Color LCD viewfinder

Jimmy McKenzie · August 9th, 2004, 09:10 AM

Borrow your friend's XL1 and use the substitution method of diagnosis.

If that's not possible, remove both batteries and clean up all the contacts. Install a fresh backup battery and check the result. Also, make sure your viewfinder connection cable is secure and free of debris.

Beyond that, you will likely require a visit to the Canon repair depot.

Giacomo Bergamo · August 9th, 2004, 09:13 AM

Jimmy -- Thanks for your reply. I have definitely verified that the viewfinder cable is okay. I didn't think to check the battery because I didn't think there would be any connection between it and the problem, especially since the rest of the camera continues to work fine. But I will check it. Hmmm...there's only another XL1 I know of in the area. I'll see if I can try my viewfinder on it. Thanks again.

Chris Hurd · August 9th, 2004, 09:26 AM

For your reference, the replacement cost of the color viewfinder is $399 (list). The Canon part number is FU-500. Check our Classifieds forum as these occasionally come up for sale from folks upgrading to the monochrome CRT viewfinder.

Giacomo Bergamo · August 9th, 2004, 09:28 AM

Chris -- Thanks. That's very helpful to know...it may be that I have to go the route of buying a new one. :-(

Karl Heiner · October 15th, 2004, 07:18 PM

<<<-- Originally posted by Stefano Archetti : Oh, yes.
PC = printed circuit
I was tinking PC = personal computer

:-) -->>>

i am a little bit lost..help

what is wrong with an lcd monitor? stock cable available, no loss of signal/ audio .

the lcd monitor can be used for other objectives too...

b&h has very affortable monitors.

greetings

Bryan Coleman · January 27th, 2005, 01:03 AM

the swivel on my viewfinder is now so loose if just flops about. I'm wondering if there is a home remedy for this problem.
Thanks,
Bryan Coleman

Rob Lohman · January 30th, 2005, 05:04 AM

I don't have my XL1S anymore, but isn't there something around
that area you can tighten or something? Otherwise it sounds like
a trip to the factory....

Don Palomaki · January 30th, 2005, 07:22 AM

Not sure what you mean by "swivel," is it the assembley that allows the CVF to rotate? If so there are a pair of internal plates that keep it aligned for rotation with a spacer between them, it may be that the screws that hold them are loose and need tightening. Requires at least partial disassembly of the CVF.

As an expedient, what happens if you place a small rubber band or carefully wedge some other soft friction material (thin leather) in the gap between the viewfinder and the mount to take up some of the slack?

Bryan Coleman · January 30th, 2005, 07:07 PM

Thanks for the replies. It looks like I might be able to disassemble it and retighten some screws. Worth a try anyway. I priced a new viewfinder and found them rather steep.

Bryan

Don Palomaki · February 1st, 2005, 05:22 AM

You might be able to send the EVF only in to Canon for repair. if you do not feel up to doing it yourself.

Bryan Coleman · February 2nd, 2005, 03:25 PM

I took it apart and found some screws to tighten...it seemed to help. Thanks for the replies

Max Lyon · March 10th, 2005, 02:53 PM

Hi everybody. First excuse my poor english but Im from France.
I just received my new XL1S a few days ago and I have a question relating to the camcorder.
When I turn on the power, the image in the viewfinder is unstable for a few seconds, but when the inner software of the video camera is done, the image is good. Do you have the same thing when you turn on your camera (in fact we can see white lines that disappear very quickly). Im not sure its normal but it can be, thank u for your answers. Its the same problem when you start the VCR program. Some users in France have the same thing. But because the camera is new, i would like to have your advice.
Thanks

Jack Smith · March 10th, 2005, 10:24 PM

Most equipment including the XL1S take a few seconds to stabilize.Computers,vtrs, monitors,TVs all can give a little flicker etc. until power and the capacitors charge and stabilize.
Direct answer to your questions is yes my XL1S does exactly that .

Chris Hurd · March 10th, 2005, 11:39 PM

Yes, you have to give it a short minute to boot up. No big deal,

Phil Holder · March 21st, 2005, 02:57 AM

Hi Max

I had white flashing in my XL1s viewfinder at startup and thought that it was just a warming up thing and didn't think much of it. As I'm new to camera operation the camera only came out of it's bag about once per week so that I could get use to it's operation. But about a week after my 90 day warranty ran out the flashing turned into a full blown fault with green, pink, white flashing then the camera would shut off. Canon said it was a faulty Printed Circuit Board. But after I got it back from repair it still had the same fault and is now back there being repaired again. It's actually been there in total since the 5th of January 05. My camera is probably an unusual case as I know people who say they treat there XL1s's rough and they never have had any problems.

