Join my quest for a better viewfinder/lcd at DVinfo.net

Michael Galvan · January 1st, 2008, 08:53 AM

So I have been bugging Canon lately about coming out with a better viewfinder/lcd for the XL-H1. Ideally, they should match or exceed the one that Sony has implemented on the EX 1. Just having a better LCD makes a world of difference in the shooting experience.

Reply if you would buy one if they will make it. I'll stick it to 'em :)

Freddie Hoekerd · January 1st, 2008, 09:09 AM

I would buy one.

Michael Galvan · January 1st, 2008, 09:14 AM

I suppose it would also help if you could list any specific features/improvements you would want.

Richard Alvarez · January 1st, 2008, 10:02 AM

You're passing on the FU-1000 pesumably because it's black and white?

Joachim Hoge · January 1st, 2008, 10:56 AM

I would buy one, colour or B/W as long as I can judge focus.

Richard Alvarez · January 1st, 2008, 11:00 AM

The FU-1000 is a high(er) rez ENG black and white viewfinder. Much sharper than the LCD. It's a CRT too. I use it on my XL2, and my partner in Houston uses it on his XLH-1. That's what the second viewfinder port on the camera body is for.

You can't judge color of course, and it's not optimum for 'stand off' viewing either, if that's your need. But it IS good enough to focus hi-def work.

Joachim Hoge · January 1st, 2008, 11:04 AM

What is the price for that viewfinder where you are?
In Norway it´s very expensive (as most everything).
Does it drain a lot of battery power?
Happy new year

Al Woodard · January 1st, 2008, 11:18 AM

I would definitly buy one. I feel that the color VF is really the only weak link
in what is otherwise, still a very strong HD camera. Buy the way, color is a must for white balance, as well well as judging the use of custom presets.

Kevin Martorana · January 1st, 2008, 11:42 AM

I own a FU-1000 and am not totally delighted with it. When I was shooting betacam sp with an Ikegami HL-V55...that was the same viewfinder on that camera. IT WAS GREAT ! But it's not for HD. Far from it.

I prefer a B/W viewfinder for many reasons...overall exposure...gray levels...etc. Color is wonderful for checking color balance...and that's it.

Bottom line...I don't think Canon will make or release another viewfinder for the H1. I think the H1 is at it's end of production...(just my opinion) and with Sony's EX...and file based camcorders....they won't spend R&D dollars on a camera who's life expectance is maybe another year or so.

NOW...for us that own it....I still love it....and the new Convergent Design Flash drive will REVOLUTIONIZE the workflow of the H1...especially for us who shoot 24F.....but that's for another topic !

Benjamin Richardson · January 1st, 2008, 04:18 PM

I would buy it, no doubt. Especially if it was in color.

Johan Forssblad · January 1st, 2008, 04:22 PM

Hi Michel,
I would also buy one if it has much better resolution than the previous one. I prefer if it is color and not of the high power consumption CRT-type.

Paul Doherty · January 2nd, 2008, 03:50 AM

The current viewfinder is poor, so, yes I would get another one if it was significantly better and preferably in colour.

Dave Gosley · January 2nd, 2008, 06:41 AM

As long as it was colour with the option of b&w.
Would have been easier to put up a poll for this?
Dave

Michael Galvan · January 2nd, 2008, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin Martorana

Bottom line...I don't think Canon will make or release another viewfinder for the H1. I think the H1 is at it's end of production...(just my opinion) and with Sony's EX...and file based camcorders....they won't spend R&D dollars on a camera who's life expectance is maybe another year or so.

NOW...for us that own it....I still love it....and the new Convergent Design Flash drive will REVOLUTIONIZE the workflow of the H1...especially for us who shoot 24F.....but that's for another topic !

Well the beauty of the XL series is that these accessories are interchangeable (for the most part) between different XL cameras. I would only assume the creation of a new viewfinder/LCD would be no different. It's not like it would specifically be for just the XL-H1. Just like the FU-1000 (which works with every single XL camera so far).

Now the Convergent Design Flash Drive will only add years to the lifespan of this camera, which still has many many years left in it now. It will dramatically improve the qaulity of your footage ... I can't wait to get one for my XL-H1.

Michael Galvan · January 2nd, 2008, 07:47 AM

I for one would love to have a mini waveform monitor display on the LCD. Or at least a histogram, like what the Sony cameras have.

Also with using aspect marker guides like 2:35.1, to have the marked off areas slightly dimmed.

