Cavision VFM-11X 11x Micro Director's Viewfinder

  • Price: $239.95
  • B&H # CADVFMZQ
  • Mfr# VFM-11X

Product Highlights

  • 37mm Filter Thread
  • Multi-coated
  • Includes All Standard Aspect Ratios
  • Adjustable Rear Eyepiece
  • Screw-in Metal Front Cap
  • Soft Carrying Pouch

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The Cavision VFM-11X 11x Micro Director's Viewfinder provides a portable means of framing shots prior to setting up your film or video camera. The frame can be composed using a variety of screen aspect ratios, including 35mm and 16mm film standards as well as video standards such as 1/3", 2/3" and 1/2". The VFM-11x offers an 11x zoom capability, making it ideal for an impressive range of focal lengths (see chart). The 37mm filter thread can be fitted with standard filters or a wide angle converter as the composition demands.

Multi-coated optical elements
Small and lightweight
Very economical
Durable strip hanger
Eye piece lock ring
Includes most film and TV formats
Includes all standard aspect ratios including 16:9
37mm standard filter thread, allows for the addition of a 37mm wide angle converter
Friction adjustment on aspect ratio ring
Telescopic action with click stops on focal length
Materials Aluminum, 4 Elements, Multi-coated Optics
Formats Film: S16, 35, Anamorphic
Video: 1" (S16), 2/3", 1/2", 1/3"
Aspect Ratios Academy (4:3), 1.66, 1.78 (16:9), 1.85, 2.35, 2.55
Filter Thread 37mm (P=0.75)
Color Black
Diameter 1.62" (42mm)
Length 2.2" (56mm) - 3.3" (84mm)
Weight 4.4 oz (125g)

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews
Cavision VFM-11X 11x Micro Director's Viewfinder
 
4.2

(based on 17 reviews)

Ratings Distribution

  • 5 Stars

     

    (7)

  • 4 Stars

     

    (9)

  • 3 Stars

     

    (0)

  • 2 Stars

     

    (0)

  • 1 Stars

     

    (1)

88%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

  • Easy to use (14)
  • Professional quality (10)
  • Compact (7)
  • Improves performance (7)
  • Highly compatible (5)

Cons

    Best Uses

    • Independent films (12)
    • In the studio (7)
    • Complex projects (5)
    • Home movies (3)
      • Reviewer Profile:
      • Professional artist (9), Business owner (7), Film student (4), Enthusiast (3)
      • Was this a gift?:
      • No (3)

    Most Liked Positive Review

     

    Great Finder for Directors and DP's

    I am a currently in a filmmaking program at school. I am training to become a DP and I find this a very helpful tool to quickly locate my frame with the director. This ...Read complete review

    I am a currently in a filmmaking program at school. I am training to become a DP and I find this a very helpful tool to quickly locate my frame with the director. This is important because I can get the camera crew, grips, and electrics to start setting up a shot quickly and efficiently. I know there are many other directors finders out there, but for the money, you're not gonna get close. The multiple aspect ratios and format options are also a handy feature, as my personal camera is 1/3", cameras where I work are 1/2", and cameras at school are 35mm.

    VS

    Most Liked Negative Review

     

    disappointing

    It's easy to use, but after 10 minutes of tryout the mechanical parts to fix the aspect ration were broken. Seems to me to be more a gadget then a item that is worth ...Read complete review

    It's easy to use, but after 10 minutes of tryout the mechanical parts to fix the aspect ration were broken. Seems to me to be more a gadget then a item that is worth [$]. Perhaps, i just had bad luck ...

    REVIEWS

    Reviewed by 17 customers

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    Displaying reviews 1-17

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    4.0

    I need more one

    By dodo63

    from Cairo

    About Me Professional Artist

    Verified Buyer

    Pros

    • Compact Design
    • Easy To Use
    • Lightweight

    Cons

    • Poor Design

    Best Uses

    • Independent Films

    Comments about Cavision VFM-11X 11x Micro Director's Viewfinder:

    easy to use , save time for creativety . lens ,frame , compestion. every imagine can be true.

