FU-1000 monochrome B&W CRT viewfinder
 

Anyone using the b&w viewfinder? How much of a power drain is it? I'm considering getting it with the XL1S but am wondering if it will be practical to use it with the in-camera battery (the larger one). I don't want to have to use an external battery. I realize there are many things that affect how long a battery will last -- such as use of auto-zoom or auto-focus (which I don't use). But can anyone give me a general idea how much sooner the battery would lose power if b&w VF used instead of color one, all other things being equal?

I use an EZ1 and love the frame mode but want to get a camera with a decent viewfinder.

Thanks,
Kat

Kat,

I have one here for sale if you fell you don't need a new one. Mine is in sharp shape, not a scrach on it.

If the have a 2 hour battery it willl last about 20 min less with the B&W viewfinder. Canon dose ask to use the daul battery charger.

I use with and with out it. But better to use the daul battery charger.

I'm looking to get $1,299 for the FU-1000 Monochrome Viewfinder.

B&H is selling it new for $1,579.95 oh BTW I got mine from B&H.
I still have the Warranty card still available with no name.

I have a MA-100 Dual XLR Microphone Adapter for sale as well.

Re:
 

What is your price on the MA-100? I'm interested.

Justin

$115

Ma-100
 

Mark,

I'll purchase it. Tell me how you would like payment. You can e-mail me direct at wildsdesign@hotmail.com

-Justin Wilds

Mark,

I may be interested in your b&w viewfinder. Haven't decided for sure if I'm getting the XL1S. Got your phone number from your web site. I may be in touch.

Did you decide to sell your XL1S? As I remember you were disappointed with it?

Thanks,
Kat

No not selling the XL1S They gave me a new one It seems to be better than the first one.

Let me know if you want the B&W viewfinder as soon as you can.

Thanks

Optional Viewfinders Professional Quality B&W Viewfinder (FU-1000)
 

Canon Optional Viewfinders Professional
Quality B&W Viewfinder (FU-1000) For Sale
For the XL-1 or XL-1s

$1299 Plus Shipping.
This (FU-1000) is like brand new and doesn't have not one
scratch on it.
Warranty card still available with no name.

See More Photos Of it Here

http://www.fast-mhz.com/XL1/FU-1000.htm
E-mail me vmstudio@rcn.com

Thanks Mark

I have a question for anyone using the FU-1000 B&W viewfinder as well as the Anton-Bauer adaptor and their batteries:

It seems to me that with this setup, the 13.2 or 14.4 batteries are being stepped down to 7.2 volts to power the camera, and then being stepped back up to 12 volts to power the viewfinder. This seems pretty inefficient, and would probably affect battery life. The solution seems a bit difficult however: building a distro box that the viewfinder plugs into that would channel the video information from the XL1's viewfinder jack and the power directly from the battery--or preferably through a regulator that would limit the power to 12 volts max (since a hot 14.4 battery can actually deliver as much as 17 volts when coming straight off a charger).

Boy, when I put it like that, maybe it's just easier to use the supplied setup with the viewfinder and not worry about it!

Has anyone addressed this?

question
 

why would you want to use a b&w viewfinder over a color EVF if it uses up more of the battery and you can't see a true rendition of what you are shooting. I wouldn't assume it's to save money because it costs so much.

I'd appreciate it if someone could fill me in as to what the advantages are cus I see none.

Thanks.
BTW : love this forum.

The B&W viewfinder is a lot sharper than the color viewfinder, allowing for critical focus (important if you are manually focusing). It also gives a more reliable indicator of the exposure and contrast within the image. The color viewfinder, being an LCD, varies in density (i.e. becomes lighter or darker) depending on the angle at which you look at it. Again, if you are using the camera on the auto settings, not such a big deal. But if you are lighting a scene from scratch and determining the proper exposure by judging the image in the viewfinder, the B&W viewfinder is a much more accurate tool. As far as not having the color information, my feeling is that the color viewfinder provides just enough to determine overall color balance but not enough to "light to". A good broadcast monitor is a much better substitute.

I think for those who are used to working with broadcast cameras, the B&W viewfinder gives the XL1 a much more familiar feel, but I can certainly see where if one is familiar with the color LCD's found on consumer cameras the B&W viewfinder would seem strange.

Using the camera a lot in dark theaters, I wish I could afford the B&W viewfinder. I can see all the color I need on the external LCD monitor, but focus is a real problem -- you gotta stay manual in a theater. I usually have to resort to holding the auto override button when zooming; it's too hard to see on the little LCD.

