FU-1000 monochrome B&W CRT viewfinder

Chris Hurd · February 8th, 2002, 06:34 PM

You can dial the color out of the VariZoom monitors. And you can connect that monitor to the XL1 via the RCA composite video output jack, and connect say a pro Sony PVM 14" monitor via the S-video output jack. No problem having two monitors hooked up.

Also, you can use the CH-910 dual battery holder *without* the MA-100 or other shoulder support. The dual battery holder comes with a belt clip and a long cable for the power coupler. It's pretty versatile.

Dan O'Bannon · February 21st, 2003, 07:17 PM

My new B&W view finder works fine when on a tripod but when hand held it falls down so I pull it up and it falls down, I do have the extender on the view finder. Is there a way to tighten it? Is that typical of the viewfinder or do I have a problem with mine?

Thanks Dan O'Bannon

Ken Tanaka · February 21st, 2003, 10:02 PM

Dan,
When you say "it falls down" I assume you mean that the eyepiece flops down. If so, you'll find a gnurled thumbscrew screw on the bottom of the unit, labelled "Lock", that will tighten the eyepiece's rotation.

Dan O'Bannon · February 21st, 2003, 11:44 PM

Eurika! Thanks Ken!

Dan O.Bannon,

learning somthing new everyday

Ken Tanaka · February 21st, 2003, 11:55 PM

Your question was incredibly timely, Dan. I am preparing a review of the FU-1000 viewfinder for the Watchdog portion of this site. (Watch for an announcement here within the next week or so.) I just completed touching-up and annotating a photo of the bottom side of the unit when I read your question. No kidding!

Dan O'Bannon · February 22nd, 2003, 11:32 AM

Wow! I think I saw a twilight zone episode like that once. What a coincidence.

Looking forward to your review.

Thanks again, Dan

Jim Giberti · February 25th, 2003, 11:25 AM

Hey Ken, one thing you may want to include in your review is a WARNING! about always tipping the VF down when shooting outside. I moved from the camera for a moment on a sunset commercial shoot this fall and by the time I leaned back, there was a puff of smoke behind the glass and the dreaded burnt electronics smell. I immediately powered down, etc. We had to finish the shoot through smoked glass and later, very fortunately were able to disassemble the unit and clean the glass and CRT and, aside from an actual drop of melted something beside the mirror, it recovered fully. Youwch.

Ken Tanaka · February 25th, 2003, 11:40 AM

Good tip Jim.

Indeed, there is such a warning on both the b&w and color viewfinders. Many have followed the path of the fried viewfinder. Someone actually makes an eyepiece hood that features a protective flap that covers the eyepiece when not in use. But, like so many well-intentioned devices it's apparently either poorly publicized or too much hassle to become popular.

Jim Giberti · February 25th, 2003, 01:31 PM

<<Many have followed the path of the fried viewfinder.>>

That's a very Zen-like warning to grasshoppers everywhere Ken.

Craig Weinstein · February 28th, 2003, 02:26 PM

Ken,

Do you have any contact or website listings for any of those companies that make protective viewfinder flaps?

Do you know if any of them are compatible with the FU-1000 Canon viewfinder?

-Craig

Ken Tanaka · February 28th, 2003, 02:39 PM

Craig,
Sorry, but I don't. I only saw such a device in a photo used in a different context. There were no details of the viewfinder cover provided.

Jeff Donald · February 28th, 2003, 02:52 PM

Have you seen the Shuttered Eyepiece from Optex?

Craig Weinstein · February 28th, 2003, 03:17 PM

Thanks for the tip regardless, Ken. I never knew a camcorder viewfinder was such a delicate piece of equipment.

No I hadn't seen Optex's eyepiece, Jeff. Thanks for the link! There doesn't seem to be any end to XL1 customization and improvement.

-Craig

Chris Hurd · March 8th, 2003, 04:36 PM

Ken has written a superb article for the Watchdog which covers this viewfinder in great detail. You can check it out right here.

Christopher Hughes · April 15th, 2003, 06:01 PM

I have an XL1s with a standard view finder, which I find a bit hard to focus with, especially with the XL1s soft image. I love the image, but the only thing I find I don't like is the viewfinder. I have the colour cranked right down, and that seems to help, but its still a bit annoying to use, especially in low contrast shoots.

Well with this in mind I have two questions to pose to all you out there:

1) Anyone know a way to improve standard viewfinder, or is it just a case to buy the better one or a good monitor???

2) I find the eye piece very prone to steaming up, especially if you get a little hot. The seems to be no really change from cold to hot area, so assume its just from hot sweaty eye area, Anyone out there know any little 'tricks' to avoid this? Or is it again a case of just using monitor? I ask cos I have used cameras in very hot, and very high humid areas, so even more extreme than what I refer to here, but I always had a monitor. So any 'tricks' or hints from the old schoolers in here would be great!!!!

