How do you find the lack of a viewfinder? at DVinfo.net
DV Info Net

Go Back   DV Info Net > Canon EOS / MXF / AVCHD / HDV / DV Camera Systems > Canon XA and VIXIA Series AVCHD Camcorders > Canon VIXIA Series AVCHD and HDV Camcorders

Canon VIXIA Series AVCHD and HDV Camcorders
For VIXIA / LEGRIA Series (HF G, HF S, HF and HV) consumer camcorders.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old April 25th, 2010, 08:19 AM   #1
Major Player
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Huddersfield, UK
Posts: 469
How do you find the lack of a viewfinder?

Hi All,

I work with an XH-A1 (tape) and Macbook Pro and am thinking of getting a decent 2nd, cheaper cam and have been looking at all these tapeless AVCHD models (HF S10 etc). They look good in many ways but I have two questions:

1) Do any have viewfinders? I do most of my shooting outdoors and an LCD screen is often unusable in bright weather. What do you do if you have no viewfinder (I know they are often not very good but better than nothing!)?
2) Will my MBP running FCP (2.6 GHz, core 2 duo) be good enough for editing AVCHD?

Thanks

Geoff
Geoffrey Cox is offline   Reply With Quote
Old April 25th, 2010, 09:39 AM   #2
Trustee
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Gwaelod-y-garth, Cardiff, CYMRU/WALES
Posts: 1,215
Hi Geoffrey,
I've found that the LCD screen on my Canon HFS100 is fine in sunlight - you can set the brightness level to maximum.
I also use a Hoodman screen hood with it as well, so no problems.
Robin Davies-Rollinson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old April 25th, 2010, 08:46 PM   #3
Major Player
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Nowra, Australia
Posts: 440
Hi Geoffrey, I found the LCD screen on my HFS10 almost totally useless in bright sunlight, even when turned up to full brightness. However, I added a DIY black card hood and I've gotten almost used to not having a vf.
Rainer Listing is offline   Reply With Quote
Old April 25th, 2010, 09:53 PM   #4
Major Player
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Sydney, Australia
Posts: 481
I also Have an HF-S10 but do miss the viewfinder. However, there is a little beauty about to be released the Panasonic HDC-HS700-K which I am seriously considering, as it is a 3 Cmos job with good low light properties with its 1/4 " sensors. - Worth looking at.

RonC.
Ron Cooper is offline   Reply With Quote
Old April 26th, 2010, 01:32 PM   #5
Major Player
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Huddersfield, UK
Posts: 469
Thanks for advice guys.

Ron - been looking at the Panasonic TM-700 (flash card only version of the HS700 - want it to be as quiet as possible) which has a viewfinder and does look excellent especially the manual controls and at a decent price.

Just need to determine how much of a hassle AVCHD is going to be - almost certainly will have to convert it for my MBP... otherwise it looks like the Canon HV40 is the way to go.
Geoffrey Cox is offline   Reply With Quote
Old April 26th, 2010, 04:35 PM   #6
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Canada
Posts: 170
I considered buying a HDC-TM700, but three things stopped me: reports of fan noise, the fact that the lowest shutter speed you can get is 1/30 sec, and the lack of a 30p mode. I downloaded some 60p test clips and found that Sony Vegas Platinum 9 crashes when I try to import them. If the file is converted to MTS, no problem, but if it's in MP4, forget it.

However, I did like the TM-700, and found that its viewfinder and LCD display weren't bad in spite of their relatively low resolution. I really liked the manual control ring it sports, especially for racking focus.

I've been trying to get hold of a Canon HF-S21, but virtually every retailer in my area says it's on backorder, and they can't give me a firm date on when some will actually be in stock. One retailer, a very large and well-established place that specializes in pro & consumer equipment, will not be getting any until May 29!

Way to go Canon, make all of us poor Canucks wait until *after* the Victoria Day holiday weekend for our HF-S21's! :)

Kinda makes me wonder if high demand is causing the problem, or there's a production or distribution bottleneck somewhere. I'm thinking the latter, because the HF-S21 isn't exactly an inexpensive camcorder.
Steve Struthers is offline   Reply With Quote
Old April 28th, 2010, 03:37 PM   #7
Major Player
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Huddersfield, UK
Posts: 469
Sorry to desert the cause but I've decided to go for the HV-40. The AVCHD cameras look great and yes some have viewfinders. But the huge hassle with transcoding the footage for FCP on my MBP makes it all seem a bit silly and a backwards step - I love logging and capturing footage on the fly, only taking the good stuff etc. Non tape recording will have to wait a few years in my case.
Geoffrey Cox 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 XA and VIXIA Series AVCHD Camcorders > Canon VIXIA Series AVCHD and HDV Camcorders

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

 



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 01:13 AM.


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