Viewfinder help

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ned c
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Viewfinder help

Post by ned c »

Here in the bright sunlight of he American SW the LED screen is unuseable and the viewfinder on my JVC 170 small and difficult to line up. Any experience with loupes applied to the LED screen? The examples I look at from the main suppliers are made for DSLRs and are not really suitable for a camcorder.

Any suggestions please.

Thanks

ned c
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John Roberts
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Re: Viewfinder help

Post by John Roberts »

Hi Ned, have you tried something like this? I've seen a few sunshade hoods in use but I can't vouch for them personally.

http://cvp.com/index.php?t=product/hoodman_hd-300

Good luck! :D
Michael Slowe
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Re: Viewfinder help

Post by Michael Slowe »

Ned, this is the biggest problem that arises with the demise of the old viewfinders and the provision of screens instead. With the Sony EX 3 they provided an eye piece which folded down over the screen and also magnified it. I have in my hand a similar device, made by Hoodman, that fixes on to the screen with velcro. It works well enough, and you can focus the image, but it rather defeats the good points about screens in that you don't actually have to put your eye to an eyepiece.

With my EX 1, I have for years, used a sunshade fixed on to the camera's screen which allows me to film and focus accurately in quite bright sunlight. Funnily enough it comes from a specialist shop on the outskirts of New York but I can't remember the name! I agree, this is a big problem but there are solutions readily available.
ned c
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Re: Viewfinder help

Post by ned c »

John and Michael; thanks. I have a simple fold out sunshade that fits over the screen but the light here is blinding and I have to hold it close to my eye to block out the light which dos not work well. Thanks for the Hoodman suggestion; I have tracked down what you use and it would seem to be a possible answer so will order and try. (A 3 inch loupe and the attachment for camcorder screens). I buy all my equipment from B&H in New York and they have this in stock,

Thanks

ned c
col lamb
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Re: Viewfinder help

Post by col lamb »

If that does not work for you then try Zacuto

They make a HD viewfinder, not a magnifier but an electronic viewfinder
Col Lamb
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ned c
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Re: Viewfinder help

Post by ned c »

Thanks Col, however at $1600 for the basic model that is more than I paid for my 4K camera, the fully featured version is $3100! They make loupe style viewfinders that are more affordable but specifically for DSLRs with no simple way of attaching to a camcorder LCD. Will report on my follow up to Michael's suggestion,

ned c
col lamb
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Re: Viewfinder help

Post by col lamb »

I had one of their opticals on my 7D and it was good, then it became a pain as it was fixed horizontally and uncomfortable to use.

Thank goodness for eBay the Zacuto, the 7D and all camcorders have now gone to new owners.
Col Lamb
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Roy1
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Re: Viewfinder help

Post by Roy1 »

Hi. I have just received a Hoodman HD300 hood for my Sony Camcorder and although it fits the LCD screen ok the resultant view when in bright sunshine is very little different.
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Dave Watterson
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Re: Viewfinder help

Post by Dave Watterson »

Ned, if you are shooting 4K who cares what the viewfinder shows?! Just aim in the right general direction then crop and zoom in post!
ned c
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Re: Viewfinder help

Post by ned c »

Wish that it were so! If you think focus is critical in HD then in 4K it is super critical. It is yet another learning curve and at NAB in April we will see all the 8K demonstrations. Do we need this? No, there is presently no major broadcasts in UHDTV (4k TV) and as yet no disc production software/hardware. But then the marketing people have to constantly find something to sell us.

ned c
Michael Slowe
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Re: Viewfinder help

Post by Michael Slowe »

Ned, you're right about us not needing 4 or 8K for acquisition because there's currently no way to exhibit it. However, for extensive post production work it could be valuable. Some of the complicated stuff being done today would degrade an HD image, whereas the 4 and 8K material would take it. Also, most cinemas now project in 4K and if the production is to be viewed in a cinema then it would be sensible to shoot in that form. It's all going to be file based soon anyway, goodbye DVD's and BD's, unfortunately I think.

On your camera screen subject, of course you need to see the image for accurate focus! Dave, we don't all use auto focus you know.
col lamb
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Re: Viewfinder help

Post by col lamb »

Panasonic's UB900 looks as though it may solve the 4k media file playback requirements.

It was shown at ces in January and is a Ultra HD BlyRay device, initial write ups of the player are good and it goes on sale in the Spring and movie titles are already available in Ultra HD BluRay format

It looks as though you may be able to stream Ultra HD video files through it if you cannot playback said files by direct connection to a Ultra HD TV
Col Lamb
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ned c
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Re: Viewfinder help

Post by ned c »

In the search for a solution to the problem of bright sunlight and washed out screens and minute viewfinders I purchased a Meike MK VF2 loupe on e-bay for USD 45. It is well made although designed for DSLRs it is easily adapted to a video camera screen although the aspect ratio is wrong. However; I had not taken into account the weight at 170 grams and when attached to the side screen it rotated it down and put on obvious strain on the rather flimsy connection between the screen and the camera body. It fits my wife's DSLR perfectly so has found a use. I am beginning to believe that a GH4 is in my future!

ned c
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