ⓘ SmallRig
Waist-level viewfinders allow you to hold the camera at waist height and look down into the viewfinder, as with a classic medium-format or TLR camera. SmallRig now offers a new viewfinder of this type, which is said to be ideal for cameras such as the Leica Q3 or the Ricoh GR IV.
Hannes Brecher (translated by Hannes Brecher), Published 🇩🇪
Camera accessory specialist SmallRig has announced a brand-new waist-level viewfinder that can be slotted into the hot shoe of any camera, allowing users to look down through the viewfinder from above. The viewfinder covers a field of view equivalent to a 28 mm lens, which is said to make it ideal for compact cameras with a fixed 28 mm lens, such as the Ricoh GR IV or the Leica Q3.
However, SmallRig also provides frame lines for 35 mm and 50 mm lenses, allowing it to be used with cameras such as the Fujifilm X100 VI. The viewfinder is primarily intended to deliver a classic shooting experience, like that of analog medium-format or twin-lens reflex cameras such as the Rolleiflex. Unlike with these cameras, however, it is not possible to assess focus with an add-on waist-level viewfinder, so it is best suited for use with autofocus or zone focusing.
The design was clearly inspired by retro cameras, as SmallRig uses a silver body with a black faux leather covering. The viewfinder can be folded down for transport to protect the optics. The viewfinder uses a four-element optical system with a Nano-AR coating for a view with as little distortion as possible. According to SmallRig, the viewfinder weighs 62 grams.
Pricing and availability
The new SmallRig waist-level viewfinder is available now for $58.99 on Amazon or from the manufacturer's online store.
Editor of the original article: Hannes Brecher - Senior Tech Writer - 22726 articles published on Notebookcheck since 2018
Since 2009 I have written for different publications with a focus on consumer electronics. I joined the Notebookcheck news team in 2018 and have combined my many years of experience with laptops and smartphones with my lifelong passion for technology to create informative content for our readers about new developments in this sphere. In addition, my design background as an art director at an ad agency has allowed me to have deeper insights into the peculiarities of this industry.
Hannes Brecher, 2026-10-26 (Update: 2026-10-26)