Hoodman HoodCrane Universal Hot Shoe Mount for LCD Accessories

Comments about Hoodman HoodCrane Universal Hot Shoe Mount for LCD Accessories:

The hoodcrane makes using the video capability of my Canon 5D Mark II much easier. I have two hands to focus and to adjust settings of the camera. I recommend you use the product with the camera mounted to a tripod.

Comments about Hoodman HoodCrane Universal Hot Shoe Mount for LCD Accessories:

That's just what I needed. It takes just a few adjustments and now I can shoot all the video with a great deal more ease. Thanks Hoodman!

Comments about Hoodman HoodCrane Universal Hot Shoe Mount for LCD Accessories:

The product will be used on a Nikon D7000 for video shooting
I find that it is easy to use, light and firm in its settings. It holds the loupe firmly against the LCD allowing full viewing in any light.
A bit pricey, but for the convenience it gives me - I can live with that

Comments about Hoodman HoodCrane Universal Hot Shoe Mount for LCD Accessories:

Allows quick attachment and removal of magnifying eyepiece for shooting in Live View - stills or videos.

Comments about Hoodman HoodCrane Universal Hot Shoe Mount for LCD Accessories:

More functional and cooler looking than using the the stretchy bands that hoodloupe comes with. You can see the footage of the series at Official Trailer- A Cure For Dead – Surviving The Zombie Apocalypse | [@]

Comments about Hoodman HoodCrane Universal Hot Shoe Mount for LCD Accessories:

As I already had the loupe, I purchased the HoodCrane to use on my new Nikon D7000. Makes a nice viewfinder for video. Though a bit pricey, it gets the job done...I guess I could have spent a lot more for some other product that would do the same thing.

Comments about Hoodman HoodCrane Universal Hot Shoe Mount for LCD Accessories:

I have used the HoodCrane CinemaKit Pro for several months on a Canon 5DMKII. The Hoodman viewer itself, with the 3X magnifier, is great. The cinema kit part isn't so great. The reason I bought this one is as a replacement for the original crane that broke.

Two problems: the hotshoe attachment would loosen up and the crane would fall off. That's how it broke after falling off one time too many. The second issue is that it's not easy to raise it and relock it into position.

Overall, the idea of the product is great, but the execution is not so good.

So far, the replacement seems to lock down better in terms of attaching it to the camera hotshoe. I have not tried the hinge yet to raise and lower it. If the crane worked better, I would give it a 5 star rating, but as it is, I can only give it 3. The Hoodman loupe, though, I will give a 4. I'd give it a 5 if it had a better eyecup. The one that's included needs to be bigger, and it needs to be a tighter fit so it doesn't rotate around so easily.

Comments about Hoodman HoodCrane Universal Hot Shoe Mount for LCD Accessories:

The crane goes on and off your DSLR very easily and once custom fit, you never have to adjust it. I used it on my trip to the Caribbean and it helped a great deal keep proper exposure and focus which would be impossible in bright sunlight. I totally would recommend this product if your want to take proper video. I also like how the crane moves easily to the side when you want to take just photos and need to see through the eye.

Comments about Hoodman HoodCrane Universal Hot Shoe Mount for LCD Accessories:

works way better and looks more professional than the rubber bands

Comments about Hoodman HoodCrane Universal Hot Shoe Mount for LCD Accessories:

This works perfectly with the Canon 60D. Unlike other mounts, it can quickly be moved from the viewing position, with enough clearance to allow the swivel screen to be extended.

Comments about Hoodman HoodCrane Universal Hot Shoe Mount for LCD Accessories:

I use this when shooting video with my Canon 7D. It is the best solution I have seen for keeping the Hoodman viewer in place. It took a few minutes of tweaking to get a perfect fit, but once I had it dialed in, the unit falls into place exactly as the prior use each time I attach it.

The one thing that made me consider giving it a four star rating instead of a five star is the fact that no matter how tightly I cinch it down on the accessory shoe, it falls off when I move my outfit from place to place. I always remove it from the camera when I am changing set ups so I won't end up losing it.

Also, it seems a little loose in the joints, but you can't expect a lightweight piece of equipment like this to be solid as cast iron. All in all, well worth the money.

Comments about Hoodman HoodCrane Universal Hot Shoe Mount for LCD Accessories:

Very very useful for DSLR Movie with the Hoodman. But the price..ne ne ne ne.
But anyway better than the gunny straps.

Comments about Hoodman HoodCrane Universal Hot Shoe Mount for LCD Accessories:

Was skeptical, but after using, it's great. Needs to be readjuted sometimes, but just what I needed shoot video with my 1D Mark IV.

Comments about Hoodman HoodCrane Universal Hot Shoe Mount for LCD Accessories:

The original "rubber band" connectors that came with the "Hoodman" were not very functional. The crane has brought a new, high level of functionality to the loupe. It is well made and its design allows for flexibility of use including fast movement from live view to view finder. Overall an excellent product and well worth the price.

Comments about Hoodman HoodCrane Universal Hot Shoe Mount for LCD Accessories:

The HoodCrane and 3.0 eyepiece work as advertised, at a sensible price. More functional then the overpriced Zacuto loupe.

My only wish is that the release to pop the Hoodloupe up with the HoodCrane cannot be effected with one hand, so it is hard to do it while shooting. I'd like to get focus, then pop up while shooting.

Otherwise, I have no complaints, and Hoodloupe optical quality is perfect.

Comments about Hoodman HoodCrane Universal Hot Shoe Mount for LCD Accessories:

I really like my Hoodman and think that it's a great value. It saved a lot of money compared to what I would have spent with their competitors. However, the rubber bands that came with my Hoodman left plenty to be desired. When I saw the HoodCrane, I thought it was a brilliant idea and wondered why they didn't package it with the Hoodman to begin with. Rubber bands are pretty lame if you ask me. The Hoodcrane [...]does what the ad says. I'm very pleased with B&H and my new HoodCrane.

Comments about Hoodman HoodCrane Universal Hot Shoe Mount for LCD Accessories:

The hoodcrane seems to be a well thought out design and does pretty much exactly what it should. I have both the 7D and T2i and it goes easily from one to the other with only minor adjustment.

I had been using a long (12") rubber band to hold the Hoodloupe in place while doing video but "klunky" as it looks I much prefer the Hoodcrane. Works great with the camera mounted on a SpiderBrace, tripod mounted, or even handheld where you can use something like the T2i almost the same as a video camera with eyelevel viewfinder.

Caution: I would not pick up camera by the Hoodcrane, the only connection point is the hotshoe on the camera and to me it does not look strong enough for the Hoodcrane to be used as a "carry handle"

Probably the best mounting solution for the Hoodloupe yet.