Color LCD viewfinder - Page 14 at DVinfo.net
DV Info Net

Go Back   DV Info Net > Canon EOS / MXF / AVCHD / HDV / DV Camera Systems > Canon HDV and DV Camera Systems > Canon XL and GL Series DV Camcorders > Canon XL1S / XL1 Watchdog
Register FAQ Today's Posts Buyer's Guides

Canon XL1S / XL1 Watchdog
Can't find it on the XL1 Watchdog site? Discuss it here.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old June 10th, 2005, 09:45 PM   #196
Major Player
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Lake Tarawera, Rotorua, New Zealand
Posts: 244
xl1s horizental lines on viewfinder.

It's one darned thing after another. Canon xl1s has flicking horizental lines in the viewfinder on both record and playback. Totally unusable. Lines somewhat similar to warmup flicker, but remain. Lines only confined to viewfinder as they don't appear on tape or on a monitor thru Y/C or 'S' connectors. Is there a simple remedy, or is it back to Canon tomorrow?
__________________
Owen
Owen Dawe is offline   Reply With Quote
Old June 12th, 2005, 07:21 AM   #197
RED Code Chef
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Holland
Posts: 12,514
Make sure the cable / connector is securely seated. If that doesn't help, the
camera probably needs to be send back to Canon for maintenance.
__________________

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
Rob Lohman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old June 12th, 2005, 04:05 PM   #198
Major Player
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Lake Tarawera, Rotorua, New Zealand
Posts: 244
Thank you Rob for your reply. Yes, I have checked the cable fittings and still no go. It's going in for repair.
__________________
Owen
Owen Dawe is offline   Reply With Quote
Old June 21st, 2005, 09:38 AM   #199
Inner Circle
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Port St. Lucie, Florida
Posts: 2,614
XL1 & XL1s Color Viewfinder Discontinued!?!?

I recently picked up another XL1s as a back-up and second camera. It was a body, remote and MA-200 adapter only. I had extra lenses and mics, so was not concerned. All I needed was to get a viewfinder, as not all camera info shows on an external monitor.

After failing to find a used one on ebay or anywhere else, I began looking for a new one at retailers. An on-line search revealed many retailers who sold the color viewfinder, FU-500. However, when I tried to get one, all of them said they were out of stock and did not have a firm delivery date yet. Some took my info, and said they would call me back.

One of the places I called was B&H, of course. To my surprise, the salesman said that the item had been discontinued! A day or so later I called directly to Canon, and I was told that it had not been discontinued, and that I could buy it from them directly. I felt relieved then, and gave the other retailers a few more days to call me back, as it was $100.00 lower than directly from Canon. No callbacks! I wanted to get the other camera up and running, so I said the heck with it and called Canon back to order the FU-500.

To my utter chagrin, the sales lady said that the item had been discontinued! I said, “What, I just called two days ago and it was OK!” She checked around and put me through to another location, and after talking to them I was able to order the part.

I waited to post this until the viewfinder actually arrived, but it finally did. I am not sure, but it does appear that the viewfinder is being discontinued. They may have stock, that they intend to keep to sell directly to consumers, but may never ship to retailers again. After all, the unit fits the XL1 and the XL1s, but not the new XL2.

The only alternative to the FU-500 is the FU-1000 B&W unit, but that is at least $1,600.00 no mater where you can find it, nearly $2,000.00 retail.

So, just a note of caution, if you think that you might need another FU-500, you might want to do some further investigating and decide for yourself. Hopefully they will still be able to repair units that go bad.

Just for your info.

Mike
Mike Teutsch is offline   Reply With Quote
Old June 21st, 2005, 11:07 AM   #200
Inner Circle
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Belgium
Posts: 2,195
Thanks for posting this.
Not very good news, unfortunately...
Mathieu Ghekiere is offline   Reply With Quote
Old June 21st, 2005, 03:21 PM   #201
Major Player
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Lake Tarawera, Rotorua, New Zealand
Posts: 244
Small mites crawling in viewfinder

I was checking over and cleaning my xl1s ready for a shoot today and noticed three tiny crawleys in the viewfinder. They are in the viewfinder not the lens as they're visable when the camera is off. They appear to be on the inside of the outside glass. At first I thought they were specks and tried to blow brush them off, then a wipe with lens cleaner and tissue. It was then I saw they were moving about.

The camera is 13mths old and I've had it from new. The viewfinder has never been taken apart. I live in a temperate climate.

