Does anyone know whether or not the menu options and audio levels will be displayed in the existing FU-1000?? Please....someone have some good news for me. I just bought this viewfinder a short time ago.

Yes to everything, plus 16:9 is properly letterboxed. So you can rest easy.

That's so good to hear. Now I can be fully excited about the XL2!! Take care.

I was looking at accesories for the XL2 on canondv.com and apparently the Fu-1000 is NOT compatible

http://consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/controller?act=SNAModelSuppliesAct&fcategoryid=818&modelid=7471

that's quite the surprise... so there is no hi-res viewfinder to pull nice focuses?

It's only an omission, the Fu-1000 is FULLY compatible with the Xl2.

Look in the features list (http://consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/controller?act=ModelFeaturesAct&fcategoryid=114&modelid=10350#f9). Near the end you can read "-Body compatible with FU-100 B/W EVF (not with current color EVF)"

You can also look at The watchdog's image gallery (http://www.dvinfo.net/canonxl2/images/images05.php). The last pîcture show the dedicated connector for the Fu-1000, wich I believe, provide the 12v power required by the monochrome viewfinder. If I am correct, with the XL2 you don't have to put the adapter between the camera and the battery. A great addition!

EDIT: I just found this on the watchdog's FAQ in the compatibility list: "Q: Will the Canon FU-1000 monochrome CRT viewfinder work on the XL2?

A: Yes, it's perfectly compatible with the XL2; in fact, you no longer need to use the power adapter in the battery well. What's more, the monochrome CRT viewinder will display a properly letterboxed image when shooting in the 16:9 aspect ratio. "

Hope this help,

thanks Jean-Philippe

I was wondering if any of you know if the connection plug on the FU-1000 is some sort of industry standard, or just a canon proprietary jack? I'm referring to the the plug physically connected to the unit, not the one on the XL1 voltage rectifier. I ask because I would like to get a high resolution color viewfinder, and Im wondering if there are any that would simply plug into the XL2? Alternately, does anyone know if there are any high resolution color viewfinders w/ a super video plug, which would be almost as good.
Some of you may suggest I use an external LCD screen. This wouldnt work (for me) as I need the viewfinder (sometimes) for focusing midshot and handheld. My desire for color is somewhat extravagant, as I could use a TV for color balancing, however, I'd like something compact and quick to set up, and espesially for it to be mobile and unencumbered. Plus color is an essential component of creating a composition; the FU-1000 is somewhat disorienting in this respect.
It also occurs to me that even if the plug is proprietary that I could fasion a dongle which would route the proper signals to the right wires. Does anyone know what kind of signal is being sent to the viewfinder? (component? some sort of composite medley?) Any feedback would be much appreciated.

It's a composite video signal that's fed to the viewfinder, and yes, the EVF connections (for both the color LCD viewfinder and the monochrome CRT viewfinder) are proprietary Canon devices.

I am thinking of purchasing the FU-1000. However, after reading Ken's excellent article on this device, I was wondering about the following as it applies to the newer XL2:

The second caveat is more noteworthy. After using the FU-1000 for a while you may suddenly notice that something’s missing from the EVF indicators: the battery level indicator. Apparently the FU-1000’s voltage adapter also confounds the battery level indicator until the battery is nearly depleted, at which point a flashing battery indicator will appear in the viewfinder. This can lend a new level of excitement to your shooting since the FU-1000’s 12w load will drain your battery quicker than the FU-500’s LCD viewfinder. So be sure to stock-up on charged batteries before a shoot and change them before shooting a long sequence. Even better, use the CH-910 dual battery holder. Is this still an issue with Canon's latest camcorder? For anyone who has this setup, can you see the battery indicator in the FU-1000 viewfinder? Ken's article can be read here (http://www.dvinfo.net/canon/articles/article83.php).

I just plugged mine in, and I can see a little battery indicator that shows about 1/3 of the batt empty.

This, I beleive, was only true when using the FU-1000 on the XL1, since it required a voltage adapter. This is no longer the case with the XL2, since the camera converts the needed voltage directly through its prioprietary viewfinder connection. I just finnished shooting my first day with this puppy and I can confirm I didn't get any problem of this nature with it.

