C100: Really rubbish viewfinder and LCD

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djarth

New member
This camera's viewfinder and lcd is ABSOLUTELY terrible in bright daylight. You can hardly see the image display at all.

It was a strange day when my DP4 and my DP's DP1 died on same evening before the shoot, we were thinking at least we should be able to use the viewfinder. However, not only is the viewfinder not clear, but a rubber circle around the viewfinder restricts the complete view.
You will need to move your head around to peek at the whole image.

The viewfinder and lcd was so bad you can barely make out what you are shooting, only with Peaking 2, you'll see the red outline of what you are shooting. It was a hairy moment. The one good thing is the the Peaking 2 is spot on.

For a camera at this price, couldn't Canon had included at least a better viewfinder?
Even the LCD screen on a 5D mk2 can be viewed under these conditions.

I'm wondering if C100 owners should band up and ask Canon to do something.
 
djarth said:
Even the LCD screen on a 5D mk2 can be viewed under these conditions.
Click to expand...

It's comparable to the C100's LCD, so I don't know where you're getting this idea.

I'm wondering if C100 owners should band up and ask Canon to do something.
Click to expand...

I wasn't caught off-guard by this, and I actually used the LCD yesterday during a shoot and had no problems, other than the fact that it is rather lame. Still, well before purchase, I realized that this camera needed a proper EVF...I mean, hell, almost every single camera today has a crappy EVF really. Much better off getting something like an Alphatron that you can move from camera system to camera system and mount it where it damn well belongs instead of sticking out the rear.
 
For the kind of money thrown in, at least one should be usable, if not both. The c100's lcd is definitely not as good as the 5D mk2 in terms of resolution and brightness, furthermore we are talking about a professional camera here.
 
actually i think the LCD on the C100 is better overall than my 5DmkIII.

hmmm.

red peaking is the savior overall. makes things at least usable for me. i have to take off my glasses to use the EVF. not ideal but still can use this EVF in a pinch when a quick stripped down rig is in order.

david
 
what s35mm camera other than the $15000 dollar c300 comes with a great onboard viewfinder?
 
djarth said:
However, not only is the viewfinder not clear, but a rubber circle around the viewfinder restricts the complete view.
You will need to move your head around to peek at the whole image.
Click to expand...

First thing that strikes me when reading this is: are you aware that there is a little lever just below the viewfinder for setting correct diopter?

Look through the viewfinder while sliding the lever all the way from - to + and report back.

Not that you're all of a sudden going to have a great viewfinder...
 
AndreeOnline said:
First thing that strikes me when reading this is: are you aware that there is a little lever just below the viewfinder for setting correct diopter?

Look through the viewfinder while sliding the lever all the way from - to + and report back.

Not that you're all of a sudden going to have a great viewfinder...
Click to expand...
First thing I thought also. Alot of people complain about the view finder but for me it works perfect and my head doesn't hit the handle like some say but everyone is entitled to there opinion.
 
It's probably a good idea to call crap crap right. We all know this VF is crap but we work with it the best we can. For this price - Canon could and should have provided something better than this but .... it is what it is.
 
I don't mean to hijack the OP's thread but Help me understand what I'm getting into here.

I haven't been able to try it for myself but looking at the C100's EVF, it looks just like the 7D's. I have no issues with light leaks while shooting with the 7D (in stills mode of course), can I expect the same feel with the C100?

I'm also used to using the HVX200, which it's EVF isn't the greatest but its useable when there is no other option. How does the C100's EVF compare to the HVX's EVF image quality wise?
 
I know about the diopter adjustment under the viewfinder. Putting the crappy resolution of the viewfinder aside, there is a rubber circle which prevents you from seeing the entire image clearly without squirming from side to side.

Try shooting the C100 in a sunny day without any aids and see what you can actually see.... It is really scary....and you wonder, can't canon just add a better viewfinder?

In anycase i'm writing to the Canon rep in my country to bring up this matter and see what's their response.
 
djarth said:
Try shooting the C100 in a sunny day without any aids and see what you can actually see.... It is really scary....
Click to expand...

No it isn't. I shot outside with it from sunup to noon last Wednesday using both the LCD and the EVF and didn't have a single issue.
 
Some people have found a way to use it and are happy with it. For me, outdoor shooting with the VF was difficult. I ended up putting the rubber eye cup from my Zacuto Z-Finder over the C100 VF and it blocks the sun enough for me to use it outdoors. I pretty much keep it on and it works good enough but it's not a perfect fit.
 
Just a little side note from an FS100 user here.

The EVF may not be the best in the world - it may not be very good full stop - but I'm so happy with it over the FS100 'chimney' viewfinder that became such a liability I buried it in an unmarked grave and erected Bio Hazard signs around the site. I got a Zacuto EVF on a Noga Arm which was a lot better, but had the habit of both unscrewing at inconvenient moments, and making the whole balance skew-whiff and unpleasant to hand-hold. So then I bought a shoulder rig so I could hand hold, and ended up with a big heavy item that delivered great results but took time and effort and limited the whole 'Run and Gun' attitude to 'Walk and Spray'. What was a delightful little 'Video Hasselblad' became a Meccano Monster.

So I'm delighted with the EVF on the C100 - I will work with it, and never look into a C300's EVF for fear of perpetual 'EVF envy'.

I've worked out how to shoot 'overhead', 'at floor level' and what I'll do with a C100 version of the Z-finder. The one thing I miss is a way of flipping the viewfinder forwards to show the talent what my shot includes (where to wave their hands). Its funny how a lot of my interviewees (the ones who get regular doses of ENG cameras) love and appreciate the quick flick of the panel so they can feel confident. Yup, the C300 could do this with aplomb...

And so it goes - one more proof that the C100 is the gateway drug to C300 ownership...

But hey - the C100 EVF tells you where the camera's pointing, and what's in frame. It's better than the Eclair NPR and Arri SR16 IIRC. I'll take the Peaking over 'nothing at all' and am glad that the punch in works. Would be even better if, in 'punch in' mode, I could use the joystick to move the area around (focusing on teeth or ears isn't quite the same as nailing the eyes). The whole camera costs less than some viewfinders.
 
its likely only a matter of time until a 3rd party comes up with a replacement cap to improve things. another user did find that you can pop the cup off, not sure if that meant the diopter part comes off too, but in any case there's room for 3rd party improvement

i did a bit of shooting in the frigid cold and yes there was some cursing because of the light leak which caused fogging, tearing, and such. but most of that was just from the light leak. if some company can make a bigger cup, and replace the diopter glass with something with a bit more magification to bring the lcd closer, then we'd have something rather nice.
 
The vf isn't great, but it can work with a soft eyecup to help cut out the light.

My DP4 evf is going on mine when an arm arrives, it works fantastic and is a breeze to pull focus.

Phil
 
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