What’s the best EVF mount & monitor mount? 7 devices reviewed

November 18^th, 2013

What's the best EVF mount & monitor mount? 7 devices reviewed

by Sebastian WöberNovember 18^th, 2013

Zacuto
Axis EVF mount
$537

Zacuto presents a very interesting EVF mount solution that’s worth considering. Next to the Edelkrone it’s the most innovative I’ve seen. While it comes with a big pricetag as well it in turn offers the most flexibility and complete solution out of all units I’ve looked at.

The big advantage here is the extension length the three arms provide allowing you to position your EVF or monitor far from the mounting point while at the same time collapsing easily and not taking too much space.
Wether you need that kind of flexibility or not is up to you. The downside here is that in order to completely lock down the EVF position each of the knobs will have to be tightened and their small size and shape makes it not so convenient to do so. On the other hand, the arms provide sufficient friction to hold anything in place as long as there’s no force on it. The joints are very well made, adjust very smoothly and the whole device feels sturdy and professional.

The device is attached to the camera via a rail clamp and the EVF mounting point serves as a 4-sided dovetail (nato rail) in conjunction with another railclamp.

While the extension length the Zacuto Axis provides is not necessarily needed when operating with an EVF handheld-stlye, it could come in very handy when quickly repositioning a monitor when in tripod-mode.
The length and adjustability will also leave plenty of room for the lens and follow focus. So if you want to make sure you’re safe in terms of having your EVF or monitor the right place the Axis is definitely the most universal solution. For my personal work a less feature rich device will do.

Pro’s and Con’s:

+ Can also hold field monitors
+ Flexibility is very convenient for use with field monitors
+ Most flexible. Can extend very far. Practical
+ Very smooth, sturdy and professional feel
+ Still collapses to a small form factor
+ Friction arm for smooth one-handed adjustment

– Can be too large for EVF use only, size and weight might get in the way
– Have to use too many knobs to lock down
– Knob shape can be fiddly to lock and open
– Requires cage or other nato mounting point

If this review was helpful please use our links:
You can get the Zacuto Axis EVF mount at B&H for $537

Wooden Camera
UVF Mount V2 NATO Rail Kit
$449

Wooden Camera started out as a company making gear especially for RED cameras. Their products have good quality but are among the more expensive ones when it comes to accessories. Their viewfinder mount is the smallest and lightest out of all the ones I’ve tested, but still comes with a large pricetag. Let’s see if that’s justified.

The Wooden Camera UVF mount V2 attaches to the rig via two 1/4″ screws that hold a small rod that extends sideways. This is convenient provided you have a cage or other mounting points on your rig. The knob holding the rod seems overly large compared to the rest of the device and gets in the way a bit (I’ve been told it has now been made smaller), but it helps to tighten and loosen the rod easily which can also be said for the rest of the knobs.

The EVF is attached to a railclamp that sits on a nato rail and allows for the adjustment of the EVF position. This rail is quite short, for my tastes it was just a tad too short to get the EVF where I wanted it, but it was still ok. This might be a problem for some, for others the length might work well. There is an extension arm available, but it’s not cheap either.

It should be noted that on this device everything (except for the overly large top knob) seems sized and simplified in a way that it provides easy of use and a lightweight design that doesn’t get in the way, which is a very good approach for filmmaking gear. This device is very nice to work with and provides high ergonomic value. Johnnie chose this one as his preferred EVF mount. For me it was a tad too limited out of the box.

The base model will not support the use of a field monitor. However there is an LCD bracket available for $99.

This is a great EVF mount that I can recommend if you can afford it.

Pro’s and Con’s:

+ Light
+ Thin & not in the way of anything
+ Easy to use
+ Quality and ergonomics, screws work fine
+ Convenient pin against falling off
+ Friction arm for smooth one-handed adjustment

– Doesn’t support monitor out of the box
– Top screw overly large and in the way
– A tad too short out of the box, might be problem for some
– Requires cage or other 1/4″ mounting points

If this review was helpful please use our links:
You can get the Wooden Camera UVF Mount V2 at B&H for $449

On PAGE 3: SHAPE Rod Bloc EVF Mount & Zacuto Z-ERM EVF Rod Mount
GO TO PAGE 3 →

Links directly to EVF mount reviews:
• Page 1: Solid Camera Universal EVF Support KIT w/ Slotted Dovetail
• Page 2: Zacuto Axis EVF mount
• Page 2: Wooden Camera UVF Mount V2 NATO Rail Kit
• Page 3: SHAPE Rod Bloc EVF Mount
• Page 3: Zacuto Z-ERM EVF Rod Mount
• Page 4: Edelkrone Monitor / EVF holder
• Page 4: Lanparte Heavy Duty Magic Arm
• Page 5: Conclusion