I have a request for someone to make a piece of hardware. It is a simple device but should be a good challenge for you "physics-minded" individuals.
Problem: LCD flip screens on cameras look different depending on what angle you are viewing them from. If the screen is tilted down, the image appears darker than it really is. If the screen is tilted up, the screen is brighter than it really is. Only when you are looking directly at the screen does it appear at the correct brightness.
Request: I'm looking for some kind of a indicator that lets me know when I am looking straight at the LCD flip screen on my camera. Many times, I have caught myself subcontiously standing up straighter than usual to increase the angle of the screen which makes a dark video appear correct on the LCD screen. If I had some sort of an indicator on the screen itself, it would eliminate this problem and help ensure that the image I am seeing is close to the actual image brightness.
Please don't patronize me here. I know that LCD flip screens should only be used as a last resort. I've been shooting for years now and whenever possible I use a Broadcast CRT with Blue-Only button (and yes I do my own calibration). But this device is for the times when the environment of the shoot prevents the use of the viewfinder or external monitors. Also, I know there are many other variables that will distort the image on an LCD flip screen including ambient light, brightness settings in the menu, and the age of the camera. I am only looking to eliminate the angle variable with this device.
My Idea: I remember as a kid having a ruler with a picture of the space shuttle. As you changed your angle to the rule, the space shuttle launched. The effect was created by some sort of mesh prism over three space shuttle pictures mixed together. As you turned the ruler, you saw only one image at a time. Using that same concept, this "indicator" would be a thin sticker which you could place on the outside vertical edge of the LCD flip screen. When the LCD is angled too low, an arrow would appear pointing up. When the LCD is angled to high, and arrow would appear point down. When you are looking straight at the LCD screen, a simple back dot would appear.
This simple sticker is the easiest, lightest, and fastest solution I could think of. This simple sticker would even work for a group of people around the same LCD screen. Each person would see a different image from the same sticker and know to move up or down.
I'm looking for someone to make this idea a reality. I don't care about making money on this. I just want one! Any comments and suggestions are appreciated. I'm open to other ideas to eliminate the LCD angle problem.
Problem: LCD flip screens on cameras look different depending on what angle you are viewing them from. If the screen is tilted down, the image appears darker than it really is. If the screen is tilted up, the screen is brighter than it really is. Only when you are looking directly at the screen does it appear at the correct brightness.
Request: I'm looking for some kind of a indicator that lets me know when I am looking straight at the LCD flip screen on my camera. Many times, I have caught myself subcontiously standing up straighter than usual to increase the angle of the screen which makes a dark video appear correct on the LCD screen. If I had some sort of an indicator on the screen itself, it would eliminate this problem and help ensure that the image I am seeing is close to the actual image brightness.
Please don't patronize me here. I know that LCD flip screens should only be used as a last resort. I've been shooting for years now and whenever possible I use a Broadcast CRT with Blue-Only button (and yes I do my own calibration). But this device is for the times when the environment of the shoot prevents the use of the viewfinder or external monitors. Also, I know there are many other variables that will distort the image on an LCD flip screen including ambient light, brightness settings in the menu, and the age of the camera. I am only looking to eliminate the angle variable with this device.
My Idea: I remember as a kid having a ruler with a picture of the space shuttle. As you changed your angle to the rule, the space shuttle launched. The effect was created by some sort of mesh prism over three space shuttle pictures mixed together. As you turned the ruler, you saw only one image at a time. Using that same concept, this "indicator" would be a thin sticker which you could place on the outside vertical edge of the LCD flip screen. When the LCD is angled too low, an arrow would appear pointing up. When the LCD is angled to high, and arrow would appear point down. When you are looking straight at the LCD screen, a simple back dot would appear.
This simple sticker is the easiest, lightest, and fastest solution I could think of. This simple sticker would even work for a group of people around the same LCD screen. Each person would see a different image from the same sticker and know to move up or down.
I'm looking for someone to make this idea a reality. I don't care about making money on this. I just want one! Any comments and suggestions are appreciated. I'm open to other ideas to eliminate the LCD angle problem.