Good luck

August 9th, 2004, 09:26 AM	#183
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	For your reference, the replacement cost of the color viewfinder is $399 (list). The Canon part number is FU-500. Check our Classifieds forum as these occasionally come up for sale from folks upgrading to the monochrome CRT viewfinder. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

January 27th, 2005, 01:03 AM	#186
Bryan Coleman Regular Crew Join Date: May 2002 Location: santa cruz CA Posts: 47	Viewfinder problem the swivel on my viewfinder is now so loose if just flops about. I'm wondering if there is a home remedy for this problem. Thanks, Bryan Coleman __________________ Bryan Coleman Santa Cruz CA

January 30th, 2005, 05:04 AM	#187
Rob Lohman RED Code Chef Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Holland Posts: 12,514	I don't have my XL1S anymore, but isn't there something around that area you can tighten or something? Otherwise it sounds like a trip to the factory.... __________________ Rob Lohman, visuar@iname.com DV Info Wrangler & RED Code Chef Join the DV Challenge \| Lady X Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Buy from the best: DVinfo.net sponsors

January 30th, 2005, 07:22 AM	#188
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,488	Not sure what you mean by "swivel," is it the assembley that allows the CVF to rotate? If so there are a pair of internal plates that keep it aligned for rotation with a spacer between them, it may be that the screws that hold them are loose and need tightening. Requires at least partial disassembly of the CVF. As an expedient, what happens if you place a small rubber band or carefully wedge some other soft friction material (thin leather) in the gap between the viewfinder and the mount to take up some of the slack? __________________ dpalomaki@dspalomaki.com

January 30th, 2005, 07:07 PM	#189
Bryan Coleman Regular Crew Join Date: May 2002 Location: santa cruz CA Posts: 47	Thanks for the replies. It looks like I might be able to disassemble it and retighten some screws. Worth a try anyway. I priced a new viewfinder and found them rather steep. Bryan __________________ Bryan Coleman Santa Cruz CA

August 9th, 2004, 09:10 AM	#181
Jimmy McKenzie Major Player Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Waterloo Ontario Posts: 721	Borrow your friend's XL1 and use the substitution method of diagnosis. If that's not possible, remove both batteries and clean up all the contacts. Install a fresh backup battery and check the result. Also, make sure your viewfinder connection cable is secure and free of debris. Beyond that, you will likely require a visit to the Canon repair depot.

August 9th, 2004, 09:13 AM	#182
Giacomo Bergamo Tourist Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 3	Jimmy -- Thanks for your reply. I have definitely verified that the viewfinder cable is okay. I didn't think to check the battery because I didn't think there would be any connection between it and the problem, especially since the rest of the camera continues to work fine. But I will check it. Hmmm...there's only another XL1 I know of in the area. I'll see if I can try my viewfinder on it. Thanks again.

August 9th, 2004, 09:28 AM	#184
Giacomo Bergamo Tourist Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 3	Chris -- Thanks. That's very helpful to know...it may be that I have to go the route of buying a new one. :-(

October 15th, 2004, 07:18 PM	#185
Karl Heiner Major Player Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: california Posts: 342	<<<-- Originally posted by Stefano Archetti : Oh, yes. PC = printed circuit I was tinking PC = personal computer :-) -->>> i am a little bit lost..help what is wrong with an lcd monitor? stock cable available, no loss of signal/ audio . the lcd monitor can be used for other objectives too... b&h has very affortable monitors. greetings

February 1st, 2005, 05:22 AM	#190
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,488	You might be able to send the EVF only in to Canon for repair. if you do not feel up to doing it yourself. __________________ dpalomaki@dspalomaki.com

February 2nd, 2005, 03:25 PM	#191
Bryan Coleman Regular Crew Join Date: May 2002 Location: santa cruz CA Posts: 47	I took it apart and found some screws to tighten...it seemed to help. Thanks for the replies __________________ Bryan Coleman Santa Cruz CA

March 10th, 2005, 02:53 PM	#192
Max Lyon Tourist Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: France Posts: 1	Question with the color viewfinder for XL1S Hi everybody. First excuse my poor english but Im from France. I just received my new XL1S a few days ago and I have a question relating to the camcorder. When I turn on the power, the image in the viewfinder is unstable for a few seconds, but when the inner software of the video camera is done, the image is good. Do you have the same thing when you turn on your camera (in fact we can see white lines that disappear very quickly). Im not sure its normal but it can be, thank u for your answers. Its the same problem when you start the VCR program. Some users in France have the same thing. But because the camera is new, i would like to have your advice. Thanks

March 10th, 2005, 10:24 PM	#193
Jack Smith Major Player Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: ontario Posts: 445	Most equipment including the XL1S take a few seconds to stabilize.Computers,vtrs, monitors,TVs all can give a little flicker etc. until power and the capacitors charge and stabilize. Direct answer to your questions is yes my XL1S does exactly that .

March 10th, 2005, 11:39 PM	#194
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	Yes, you have to give it a short minute to boot up. No big deal, __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

March 21st, 2005, 02:57 AM	#195
Phil Holder Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Perth Western Australia Posts: 70	Hi Max I had white flashing in my XL1s viewfinder at startup and thought that it was just a warming up thing and didn't think much of it. As I'm new to camera operation the camera only came out of it's bag about once per week so that I could get use to it's operation. But about a week after my 90 day warranty ran out the flashing turned into a full blown fault with green, pink, white flashing then the camera would shut off. Canon said it was a faulty Printed Circuit Board. But after I got it back from repair it still had the same fault and is now back there being repaired again. It's actually been there in total since the 5th of January 05. My camera is probably an unusual case as I know people who say they treat there XL1s's rough and they never have had any problems. Good luck