I was shooting today and noticed a crack in my viewfinder's outer housing.
The crack is where the eyepiece rotates and makes a 90 degree bend to the finder.
I've treated the camera with extreme care.
I guess it could have been damaged in my porta-brace bag?
Has anyone else had this problem?

Hi Stephen, regardless of how it happened it is probably a good idea to send the camera in for repair.

Chris,

I'm replacing the viewfinder. I don't think it can be repaired.

I raised the question because the spot where the crack occured seems to be a weak point in the finder housing and may occur again.

I wish the finder housing was made as durable as the rest of the camera.

We had a camera that the handle on the top cracked. JVC replaced the part because they said it should not have happened. We don't know what could have caused it. But they fixed it under warranty without one complaint about it being our fault. There was no visible impact or scratch on the handle. So it's a mystery. Yet another example of the super response they are giving users.

Dave Beaty

Thanks Dave,

Maybe I shouldn't be so quick to shell out the cash for a new finder.
I'll check with my dealer and see what they have to say about replacing it under warranty.

I have no complaints against this camera or JVC.
Both have been very good to me.

My Best,

I noticed a small crack developing on the viewfinder of one of our cameras today, in the same spot that you're refering to. We already have this crack on our other gyhd100. So yea its happened on both cameras, not sure how on either one. Also had the handle crack one one camera and also had part of the VTR controls cover crack. Strange thing about that is that the crack happened where the cover "locks" into place on the camera body and not on the cover flap itself. Again, we have no idea how this happened.

We had a camera that the handle on the top cracked. JVC replaced the part because they said it should not have happened. We don't know what could have caused it. But they fixed it under warranty without one complaint about it being our fault. There was no visible impact or scratch on the handle. So it's a mystery. Yet another example of the super response they are giving users.

Dave Beaty



That's nice to hear Dave - thanks for reporting this....

john

evilgeniusentertainment.com

I just sent my camera to JVC for the update, and I too had noticed the crack in the exact same spot.

I sent the eyepiece into JVC along with a note asking them to replace it while they were doing the update.

I should have the camera back next week and will let everyone know what they did.

I half expected them to call me, but they didn't.

Tom Chaney

Hey John, did you send your camera in for the update yet?

I just sent my camera to JVC for the update, and I too had noticed the crack in the exact same spot.

I sent the eyepiece into JVC along with a note asking them to replace it while they were doing the update.

I should have the camera back next week and will let everyone know what they did.

I half expected them to call me, but they didn't.

Tom Chaney

Hey John, did you send your camera in for the update yet?

Hi Tom,

I was curious. Did JVC replace your eyepiece?

Best,

Hi Stephen,

Yes, not an issue at all.

They returned my upgraded camera with a brand new eyepiece.

Good luck,

Tom

Tom,

I just heard from my JVC Dealer, Videotex in Dallas.

They informed me that Carl Hicks at JVC was sending me a new viewfinder at no charge.

Carl and JVC have assured me, by their continuing efforts... that I did make a good purchase of the HD-100.

My Best,

Hi Stephen
Quete
I was shooting today and noticed a crack in my viewfinder's outer housing.
The crack is where the eyepiece rotates and makes a 90 degree bend to the finder.
I've treated the camera with extreme care.
I guess it could have been damaged in my porta-brace bag?
Has anyone else had this problem?

I have the same problem - so it must be a construction error

Hi,

On location in Europe now and the rigors of day to day operation with the camera have caused the same crack in the viewfinder housing.

They may need to retro fit it or re-engineer it. Mine is broken to, however it does not affect the viewfinder other than it snaps out of place occasionally.

I agree Stephen,

The viewfinder may need a redesign or retrofit.
It's an annoyance to have to pop it back into place but it never affected performance.
I hope the new viewfinder holds up better. If not... I'm sure JVC will make it right.

My Best,

I noticed that the focus ring on the viewfinder is really tight and hard to move. Anyone else have this problem?

Joey,

Are you using a matte box or do you have anything attached to the lens anywhere?

Our matte box attached directly to the lens does the same thing, we get better results with it on the end of our wide angle adapter, it's a bit more sturdy like this.

I have the same crack by the way, and our cameras are treated better than our staff. ;)

Did you guys get warranty replacement for the viewfinder assembly? Also I know the standard mic is bad but I have one that pops and hisses. It is worse than bad. I normally use my senn setup but still I'd like the stock mic to work just in case.

Anyone have these items replaced recently?

Stephen,

I have not requested the new eye piece due to the crack, although we should. Carl? Can we get one sent to us without sending the camera in? I don't have time to send it off even for the "A" upgrade right now. Our deck should get an update as well I understand, but we use both just about every day.

As for the Mic, I have not had that experience. Works as good as expected.

Make that one more person with the unfortunate crack....

