Zacuto EVF problem

Bela · 03-17-2012, 10:16 PM

I have a K5 with the Zacuto Z Finder 3X. My local camera store ordered in a Zacuto EVF flip for me. Before taking it out of the store I asked them to test it on the K5 to make sure it works. They are unable to get the Zacuto EVF to work for still pictures. Post on EVFs from 2011 show that it should work. However, the 2011 discussions deal with brands other than the Zacuto. My questions are as follows:

1. Will the Zacuto EVF work with a K5 for still pictures (aperture priority)?
2. If K5s work with EVFs, what are the combination of settings you need to set on the K5? ( New to digital, do not laugh, but I still have 2 bricks of Kodachrome 25 in my freezer)
3. Has anyone used the Zacuto EVF with the K5?

Thanks

Bela · 03-23-2012, 09:32 PM

Hey folks . . . some one must know something, how about a reply!

riff · 03-23-2012, 11:11 PM

I'd phone them, they were very helpful when I called and they have a toll free number. Sorry I don't have a EVF.

riff · 03-23-2012, 11:12 PM

Originally posted by Bela

how about a reply please!

P.S Fixed that for you..

Bela · 03-26-2012, 10:22 PM

Originally posted by riff

P.S Fixed that for you..

Thanks . . . . feel much better!

Made some progress, on my third visit to the store we were able to get an image but it is so highly compressed that it is useless for focusing. I will post if we ever get this figured out.

Bela · 03-27-2012, 09:53 PM

The EVF works in video mode - pic 01
The screen is compressed in all still pic modes - pic 02 ( in AV mode)
The screen is scrambled when in menu mode - pic 03

Pictures below are taken with a cell phone, hence the poor quality.

dmcuk · 03-29-2012, 06:15 AM

Great to hear about your experiences with the Zacuto evf - it's a real shame it doesn't work better with liveview for stills. If it's any consolation, I'm pretty sure you're the first person to post online how it deals with the K5. I'm one of the (very few) videographers who films with a K5 and thanks to your test confirming that it works with video, I've just bought one.
So thanks and good luck making it all work for your still photography.

Bela · 03-29-2012, 07:54 AM

dmcuk,

FYI - Zacuto has exceptional customer support!! Their tech replied to my inquiries the same day on 2 different occssions. They are looking into the problem.

Bela · 03-29-2012, 08:04 AM

The issue with still shots is not dead. Zacuto is looking into the problem. There is hope for the future, below is part of the response from Zacuto:

" Can you please go into the EVF Menu > Scaling > Show Scaling > VFMT and write down the VFMT numbers for each of the instances that you sent pictures for?
The EVF is designed to be a viewfinder for standard video signals. It may be possible that your camera [K5] is outputting a non standard video signal when in stills mode and when the menu is up. If this is the issue, we may be able to add a fix in a future firmware upgrade.

Once we know the VFMT numbers, our engineers can get a better idea of what is going on. Hopefully there is a fast and easy fix to this problem."

I will post when I have a response

riff · 03-29-2012, 11:00 AM

Originally posted by Bela

Zacuto has exceptional customer support!!

That was my opinion as well, glad you called them. Good luck and please do let us know how it ends.

Bela · 04-12-2012, 08:31 PM

Sorry for late reply. . . . . It WORKS in all modes!!!!

Three days after I sent Zacuto the codes they requested, their engineers sent me a custom made firmware update to solve the problem. Talk about customer service

! They asked me not to post the upgraded firmware as it is a beta for me to test on the K5. They indicated the official release, with the Pentax fix, will be available on the Zacuto web site in 1 to 2 weeks. Below are some screen shots of the EVF in different K5 modes. The EVF has much higher resolution than the K5 screen. They pictures below look fuzzy due to movement & poor focus with my cell phone. When the EVF is viewed with the Z-Finder, focusing is a dream.

riff · 04-12-2012, 09:18 PM

Excellent news Bela, thanks for the update and kudos to Zacuto. I'm happy for both parties.