February 8th, 2002, 06:34 PM	#16
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,366 Images: 513	You can dial the color out of the VariZoom monitors. And you can connect that monitor to the XL1 via the RCA composite video output jack, and connect say a pro Sony PVM 14" monitor via the S-video output jack. No problem having two monitors hooked up. Also, you can use the CH-910 dual battery holder without the MA-100 or other shoulder support. The dual battery holder comes with a belt clip and a long cable for the power coupler. It's pretty versatile. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

February 21st, 2003, 07:17 PM	#17
Dan O'Bannon Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 68	B&W view finder My new B&W view finder works fine when on a tripod but when hand held it falls down so I pull it up and it falls down, I do have the extender on the view finder. Is there a way to tighten it? Is that typical of the viewfinder or do I have a problem with mine? Thanks Dan O'Bannon

February 21st, 2003, 10:02 PM	#18
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Dan, When you say "it falls down" I assume you mean that the eyepiece flops down. If so, you'll find a gnurled thumbscrew screw on the bottom of the unit, labelled "Lock", that will tighten the eyepiece's rotation. __________________ 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

February 21st, 2003, 11:55 PM	#20
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Your question was incredibly timely, Dan. I am preparing a review of the FU-1000 viewfinder for the Watchdog portion of this site. (Watch for an announcement here within the next week or so.) I just completed touching-up and annotating a photo of the bottom side of the unit when I read your question. No kidding! __________________ 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

February 25th, 2003, 11:25 AM	#22
Jim Giberti Major Player Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Bethel, VT Posts: 824	B&W Viewfinder Hey Ken, one thing you may want to include in your review is a WARNING! about always tipping the VF down when shooting outside. I moved from the camera for a moment on a sunset commercial shoot this fall and by the time I leaned back, there was a puff of smoke behind the glass and the dreaded burnt electronics smell. I immediately powered down, etc. We had to finish the shoot through smoked glass and later, very fortunately were able to disassemble the unit and clean the glass and CRT and, aside from an actual drop of melted something beside the mirror, it recovered fully. Youwch.

February 21st, 2003, 11:44 PM	#19
Dan O'Bannon Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 68	Eurika! Thanks Ken! Dan O.Bannon, learning somthing new everyday

February 22nd, 2003, 11:32 AM	#21
Dan O'Bannon Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 68	Wow! I think I saw a twilight zone episode like that once. What a coincidence. Looking forward to your review. Thanks again, Dan

February 25th, 2003, 11:40 AM	#23
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Good tip Jim. Indeed, there is such a warning on both the b&w and color viewfinders. Many have followed the path of the fried viewfinder. Someone actually makes an eyepiece hood that features a protective flap that covers the eyepiece when not in use. But, like so many well-intentioned devices it's apparently either poorly publicized or too much hassle to become popular. __________________ 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

February 25th, 2003, 01:31 PM	#24
Jim Giberti Major Player Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Bethel, VT Posts: 824	<<Many have followed the path of the fried viewfinder.>> That's a very Zen-like warning to grasshoppers everywhere Ken.

February 28th, 2003, 02:26 PM	#25
Craig Weinstein Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Melbourne, Florida USA Posts: 35	Ken, Do you have any contact or website listings for any of those companies that make protective viewfinder flaps? Do you know if any of them are compatible with the FU-1000 Canon viewfinder? -Craig

February 28th, 2003, 02:39 PM	#26
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Craig, Sorry, but I don't. I only saw such a device in a photo used in a different context. There were no details of the viewfinder cover provided. __________________ 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

February 28th, 2003, 02:52 PM	#27
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	Have you seen the Shuttered Eyepiece from Optex? __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

February 28th, 2003, 03:17 PM	#28
Craig Weinstein Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Melbourne, Florida USA Posts: 35	Thanks for the tip regardless, Ken. I never knew a camcorder viewfinder was such a delicate piece of equipment. No I hadn't seen Optex's eyepiece, Jeff. Thanks for the link! There doesn't seem to be any end to XL1 customization and improvement. -Craig

March 8th, 2003, 04:36 PM	#29
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,366 Images: 513	Ken has written a superb article for the Watchdog which covers this viewfinder in great detail. You can check it out right here. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

April 15th, 2003, 06:01 PM	#30
Christopher Hughes Major Player Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Sunderland, England (y Merida, Mexico) Posts: 269	View Finder I have an XL1s with a standard view finder, which I find a bit hard to focus with, especially with the XL1s soft image. I love the image, but the only thing I find I don't like is the viewfinder. I have the colour cranked right down, and that seems to help, but its still a bit annoying to use, especially in low contrast shoots. Well with this in mind I have two questions to pose to all you out there: 1) Anyone know a way to improve standard viewfinder, or is it just a case to buy the better one or a good monitor??? 2) I find the eye piece very prone to steaming up, especially if you get a little hot. The seems to be no really change from cold to hot area, so assume its just from hot sweaty eye area, Anyone out there know any little 'tricks' to avoid this? Or is it again a case of just using monitor? I ask cos I have used cameras in very hot, and very high humid areas, so even more extreme than what I refer to here, but I always had a monitor. So any 'tricks' or hints from the old schoolers in here would be great!!!!