Being larger, I'm guessing the eye relief is lots better, as well.

Vic

Got it!!
Well thanks a lot. the reason I asked is that I will soon commence shooting my feature on an xl1-s and I need as much info as I can. I guess a great setup would be to have a B&W viewfinder along with a color field monitor.

Yes, that would be my recommendation. I use a Sony 14" broadcast monitor (PVM014M2U) and make sure that it is properly calibrated to bars. It's a great tool to judge the image on as well as being a nice compromise between portability and image size. The 9" monitor is another good option. Remember to bring along a wraparound hood or at least black fabric to shroud the screen for daylight work. Good luck with your feature!

b+w monitors?
 

I'm about to buy an XL1, as I'm planning to use it exclusively for wildlife I feel, having read so many reports on focusing problems, that I will need to have another viewfinder. My budget limits me to something like a B+W varizoom 5.6 monitor which I belive can be bought for around £300 to £400. My question also regards colour concerns, does the LCD continue to give a picture while another monitor is plugged in or do you lose it? What about
other colour monitors are they worth looking at and do they draw even more power than B+W? As I am going to be spending weeks at a time in rainforests I am rather concerned about batteries, I am not buying an MA100 so I will not be able to use the double battery either, any suggestions on power sources? Any electical magicians out there managed to make a solar or windup battery charger yet? I generally shoot (stills) from hides so how about a solar panel for the roof (it'd probably need to be the size of a small country but what the hell)...sadly I think I'm clutching at straws here but you never know.
Cheers
Allan
great site, it's nearly impossible to get any decent advice at shops here, especially when you're new to video like me.

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.

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

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.

Eurika! Thanks Ken!

Dan O.Bannon,

learning somthing new everyday

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!

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

Looking forward to your review.

Thanks again, Dan

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

Have you seen the Shuttered Eyepiece from Optex?

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

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

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!!!!

Christopher,
Nope. It is what it is. Sorry. The only viewfinder upgrade is to the FU-1000 monochrome. You can also use a high-resolution LCD monitor, such as those from Nebtek.
The best solution is to use one of the eyepiece shades such as those from Hoodman or i-Cuff (my favorite). These will shade the eyepiece for better viewing in bright light, move your eye back from the eyepiece and virtually eliminate body-induced fogging.

Ken,

Does the I-cuff fit over the existing eyepiece rubber? or does it replace it completely?

Fits over, snugs to the tube.

The black and white viewfinder really helps. It's sharp and you can instantly see what level of focus you have achieved. You can also check the contrast between items quickly and see what areas are hot. In combination with an external field monitor, you'll be able to compose a nice picture quickly.

FU-1000 and never go back!
 

I purchased my XL-1S(s) by body, lenses & EVF.

I will never go back to the standard EVF. First, the 1000 gives you adjustments that are not available on the colour.

The 1000 is much larger and easy to see your subject.

The 1000 looks pro when trying to get into a shoot you were not invited to!

I've arrived at a few gatherings (so to speak) with the XL-1S with all the adapters and cool additions and have never been denied access to the event.

But besides that, the 1000 gives you what you need, a good clear picture.

I also use external LCD 5.6" monitors with a ball mount on top of the camera. That looks real cool to the novice.

My questions are normally stupid but I get real anwsers. Ya can't beat this site and their sponsers.

There is an old trick to avoiding fogging in the eyepiece that involves a length of flexible tubing, you stick one end into the eyepiece and blow in the other end. I've never had much luck with this, especially dealing with the tubing in the eyepiece, but some swear by it.

Wouldnt breathing air on the eyepiece make it even worse? Unless I dont get what this tube technique is all about...I thought it was a joke at first.

It's not actually a joke, it does work to a certain degree, but I didn't find it particularly practical. It's not the same as breathing directly onto the viewfinder, which we all know ends up fogging it worse.

b/w viewfinder für XL-1
 

Has anybody tried to fit a usual b/w viewfinder, as used on betacam, to his Canon XL-1?
I tried to to fit one to my XL-1 but I still have video signal problems. I think the problem is located in different signal voltage.

dietmar

You are aware of the standard monochrome CRT viewfinder that
Canon has available for the XL1, right? Check out the link to
see an article written about it by one of our moderators (Ken).

Some information regarding voltage and pin layout the Canon
viewfinders are using see this article.