**LaurenOE** · 04-12-2012, 09:29 PM

That is AWESOME!!!! Way to go Zacuto!!!

**LaurenOE** · 04-12-2012, 09:30 PM

When my Cheapo Lilliput dies, I am going for the Zacuto!

03-17-2012, 10:16 PM	#1
Bela Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: London, Ontario Posts: 120	Zacuto EVF problem I have a K5 with the Zacuto Z Finder 3X. My local camera store ordered in a Zacuto EVF flip for me. Before taking it out of the store I asked them to test it on the K5 to make sure it works. They are unable to get the Zacuto EVF to work for still pictures. Post on EVFs from 2011 show that it should work. However, the 2011 discussions deal with brands other than the Zacuto. My questions are as follows: 1. Will the Zacuto EVF work with a K5 for still pictures (aperture priority)? 2. If K5s work with EVFs, what are the combination of settings you need to set on the K5? ( New to digital, do not laugh, but I still have 2 bricks of Kodachrome 25 in my freezer) 3. Has anyone used the Zacuto EVF with the K5? Thanks

03-23-2012, 09:32 PM	#2
Bela Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: London, Ontario Posts: 120 Original Poster	please Hey folks . . . some one must know something, how about a reply!

03-29-2012, 08:04 AM	#9
Bela Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: London, Ontario Posts: 120 Original Poster	Zacuto possible future fix The issue with still shots is not dead. Zacuto is looking into the problem. There is hope for the future, below is part of the response from Zacuto: " Can you please go into the EVF Menu > Scaling > Show Scaling > VFMT and write down the VFMT numbers for each of the instances that you sent pictures for? The EVF is designed to be a viewfinder for standard video signals. It may be possible that your camera [K5] is outputting a non standard video signal when in stills mode and when the menu is up. If this is the issue, we may be able to add a fix in a future firmware upgrade. Once we know the VFMT numbers, our engineers can get a better idea of what is going on. Hopefully there is a fast and easy fix to this problem." I will post when I have a response

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03-23-2012, 11:11 PM	#3
riff Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,408	I'd phone them, they were very helpful when I called and they have a toll free number. Sorry I don't have a EVF.

03-23-2012, 11:12 PM	#4
riff Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,408	Originally posted by Bela how about a reply please! P.S Fixed that for you..

03-26-2012, 10:22 PM	#5
Bela Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: London, Ontario Posts: 120 Original Poster	Originally posted by riff P.S Fixed that for you.. Thanks . . . . feel much better! Made some progress, on my third visit to the store we were able to get an image but it is so highly compressed that it is useless for focusing. I will post if we ever get this figured out.

03-29-2012, 06:15 AM	#7
dmcuk New Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 1	Great to hear about your experiences with the Zacuto evf - it's a real shame it doesn't work better with liveview for stills. If it's any consolation, I'm pretty sure you're the first person to post online how it deals with the K5. I'm one of the (very few) videographers who films with a K5 and thanks to your test confirming that it works with video, I've just bought one. So thanks and good luck making it all work for your still photography.

03-29-2012, 07:54 AM	#8
Bela Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: London, Ontario Posts: 120 Original Poster	dmcuk, FYI - Zacuto has exceptional customer support!! Their tech replied to my inquiries the same day on 2 different occssions. They are looking into the problem.

03-29-2012, 11:00 AM	#10
riff Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,408	Originally posted by Bela Zacuto has exceptional customer support!! That was my opinion as well, glad you called them. Good luck and please do let us know how it ends.

04-12-2012, 09:18 PM	#12
riff Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,408	Excellent news Bela, thanks for the update and kudos to Zacuto. I'm happy for both parties.

04-12-2012, 09:29 PM	#13
LaurenOE Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Back in Florida, but worldwide gigs! Photos: Albums Posts: 3,690	That is AWESOME!!!! Way to go Zacuto!!!

04-12-2012, 09:30 PM	#14
LaurenOE Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Back in Florida, but worldwide gigs! Photos: Albums Posts: 3,690	When my Cheapo Lilliput dies, I am going for the Zacuto!