The Story of Director's Viewfinders

Wooden Viewfinder

...the fledgling movie director used his hands and a good deal of imagination to frame
his shots. As time progressed and technology developed he would "borrow" the
viewfinder located on the side of the early motion picture camera. Later a version
of the famed Mitchell camera viewfinder was used.

Orson Wells, Director and Gregg Toland, Cinematographer line up a camera angle using a
Mitchell viewfinder on the set of "Citizen Kane" in 1940.
click to enlarge



An early Alan Gordon Enterprise Mini-Viewfinder
click to enlarge

Eventually, directors and cinematographers with a sufficient amount of clout at the studios asked studio machine shops to make an optical device or viewfinder that would come close to simulating set-ups as seen by the camera lens. Armed with these early viewfinders they used cut out mattes to represent the focal lengths of different lenses. The studio machine shops even developed a zooming device for use with the early viewfinders. Many versions of directors viewfinders were developed during this time. Around 1946 , Tewe, a German optical company, developed a small viewfinder which could be hung around the neck. Before long it was being used and worn by directors and D.P.'s around the world.
Early Tewe Viewfinder circa 1950	Tewe Model 3-B circa 1970
With the introduction in the 1960's of wide angle prime lenses and the 25-250mm Angenieux zoom the Model 3B could not be used to accurately simulate this new10:1 zoom ratio. In 1975 Alan Gordon Enterprises in Hollywood, California started the development of what would become the 10:1 Mark IV Directors Viewfinder. It was introduced at the S.M.P.T.E. conference and trade show in 1979. This was the beginning of the modern day Director's Viewfinder. Subsequent updated models have been the Mark V, introduced in 1991 and the current model Mark Vb in 2005.
Alan Gordon Enterprise Mark IV Directors Viewfinder circa 1979 click to enlarge
In addition to its 10:1 zoom range the Mark IV featured windows the director could view and see the lens focal length he was considering using. These windows represented 16, 35 & 35 anemographic formats and gave the cinematographer instant information about lens focal length and scene framing. In 1987 Alan Gordon Enterprises introduced the Mark V Director's Viewfinder. It featured 12:1 zoom range, has a wider angle capability and has two additional windows covering Super 16, 1/2" & 2/3" video formats.

Academy of Television Arts & Science Prime Time Emmy Engineering Award	Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences Technical Achievement Award

Directors & Cinematographers Use Director's Viewfinder
To Confirm the Visual Sense

Introducing the New
MARK Vb DIRECTOR'S VIEWFINDER

click to enlarge

Adjustable Aspect Ratio Ring

The viewfinder may be adjusted to the aspect ratio that is appropriate for your film or video application. The standard theatrical 35mm, 16mm and video aspect ratio is 1:33:1. Other ratios calibrated on this ring are: 1.85:1, a Montana wide screen ratio and 2.40:1, anamorphic wide screen, also known as Panavision or Cinemascope. A setting is also provided for video, the HD Ratio 16x9. Six glass elements produces the sharpest image possible.

Color Coding

Film sizes and video formats are color-coded for quick reading.

Adjustable Focusing Ring & Rubber Eyecup

The eyepiece focusing ring can be adjusted to sharpen the image at any given setting, much like the viewfinder adjustment on the camera. The collapsible rubber eyecup prevents you from scratching your glasses. Mark Vb Specifications

Weight	14.5 oz	0.4 kg
Length	4 5/16"	125mm
Front Lens Diameter	2 1/4"	58mm
Six Optical Coated Glass Elements
Black, anodized exterior finish with chrome trim

ACCESSORIES

Belt holster case click to enlarge		Wide Angle Lens Attachment click to enlarge
Protect your investment! Belt Holster Case comes complete with belt loop and a velcro fastener flap. Black, heavy-duty, hand-made material with padding.		Designed especially for the Mark Vb Director's Viewfinder, the Wide Angle Lens attachment allows coverage as wide as10mm for 35mm film. It produces a similar effect on other film sizes and video formats. Comes with heavy duty nylon pouch.

