F330 Viewfinder at DVinfo.net

Mike Marriage · July 17th, 2007, 10:44 AM

How bad is the viewfinder on the F330? I've heard it is below par for HD.

I'm wondering between the 330 and 350 but the viewfinder is the major draw for me as there is little point in shooting HD if it is out of focus!

I'm going to try and test both cameras but I'm not sure if I'll get a chance with my schedule.

Thanks!

Greg Boston · July 17th, 2007, 10:57 AM

You can buy the higher quality 16x9 2.0 inch viewfinder for the F330. I think it's around $2000USD. It will work just fine on the F330.

Just mentioned that because it would still save you money over buying the F350 if you don't need the other features of the higher end body.

-gb-

Mike Marriage · July 17th, 2007, 11:11 AM

Thanks Greg.

I was aware of that, but it would make the price difference close enough to just upgrade to the 350. Pretty sure it is a deliberate move by Sony and one that will have sold many 350s.

It is of course an option if I get sick of the 1.5" but I'd prefer to buy the correct gear first time.

Tim Polster · July 17th, 2007, 11:29 AM

I agree.

Pairing a 4:3 viewfinder on an HD camera is a little suspect to me.

Chris Hurd · July 17th, 2007, 12:14 PM

It's just a way to keep the price low on an F330 package.

Robert Schemitsch · July 17th, 2007, 12:21 PM

I had a F330 beside a F350, so i could take a look in both viewfinders at nearly the same time. The difference is like driving through traffic by bike or by truck. It's just WOW...
The F330s viewfinder worked great with my DSR400, but don't try it in any 16:9 mode or HD.
The Sony IMX Cameras are also equipted with the F350 viewfinder, and it's also the standard - viewfinder for the HDCAM - Series...

Klaas van Urk · July 17th, 2007, 12:27 PM

I bought my 330 with a 2 inch viewfinder. The 1.5 inch is 4:3 and shows black bars to fit the 16:9 image. The image is to small to focus. I tried it, I couldn't focus well. And focus is critical in HD. I consider to buy a real HD lens in the future. Probably one that works with the autofocus of the camera.

July 17th, 2007, 10:44 AM	#1
Mike Marriage Major Player Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: NE of London, England Posts: 788	F330 Viewfinder How bad is the viewfinder on the F330? I've heard it is below par for HD. I'm wondering between the 330 and 350 but the viewfinder is the major draw for me as there is little point in shooting HD if it is out of focus! I'm going to try and test both cameras but I'm not sure if I'll get a chance with my schedule. Thanks!

July 17th, 2007, 12:14 PM	#5
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	It's just a way to keep the price low on an F330 package. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

July 17th, 2007, 10:57 AM	#2
Greg Boston Wrangler Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: DFW area, TX Posts: 6,117 Images: 1	You can buy the higher quality 16x9 2.0 inch viewfinder for the F330. I think it's around $2000USD. It will work just fine on the F330. Just mentioned that because it would still save you money over buying the F350 if you don't need the other features of the higher end body. -gb-

July 17th, 2007, 11:11 AM	#3
Mike Marriage Major Player Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: NE of London, England Posts: 788	Thanks Greg. I was aware of that, but it would make the price difference close enough to just upgrade to the 350. Pretty sure it is a deliberate move by Sony and one that will have sold many 350s. It is of course an option if I get sick of the 1.5" but I'd prefer to buy the correct gear first time.

July 17th, 2007, 11:29 AM	#4
Tim Polster Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Arlington, TX Posts: 2,231	I agree. Pairing a 4:3 viewfinder on an HD camera is a little suspect to me.

July 17th, 2007, 12:21 PM	#6
Robert Schemitsch Regular Crew Join Date: May 2007 Location: Graz, Austria Posts: 44	I had a F330 beside a F350, so i could take a look in both viewfinders at nearly the same time. The difference is like driving through traffic by bike or by truck. It's just WOW... The F330s viewfinder worked great with my DSR400, but don't try it in any 16:9 mode or HD. The Sony IMX Cameras are also equipted with the F350 viewfinder, and it's also the standard - viewfinder for the HDCAM - Series...

July 17th, 2007, 12:27 PM	#7
Klaas van Urk Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Hoek, the Netherlands Posts: 67	I bought my 330 with a 2 inch viewfinder. The 1.5 inch is 4:3 and shows black bars to fit the 16:9 image. The image is to small to focus. I tried it, I couldn't focus well. And focus is critical in HD. I consider to buy a real HD lens in the future. Probably one that works with the autofocus of the camera.