Photographic equipment distributors Argraph today announced the availability of their Zigview digital angle viewfinders for digital and film SLR cameras. They look like neat little gadgets. If you have a film SLR or DSLR that doesn't have a flip-out LCD yet, the Zigview snaps over your viewfinder, digitizes the image there, and displays it on a 2" adjustable-angle LCD. This turns and SLR into an instant view camera for shooting below eye-level and let's you shoot over crowds, too. For an extra $50, you can get the "R" model, which includes an automatic shutter release (cables for most popular SLRs and DSLRs are included). With a 999-day calendar and release intervals from 1/2 second to 99 days, it presents almost unlimited opportunities for time-lapse work. A "motion sensor" release mode is also included for DIY wildlife photography or Candid Camera knock-offs, but since it works by sampling changing light levels, I suspect you'll get false positives in from things like trees casting shadows in the wind. It's a neat idea, though.

With the base model starting at $249, if it works as advertised I'd say this is a steal for SLR owners, and not a bad deal for most DSLR owners. DSC-R1 and E-330 owners may or may not be impressed.