1. Does anybody know where I can get an aspect ratio lens or filter which can be screwed on the lens of the camera which shows me the aspect ratio of widescreen 1.75 or even 2.35. This is so I don’t have to put tape over my monitor to correctly compose my shots.

2. Does anyone know a Prosumer camera that has the 1.75 or 2.35 bars built in so you can see on the viewfinder?


Thanks

Before I bought my XH-A1, I had this same problem. I got a package of those screen protectors for PDA's, and cut it to the size for my screen, measured out the correct aspect ratio guides and took an Ultra Fine Point SHARPIE and drew the lines on the screen protector. Then I just stuck it on.

1. No. There is an anamorphic lens that squeezes a 16:9 image onto a 4:3 sensor. Search for 'anamorphic lens' in google, you will have to find one that works on your camera.

If you were to apply some kind of masking right up against the lens, it would be uselessly out of focus and blurry, not a mask at all.

2. Most prosumer cameras these days shoot 16:9 native. All HDV cameras do. So no trickery is involved. Oftentimes the viewfinder itself is 16:9. By 16:9 I do mean the 1.78 ratio you speak of.

No prosumer camera shoots in academy/2.35. You'd need to tape over the viewfinder yourself, like I do sometimes. A few cameras have the functionality to overlay alpha masks to give you 1.85 or 2.35, but those are 4:3 cameras and you're much better off shooting in 4:3 with just the viewfinder masked to give you the maximum flexibility in reframing your shot after masking in post (i.e. reframe the shot vertically as needed to fit a face).

After reading Bens post I relized I forgot to add that when you capture the footage and edit it, you need to drop a mask over your video in your NLE.

You can get mask from my site here:
http://www.kraentertainment.com/free.html