I didn't even notice it until I brushed against it once and heard a loud pop of it snapping back into place. I feel like if it goes unfixed it could get worse, but right now it doesn't affect anything. Of course for the time being I've been making sure that the viewfinder is all the way retracted when placed in the bag (Petrol PCUB) and that I carry the bag with the other side against my hip. I think using these precautions should keep the problem from happening again in the future ...hopefully.

I didn’t even know you could get a 3rd party viewfinder for this camera. Would the image quality be any better?

I live in Canada and I have the issue of the crack too. BC is the closest service spot to me. Any others in Canada sent in the Viewfinder for a replacement?

Our 1st HD100 got the same viewfinder crack the 1st time we packed it into a car for a road trip. We had it in the Porta Brace CTC-3 case. We figured out that while carrying the camera in the bag (with 2 dionic 90 batteries, a stick mic, an xlr cable, and a few tapes) that just enough pressure was put on the viewfinder from the sides of the bag pulling up and in that the viewfinder cracked. We now take it off every time we put it in the bag. Kind of a pain in the @ss.

We now have 2 HD250's and the CTC-4 bags. They seem to be able to handle the camera much better.

I also have a crack in my VF where the VF is attached to an L-shaped bracket and where the VF rotates. Im out of warranty and was out in the field so i had to check it out. I found out how thin and flimsy the construction is inside. They made thin prodtruding "tongues" that is used to secure the VF onto the bracket and this is made more weaker when they bored holes into it for the screws.
I think this is a design flaw.

It's been a year since I reported a crack in my viewfinder.
JVC sent me a replacement viewfinder at no cost. Thanks Carl!
So far no problems.

I also had a crack in the bracket, and fixed it. I took a soldering iron (40W) and remelted the plastic back together again. I've also had the VF apart twice to fix the internal metal bracket being bent. its very very easy to tap the VF and bend/ break it. my plan it to add some additional plastic around this area soon.

I have a crack in my HD100 viewfinder in the same place. I haven't contacted JVC yet, but I'm interested in what their response to you will be.

Just to chime in - I've got the crack and according to Mary at JVC, it is not considered a design flaw and they are not covering it under warranty. She was very nice and said to send the camera in (the whole camera) and they would take a look at it.

I mentioned the experience people were having on this forum, that the crack was pretty common and people seem to be getting it fixed under warranty.

She told me that the crack would be considered damage and I would probably have to pay to get it fixed. If they checked out the camera and it looked like the crack was a construction flaw and not damage then they would handle it under warranty. Of course I'll have to send it in to find out what they say. I would love to have em' just send me a new fiewfinder like they did with Stephen A. George but I understand if that's not an option.

Burk,

I'm pleased that JVC replaced my viewfinder free of charge.
I think the replacement was do more to my vendor (Videotex) going to bat for me than JVC considering it a warranty replacement.
Plus the fact that Carl Hicks at JVC is a good guy.
I hope you get the issue resolved to your satisfaction.

Nick, I'd like to echo your finding here. The CTC-3 case causes cracks in the viewfinder. We have 2 HD-100's and both have those cracks. Also the rotating hinge pops out of it's track at the same time. No one was abusing those items and each time we'd use the bags we'd discover this, even cracking the super glue welds. I think it's the way the bag strap pulls when it's on the shoulder, it must put torque right on that hinge. As you said the HD250 bags do not have this problem.

Dave

Our 1st HD100 got the same viewfinder crack the 1st time we packed it into a car for a road trip. We had it in the Porta Brace CTC-3 case. We figured out that while carrying the camera in the bag (with 2 dionic 90 batteries, a stick mic, an xlr cable, and a few tapes) that just enough pressure was put on the viewfinder from the sides of the bag pulling up and in that the viewfinder cracked. We now take it off every time we put it in the bag. Kind of a pain in the @ss.

We now have 2 HD250's and the CTC-4 bags. They seem to be able to handle the camera much better.

Nick, I'd like to echo your finding here. The CTC-3 case causes cracks in the viewfinder. We have 2 HD-100's and both have those cracks. Also the rotating hinge pops out of it's track at the same time. No one was abusing those items and each time we'd use the bags we'd discover this, even cracking the super glue welds. I think it's the way the bag strap pulls when it's on the shoulder, it must put torque right on that hinge. As you said the HD250 bags do not have this problem.

Dave

I also have an HD100 and a CTC-3 bag and the same happened to my VF, I sent it to service and they replaced for €250. I also have the HD200 and I use it on the same bag, I need to buy a new one but I think it won't be another CTC. Anyway, the 200 series and the new 110 have a more resistant eye piece, there is a reinforcement on the place they used to brake. I made a ball with paper and tape that I put between the VF and the cameras handle.

One of mine is cracked also, no ideal how it happened. Everything works fine a little grip tape has reenforced it perfectly.

I have an HD100 viewfinder for sale.
If anybody needs a replacement, you can contact me at iriscontrol@yahoo.com