    • Was this a gift?:
    • No

    Comment on this review

     
    5.0

    Great Gadget

    By Alex

    from Plantation, Florida

    About Me Hobbyist

    Verified Buyer

    Pros

    • Compact Design
    • Easy To Use
    • Highly Compatible
    • Improves Performance
    • Professional Quality

    Cons

      Best Uses

      • Home Movies
      • Independent Films

      Comments about Cavision VFM-11X 11x Micro Director's Viewfinder:

      This director's viewfinder is the best one for its price.

      • Was this a gift?:
      • No

      Comment on this review

       
      4.0

      Pretty good, but not perfect.

      By Escobar

      from Atlanta, GA

      About Me Business Owner, Film Student, Professional Artist

      Verified Buyer

      Pros

      • Compact Design
      • Easy To Use
      • Highly Compatible
      • Improves Performance
      • Professional Quality

      Cons

      • Limited Use

      Best Uses

      • Complex Projects
      • Independent Films
      • In The Studio

      Comments about Cavision VFM-11X 11x Micro Director's Viewfinder:

      In the range it works, it's pretty good, but I was a little frustrated that it was limited to a 58mm and 44mm focal lengths for 1/2" and 1/3" CCD cameras respectively. Most professional or prosumer cameras and lens kits used on a DSLR or lens adapter on a 1/2" or 1/3" camera go way above and beyond 58/44. So it would have been really nice and much more useful to have a viewfinder that went up into the 100/85 range.

      So realize that even though this is a very useful tool, when you're going to be wanting to be using anything telephoto above 58 or 44, you might as well not have this for those shots.

      • Was this a gift?:
      • No

      Comment on this review

       
      5.0

      Awesome directing tool

      By Wade

      from Minneapolis, MN

      About Me Film Student

      Verified Buyer

      Pros

      • Compact Design
      • Easy To Use
      • Professional Quality

      Cons

        Best Uses

        • Independent Films

        Comments about Cavision VFM-11X 11x Micro Director's Viewfinder:

        great variety of focal lengths and aspect ratios. a very useful beginner directing tool.

        Comment on this review

         
        1.0

        disappointing

        By camcam

        from switzerland

        About Me Professional Artist

        Verified Reviewer

        Pros

        • Compact Design
        • Easy To Use

        Cons

        • Poor mechanics

        Best Uses

          Comments about Cavision VFM-11X 11x Micro Director's Viewfinder:

          It's easy to use, but after 10 minutes of tryout the mechanical parts to fix the aspect ration were broken. Seems to me to be more a gadget then a item that is worth [$]. Perhaps, i just had bad luck ...

          Comment on this review

           
          5.0

          I would buy this product again and again

          By Sam Theislander

          from Dominican Republic

          About Me Business Owner, Professional Artist

          Verified Buyer

          Pros

          • Easy To Use
          • Professional Quality

          Cons

            Best Uses

            • Independent Films

            Comments about Cavision VFM-11X 11x Micro Director's Viewfinder:

            I use this product for independent film shots. It´s very good.

            Comment on this review

             
            5.0

            Small, easy to use, sturdy

            By Michael

            from Breckenridge, CO

            About Me Business Owner

            Verified Buyer

            Pros

            • Compact Design
            • Easy To Use
            • Improves Performance
            • Professional Quality

            Cons

              Best Uses

              • Architecturalreal estate
              • Complex Projects

              Comments about Cavision VFM-11X 11x Micro Director's Viewfinder:

              Great tool to compose your sceens prior to shooting. Time saver in that you can go from room to room and check different points of view at different focal lengths. Wish it went just a bit wider - 16 mm.

              Comment on this review

               
              4.0

              Some Accessories You May Wish to Buy

              By Mister Toad

              from Dallas, TX

              About Me Panoramic Photographer

              Verified Reviewer

              Pros

              • Professional Quality

              Cons

              • Very Small Viewing Image

              Best Uses

              • Photo Pre-Visualization

              Comments about Cavision VFM-11X 11x Micro Director's Viewfinder:

              The other reviewers have described the good quality of this VFM-11X, so I thought I'd add a few accessory suggestions.. 1. The Cavision rubber eye cup cap does NOT grip the eyepiece securely. So buy an extra, since you will lose it the first day in the field. (I will try some superglue.) 2. The Kenko 37mm 0.5x Wide Angle lens add-on fits this CA Viewfinder 37 mm ring, and the Kenko doubles the image coverage for wide angle viewing. (The Viewfinder "view" is rather small, so I wonder if the larger CA Director finder would provide a larger view.) 3. I purchased a Tiffen 37 mm UV filter to cover the front lens, so spend 6 dollars to protect 200. (Also, a 55 mm UV filter covers the Kenko front lens.) 4. An extra 37 mm lens cap is a good investment, as would be a 55 for the Kenko.