Prices

Mark Vb Director's Viewfinder with Protective Lens Cap	$699.00
Wide Angle Attachment	$ 99.00
Belt Holster Case	$29.95
Replacement Lens Cap	$6.99

To order the Mark V Director's Viewfinder, contact your nearest Mark Vb Dealer or e-mail to: info@directorsviewfinders.com or telephone (800) 825-MOVI, or fax (323) 871-2193.
The mailing address is 5625 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, California 90038 USA.

MINI DIRECTOR'S VIEWFINDER

Expands to 3" in full telephoto position

This is a larger, easier to handle version of the original mini finder
at a budget price. The Mini II includes many of the features
found in the more expensive viewfinders.

Measuring 2" in diameter and just 3" long
this viewfinder features an 11x zoom.
The Mini II covers film formats of 16, Super 16, 35mm and 35mm anamorphic
plus 1/2," 2/3" and newly added 1/3" video.

The Mini II is the perfect viewfinder for the budget-conscious
filmmaker. It is supplied complete with a neck strap,
screw-on lens cap and drawstring pouch.

Priced at $375.00

To order the Mark Vb Director's Viewfinder or the Mini II Director's Viewfinder, contact your nearest Dealer or e-mail us at info@directorsviewfinders.com or telephone us at (800) 825-MOVI (6684), or fax us at (323) 871-2193. Our mailing address is 5625 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, California 90038 USA.

ULTIMATE DIRECTOR'S VIEWFINDER

The UltiMate Director's Finder for 35mm Motion Pictures

The UltiMate is a handheld or tripod-mounted director's finder that
includes:

• interchangeable lens mounts
• multiple camera-type/format-type ground glasses
• optional 1/2" CCD-ready B&W or color video-tap
• optional 2X anemographic desqueezer.

Viewing through the actual shooting lens enables the director or DP to see what the camera
will see before film is exposed. Interchangeable ground glasses accommodate a variety
of shooting formats (including Super-35) and camera types.
The video-tap (12V power supplied by onboard batteries or an external source),
gives interested parties behind the scenes the opportunity to view
and comment on the composition and look of the shot.

Used for location scouting or scene testing, the UltiMate can capture specific shots,
then return to the production facility for playback and analysis.

On the set, the UltiMate finder can save time by helping to set up the next shot while the current set is being filmed. Immediate video-prints
can be produced to study for comments or changes.
Or, in a difficult location or complicated set-up such as table-tops,
crowd scenes, etc., the UltiMate can be used to simulate shots, practice moves,
and review the results -- all well before the actual scene
is committed to film.


(Scroll down for UltiMate & UltiMate 16 Director's Viewfinders Pricing)

To order the UltiMate or UltiMate 16 Director's Viewfinder
email: directorsviewfinder.com
Telephone: (800) 825-MOVI,
Fax: (323) 871-2193
Mailing address: 5625 Melrose Avenue
Hollywood, California 90038, USA

"I really could use a viewfinder but I don't have the cash right now .."

Contact us anyway! we often have used finders
for sale at reduced prices.

SERVICE & REPAIR

Our factory trained technicians will be pleased to estimate costs for any service or repair to your viewfinder or other production equipment. Most Mark IV, V and Vb Director's Viewfinders can be checked, cleaned and most repairs made in one hour or less. Hourly rates are $85.00 per hour plus parts. Send your viewfinder to our Hollywood Service Department, Alan Gordon Enterprises, Inc., 5625 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, California 90038 U.S.A. All shipments should be properly packaged, be covered with sufficient insurance and shipped prepaid. All return shipments will be sent F.O.B. Hollywood, CA

Please email us with any questions you may have: Service at service@alangordon.com
Telephone: (800) 825-MOVI
Fax: (323) 871-2193.
Mailing address:
Directors Viewfinder, 5625 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, California 90038, USA.

directorsviewfinders.com is a division of
Alan Gordon Enterprises, Inc.

For all your professional motion picture
or video production needs visit us at

www.alangordon.com