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

by Sebastian WöberNovember 18^th, 2013

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Shape
Rod Bloc EVF Mount
$439

Shape’s Rod Bloc EVF mount is among there more expensive ones I’ve looked at. The price was rather surprising to me, because the device feels rather low in quality.
I noticed the joints were squeaking and not smooth at all making it difficult to set the right position, which is hard to accept for a device costing that much.

The Shape solution attaches to the 15mm rails of your camera. This can be an advantage as there is no cage or other mounting point required to use it. On the other hand this space on your rails might be occupied by the follow focus or lens, so I’d say it can be regarded as less ideal.

Another drawback is that the EVF has to be mounted directly to the full device via an allen wrench and the area of support is really just a small cheap screw that falls off by itself. Other, more professional EVF mounts allow for an easy detachment of the mounting bracket which stays on the EVF or monitor. A field monitor can be attached provided it has a mounting thread on the side, as the Shape mounting bracket itself is too short to work with a field monitor. It could in theory be used in reverse, but would then pose other problems.

The list of obvious flaws of this device goes on. Let’s just look at the pro’s and con’s.

Pro’s and Con’s:

– Attachment to EVF is bad
– 15mm rod mount not ideal
– Needs allen wrench to adjust sideways
– Blocked by cage and cables when extended all the way
– Makes squeaky noises and is very unsmooth to adjust
– Not flexible at all
– Can’t get the EVF to sit in a good position
– Hard to attach a field monitor
– Feels very cheap
– Priced way too high

If this review was helpful please use our links:
You can get the Shape Rod Bloc EVF mount at B&H for $439

Zacuto
Z-ERM EVF Rod Mount
$323

Zacuto’s Z-ERM EVF Rod Mount attaches one of to the 15mm rails on your rig. As mentioned earlier the space at the rails underneath the lens might be occupied by a follow focus or lens support, so it’s not an ideal place to put your EVF mount. On the other hand this way you will not require a cage or other mounting point to facilitate the unit.

What is great about Zacuto’s simple EVF solution is that it’s small, lightweight and flexible. This provides the flexibility of a mini magic arm except that each joint can be completely locked down. And here’s also the drawback: you have to tighten or untighten each knob in order to adjust your EVF position.

A monitor can be mounted even though space will get even tighter then. The positive thing about this solution is that almost each part can be replaced and extended easily. So to better support a field monitor you’d just use a longer 15mm extension rod.

In a similar manner the mounting point for the device itself can be easily replaced for a rail clamp for example.

As you can see this is one of the more intelligent designs. It is flexible and extendable, but it lacks ergonomics and ease of use. In other words this one is practical, but for it’s not the ideal tool for the job.

Pro’s and Con’s:

+ Can also hold field monitors
+ Very very flexible
+ small and lightweight
+ Durable
+ Extendable

– Too many knobs
– No one-handed adjustments possible. No Friction arm
– Not very ergonomic or easy to use
– 15mm rod mount not ideal

If this review was helpful please use our links:
You can get the Zacuto Z-ERM EVF Rod Mount at B&H for $323

On PAGE 4: Edelkrone Monitor / EVF holder & Lanparte Heavy Duty Magic Arm
GO TO PAGE 4 →

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