EVF = B&W viewfinder? at DVinfo.net

Vincent Im · January 21st, 2004, 07:36 PM

Hi All,

New member here and new to videography. I am in the market for a camcorder and am comparing the DVX100A and PD-170. DVX100A brochure indicates EVF viewfinder ... does this mean B&W only?

Also, are all viewfinders on camcorders EVF's? Meaning, none (DVX100A and PD-170) have TTL viewfinders. I assume this is true if viewfinders display overlayed information.

Thank you,
Vincent

Ken Tanaka · January 21st, 2004, 07:53 PM

Welcome Vincent,

1. The DVX100A's viewfinder is a color LCD. "EVF" is shorthand for electronic viewfinder and does not connote b&w or color.

2. Viewfinders on all video cameras take their image from the CCD's, not directly through the lens, per se. And that's the only mechanism that would make any sense, unlike a film camera.

Vincent Im · January 21st, 2004, 09:42 PM

Ken,

Thank you for the info.

Reading about viewfinders, I understand that PD-170 offers B&W viewfinder because it is easier to manually focus accurately in B&W than in color. Does DVX100A offer the option for B&W viewfinder? If not, how do you like manual focus on DVX100A with the color viewfinder?

Vincent

Ken Tanaka · January 21st, 2004, 09:58 PM

The DVX has no optional viewfinder configutation; it is what it is.

Personally I find focusing with the DVX100's large lcd panel easier than the with eyepiece. The new DVX100A features a new peaking display feature. This derives from a similar feature found on professional b&w viewfinders, which places a slight edge enhancement around sharply-focused areas in the frame. Although the 100A's peaking display is not adjustable (as pro viewfinders are) this is a nice enhancement to aid in focusing.

Notwithstanding, I would not let the viewfinders be a decisive factor selectingg between the DVX and the PD.

Vincent Im · January 22nd, 2004, 12:37 AM

Ken,

I just read the operational manual for the dvx100a and it indicates that you can set the EVF to either color or bw. Is the manual incorrect?

Ken Tanaka · January 22nd, 2004, 12:49 AM

I do not yet have my 100A in-hand (it will arrive this week). But if the manual says so, who am I to argue?!

But understand that this, in itself, doth not a high resolution viewfinder make! That is, simply desaturating a color lcd is of relatively little additional help for focus assistance. Coupled with a peaking display it's certainly far better than a standard consumer color lcd viewfinder. But resolution of the viewfinder is arguably the more important factor with respect to focus assistance. That's why all professional video viewfinders are b&w crt's with 500+ lines of horizontal resolution.

Thank you for pointing out this option, Vincent.

Stefan Scherperel · January 22nd, 2004, 01:05 AM

Yes, the dvx100a does let you put your viewfinder in B&W. I usually leave it in B&W while and keep the 3.5in flip out the way it is. The edge enhancement is a great feature and really allows objects in focus to "pop" when you have it right.

January 21st, 2004, 07:36 PM	#1
Vincent Im New Boot Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Sunnyvale, CA Posts: 19	EVF = B&W viewfinder? Hi All, New member here and new to videography. I am in the market for a camcorder and am comparing the DVX100A and PD-170. DVX100A brochure indicates EVF viewfinder ... does this mean B&W only? Also, are all viewfinders on camcorders EVF's? Meaning, none (DVX100A and PD-170) have TTL viewfinders. I assume this is true if viewfinders display overlayed information. Thank you, Vincent

January 21st, 2004, 07:53 PM	#2
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Welcome Vincent, 1. The DVX100A's viewfinder is a color LCD. "EVF" is shorthand for electronic viewfinder and does not connote b&w or color. 2. Viewfinders on all video cameras take their image from the CCD's, not directly through the lens, per se. And that's the only mechanism that would make any sense, unlike a film camera. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

January 21st, 2004, 09:58 PM	#4
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	The DVX has no optional viewfinder configutation; it is what it is. Personally I find focusing with the DVX100's large lcd panel easier than the with eyepiece. The new DVX100A features a new peaking display feature. This derives from a similar feature found on professional b&w viewfinders, which places a slight edge enhancement around sharply-focused areas in the frame. Although the 100A's peaking display is not adjustable (as pro viewfinders are) this is a nice enhancement to aid in focusing. Notwithstanding, I would not let the viewfinders be a decisive factor selectingg between the DVX and the PD. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

January 22nd, 2004, 12:49 AM	#6
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	I do not yet have my 100A in-hand (it will arrive this week). But if the manual says so, who am I to argue?! But understand that this, in itself, doth not a high resolution viewfinder make! That is, simply desaturating a color lcd is of relatively little additional help for focus assistance. Coupled with a peaking display it's certainly far better than a standard consumer color lcd viewfinder. But resolution of the viewfinder is arguably the more important factor with respect to focus assistance. That's why all professional video viewfinders are b&w crt's with 500+ lines of horizontal resolution. Thank you for pointing out this option, Vincent. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

January 22nd, 2004, 01:05 AM	#7
Stefan Scherperel Major Player Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Seattle WA Posts: 209	Yes, the dvx100a does let you put your viewfinder in B&W. I usually leave it in B&W while and keep the 3.5in flip out the way it is. The edge enhancement is a great feature and really allows objects in focus to "pop" when you have it right. __________________ Stefan Scherperel SSE Productions http://www.stefweb.net

January 21st, 2004, 09:42 PM	#3
Vincent Im New Boot Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Sunnyvale, CA Posts: 19	Ken, Thank you for the info. Reading about viewfinders, I understand that PD-170 offers B&W viewfinder because it is easier to manually focus accurately in B&W than in color. Does DVX100A offer the option for B&W viewfinder? If not, how do you like manual focus on DVX100A with the color viewfinder? Vincent

January 22nd, 2004, 12:37 AM	#5
Vincent Im New Boot Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Sunnyvale, CA Posts: 19	Ken, I just read the operational manual for the dvx100a and it indicates that you can set the EVF to either color or bw. Is the manual incorrect?