evinsky
Well-known member
As you all know by now the 3.5” flip out screen on all the DVX/HVX series of camcorders is an extremely useful and versatile viewfinder for framing and focusing if used properly. And if you have used it in open daylight you may also know that it’s practically useless in that situation. Of course you can always go to the EVF (Electronic View Finder) but that limits your mobility and camera placement by requiring you to always have your eye to the EVF. Luckily there is a solution, in the form of a screen hood/shade. Four manufactures currently produce a 3.5” screen hood, Hoodman ($24), Panasonic/Kata ($24.95), Cantury Optics ($48.95) and now Cinetactics ($27.50).
Granted these aren’t bank breaking prices but this particular accessory can be one of the most useful if not troublesome pieces of kit since a good one can make filming in bright light so much easier and a bad design can make you leave it in the bag on all but the sunniest of days.
For this review I will be covering the Hoodman H400 and the new Cinetactics Screen Hoodie Ls40.
I omitted the other two because I personally feel from handling them at various shows they are less than ideal solutions. The Panasonic/Kata hood is lightweight but lacks sufficient bottom surface to allow for proper reflection blocking. The Century is certainly capable of controlling the light and reflections but is rigid and doesn’t fold down plus it's heavy so your screen can’t stay at it’s assigned angle, defeating the versility of the LCD altogether. If you are a great supporter of either of these two products please chime in.
That leaves us with the Hoodman and the new Cinetactics. I’ve been using the Hoodman since the OG DVX100. And for the most part it has done the job admirably if a bit in-elegantly. The fold over design gives it an almost non-existent storage profile, although the elastic compression straps that secures the hood end up flopping around.
The Cinetactics is thicker and comes with it’s own pouch and ring for securing. This is a trade off I like because the pouch protects and secures the hood, keeping it from opening and the Velcro from catching on an already Velcro covered interior on my Portabrace. Build quality is excellent. The durable nylon is edged by a rubber like material that fends off bumps and wear. The Hoodman is sturdy but lacks the refined touches around the edges. The elastic is also starting to loose it’s bounce, albeit four years after purchase, so that aint’ bad. One departure by Cinetactics is the way it attaches, instead of elastic or Velcro on the screen, it uses a rubberized strap that fastens to the top of the hood using Velcro. This method avoids the possibility of elastic wearing out.
Probably the most innovative thing that Cinetactics has done is create a kind of “barn door” in the design of the Hoodie that lets you narrow the opening thus cutting off much more extraneous light. As efficient as these hoods are this makes it even easier to see a good contrasty image in any lighting condition.
There’s not much else to say, my conclusion is that if space is your paramount concern then the Hoodman does a perfectly good job with a very minimal profile, but if you’re a sucker for a great design and willing to tote just a smidgen of extra material around the Cinetactics is the belle of the ball.
