Comments on: Goodbye Viewfinder… http://www.videomaker.com/community/videonews/2009/04/4441-goodbye-viewfinder/ The Videomaker blog covers the latest in tech news, video tips and techniques, DIY projects, stories from the field and a whole lot more. You can add us to your RSS feed for easy access to the newest video information, or leave a comment and join the discussion. Fri, 18 May 2012 15:18:23 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: jburkhart http://www.videomaker.com/community/videonews/2009/04/4441-goodbye-viewfinder/comment-page-1/#comment-9347 jburkhart Thu, 23 Apr 2009 16:47:57 +0000 http://videomaker.com/community/blogs/videonews/?p=4441#comment-9347 You guys bring up interesting points. And certainly the flip-out LCD is not perfect for all situations. But if we dissect the purpose of the viewfinder, which is to compose the shot, provide feedback from the camera controls, and view the video itself, I think we find it lacking compared to the LCD screen. From top to bottom here's where I think does the best job: 1. External Monitor (Can't beat a full size external monitor on set, but not practical for a lot of locations, and power requirements) 2. Field Monitor (lower resolution, but battery powered. This includes Laptop screens too) 3. Built in LCD panel 4. Viewfinder So I wonder if arguing between viewfinder and LCD panel isn't a bit like arguing between a rotten apple and a less rotten apple? Maybe we should be arguing about what would make the ultimate "viewfinder"? You guys bring up interesting points. And certainly the flip-out LCD is not perfect for all situations. But if we dissect the purpose of the viewfinder, which is to compose the shot, provide feedback from the camera controls, and view the video itself, I think we find it lacking compared to the LCD screen.

From top to bottom here’s where I think does the best job:

1. External Monitor (Can’t beat a full size external monitor on set, but not practical for a lot of locations, and power requirements)

2. Field Monitor (lower resolution, but battery powered. This includes Laptop screens too)

3. Built in LCD panel

4. Viewfinder

So I wonder if arguing between viewfinder and LCD panel isn’t a bit like arguing between a rotten apple and a less rotten apple? Maybe we should be arguing about what would make the ultimate “viewfinder”?

]]> By: bhays http://www.videomaker.com/community/videonews/2009/04/4441-goodbye-viewfinder/comment-page-1/#comment-9340 bhays Wed, 22 Apr 2009 12:22:02 +0000 http://videomaker.com/community/blogs/videonews/?p=4441#comment-9340 I appreciate your thoughts and experience. I also prefer the LCD display for indoors, fixed, tripod work when the subject is relatively still. However, for action work, especially outdoors, I must have a viewfinder for the following reasons. I shoot with both eyes open when using the viewfinder, so that I can see the wide field around the camera's restricted view, allowing me to keep track of off-screen action and details. Focusing both eyes closeup on an LCD display precludes this simultaneous larger field observation, and switching my eye focus from the LCD to the distant action and back to the LCD is a relatively slow process resulting in bad tracking of the action with the camera. And bright sunlight does prevent adequate viewiing of any uncovered display. I just tried shooting at the beach with my new Sony HDR-XR520V, and could not see anything on the display, but could see adequately through the viewfinder with one hand cupped over my eyebrow. I also wear glasses or contacts and can use the viewfinder with either, although there is a problem with sunlight leakage aroung my glasses with the standard, small camera viewfinder cup. I just ordered an "i-cup", hopefully to eliminate this problem. I would not purchase a camera without a viewfinder. Bill Hays Video Odyssey I appreciate your thoughts and experience. I also prefer the LCD display for indoors, fixed, tripod work when the subject is relatively still. However, for action work, especially outdoors, I must have a viewfinder for the following reasons. I shoot with both eyes open when using the viewfinder, so that I can see the wide field around the camera’s restricted view, allowing me to keep track of off-screen action and details. Focusing both eyes closeup on an LCD display precludes this simultaneous larger field observation, and switching my eye focus from the LCD to the distant action and back to the LCD is a relatively slow process resulting in bad tracking of the action with the camera. And bright sunlight does prevent adequate viewiing of any uncovered display. I just tried shooting at the beach with my new Sony HDR-XR520V, and could not see anything on the display, but could see adequately through the viewfinder with one hand cupped over my eyebrow. I also wear glasses or contacts and can use the viewfinder with either, although there is a problem with sunlight leakage aroung my glasses with the standard, small camera viewfinder cup. I just ordered an “i-cup”, hopefully to eliminate this problem. I would not purchase a camera without a viewfinder.