              Comment on this review

               
              5.0

              it is same as it is that he/she appears

              By Juan Carlos Martínez

              from Bogotá Colombia

              About Me Business Owner, Hobbyist, Professional Artist

              Verified Buyer

              Pros

              • Compact Design
              • Easy To Use
              • Highly Compatible
              • Professional Quality

              Cons

                Best Uses

                • Independent Films
                • In The Studio

                Comments about Cavision VFM-11X 11x Micro Director's Viewfinder:

                I am using the finder and it is very good, for their many formats and tambien por the small thing, in the moment uses it in DV and it works very well, he/she has a big advantage and it is playing with lentes of 37mm, the only thing that it is necessary to make it is an I calculate mathematician for convertirlo according to the optics to use

                Comment on this review

                 
                4.0

                COMPOSITION IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT

                By Malik Millions

                from Philadelphia PA / Hollywood, CA

                Verified Buyer

                Pros

                • Durable
                • Good Value

                Cons

                  Best Uses

                  • Framing my shots
                  • Lenses choice
                  • To practice compositions

                  Comments about Cavision VFM-11X 11x Micro Director's Viewfinder:

                  I'm an up and coming director, I chose the VFM-11X MICRO DIRECTOR'S VIEWFINDER because of it's nice compact size, plus it's the most affordable but yet reliable viewfinder out there on the market. I use it to determine my lenses of choice. I enjoy my lil viewfinder, and it helps me to know that I'm not that far from becoming the director that I once dreamt I would be. I highly, highly, recommend that all young director's and DP's have one.
                  Dwight Gibson, the director/DP NYFA 2008

                  Comment on this review

                   
                  4.0

                  Great value, does the job!

                  By Brad the director

                  from Melbourne, Australia

                  About Me Film Student, Hobbyist, Professional Artist

                  Verified Buyer

                  Pros

                  • Easy To Use
                  • Highly Compatible
                  • Improves Performance
                  • Lots Of Features
                  • Professional Quality

                  Cons

                    Best Uses

                    • Independent Films
                    • In The Studio

                    Comments about Cavision VFM-11X 11x Micro Director's Viewfinder:

                    I use a depth of field adapter with a Sony EX1 and a series of prim 35mm lenses and need to quickly estimate the correct lense. Takes too long to change lenses and test it our when in the middle of a shoot, so a director viewfinder in this situation is invaluable, saves me a lot of time and can also help framing shots before having to move the camera.

                    The Cavision is a great budget viewfinder that does the job. The build quality is good and small enough to fit in your pocket or wear around your neck and not weigh you down and be aware of it all day.

                    It is very small and this can mean a small image when resizing the image all the way out, but it is only to give an indication of the lenses to use so not a big issue. Plus most lenses that get used are in the wider end anyway.

                    Overall can highly recommend. You don't need to spend big dollars and the Cavision does the job well for the price.

                    Comment on this review

                     
                    4.0

                    Basic but Good

                    By Dec

                    from Hungary

                    About Me Business Owner, Professional Artist

                    Verified Buyer

                    Pros

                      Cons

                        Best Uses

                          Comments about Cavision VFM-11X 11x Micro Director's Viewfinder:

                          For the price this viewfinder is a great tool. It is not as wide or as long as it could be but has a great mid-range of focal lengths, enough for most projects and really invaluable on a recee for instance.

                          Comment on this review

                          (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

                           
                          5.0

                          Extremely valuable

                          By The Admiral

                          from Tucson, AZ

                          About Me Indie Filmmaker

                          Verified Buyer

                          Pros

                          • Easy To Use
                          • Improves Performance
                          • Lots Of Features
                          • Professional Quality

                          Cons

                            Best Uses

                            • Independent Films

                            Comments about Cavision VFM-11X 11x Micro Director's Viewfinder:

                            I choose this model because it is nice solid construction with multiple of formats for a great price.

                            Just used it on my last shoot and was worth it's weight in gold setting up shots. When it comes to a director, DP and camera team communication nothing beats having one of these on set. If you are shooting with even a minimal crew you will do yourself a favor and grab one of these.

