not clear if the C-Cup will work with the Mark II version of the C100, but the eyecup on that camera is significantly improved from the original.
To get your very own C-Cup or G-Cup, check out the links below.
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6 Comments
This looks great as long as the rubber is supple enough to allow your eye to be pressed in close enough to the relatively small opening of the EVF on the GH4 at least. Just looking at the photo of it though, it looks like your eye will be pushed further away than nessary from the EVF to allow a fully immersive and large view. Alternatively, for my GH4, I removed the stock eyecup and used it's two piece plastic mounting clip to sandwich several pieces of tape between it, which is then applied directly to the back of a Bluestar Eye Cushion. The whole assembly is then slid back into place on the GH4 in the normal way. External light is blocked and I can comfortably press my eye against the cushion and bring it very close to the EVF for a very immersive and large view. I absolutely love it and would post a photo of what it looks like but that apparently cannot be done here in comments. The only drawback to this DIY approach is that you have to work with an Xacto knife and very tiny screws, all of which can be very tedious and challenging if this isn't your kind of thing. But if it is, I find the results fantastic! Otherwise, the plug and play design of this new eyecup featured above, is miles easier and I'm sure without a doubt is miles better than the piece of square rubber Panasonic calls an eyecup that is currently stock on the GH4.
July 31, 2015 at 11:07PM, Edited July 31, 11:32PM
Here is a link to my DIY hack: https://www.facebook.com/groups/GH4TechTalk/938227066241480/?comment_id=...
July 31, 2015 at 11:23PM
I ordered one for my GH3. I'll report back.
August 1, 2015 at 3:27PM
I've been using the cup off of my SmallHD monitor. It fits right over the existing EVF.
August 1, 2015 at 8:20PM
If these guys haven't talked to LenProToGo/BorrowLenses etc. then they need to.
August 2, 2015 at 11:35AM
The C100 has an EVF? Oh right, I looked into it once when I first bought the camera.
August 5, 2015 at 3:23PM
I bought this and unfortunately it was much too long for me. It held my eye much too far away from the viewfinder, so the whole rectangular display could not be seen. The view was not cut off by the G-Cup itself but by the curved mask behind the glass of the viewfinder, which significantly cut the corners off. It also didn't block all the light out. I trimmed a lot off mine with a pair of nail scissors (see https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/21489814/G-Cup-trim.jpg) and now it is much better, but is rather uncomfortable if used for any length of time. Also bear in mind that it's vulnerable when carrying the camera or in a tight-fitting camera bag. There's a reason why the stock eye-cup is so slim.
August 24, 2015 at 3:50AM