Bill Hays
Video Odyssey

]]> By: jimcvideo http://www.videomaker.com/community/videonews/2009/04/4441-goodbye-viewfinder/comment-page-1/#comment-9338 jimcvideo Wed, 22 Apr 2009 05:56:43 +0000 http://videomaker.com/community/blogs/videonews/?p=4441#comment-9338 I don't know if I can completely agree, but since you said that we probably wouldn't agree, that shouldn't be too much of a surprise. :-) As you said, the one place a viewfinder still has value is outdoors. And since most consumer grade camcorders use tiny, lesser-grade CCD (or CMOS) chips, about the only place you can safely use them without risking poor image quality is outdoors. Plus, there are all the external benefits of a viewfinder. For starters, they give you a great excuse to ignore those who annoy the dickens out of you. I can't tell you how many wedding receptions I've filmed where I spent half the evening with one eye up to the viewfinder and the other squeezed shut. The number of mostly-inebriated party goers who want to talk about "the time they did a video for their cousin's wedding" and "Their top of the line Handycam" drops by about 90% with this method. The only reason it's not 100% is because there's always that one guy who insists on talking to you even though you pretend he's not there. Of course, he was seen talking to his water glass earlier, so he doesn't really count I suppose. If you're especially narcissistic, viewfinders can also make you look really good. Walking around with that camera mounted on your shoulder mount with the eyepiece digging into your skull, you just feel more important. An LCD screen is fine and all, but you want to run with the cool kids, and the cool kids use the viewfinder. I know there are a bunch more reasons to love that little lo-res box, but the ultimate reason why I don't want to see them go is because if the viewfinder goes, what's next? Most consumer grade (and even a few prosumer grade) no longer include a mic jack on camcorders, something that was virtually as mandatory as a viewfinder 10 years ago. If we stand by idly and do nothing, it's only a matter of time until Sony tries to sell an empty plastic box with a hole cut in the front as their "basic" camcorder. (the hole is removed in the following year's model). Keep videographers looking cool, and prevent cameras from becoming empty plastic boxes. Ask for that eyepiece. :D I don’t know if I can completely agree, but since you said that we probably wouldn’t agree, that shouldn’t be too much of a surprise. :-)

As you said, the one place a viewfinder still has value is outdoors. And since most consumer grade camcorders use tiny, lesser-grade CCD (or CMOS) chips, about the only place you can safely use them without risking poor image quality is outdoors.

Plus, there are all the external benefits of a viewfinder. For starters, they give you a great excuse to ignore those who annoy the dickens out of you. I can’t tell you how many wedding receptions I’ve filmed where I spent half the evening with one eye up to the viewfinder and the other squeezed shut. The number of mostly-inebriated party goers who want to talk about “the time they did a video for their cousin’s wedding” and “Their top of the line Handycam” drops by about 90% with this method. The only reason it’s not 100% is because there’s always that one guy who insists on talking to you even though you pretend he’s not there. Of course, he was seen talking to his water glass earlier, so he doesn’t really count I suppose.

If you’re especially narcissistic, viewfinders can also make you look really good. Walking around with that camera mounted on your shoulder mount with the eyepiece digging into your skull, you just feel more important. An LCD screen is fine and all, but you want to run with the cool kids, and the cool kids use the viewfinder.

I know there are a bunch more reasons to love that little lo-res box, but the ultimate reason why I don’t want to see them go is because if the viewfinder goes, what’s next? Most consumer grade (and even a few prosumer grade) no longer include a mic jack on camcorders, something that was virtually as mandatory as a viewfinder 10 years ago. If we stand by idly and do nothing, it’s only a matter of time until Sony tries to sell an empty plastic box with a hole cut in the front as their “basic” camcorder. (the hole is removed in the following year’s model).

Keep videographers looking cool, and prevent cameras from becoming empty plastic boxes. Ask for that eyepiece.

:D

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