The Handy Off-Camera Remote Viewfinder For DSLR’s
Aputure Gigtube Viewfinder Review
The Gigtube from Aputure is a pretty cool little gadget that acts as a removable LCD live view screen for your DSLR with built in camera remote. For me, there are a number of possible scenarios where this would be particularly useful:
- Self Portraits
- Overhead Shots
- Stealth Shots of Nature Subjects
- Low Angle Shooting
- Macro Work
Having used this gadget myself over the past couple of weeks, I must admit it is pretty useful. I like to video my kids with the Canon EOS 5D Mark II and to get the shot looking great, I like to film them running about from a low angle.
Placing the Aputure Gigtube on the camera’s hot-shoe with the screen facing up makes this task so much easier and it means I can run around holding the camera low down whilst seeing exactly what I am filming…something impossible to do with a DSLR without the Aputure Gigtube Viewfinder.
Main Features
- 2.5″ LCD Display (230k pixels, 24-bit color)
- Any-Angle Rotating/Tilting Viewer
- Full LCD Control (brightness, contrast, flip)
- Remote Shutter Release Function
- Hot Shoe Mountable
It is also good for stealth-type nature shots where you want to be away from the camera. Although it is not wireless, you do have a 6′ cable to give you some separation from the equipment.
It is also good for studio work where you cannot necessarily get low enough to look at the rear LC screen. This can be useful when either attached to the camera or used hand-held.
Here are the Specs:
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The Aputure Gigtube Viewfinder acts pretty much the same as your rear LCD screen in that it incorporates the live view with image review once capture has been made. The whole thing is pretty simple to set up and use by simply pacing one cable into the remote release socket and the other into the AV out socket.
You can rotate the image on screen by 180 degrees for ease of viewing and the battery should last for 3 hours of continuous shooting. It is worth making the effort to only use the screen when needed as this 3 hours can quickly run out when on location.
Below is a list of DSLR’s that are currently compatible with the Gigatube, and please note that when live view is not available, the Aputure gigtube is still useful as a remote release with image review.
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Notes and Niggles:
1. Note: When used with camera models marked in red, the AV adapter of Aputure and original AV cable of manufacturer is necessary.
2. Note: The live LCD viewfinder is dependant upon whether your camera supports “Live View”.
3. Niggle: It needs to include a separate, shorter cable for when you are using the viewfinder on your hotshoe as the 6 foot cord tends to swing about and get in the way.
4. Niggle: As a default, the machine is set to “auto off” after a couple of minutes which can be infuriating! I found out after some searching through the menu that you can swith this feature off and when I did…bliss! Much better.
Update: Having just used this device when shooting a recent wedding (video) I found it extremely valuable when shooting from the hip or low down when filming kids running about on the dance floor.
It can also be used well for stealth videoing/photography. You can point the lens at someone at a 90 degree angle and look down at the camera as though you are not actually filming but maybe cleaning the camera or adjusting it.
Using the viewfinder to focus and frame your shot, you can get some pretty cool footage and/or stills without the guests/couple knowing! I am sure you could find a whole host of other uses for the Aputure Gigtube Viewfinder.
Buy the Aputure Gigtube Viewfinder from Amazon for just $189.95 $149.95 $58.95
Also check out the new Wireless GW3 CII Gigtube which works remotely up to 100m using a remote screen!