How did they get there in the first place? and are they going to multiply and eat the inside of the viewfinder out? or, do I let the little blighters starve to death?
__________________
Owen
Owen Dawe is offline   Reply With Quote
Old June 21st, 2005, 10:42 PM   #202
Wrangler
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Southwest Idaho, USA
Posts: 3,066
Call me cruel, Owen, but I'd take that viewfinder apart and vacuum those little devils outa there!

I've had to clean specks from inside the viewfinders on my cameras; they aren't airtight--that's for sure.
__________________
Lorinda
Lorinda Norton is offline   Reply With Quote
Old June 22nd, 2005, 04:46 AM   #203
Wrangler
 
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Northern VA
Posts: 4,488
Odd. Normally Canon supports a discontinued camcorder with parts and service for on the order of 5 to 7 years after manufacture was discontinued. However, I can see where retailers might not be able to buy it as it is a maintenance part, not a current production item.
__________________
dpalomaki@dspalomaki.com
Don Palomaki is offline   Reply With Quote
Old June 28th, 2005, 11:46 AM   #204
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Norman, OK
Posts: 60
xl1 viewfinder

My viewfinder has snapped right at the pivoting joint. I've super-gluing for now but I need to locate a new one or a better alternative method. Any advice on where to find one (and not a $1200 replacement!!)??

Any help would be awesome.
__________________
itimebomb productions
Chris Ivanovskis is offline   Reply With Quote
Old June 28th, 2005, 11:48 AM   #205
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Norman, OK
Posts: 60
How much did you end up spending on your FU-500? I just read this after making a new thread because mine snapped :(
__________________
itimebomb productions
Chris Ivanovskis is offline   Reply With Quote
Old June 28th, 2005, 01:36 PM   #206
Inner Circle
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Port St. Lucie, Florida
Posts: 2,614
Chris,

Sorry to hear about your loss. I paid $369.00 + shipping I think. The second time I tried to call they told $399.00 and I said, "Wait, you told me $369.00 yesterday,” and they changed the price back. Multi-tiered pricing I guess, so ask!

Again sorry to hear about the viewfinder, but on the bright side, it could have been a FU-1000 B&W. They are only $1900.00!

I do constantly look for a used one now, after going thru this problem, so if I find one I’ll let you know.

Mike
Mike Teutsch is offline   Reply With Quote
Old June 30th, 2005, 12:05 PM   #207
Trustee
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 1,558
Chris, I had that happen a few years back. I sent it to Canon and they fixed the swivel, and it was VERY affordable. And, like you I used super glue for about 5 months until I sent it in and had it fixed during routine maintainance. Call Canon Service Center in NJ. Bob
Bob Safay is offline   Reply With Quote
Old June 30th, 2005, 12:38 PM   #208
Major Player
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: NYC
Posts: 516
or, if you can't wait and need the fix right now, temporarily use an on-cam or off-cam monitor with the xl1's video out.
Henry Cho is offline   Reply With Quote
Old July 29th, 2005, 11:52 AM   #209
Tourist
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 1
xl1s viewfinder

Are there optional viewfinders available for the xl1s?
Keith Miller is offline   Reply With Quote
Old July 29th, 2005, 06:08 PM   #210
Inner Circle
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Belgium
Posts: 2,195
You have the one that ofcourse comes with the cam, the colour LCD viewfinder, and you can buy the optional FU-1000 CRT viewfinder.
This last one is black and white, and is pretty expensive (I thought something of 1500 dollars) but is preferred by many because you can focus easier, and it gives you the full frame, instead of the LCD which has serious underscan.

There is an article about it here:
http://www.dvinfo.net/canon/articles/article83.php

I can't comment on it, as I only used the standard LCD viewfinder that comes with the camera.
Best regards,
Mathieu Ghekiere is offline   Reply
Reply

DV Info Net refers all where-to-buy and where-to-rent questions exclusively to these trusted full line dealers and rental houses...

B&H Photo Video
(866) 521-7381
New York, NY USA

Scan Computers Int. Ltd.
+44 0871-472-4747
Bolton, Lancashire UK


DV Info Net also encourages you to support local businesses and buy from an authorized dealer in your neighborhood.
  You are here: DV Info Net > Canon EOS / MXF / AVCHD / HDV / DV Camera Systems > Canon HDV and DV Camera Systems > Canon XL and GL Series DV Camcorders > Canon XL1S / XL1 Watchdog


 



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 10:44 PM.


DV Info Net -- Real Names, Real People, Real Info!
1998-2024 The Digital Video Information Network