LCD Viewing at DVinfo.net

Allen Kallel · April 22nd, 2007, 10:08 PM

I have searched for a thread for this problem without success. When I'm out in the bright sunlight, I have a hard time viewing the LCD screen. Is there a shade made to block the glare? I could really use some help.

Kevin Amundson · April 23rd, 2007, 08:19 AM

When I bought my camera bag it came with this LCD hood. It fit's the screen great.

Trish Kerr · April 23rd, 2007, 08:58 AM

It's almost worth driving over the border for these kinds of purchases. Same hood at the standard high end video store here is 26.99 (compared to 16.95 at B&H)

Trish

James Hooey · April 23rd, 2007, 10:04 AM

Allen,

You can change the LCD from 'normal' to 'bright' mode which helps outdoors in strong sunlight. It's found in the menu under Display Setup>LCD Setup.

There are things to consider when doing this though....you should be using your LCD or viewfinder as a means to accurately gauge what your recorded video will look like. When you switch to bright mode you are not seeing things as accurately exposure and contrast wise as you would in normal mode with your LCD properly calibrated.

In bright light there are really three preferable solutions...

1) Use the viewfinder

2) Use a LCD hood

3) Use a monitor

All of these cases should again be calibrated for accuracy.

If all you want is a quick solution to be able to frame and focus your subject then the LCD to bright mode outdoors is the quick way to help.

Harold Schreiber · April 23rd, 2007, 09:33 PM

Hi Allen,

You can also make your own LCD Hood, for a few pennies of materials.

Search for my post under "LCD Screen Shade".

This is a small one for my TRV-22, but I made one for each of my other 3 Cams too.

Cheap, easy, and fun to make yourself.

Harold

Trish Kerr · April 24th, 2007, 06:56 AM

I should make one. I was getting tapes yesterday and decided to pick up a hood based on the recommendation. What I didn't think do to was read the part number carefully.

They sold me a Petrol but not the PHM-1 - instead the PHM- A1U, which is all they carried and I just assumed that was the one as it looked like it. He put it on to demo and I mentioned it seemed awfully tight but it did fit.

I just assumed it was the same thing and I was being fussy. But I checked online when I got home and indeed, the A1U (6,5cm x 3.7cm) is slightly smaller and doesn't fit as well, and it's the PHM-1 (9cmx9cm) that people are saying works well.

Trish

Bill Ball · April 24th, 2007, 07:41 AM

I picked up the Petrol PHM- A1U for my A1 (on purpose). The opening fits the screen precisely. The problem is the very tight elastic bands are too tight for the odd shape of the A1 LCD screen. It is a struggle to get them on and off. So I cut the elastic and replaced it with velco. Now it fits like a glove. Be careful of light leaks with anything larger or looser fitting--light leaking in will destroy the purpose of the hood. I still find myself using the eyepiece outside most of the time, even with a hood mounted.

Trish Kerr · April 24th, 2007, 09:17 AM

Maybe I'll try the modification instead. Thanks for the tip. Now if only I could sew.

Jim Duggins · April 24th, 2007, 12:42 PM

I don't know why you guys aren't talking about, let alone buying, the Hoodman Lens Hood with 2x Magnifier! It's only $30 at B&H, doubles the size of the tiny LCD screen, and works well as a lens hood. Problem solved.

April 22nd, 2007, 10:08 PM	#1
Allen Kallel New Boot Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Bend, Oregon Posts: 6	LCD Viewing I have searched for a thread for this problem without success. When I'm out in the bright sunlight, I have a hard time viewing the LCD screen. Is there a shade made to block the glare? I could really use some help.

April 23rd, 2007, 08:19 AM	#2
Kevin Amundson Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: New Prague, MN Posts: 112	When I bought my camera bag it came with this LCD hood. It fit's the screen great. __________________ Kevin \| www.kraentertainment.com A picture is worth 1,000 words \| A 2 hour film at 24fps is worth 172,800,000 words

April 23rd, 2007, 10:04 AM	#4
James Hooey Major Player Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Bruce Pennisula, Canada Posts: 316	Allen, You can change the LCD from 'normal' to 'bright' mode which helps outdoors in strong sunlight. It's found in the menu under Display Setup>LCD Setup. There are things to consider when doing this though....you should be using your LCD or viewfinder as a means to accurately gauge what your recorded video will look like. When you switch to bright mode you are not seeing things as accurately exposure and contrast wise as you would in normal mode with your LCD properly calibrated. In bright light there are really three preferable solutions... 1) Use the viewfinder 2) Use a LCD hood 3) Use a monitor All of these cases should again be calibrated for accuracy. If all you want is a quick solution to be able to frame and focus your subject then the LCD to bright mode outdoors is the quick way to help. __________________ For Stock Footage http://www.revostock.com/ViewProfile.html?&ID=4811 My Website http://www.soundprostudios.com

April 23rd, 2007, 08:58 AM	#3
Trish Kerr Major Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 294	It's almost worth driving over the border for these kinds of purchases. Same hood at the standard high end video store here is 26.99 (compared to 16.95 at B&H) Trish

April 23rd, 2007, 09:33 PM	#5
Harold Schreiber Major Player Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Olathe, Kansas Posts: 309	Hi Allen, You can also make your own LCD Hood, for a few pennies of materials. Search for my post under "LCD Screen Shade". This is a small one for my TRV-22, but I made one for each of my other 3 Cams too. Cheap, easy, and fun to make yourself. Harold

April 24th, 2007, 06:56 AM	#6
Trish Kerr Major Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 294	I should make one. I was getting tapes yesterday and decided to pick up a hood based on the recommendation. What I didn't think do to was read the part number carefully. They sold me a Petrol but not the PHM-1 - instead the PHM- A1U, which is all they carried and I just assumed that was the one as it looked like it. He put it on to demo and I mentioned it seemed awfully tight but it did fit. I just assumed it was the same thing and I was being fussy. But I checked online when I got home and indeed, the A1U (6,5cm x 3.7cm) is slightly smaller and doesn't fit as well, and it's the PHM-1 (9cmx9cm) that people are saying works well. Trish

April 24th, 2007, 07:41 AM	#7
Bill Ball Major Player Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: NEW JERSEY Posts: 216	I picked up the Petrol PHM- A1U for my A1 (on purpose). The opening fits the screen precisely. The problem is the very tight elastic bands are too tight for the odd shape of the A1 LCD screen. It is a struggle to get them on and off. So I cut the elastic and replaced it with velco. Now it fits like a glove. Be careful of light leaks with anything larger or looser fitting--light leaking in will destroy the purpose of the hood. I still find myself using the eyepiece outside most of the time, even with a hood mounted.

April 24th, 2007, 09:17 AM	#8
Trish Kerr Major Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 294	Maybe I'll try the modification instead. Thanks for the tip. Now if only I could sew.

April 24th, 2007, 12:42 PM	#9
Jim Duggins Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 73	I don't know why you guys aren't talking about, let alone buying, the Hoodman Lens Hood with 2x Magnifier! It's only $30 at B&H, doubles the size of the tiny LCD screen, and works well as a lens hood. Problem solved.