Zacuto Smart Z-Finder for Smartphones

2025-08-01T20:00:00

Makes it possible to take photos and videos outdoors in bright sunlight. Without it's nearly impossible to view what's on the screen.

CHARLES G.

Originally posted at

2023-12-30T19:00:00

I have been tinkering with mobile photography/videography for many years now. I always found that my mindset changed as I slid my phone into a smartphone cage. One of my struggles has always been screen glare. Even in the cloudy weather of the Pacific Northwest I would miss details because the screen washed out and I was often trying to throw together a shade of sorts. I was always dissatisfied with this. About a year ago the Zacuto Smart Z-Finder showed up in my feeds. I was intrigued by what I was seeing, but realized I needed it to work with a cage. At the time, I had a lot of Beastgrip cages and this wasn't going to be compatible. So, I backed away from picking one up. Then, months later I listened to a podcast that inspired me to try harder. Zacuto's Steve Weiss was a guest on Susy Botello's SBP Mobile Filmmaking Podcast(ep.163). Steve was a wealth of information and his company seems to understand our needs. I was on the hunt again to make this work. At the time, SmallRig made a cage for the iPhone 12Pro Max that I was using. I grabbed the SmallRig and ordered the cheapest version of the Smart Z-Finder that I could. Surprise! It barely fit and worked very well. I can't believe I was on the fence about making this purchase for so long. It is worth every penny! I sure wish now, I had chosen the cinematographer kit. I have since switched to the iPhone 15 Pro Max and the SmallRig cage for that cage works as well.

Eric

Originally posted at

2023-07-24T20:00:00

When I started shooting video many, many moons ago I carried almost 60 pounds of gear around on my shoulders. Well now, enter the Smart Z Finder. Last weekend I shot pictures and video at the Dayton Airshiw. All, naturally outdoors. What great shots I got using this great invention. This one tool has become a major game changer! If you ain't got one, Get One!

Larry B.

Originally posted at

2023-05-02T20:00:00

Just got my Smart Z Finder. I was fortunate to get into the beginning of the crowd funding and I saved big time. They totally kept me updated from the start. I just got mine and I took it to our Kentucky derby events and it's AMAZING! Never again do I worry about shooting in the bright sunlight. I could clearly see focus and the required tools on the screen with no trouble. I love how easily it mounts and esprcially the SNAP when the magnet pops onto the mount. That was some major technological thinking out of the box. Love it. Appreciate all you do. SUPER Engineering guys.Thank you. If you don't have one...GET One!

Larry B.

Originally posted at

2023-04-30T20:00:00

This product offers full-featured movie shooting on a smartphone. It would have been better if it had the diopter adjustment of the prototype! I would like to find a way to make it work with the BMPCC4K.

Arata M.

Originally posted at

2023-04-21T20:00:00

Got a chance to see and play with this at NAB 2023 in las vegas. With the combination of the Acsoon Seemo and the Smart Z-finder....basically make my iphone as a EVF monitor, which the camera i use, the FX30, does not have an EVF monitor. I definitely want to get my hands on one and do a more in depth review on it.

Kevin

Originally posted at

2023-01-03T19:00:00

Niche idea, making use of yr smartphone for discreet location scouting and some (social or B-roll) recording. But appears seriously too high-priced 400 bucks entry for the basic funnel. Feels like paying high for carrying the Zacuto logo to a shoot(ing set).

Michael H.

Originally posted at

2022-11-30T19:00:00

This thing is great. Rock solid & makes shooting a dream!

Andrew H.

Originally posted at

2022-10-20T20:00:00

Had a chance to review and shoot with a preproduction unit. This thing is so much fun to use for capturing BTS content and its hard to put down. From a content reaction standpoint you can set this up in multiple configurations to meet your needs and everything is very well thought out with lots of mounting options for small lights, mic, action cam ect. If you want to keep it light you can build it down and when folded up the setup is really compact. Having a spot to firmly grip your hands and an additional point of contact gets all the shake out of you footage. Viewfinder makes viewing in bright sunlight a snap as well!

Mike S.

Originally posted at