Viewfinder at DVinfo.net

Bill Pryor · September 1st, 2009, 02:20 PM

Does anybody know if the viewfinder works when shooting HD, or do you only get an image on the LCD while shooting?

Chris Hurd · September 1st, 2009, 02:38 PM

Because of the way the video recording works, there won't be an image through the viewfinder. It'll be LCD display only. The key to video mode on these cameras is Live View mode, which locks the shutter in the open (up) position, blocking light from reaching the viewfinder for as long as Live View is activated -- and movie recording is available only in Live View mode.

Short answer, 'cause it's an SLR.

Toenis Liivamaegi · September 1st, 2009, 04:15 PM

The viewfinder is still optical as per specs so I assume that you must use the LCD in movie mode.
From DPreview - they have stated that it is the same prism/lens assembly from 1D series and seeing the diagam/illustration it still is optical because none, I mean none of the electronic viewfinders can compete with a bright optical one. Specially so when you consider the 30fps refresh rate.

T

Bill Pryor · September 1st, 2009, 08:39 PM

Which means that Zacuto hood/magnifier thing for 400 bucks would probably be necessary for most people. It looks pretty decent.

John Vincent · September 2nd, 2009, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Hurd

Because of the way the video recording works, there won't be an image through the viewfinder. It'll be LCD display only. The key to video mode on these cameras is Live View mode, which locks the shutter in the open (up) position, blocking light from reaching the viewfinder for as long as Live View is activated -- and movie recording is available only in Live View mode.

Short answer, 'cause it's an SLR.

Are the stats for the LCD known? I know the Mark II's LCD isn't as sharp as most DPs want...

john

Chris Hurd · September 2nd, 2009, 04:00 PM

Specifications are identical between the 5D Mk. II and 7D LCD displays...

TFT, 3.0 in., appx. 920,000 dots (VGA), appx. 100% coverage, viewing angle: 170°

John Vincent · September 2nd, 2009, 04:11 PM

For those of us who don't own a Mark II, do you think the LCD screen is good enough, or should a potential 7D buyer also plan on buying a portable monitor for pulling focus?

john

Chris Hurd · September 2nd, 2009, 04:17 PM

I would say yes you'll probably need one. We have a number of monitor threads in the 5D Mk. II forum (maybe I should copy a few of them over to this board).

John Vincent · September 2nd, 2009, 04:21 PM

Thanks! Saving my pennies...

john

Dan Brockett · September 3rd, 2009, 11:07 AM

John:

Since you don't yet have a 7D, you should be aware that the camera's HDMI output will exhibit 1080 or 720 output when in standby, but when you begin to roll, the resolution out to the monitor will drop to SD when the camera is rolling. You cannot effectively pull focus with SD output when shooting HD, there is not enough resolution to tell if the picture is in sharp focus in HD.

So an external monitor, while handy for framing, is kind of somewhat useless for racking focus shots with the 5D MKII or 7D.

Dan

Chris Hurd · September 3rd, 2009, 11:11 AM

Indeed -- thanks for pointing that out, Dan!

Matt Newcomb · September 3rd, 2009, 11:21 AM

But as long as we're not moving and can mark the two focus points we setup beforehand it should be good. I don't like pulling focus during a shot unless I have a destination already in mind.

Bill Pryor · September 3rd, 2009, 11:34 AM

That brings up another question--I wonder if you can see a distance readout in the LCD. By having the readout in the VF and screens of the 1/3' chip cameras, a guy can follow focus himself without an assistant in most cases.

Tramm Hudson · September 3rd, 2009, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Pryor

That brings up another question--I wonder if you can see a distance readout in the LCD.

With the 5D Mark II and some additional software, yes you can:

Bill Koehler · September 3rd, 2009, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Pryor

Which means that Zacuto hood/magnifier thing for 400 bucks would probably be necessary for most people. It looks pretty decent.

Another one to consider might be the one discussed here:

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/photo-hd-...ef-s-lens.html

Or you can watch his video here:

Shallow DOF on T1i with Canon EF/EF-S lenses on Vimeo

It appears he is using this unit from CAVision:

Cavision | DSLR LCD Viewfinder Set for the Canon 5D | MHE52-RCM

Mr. Bruce Foreman is using it on the Canon T1i (500D) but B&H lists it as being for the 5DM2, so it will very likely work on the 7D as well. And it's a lot less expensive than $400 USD.

September 1st, 2009, 02:20 PM	#1
Bill Pryor Contributor Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 4,449	Viewfinder Does anybody know if the viewfinder works when shooting HD, or do you only get an image on the LCD while shooting?

September 1st, 2009, 02:38 PM	#2
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	Because of the way the video recording works, there won't be an image through the viewfinder. It'll be LCD display only. The key to video mode on these cameras is Live View mode, which locks the shutter in the open (up) position, blocking light from reaching the viewfinder for as long as Live View is activated -- and movie recording is available only in Live View mode. Short answer, 'cause it's an SLR. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

September 2nd, 2009, 04:00 PM	#6
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	Specifications are identical between the 5D Mk. II and 7D LCD displays... TFT, 3.0 in., appx. 920,000 dots (VGA), appx. 100% coverage, viewing angle: 170° __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

September 2nd, 2009, 04:17 PM	#8
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	I would say yes you'll probably need one. We have a number of monitor threads in the 5D Mk. II forum (maybe I should copy a few of them over to this board). __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

September 3rd, 2009, 11:11 AM	#11
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	Indeed -- thanks for pointing that out, Dan! __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

September 1st, 2009, 04:15 PM	#3
Toenis Liivamaegi Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Tartu, Estonia Posts: 579	The viewfinder is still optical as per specs so I assume that you must use the LCD in movie mode. From DPreview - they have stated that it is the same prism/lens assembly from 1D series and seeing the diagam/illustration it still is optical because none, I mean none of the electronic viewfinders can compete with a bright optical one. Specially so when you consider the 30fps refresh rate. T

September 1st, 2009, 08:39 PM	#4
Bill Pryor Contributor Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 4,449	Which means that Zacuto hood/magnifier thing for 400 bucks would probably be necessary for most people. It looks pretty decent.

September 2nd, 2009, 04:11 PM	#7
John Vincent Trustee Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 1,065	For those of us who don't own a Mark II, do you think the LCD screen is good enough, or should a potential 7D buyer also plan on buying a portable monitor for pulling focus? john

September 2nd, 2009, 04:21 PM	#9
John Vincent Trustee Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 1,065	Thanks! Saving my pennies... john

September 3rd, 2009, 11:07 AM	#10
Dan Brockett Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Los Angeles, California Posts: 2,109	John: Since you don't yet have a 7D, you should be aware that the camera's HDMI output will exhibit 1080 or 720 output when in standby, but when you begin to roll, the resolution out to the monitor will drop to SD when the camera is rolling. You cannot effectively pull focus with SD output when shooting HD, there is not enough resolution to tell if the picture is in sharp focus in HD. So an external monitor, while handy for framing, is kind of somewhat useless for racking focus shots with the 5D MKII or 7D. Dan

September 3rd, 2009, 11:21 AM	#12
Matt Newcomb Major Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 212	But as long as we're not moving and can mark the two focus points we setup beforehand it should be good. I don't like pulling focus during a shot unless I have a destination already in mind. __________________ Talenos Productions at http://www.talenos.com

September 3rd, 2009, 11:34 AM	#13
Bill Pryor Contributor Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 4,449	That brings up another question--I wonder if you can see a distance readout in the LCD. By having the readout in the VF and screens of the 1/3' chip cameras, a guy can follow focus himself without an assistant in most cases.