                            Comment on this review

                             
                            4.0

                            Excelent item

                            By Hugo Corona

                            from Mexico CIty

                            About Me Business Owner

                            Verified Buyer

                            Pros

                            • Easy To Use

                            Cons

                            • doesnt have 16 mm

                            Best Uses

                            • Home Movies
                            • Independent Films
                            • In The Studio

                            Comments about Cavision VFM-11X 11x Micro Director's Viewfinder:

                            Small, fits in your pocket, and helps a lot in location. Its not the best, but surely is very helpful for it´s size.

                            • How long have you owned it:
                            • A month or less

                            Comment on this review

                            (3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

                             
                            5.0

                            Great Finder for Directors and DP's

                            By Brad

                            from Las Cruces, NM

                            About Me Film Student, Sports television

                            Verified Buyer

                            Pros

                            • Easy To Use
                            • Highly Compatible
                            • Improves Performance

                            Cons

                              Best Uses

                              • Complex Projects
                              • Independent Films
                              • In The Studio

                              Comments about Cavision VFM-11X 11x Micro Director's Viewfinder:

                              I am a currently in a filmmaking program at school. I am training to become a DP and I find this a very helpful tool to quickly locate my frame with the director. This is important because I can get the camera crew, grips, and electrics to start setting up a shot quickly and efficiently. I know there are many other directors finders out there, but for the money, you're not gonna get close. The multiple aspect ratios and format options are also a handy feature, as my personal camera is 1/3", cameras where I work are 1/2", and cameras at school are 35mm.

                              • How long have you owned it:
                              • One-to-three months

                              Comment on this review

                              (0 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

                               
                              4.0

                              100% useful stuff

                              By Yourka

                              from Ukraine

                              About Me Professional Artist

                              Verified Buyer

                              Pros

                              • Easy To Use

                              Cons

                                Best Uses

                                • Complex Projects
                                • Home Movies
                                • Independent Films
                                • In The Studio

                                Comments about Cavision VFM-11X 11x Micro Director's Viewfinder:

                                VFM-11x - small and useful equipment for director. You can fast and from any point find the composition that you really want to shoot. If you are director, you understand me. More useful can be only mount for the real camera lenses. But not always you can have it.
                                May be bigger variant of this viewfinder much better, but for me it’s ok.
                                Enjoy it.

                                • How long have you owned it:
                                • One-to-three months

                                Comment on this review

                                (2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

                                 
                                4.0

                                The VFM-11 exceeded my expectations.

                                By Gregory

                                from Fort Worth, Texas

                                About Me Business Owner, HD video director, Professional Artist

                                Verified Buyer

                                Pros

                                • Easy To Use
                                • Improves Performance
                                • Professional Quality

                                Cons

                                  Best Uses

                                  • Complex Projects
                                  • Independent Films
                                  • In The Studio

                                  Comments about Cavision VFM-11X 11x Micro Director's Viewfinder:

                                  I shoot several formats for several reasons and clients. This is a diverse enough view finder to get me on set and communicating quickly to the DP and gaffer. It is simple yet, accurate. I don't have to do a lot of guess work. If you know your lenses, then this tool allows you to frame the shot long before you need to set up and planning the day is quick and concise. I will say, it would be nice to have the wider lens adapter, sold with the VF, but the optics on board are well suited for almost any shot.

                                  • How long have you owned it:
                                  • A month or less

                                  Comment on this review

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                                  Additional System Components

                                  Cavision -  VCM11X Case for Micro Director's Viewfinder
                                  • Price: $7.95
                                   

                                  Production Essentials

                                  Alan Gordon Enterprises -  Blue Ring Gaffer's Glass
                                  • Price: $49.95
                                   

                                  Care & Cleaning

                                  Pearstone -  Microfiber Cleaning Cloth, 18% Gray (7 x 7.9")
                                    • Original: $4.99
                                    • Save: $0.50
                                  • Price: $4.49
                                   

                                  What's in the Box

                                  Cavision VFM-11X 11x Micro Director's Viewfinder
                                  • Screw-In Metal Front Cap
                                  • Soft Vinyl Carrying Pouch
                                  • 36" Neck Strap
                                  • 90-Day Warranty
                                   
                                   
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