C100: Joe Simon "Using the Canon C100 for Live Events"

I agree, it's definitely useable. I put on one of those Blue Star eye cushions (extra small version) and it helps a lot. Even with out the cushion it still works fine for me.

Sure it's not like the one that's on the C300, but it's far from useless. I think people are overreacting just a little bit.
 
the evf seems terrible at first, but the more you use it the more I realize that it's not that bad.
 
Which yould you guys prefer to use, the evf with a custom cushion solution or the lcd screen with an optical viefinder like zacuto (or similar) attached? I know it's not yet available but it will be. I'm asking as far as ergonomics and picture quality are concerned.
 
The Zacuto doesn't entice me because the LCD will be in the same spot at all times...there's not really anyway to put pressure on the eyepiece without pushing the LCD completely flat against the body, so if you have the camera mounted on a tripod (for instance) you have to lightly look into the eyepiece, which means you may not be able to block out all external light properly.

Much rather have a separate electronic view finder that I can tighten down attached to an arm.
 
Can anyone give specifics to what makes the EVF of the c100 barely usable? How does it compare to the c300's EVF?
 
If your future is C100 shaped, do NOT look through a C300 viewfinder! :)

The C100 EVF is small, dark, contrasty, low resolution and poorly isolated from the big bright world outside.

The C100 EVF will display, roughly, which way the camera is pointing (yeah, okay, you can 'frame up' and compose your shot), you'll see what your current settings are, and - depending on how much sharpening your picture profile uses and whether or not you're using DPAF on an STM lens - if focus is okay. It's pretty useless in judging the quality of your picture, zebras are hard to see, colour fidelity isn't exactly wonderful either. That's in comparison to the rear LED, and that's not too hot either.

One big gripe is that the C100 EVF doesn't have a decent eyecup to help you 'look into' your world, you peer 'at' it down a well so to speak, and in bright conditions this makes matters worse. There are some remedies for this - the C-cup for example, which has good report. If you happen to own a Zacuto Z-Finder, the rubber eyecup from that is also quite a good stop-gap.

Yes, we all love to hate it, and it is NOT a nice viewfinder - but I will say this: I am a fan of the Sony EX1/R, and their viewfinders are a LOT worse than the C100. I've worked with the C300 and love its EVF and will moan about how the C100 EVF isn't as good. But it's better than my EX1R's EVF and all the cameras I owned before it!
 
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I think part of the problem with discussions about the C100 EVF is due to people's expectations and how they use it. For some reason, Canon was trying to mimic the EVF of a DSLR. It's a bit strange for a video camera, but maybe it seems natural if you are upgrading from a DSLR. Personally, my eye socket fits perfectly against the EVF. No light leaks and it is very comfortable. I set mine to black and white with peaking and allow it to magnify when I hit the magnify button. I found the EVF fairly useless with stock settings as the resolution is too small to get an actual impression of the IQ or look of the shot. For me, the EVF is perfectly fine for framing and focusing, though, which is my primary concern when covering an event. For me, the EVF is adequate.
 
I've found the easiest workaround for the shortcomings of the C100 EVF is to use the LCDVF BM on the screen instead. You could go Zacuto for that too.
 
I went to BH and tried the EVF on the C100, C500, Panasonic 3100 and Sony F55, I wasn't impressed with any of them(I know it sounds crazy)....So I bought the C100 and the ninja star. I was impressed with its size and ergonomics.

Thanks for the replies fellas!
 
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