I had to rent one for the shoot but I will certainly buy one as soon as I can afford it. What a difference. Resolution to burn and you see the whole frame. It's such a breeze to frame and focus. The first day of shooting of my current project I had to use the standard EVF and with all the complicated shots I had planed, it was close to a nightmarish experience. I will never shoot without the FU-1000 ever again. Worth every penny in my book.

Thanks for the help, Richard, David. I will definitely buy a FU-1000 viewfinder in the near future now that I know I won't have to worry about guessing how much power I have remaining.

just added fu1000 to my xl2 . now bare in mind the dirrections that come with it are for a xl1s . so you get this adaptor with it for the power supply . well geewiz it dont fit takes me 20 mins to figure out the xl2 dose not need power adaptor .anyway this b/w unit makes the color finder look like a toy . this thing is sharp easy to focus and has better detail than the color finder .i am very happy with it . any tips on this unit i should know about . thanks dp

Donald:

congrats on your purchase, it's a great piece of gear.

One thing to be careful about are the controls for brightness and contrast on the underside. These can easily be knocked, and if the brightness is all the way down it will appear that the viewfinder is off, and you will spend plenty of time trying to figure out why you don't have a picture. It may even be worth putting some tape over the brightness control once you have it dialed to your satisfaction to prevent this.

this thing has some nice features . i like the adjustment for the eyepease tention and the little spot lite .it adds some weight to the front though . dp

Ken Tanaka's review (http://www.dvinfo.net/canon/articles/article83.php) is geared toward using it with the XL1S, but most of his article (except for the unnecessary power converter) applies to the XL2.

The lens light and tally on/off are handy too. The lens light was very helpful while shooting in a darkened studio. Just before my camera died. I'll post about that later. More Mark waaah, waaahing :~).

I'm left eyed, so I'm looking through the finder with my left eye and loking at my lens with my right eye. I put chart tape on my 16x manual lens focus ring, make my marks and rack focus back and forth as my subject moves around.

Sometimes it's good to turn the tally light off, so people don't know you're rolling. Be sure to cover the light on the back of the handle too.

thanks Mr Hurd and Mr Sasahara this viewfinder is easy to get fond of . i wish i would have seen Mr Tanakas review before i opened the box . it seems it should be easy enough to tape some added notes for the xl2 on the fu1000 box . but hay i figured it out anyway . thanks again dp

Yes, its a geat viewfinder. The color evf is nice for the 'waist level' shots, but I am definately spoiled by the sharpness and ease of viewing on the FU-1000. Charles is right about bumping the brightness nobs. I dissassemble the camera to pack it away, and twice I've bumped the brightness down to zero while reassembling it. Freaked me out.

Yeah, the first time I mounted the FU-1000 and tried to plug it into the XL2 was a comedy of errors. I almost freaked when it wouldn't fit in the socket. Blind boy finally realized that there was a second port. Sigh of relief.

The power converter thing. Heh, I think the cord was too short or something. I got very frustrated and then after about ten minutes, I figured out I didn't need it. Another sigh of relief.

It would be nice if they tossed a peice of paper in the box with notes for plugging into the XL2. Save people a lot of aggravation.

Does anyone from Canon read this stuff? I know Jan Crittenden from Panasonic is a regular-she totally kicks ass.

i am sure theese tips will help . i was reading other thread on the master fuse thing .sure hope this view finder is not the problem . now i dont come close to the amount of use you guys do . maybe 3-4 hours a weak . well thanks dp

Anybody know if the fu-1000 and XL2 combination is better than the XL1S for power consumption. Someone suggested to me that on the XL2, it uses only a little more power than the color viewfinder. I find that hard to believe, but maybe????

See http://www.dvinfo.net/canonxl2/articles/article09.php

Thank you for pointing that article out to me

I mistakenly posted in the xl1 forum, so excsue the cross post. I got my fu-1000 today, and I really like it. I was unable to hook up the power adaptor, but was able to run it with my Anton Bauer. I called Canon, and the guy in customer service told me that the adaptor just slides in. I can't get it to attach.
has anyone else had this problem?
Thanks
Bruce S. Yarock

I just tried a Canon battery without the adaptor and IT WORKS!!! This viewfinder is beautifull...I can really see what I'm trying to focus. So the when using the fu-1000 on the XL2 (as opposed to the xl1/s), you don't need the battery adaptor, and the viewfinder shows battey usage. I love it.
Bruce Yarock

Bruce,

That is correct. When using the viewfinder on the XL2 you simply plug it into the monochrome port, instead of the color port. There is no need for the adapter to go into the battery well.

