LCD displays in daylight? at DVinfo.net

Alex Knappenberger · May 9th, 2003, 10:14 PM

Hey, I am just wondering if ALL LCD's are crappy in day/bright light?

I know my camera has a crappy LCD, ecspecially in daylight, and I knew that before I bought it, and i've honestly never really used any other in daylight, and am just wondering if they are all pretty bad in such conditions...?

Ken Tanaka · May 9th, 2003, 10:42 PM

Every built-in camera LCD screen I've seen is challenging to view in bright sunlight. My GL2's brightness is adjustable and is reasonably good outdoors. I normally try to use the viewfinder outdoors if possible. Petrol and Hoodman make small hoods that shade on-camera LCD's for better viewing.

Robert Knecht Schmidt · May 9th, 2003, 10:52 PM

The dynamic range of any display device is put to shame by the contrast ratio of sunlight:shade. Even a CRT monitor won't be useful in direct sunlight. Bring a good piece of dark cloth and some blackwrap to the set to shield your video monitor.

Alex Knappenberger · May 9th, 2003, 11:10 PM

Do them hoodman things really make that much of a difference? I'd be interested in one if so. I wouldn't have a problem with using the viewfinder on my camera, but since it's a low end Panasonic, the viewfinder is a crappy blackandwhite one, it's small too.

Chris Hurd · May 9th, 2003, 11:29 PM

Hoodman and Petrol LCD sun shades are worth their weight in gold. They're very inexpensive, there's no reason not to buy one, and it's the only solution for viewing an LCD screen in broad daylight. Get one now, if not sooner. Hope this helps,

May 9th, 2003, 10:14 PM	#1
Alex Knappenberger High School Student Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Canton, Ohio, USA Posts: 609	Are ALL LCD's crappy in daylight? Hey, I am just wondering if ALL LCD's are crappy in day/bright light? I know my camera has a crappy LCD, ecspecially in daylight, and I knew that before I bought it, and i've honestly never really used any other in daylight, and am just wondering if they are all pretty bad in such conditions...?

May 9th, 2003, 10:42 PM	#2
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Every built-in camera LCD screen I've seen is challenging to view in bright sunlight. My GL2's brightness is adjustable and is reasonably good outdoors. I normally try to use the viewfinder outdoors if possible. Petrol and Hoodman make small hoods that shade on-camera LCD's for better viewing. __________________ 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

May 9th, 2003, 10:52 PM	#3
Robert Knecht Schmidt Wrangler Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 1,933	The dynamic range of any display device is put to shame by the contrast ratio of sunlight:shade. Even a CRT monitor won't be useful in direct sunlight. Bring a good piece of dark cloth and some blackwrap to the set to shield your video monitor. __________________ All the best, Robert K S Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| The best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

May 9th, 2003, 11:29 PM	#5
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,366 Images: 513	Hoodman and Petrol LCD sun shades are worth their weight in gold. They're very inexpensive, there's no reason not to buy one, and it's the only solution for viewing an LCD screen in broad daylight. Get one now, if not sooner. Hope this helps, __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

May 9th, 2003, 11:10 PM	#4
Alex Knappenberger High School Student Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Canton, Ohio, USA Posts: 609	Do them hoodman things really make that much of a difference? I'd be interested in one if so. I wouldn't have a problem with using the viewfinder on my camera, but since it's a low end Panasonic, the viewfinder is a crappy blackandwhite one, it's small too.