Back in the Stone Age, long before the arrival of so many clever phone apps, there existed the Alan Gordon Director’s Viewfinder. Why it wasn’t named after cinematographers – its prime users – escapes me, though I suspect there was some snootiness involved. Palm-sized and light-weight, it allowed you to frame shots without forcing the grips to bully the camera all over the set. The photo shows my very own model, war-weary as it is from the use it got over the years.
Operation couldn’t be simpler: First, rotate the appropriate part of the barrel to choose a format (16mm or 35mm), aspect ratio (2.35, 1.85, 1.66, TV safe and 1.33) and focal length. Then, hold it up to your eye and frame away. It was great for clarifying your thoughts and anticipating problems, as well as giving the director an idea of what to expect during those days when the quality of video assist was still a bit dodgy.
This was by no means a cheap item. I recall paying over seven hundred dollars for it thirty-five years ago. But the construction and craftsmanship were worthy of the price; the one you see still works like a charm. Cinematographers of the Kemper-Roizman-Willis breed had their credits engraved on the body of the finder, courtesy of the good folks at Panavision. I’m sure there were others, but it was early in the game for me and I wasn’t one of them.
Full disclosure: I switched over to such apps as Cadrage and Artemis as soon as they hit the street. I find them useful in ways the designers of the Alan Gordon product couldn’t have imagined. Giving respect where it’s due, they did engineer two things that would still work to their advantage. It never ran out of power and didn’t need internet access.
And now, as another unanticipated benefit, it sits on my desk and serves as a treasured paperweight. That’s not as sad an ending as it might seem. At some point, the same fate awaits every digital tool or device we’re using today!
WOW, look at the awesome wear and tear on that thing! I wish I could see what it has seen…
Loving my little FUJI XT-2 as a finder for Super 35mm spherical work. The kit lens is a close match for framing, it shoots video, has a nice flip screen, and is all manual. I also like that it has mechanical dials for the camera functions sitting right on top. This serves as a physical dashboard to remind me where I am in terms of shutter, ISO, etc. Also I love things that still have knobs and dials to turn.
Almost 50 years ago, I worked with a TV correspondent that would frame shots by putting his hands together and make a sort of 4:3 frame. |__| Being the snarky guy I was and still am, I found a small twig that had a handle and a |__| opening and handed it to him! Certainly cheaper the Alan Gordon and readily available outdoor locations.
Greg – That’s hilarious…and totally appropriate!