Viewfinder for high definition video camera

A viewfinder for mounting on a camera having a video signal tap, comprising:

• a support base assembly for mounting on the camera to extend laterally of the camera;
• a pivot member pivotally connected to said support base assembly for selectively pivoting about a laterally extending axis,
• a pivot locking mechanism on said pivot member and support base assembly for selectively locking said pivot member to said support base to prevent pivoting therebetween;
• a viewing module releasably connected to said pivot member for extending rearwardly along a side of the camera, said viewing module having a CRT facing rearwardly and an eyepiece extending rearwardly for viewing said CRT;
• and
• an electrical connection from the video signal tap of the camera to said viewing module for transmitting video signals from the camera to said viewing module.

A viewfinder for mounting on a top-front portion of a camera having a video signal tap, comprising;

• a support base assembly for mounting on the top-front portion to extend forwardly and laterally of the camera, said support base assembly having means for allowing substantial longitudinal and lateral adjustment of the viewfinder;
• a pivot member pivotal connected to said support base assembly for selectively pivoting about a laterally extending axis, said pivot member having electrical wires from a connection to the video signal tap of the camera for transmitting video signals from the camera;
• a pivot locking mechanism on said pivot member and support base assembly for selectively locking said pivot member to said support base assembly to prevent pivoting therebetween;
• a viewing module releasably connected to said pivot member for extending rearwardly along a side of the camera, said viewing module having a CRT facing rearwardly and an eyepiece extending rearwardly of said CRT for viewing said CRT, and said viewing module including controls for operating said CRT positioned on an outer surface of said viewing module;
• a bayonet locking mechanism releasably connecting said viewing module to said pivot member, said bayonet locking mechanism having a rotatable lock for connecting and disconnecting said viewing module to and from said pivot member without rotating said viewing module relative to said pivot member;
• and
• cooperating and releasable electrical connectors on said pivot member and said viewing module for transmitting video signals and electrical power from said pivot member to said viewing modules.