Can anyone recommend one that fits well? I've tried a bellows type of screen shade that attaches with a velcro strip. However, this is placed right in the middle, just where the A1 LCD goes into it's funny shape so it ends up not fitting tight unless you fit it slightly off centre but then you dont see all the screen.

Gareth

However, this is placed right in the middle, just where the A1 LCD goes into it's funny shape so it ends up not fitting tight unless you fit it slightly off centre but then you dont see all the screen.

Gareth


Gareth, I saw this issue coming up from the outset. I don't own the camera, but would dearly love to. Oh yes! And yes, interesting to hear how other users have clobbered this one.

I've got this and it works pretty well:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=Search&A=details&Q=&sku=294332&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

A couple of bucks cheaper without the glass:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=Search&A=details&Q=&sku=185621&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

The design only uses one strap across the back of the LCD housing, so the non-standard shape on the left of the housing doesn't interact with the device at all.

I wouldn't jump out of a plane with it, but it fits fairly snuggly (did I just say "snuggly"?).

Hi Philip,

So the velcro strap goes accross the back of the LCD? Any photos I can find of this Hoodman suggests it goes down the middle of the screenshade.

Great if it does go accross the back. Could you post a picture of your setup please?

Gareth

Hi Philip,

So the velcro strap goes accross the back of the LCD? Any photos I can find of this Hoodman suggests it goes down the middle of the screenshade.

Great if it does go accross the back. Could you post a picture of your setup please?

Gareth

I don't have a picture of my rig but I could probably whip something up tomorrow night if it would help.

In the meantime, check out the second B&H link I provided. That's got a pretty good image of how it works. Its literally a square hood that sits on the LCD frame and has a single strap that gets stretched over the backside of the LCD housing. It looks like it wouldn't hold very well with just the one strap, but its not too bad. You can definitely move the camera around and not have to worry about it.

With the one you have got you can see the whole LCD screen? No gaps for light to get through? Not wonky? Sounds good.

Yes please, look forward to seeing some pictures. Much appreciated.

Gareth

OK, I've got one for my XM2. BUT, the lens, which gives it rigidity, also gives me internal reflections. which if used where there is lots of bouncing light, is very distracting.

OK, I've got one for my XM2. BUT, the lens, which gives it rigidity, also gives me internal reflections. which if used where there is lots of bouncing light, is very distracting.

Yeah, the lens thing woudn't interest me much. I just want something that will tightly fit the weird shape of the A1 LCD and enable you still to see all of it. Looking forward to seeing Philip's pictures. If it works I shall buy one.

Gareth

Philip, do you find the lense useful at all?

I'm not sure about the lens yet, haven't used it for any real shooting yet.

I'd recommend maybe searching the forum or hitting one of the more general video forums here and asking for feedback. I'm sure there's got to be some users at dvinfo that have used a hoodman with and without the lens.

Hi Gareth,

I've made my own LCD Hoods for each of my 4 Cams and my 4 LCD Monitors too.

Even have one made with the Magnifier Lens.

Some plastic from a VHS Hard case or stiff thin cardboard, Duct Tape, glue or silicone, Flat black paint, and some Velcro - Wa-La DIY LCD Hood.

Here is a sample of one of them.

Harold

That's pretty slick Harold.

But what's this "VHS" thing you're talking about? :)

Hi Philip,

I've got a ton of VHS/SVHS Hard Plastic type cases and some softer black opaque plastic Covers. These plastic types are pliable enough to be used for many uses.

Here's a couple of Lens Hoods I've made for my Sony 950. Have made one for each of my other 3 cams too, a long with the LCD Hoods.

Harold

Hi Philip,

I've got a ton of VHS/SVHS Hard Plastic type cases and some softer black opaque plastic Covers. These plastic types are pliable enough to be used for many uses.

Here's a couple of Lens Hoods I've made for my Sony 950. Have made one for each of my other 3 cams too, a long with the LCD Hoods.

Harold

Hey, the TRV900! A real classic.

Anyway, those hoods look pretty functional. And here I thought there was no more use for VHS :)

Hi Philip,

Hey, that's a 950, I got to the store late.

And yes, everything I've created has been very usefull.

Harold

PS: Go find my other posts to read about and see some of my other creations.

Ok, as promised, here are a few pics I just grabbed. I've never uploaded files, so I hope this works...

Hi Philip,

I've got a ton of VHS/SVHS Hard Plastic type cases and some softer black opaque plastic Covers. These plastic types are pliable enough to be used for many uses.

Here's a couple of Lens Hoods I've made for my Sony 950. Have made one for each of my other 3 cams too, a long with the LCD Hoods.

Harold


Looks great! I knew I should have paid more attention to Blue Peter.

G

Calling Leslie Judd, calling Leslie Judd. I never did find a shop that sold "sticky back plastic"

I may have a go at making something similar.

Ok, as promised, here are a few pics I just grabbed. I've never uploaded files, so I hope this works...

Hey Philip,

That looks really good. Thanks for uploading a few pics. I'm going to get myself one.

Cheers

Gareth

I used the hoodman with lens on my GL-2. My experience was that the plastic magnifying lens was quite soft and scratched very easily.

I am wondering if anyone has tried one of the Petrol LCD hoods with the A1? It's not clear to me from their web site which one is the best fit for the A1. I sent them an e-mail and have not received a reply. The time I played with a Petrol hood at a trade show it seems much better constructed than the Hoodmans--mostly lots of extra glare protection.

The design only uses one strap across the back of the LCD housing, so the non-standard shape on the left of the housing doesn't interact with the device at all.

I just received mine from B&H. It seems they now are made with 2 straps. And so far the mag works ok, but a little iffy, but much better for my eyesight :-\.

Bill

It looks like it wouldn't hold very well with just the one strap, but its not too bad. You can definitely move the camera around and not have to worry about it.

The very latest version of the H-3C (including the H300), which I brought today from a US Hoodman representative at VideoForum in London now has 2 straps which seems more secure. I was quite impressed with the quality of the magnifying lens when I tried it one my XH A1 although haven't used it in anger yet. It certainly appears crystal clear and on the quick test I have done made use of peaking much easier with what seems like a much bigger LCS screen.

£20 pounds well spent.

<snip>
It certainly appears crystal clear and on the quick test I have done made use of peaking much easier with what seems like a much bigger LCS screen.

£20 pounds well spent.

You know, when I was fiddling with it to take photos of the camera, I noticed that too. Peaking definitely "pops" a bit more with the magnifying piece.