A very useful tool for HDSLRs by Hoodman

I did this blog entry simply because the title speaks for itself and is from my personal experience. Truly useful:

http://blog.vadervideo.com/2011/05/hoodman-saves-my-butt-at-long-beach.html

Good writeup Andy.
I had the hoodman but sold it because I didn't find the optics were the best. Maybe it was mine.
Since then I bought the Letus Hawk. Outstanding glass and build quality.
It has a quick disconnect mounting system, so its pretty easy to put on and off the camera.
http://www.letusdirect.com/cart/letus-hawk.html

I also use the Letus Hawk. Very solid and well built. A little pain if shooting both video and photo. Need to put camera into live mode for photo or ya can't see through the view finder.

Very well done blog. I feel I understand this product now. I already have the loop. Crane looks like a must!

This looks interesting. Thanks for the information. However, it also looks cumbersome, especially while moving quickly through foreign places. My solution of the moment is a large black shawl that I csn tie around my waist or throw over my shoulders then stick over the camera and my head whenever needed. I got it on sale for six dollars.

The shawl over your shoulders doesn't draw a lot of attention? Something I don't like to do.
Another thing about these loops is when it's held against your eye, it adds another level of steadiness that just hand holding alone can't give.

With a black cloth over my head I can't tell if I'm attracting attention or not, but thats a good point. I never hand hold. If a tripod is not allowed I use a beanbag on something solid, like the ground if necessary in which case I do sometimes attract attention. Years ago I crawled through the Alhambra palace on the floor using a sweater to steady a fairly large SVHS camcorder. Groups of French and German tourists seemed quite amused, but I got some great low angle shots. I'll take a look at some of the loops.

The thing I like most about this "Eye Piece" is that it will fit on any camera model. Also, the fact that I can quickly move it out of the way without having to un-mount or unscrew anything. The price is awesome as well. Of course I got it at NAB - the whole rig for $175.00 - can't complain. They threw in a couple of other chatchkis as well.

@kk5hy - you are absolutely correct - it does help stabilize as well when holding it up to the eye/nose bridge.
@phantomewo - you are also correct, for photo one does need to be in live view mode on Canons to make this as any other such device work.
@globescope - not cumbersome at all - the thing folds out for storage nicely. Also, I like it because I can mount it on the camera without having to remove the plate or even removing the cam from the tripod.

There is one more cool thing about this: I have used it as a handle to "float the camera" for low ground shots. Although I know it's not designed for that - it worked really well :)

I agree the easy of yours to take on or off and /or rotate out of the way is BIG plus. The Letus Hawk is indeed more permanent and requires removal from tripod then unscrewing the base plate from the hood. And was a lot more than $175