January 1st, 2008, 08:53 AM	#1
Michael Galvan Major Player Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: New York, NY Posts: 775	Join my quest for a better viewfinder/lcd So I have been bugging Canon lately about coming out with a better viewfinder/lcd for the XL-H1. Ideally, they should match or exceed the one that Sony has implemented on the EX 1. Just having a better LCD makes a world of difference in the shooting experience. Reply if you would buy one if they will make it. I'll stick it to 'em :) __________________ www.michaelgalvan.com www.screenanthology.com

January 1st, 2008, 09:14 AM	#3
Michael Galvan Major Player Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: New York, NY Posts: 775	I suppose it would also help if you could list any specific features/improvements you would want. __________________ www.michaelgalvan.com www.screenanthology.com

January 1st, 2008, 11:42 AM	#9
Kevin Martorana Major Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Lancaster, PA Posts: 250	I own a FU-1000 and am not totally delighted with it. When I was shooting betacam sp with an Ikegami HL-V55...that was the same viewfinder on that camera. IT WAS GREAT ! But it's not for HD. Far from it. I prefer a B/W viewfinder for many reasons...overall exposure...gray levels...etc. Color is wonderful for checking color balance...and that's it. Bottom line...I don't think Canon will make or release another viewfinder for the H1. I think the H1 is at it's end of production...(just my opinion) and with Sony's EX...and file based camcorders....they won't spend R&D dollars on a camera who's life expectance is maybe another year or so. NOW...for us that own it....I still love it....and the new Convergent Design Flash drive will REVOLUTIONIZE the workflow of the H1...especially for us who shoot 24F.....but that's for another topic ! __________________ Shooting Video since 1/2" EIAJ reel to reel and editing on 2" QUAD machines. http://www.takeoneprod.com

January 1st, 2008, 04:22 PM	#11
Johan Forssblad Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Vittsjö, SKÅNE, SWEDEN Posts: 266	Hi Michel, I would also buy one if it has much better resolution than the previous one. I prefer if it is color and not of the high power consumption CRT-type. Last edited by Johan Forssblad; January 2nd, 2008 at 03:54 AM.

January 2nd, 2008, 06:41 AM	#13
Dave Gosley Major Player Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Hampshire Posts: 226	Yes... As long as it was colour with the option of b&w. Would have been easier to put up a poll for this? Dave __________________ http://www.videoproductionshampshire.co.uk

January 1st, 2008, 09:09 AM	#2
Freddie Hoekerd New Boot Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Netherlands Posts: 12	I would buy one.

January 1st, 2008, 10:02 AM	#4
Richard Alvarez Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 3,840	You're passing on the FU-1000 pesumably because it's black and white?

January 1st, 2008, 10:56 AM	#5
Joachim Hoge Major Player Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Oslo, Norway Posts: 402	I would buy one, colour or B/W as long as I can judge focus.

January 1st, 2008, 11:00 AM	#6
Richard Alvarez Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 3,840	The FU-1000 is a high(er) rez ENG black and white viewfinder. Much sharper than the LCD. It's a CRT too. I use it on my XL2, and my partner in Houston uses it on his XLH-1. That's what the second viewfinder port on the camera body is for. You can't judge color of course, and it's not optimum for 'stand off' viewing either, if that's your need. But it IS good enough to focus hi-def work.

January 1st, 2008, 11:04 AM	#7
Joachim Hoge Major Player Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Oslo, Norway Posts: 402	What is the price for that viewfinder where you are? In Norway it´s very expensive (as most everything). Does it drain a lot of battery power? Happy new year

January 1st, 2008, 11:18 AM	#8
Al Woodard New Boot Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Albany, NY Posts: 14	I would definitly buy one. I feel that the color VF is really the only weak link in what is otherwise, still a very strong HD camera. Buy the way, color is a must for white balance, as well well as judging the use of custom presets.

January 1st, 2008, 04:18 PM	#10
Benjamin Richardson Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Syracuse, NY Posts: 143	I would buy it, no doubt. Especially if it was in color.

January 2nd, 2008, 03:50 AM	#12
Paul Doherty Regular Crew Join Date: May 2003 Location: Sherburn, England Posts: 136	The current viewfinder is poor, so, yes I would get another one if it was significantly better and preferably in colour.

January 2nd, 2008, 07:47 AM	#15
Michael Galvan Major Player Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: New York, NY Posts: 775	I for one would love to have a mini waveform monitor display on the LCD. Or at least a histogram, like what the Sony cameras have. Also with using aspect marker guides like 2:35.1, to have the marked off areas slightly dimmed. __________________ www.michaelgalvan.com www.screenanthology.com