CAVision Viewfinder for TG1 at DVinfo.net

Roger Garcia · December 11th, 2008, 04:18 PM

I've been using the Sony TG1 for some time now. The picture quality is high and the portability is great. Shooting double system sound and adding a wide angle lens adapter has now enabled me to use it professionally. However I have been frustrated by the lack of a viewfinder up to now... I been using the CA Vision Monitor Hood Viewfinder System for a couple of days:

Sony HDR-TG1 Accessories

and recommend it! For those who shoot with a TG1, you will be surprised when you look at the screen through this thing - it's really like the viewfinder of a much larger camera and looks great.

I also tried it on my Sony CX7 - it's not exactly designed for those flip out LED dimensions but you can attach it to that (and other cameras of similar size I guess) using the elastic strap that is attached to the viewfinder.

Bill Pryor · December 11th, 2008, 05:14 PM

That's cool. I didn't know you could add a wide angle adapter to that camera. Does it have threads on the lens? Have you intercut any of its footage with anything else?

Roger Garcia · December 11th, 2008, 11:07 PM

The wide angle uses a magnetic ring which you have to glue to the camera. It works well and I have intercut it with other footage. I have not used this set up with extreme motion though (eg jumping out of a plane, or bungee jumping off a bridge, or on skateboarding etc). I don't think the magnetic bond could hold up to really sharp sudden shocks!

Martyn Hull · December 12th, 2008, 04:42 AM

What i like about viewfinders is that you can adjust it to your eyes,i take it the adaptor will not do this so some,one who uses reading glasses like me would still need to wear them while filming which means in my case i would have to keep putting on and off my glasses.But the adaptor does look a very good accessory.

Roger Garcia · December 12th, 2008, 08:25 AM

Yes unfortunately there is no diopter adjustment on the viewfinder. However it is a generous size. I wear spectacles myself and have no difficulty viewing with them on.

Bill Pryor · December 12th, 2008, 09:16 AM

Do you have a link on where that wide angle adapter with magnetic ring is available? Sounds very interesting.

Roger Garcia · December 12th, 2008, 09:35 AM

Try this:

GoShot Camera Bower M.Power large 0.38x magnetic super wide angle/fish eye lens

I also found another "solution" which is more for helmet cams. I have not tried this one but it's a great idea:

Cookie Composites

Bruce Foreman · December 14th, 2008, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roger Garcia

Yes unfortunately there is no diopter adjustment on the viewfinder. However it is a generous size. I wear spectacles myself and have no difficulty viewing with them on.

What is their price on this viewfinder? Sounds like it can be adapted to the HF100 with straps.

Roger Garcia · December 15th, 2008, 07:02 AM

It's around $80. Check the B&H Photo website.

December 11th, 2008, 04:18 PM	#1
Roger Garcia Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 40	CAVision Viewfinder for TG1 I've been using the Sony TG1 for some time now. The picture quality is high and the portability is great. Shooting double system sound and adding a wide angle lens adapter has now enabled me to use it professionally. However I have been frustrated by the lack of a viewfinder up to now... I been using the CA Vision Monitor Hood Viewfinder System for a couple of days: Sony HDR-TG1 Accessories and recommend it! For those who shoot with a TG1, you will be surprised when you look at the screen through this thing - it's really like the viewfinder of a much larger camera and looks great. I also tried it on my Sony CX7 - it's not exactly designed for those flip out LED dimensions but you can attach it to that (and other cameras of similar size I guess) using the elastic strap that is attached to the viewfinder.

December 11th, 2008, 05:14 PM	#2
Bill Pryor Contributor Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 4,449	That's cool. I didn't know you could add a wide angle adapter to that camera. Does it have threads on the lens? Have you intercut any of its footage with anything else? Last edited by Bill Pryor; December 11th, 2008 at 06:49 PM.

December 11th, 2008, 11:07 PM	#3
Roger Garcia Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 40	The wide angle uses a magnetic ring which you have to glue to the camera. It works well and I have intercut it with other footage. I have not used this set up with extreme motion though (eg jumping out of a plane, or bungee jumping off a bridge, or on skateboarding etc). I don't think the magnetic bond could hold up to really sharp sudden shocks!

December 12th, 2008, 04:42 AM	#4
Martyn Hull Major Player Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: England Posts: 444	What i like about viewfinders is that you can adjust it to your eyes,i take it the adaptor will not do this so some,one who uses reading glasses like me would still need to wear them while filming which means in my case i would have to keep putting on and off my glasses.But the adaptor does look a very good accessory.

December 12th, 2008, 08:25 AM	#5
Roger Garcia Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 40	Yes unfortunately there is no diopter adjustment on the viewfinder. However it is a generous size. I wear spectacles myself and have no difficulty viewing with them on.

December 12th, 2008, 09:16 AM	#6
Bill Pryor Contributor Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 4,449	Do you have a link on where that wide angle adapter with magnetic ring is available? Sounds very interesting.

December 12th, 2008, 09:35 AM	#7
Roger Garcia Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 40	Try this: GoShot Camera Bower M.Power large 0.38x magnetic super wide angle/fish eye lens I also found another "solution" which is more for helmet cams. I have not tried this one but it's a great idea: Cookie Composites

December 15th, 2008, 07:02 AM	#9
Roger Garcia Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 40	It's around $80. Check the B&H Photo website.