I recently reviewed the Kinefinity EAGLE HDMI e-Viewfinder on the site, and while the company provides a reasonably good array of mounting options, I felt that the EAGLE HDMI e-Viewfinder Pro KIT was missing a rod mount solution that worked with the Movcam Carbon Fiber Handgrip. That is where the MID49 TWIST Mount EVF Kit for Kinefinity EAGLE SDI e-Viewfinder comes in.
The MID49 TWIST Mount EVF Kit for Kinefinity EAGLE SDI e-Viewfinder works with both the EAGLE SDI e-Viewfinder and the EAGLE HDMI e-Viewfinders.
Kinefinity Mounting Solutions
I have found over the years that you sometimes need to be a bit creative to come up with mounting solutions for universal EVFs. I don’t recommend using an EVF on most monitor arms, because this is not only extremely fiddly to adjust, but it is also very hard to get it level and set in the right position.
As I previously mentioned, Kinefinity makes some good mounting solutions for the Eagle HDMI e-Viewfinder that allow it to be easily attached to a wide array of cameras. Kinefinity took a lot of the suggestions I made to them about coming up with a variety of different mounting configurations.
The viewfinder features a replaceable Rosette design, and through Quick-lock Mount, 1/4″-20, and M6 threads, it can be assembled in at least five different configurations, allowing easy integration with professional cameras and providing flexibility for various shooting needs.
Movcam’s more compact, flexible quickplate bracket attaches directly to the EVF and you could simply just screw this onto a cage if you wanted to.
Mounting can be the Achilles heel of most universal EVFs. As universal EVFs need to work with a wide variety of cameras there is no one-stop solution when it comes to mounting. What may work well on one camera, may not work well on another.
The Movcam Flexible quickplate bracket is a nice solution as long as you have a camera with the ability to mount it in the place it needs to go. As it is not particularly big and doesn’t offer a lot of adjustability when it comes to length, you have to think carefully about where to place it on your camera.
I personally think one of the best solutions is to use the Movcam Flexible quickplate bracket with the optional Movcam Carbon Fiber Top Handgrip as you can attach it directly to any camera cage using a NATO rail. If your camera doesn’t have a top handle, this is a good way to kill two birds with one stone.
I used this combination with the optional Accsoon Toprig Battery Plate and a Kinefinity GripBAT 2Si to power the EVF on a Nikon Z9. The only slight caveat is that I would need to loosen the Accsoon Toprig Battery Plate to remove the Nikon Z9 battery.
Above you can see the same combination mounted on a Sony FX3.
The Movcam Carbon Fiber Top Handgrip also allows you to get a bit of side-to-side adjustment by sliding it along the NATO rail, which is something you can’t do if you just use the E-Viewfinder Mini Mount.
This combination also allows you to place the Eagle HDMI e-Viewfinder up high if need be.
Having a top handle is also super handy and it makes carrying smaller-sized cameras easier.
I did, however, find it a little strange that Kinefinity doesn’t include a rod mount adapter in the EAGLE HDMI e-Viewfinder Pro KIT, as it would make the most sense to use with the Movcam Carbon Fiber Top Handgrip.
MID49 TWIST Mount EVF Kit for Kinefinity EAGLE SDI e-Viewfinder
The MID49 TWIST Mount EVF Kit for Kinefinity EAGLE SDI e-Viewfinder will also work with the HDMI version as well.
Key features
- Double-Sided NATO Rail, 15mm Rod
- NATO Rail Clamp
- Rosette with 1/4″-20 Screw
- Variable Friction Design
- Safety Pins on Either End
The MID49 TWIST Mount EVF Kit for Kinefinity EAGLE SDI e-Viewfinder comprises a double-sided NATO rail to 15mm rod mount and a mounting knuckle with a rosette with 1/4″-20 screw for securing your viewfinder.
You Attach the knuckle to the base component via the NATO rail clamp and adjust your monitor angle freely with its variable friction design. Please note that this is not an ARRI-style rosette.
The MID49 TWIST Mount EVF Kit for Kinefinity EAGLE SDI e-Viewfinder is very easy to attach and use with the Movcam Carbon Fiber Top Handgrip as you simply just slide it into the 15mm rod mount.
It offers a very large range of movement up and down, side to side, and back and forth. This allows you to position a Kinefinity EAGLE SDI e-Viewfinder in just about any position you want.
The variable friction design works really well as you can adjust the tension so that it is easy to move the EVF or move the rail up and down. You do have to loosen the locks if you want to slide the EVF on the NATO rail or move the 15mm rod in or out.
Are there any caveats?
The included HDMI and USB-C cable that Kinefinity provides isn’t overly long, so you may have to source your own if you want to place the EVF in certain positions.
One of the other caveats is that you will end up increasing the footprint of your camera and EVF, but it will give you far more range and adjustability.
Real World Use
I liked using the MID49 TWIST Mount EVF Kit for Kinefinity EAGLE SDI e-Viewfinder, especially when I needed a lot more adjustability and range than what Kinefinity’s own solutions offer.
Having an EVF with a good mounting solution makes a world of difference when shooting with mirrorless hybrids, especially when a camera is mounted up high, or you are trying to use it for a low-angle shot.
It also creates a very stable point of contact when shooting handheld.
The MID49 TWIST Mount EVF Kit is easy to use, well-made, and a good solution if you own or are thinking about buying the Kinefinity EAGLE SDI e-Viewfinder or Kinefinity EAGLE HDMI e-Viewfinders.
Price & Availability
The MID49 TWIST Mount EVF Kit for Kinefinity EAGLE SDI e-Viewfinder is now shipping for $240 USD.
It is also available in various configurations depending on how you want to mount it.