It is a great viewfinder, isn't it? Nice and sharp.

Just to be clear, the power adapter is NOT NEEDED when using this viewfinder with the XL2.

Richard,
Thanks again for the info. I love this thing, and I know it's gonna make focusing much easier. I tried calibrating it following Ken Tanaka's article, but I'm not sure if I got it right. Any suggestions?


Chris,
That sure is nice that the adaptor isn't needed, and also that the viewfinder shows battery usage.
Anyone need a spare battery adaptor.....?

Bruce Yarock

Enjoy. Be sure to turn the power off when you insert, or remove the plug for the B&W viewfinder. Apparently doing that while the power is on can weaken the fuse or blow it altogether. Mine died in the middle of a job a month or so after installing the FU-1000. Be careful.

To facilitate accurate focusing, crank the peaking adjustment so there is a bit of a white edge. You'll see things in focus a bit more clearly. A handy trick.

mark,
thanks for the tip on the "peaking".I'm still not sure about the calibrating. I followed the instructions in Ken Tanaka's article, but I'm not sure if it's correctly done. Any tips?
Bruce yarock

Not sure, haven't seen the article. I'll check it out. I'm s'posed to be in bed, big job tomorrow.

-M

Mark,
here'sthe article.
http://www.dvinfo.net/canon/articles/article83.php

Bruce yarock

Bruce, Thanks. Much appreciated. There are a few things that are different for the XL2, but good info.

TA

Are there any difference between a PAL and NTSC camcorder using this viewfinder or will it fit on both?

- Per Johan

Per,

try to search the XL1 forum. I remember a thread were someone from the UK had got the FU-1000 from the US. If I remember correctly there was a way to connect the NTSC version to a PAL camera. It required some modification that might void the warranty, though.

I am thinking of getting the FU-1000 for my XL2. Can anyone tell me if it displays the 16:9 aspect ration when the canon is set to 16:9 or is it squeezed ?

Hi Declan, it displays letterboxed 16:9.

what is this FU-1000 or whatever it is that you speak of.

It's the high resolution b/w viewfinder made by Ikegami for Canon. Has a peaking control which helps you to achieve critical focus.

=gb=

See Ken Tanaka's article at http://www.dvinfo.net/canon/articles/article83.php

Hi Declan, it displays letterboxed 16:9.

Thanks once again Chris.

Declan

I believe the FU-1000 is a direct plugin on the XL2 now, is it not? According to the article, the FU-1000 did not display battery information. Will it display battery information of the XL2?

Aside from the larger 2" color viewfinder of the XL2, what are the differences with the XL1s viewfinder?

I believe the FU-1000 is a direct plugin on the XL2 now, is it not? According to the article, the FU-1000 did not display battery information. Will it display battery information of the XL2?

Aside from the larger 2" color viewfinder of the XL2, what are the differences with the XL1s viewfinder?

That's correct. It's a direct plugin. That's the covered plug directly below the one for the stock color vf. Yes, it does display battery info and everything else except you don't have dedicated record, gain, and shutter lights at the bottom like you have on the XL2 color vf.

-gb-

I have the FU-1000 for the XL2 (recently aquired from ebay). It's unclear though whether the XL2 can be run from the AC adapter with the FU-1000 connected. I understand that doing this on the XL1 could cause things to fry !

Does anyone know if this is true of the XL2 or can the XL2/FU-1000 combination work with the AC adapter ?

I'd love to know if anybody _does_ have a solution for this. Has anyone hotwired a viewfinder for use OTHER than the intended camera??

I think i saw a Sony DSR-250 viewfinder on a XL2 once. A DV-info member had one modified so it fits the XL2. So it can be done :)

I jacked into my FU-1000 by using a spare adaptor (the ones that you had to use with the XL1/XL1s before Canon starting putting the plug on the body with the XL2) and breaking out the power and video via a box, so now I can use it with any camera, but particularly with the Mini35.

I have tried to find the answer elsewhere, but I want to replace the standard viewfinder with an b&w version. Of course there is the Canon version, but I have an option on an Ikegami viewfinder. cheap since the camcorder it belonged to was found a nice rock to crash into.
Can I use is or has canon its own version of connector?