Just got a Canon HF11 HD camcorder that I'm starting to use and get familiar with. Indoors its great. But I'm finding outdoors, even with some overcast, that the LCD screen just is too dim to easily see what is going on. Makes me wish I got a model with a traditional viewfinder. I adjusted brightness on LCD display between minimum to maximum and didn't find that made much of a difference. Any suggestions? Could I have a defective LCD? Or is that just how the LCDs are these days?

Just got a Canon HF11 HD camcorder that I'm starting to use and get familiar with. Indoors its great. But I'm finding outdoors, even with some overcast, that the LCD screen just is too dim to easily see what is going on. Makes me wish I got a model with a traditional viewfinder. I adjusted brightness on LCD display between minimum to maximum and didn't find that made much of a difference. Any suggestions? Could I have a defective LCD? Or is that just how the LCDs are these days?

yes, this is how all LCDs are (not defective) - they wash out in sunlight. I believe this is the MAJOR scenario when folks use the viewfinder...

i actually prefer an LCD rather than a eye-piece viewfinder...

i hated using the eye piece..i always felt out of touch using one...and hope they just make these LCDs bigger and phase out those viewfinders....i never had an issue even in daylight....they even sell LCD hoods if you must.

all lcd suck in bright light......nothing can be done about that and strapping on a hood that impairs it's function is not always an option

all lcd suck in bright light......nothing can be done about that and strapping on a hood that impairs it's function is not always an option

how does a hood impair its function? Not looking for a debate just wondering how something to reduce glare will reduce its operational value? I certainly think it improves its function by being able to see in sunlight...

i do agree that LCDs in direct sunlight are not ideal BUT if thats all you have to use you have no choice but to improve your options

Makes me wish I got a model with a traditional viewfinder.

I adjusted brightness on LCD display between minimum to maximum and didn't find that made much of a difference.

Any suggestions?
1. Somehow the consumer has been convinced that they don't need Electronic View Finders, or even optical ones. Like its a sin to hold the camera up to your eye? [gripe off]

2. Some LCD's are better than others, but sometimes you just can't see with them in bright sunlight.

3. You can try a hood. Even a cardboard one will work.


Rich

Just got a Canon HF11 HD camcorder that I'm starting to use and get familiar with. Indoors its great. But I'm finding outdoors, even with some overcast, that the LCD screen just is too dim to easily see what is going on. Makes me wish I got a model with a traditional viewfinder. I adjusted brightness on LCD display between minimum to maximum and didn't find that made much of a difference. Any suggestions? Could I have a defective LCD? Or is that just how the LCDs are these days?

This is why I've constantly recommended a camcorder with a viewfinder. There's nothing wrong with yours, it's inherent in the technology. Even the larger prosumer camcorders are often purchased with large sunscreens that go around the LCD to shield it from light.

To those of you that think that viewfinders are a wast of time - I guess you must do most of your filming in "simple" environments. I do most of my filming on travels. There is just no way that you can hold a camcorder in your hands in front of you when you are in a moving jeep or bus and get as steady a picture as the one where you are looking through the viewfinder with the camcorder held against your head. Your body helps cushion the shaking. I like my Sony CX-7 but the video I get with it in such situations is substantially shakier than what I used to get.

How about when I video my kid play instruments on stage and I am in a crowd and dark.
Least I want is to shine the LCD in dark to distract others and let everyone see what I am recording.
There is no substitude for a viewfinder when you would need it.

How about when I video my kid play instruments on stage and I am in a crowd and dark.
Least I want is to shine the LCD in dark to distract others and let everyone see what I am recording.
There is no substitude for a viewfinder when you would need it.

Boy, CaspianM, you got that right. It is very annoying when someone sitting in front of you in a dark auditorium lights up the LCD on their camcorder while shooting. Rude would be a better term.
Viewfinders are a must with me while on location.
Mike

The top models of all manafactures will ALWAYS have viewfinders,for people who use reading glasses they are a must to save putting them on and off plus getting acurate focus outdoors using the lcd is something near impossible.

The top models of all manafactures will ALWAYS have viewfinders,for people who use reading glasses they are a must to save putting them on and off plus getting acurate focus outdoors using the lcd is something near impossible.

"Top models" as in consumer or pro? The latest batch of consumer camcorders from Canon are severely lacking in the viewfinder department.

how does a hood impair its function? Not looking for a debate just wondering how something to reduce glare will reduce its operational value? I certainly think it improves its function by being able to see in sunlight...

i do agree that LCDs in direct sunlight are not ideal BUT if thats all you have to use you have no choice but to improve your options

a lot of cameras use trouch screen not to mention those zoom buttons on the side of the lcd...kinda awkward to use the trouchscreen if the hood is on the screen.........

"Top models" as in consumer or pro? The latest batch of consumer camcorders from Canon are severely lacking in the viewfinder department.
Sadly yes most of canons latest range are lacking a vf,i meant the top of the range consumer models.

Sadly yes most of canons latest range are lacking a vf,i meant the top of the range consumer models.

I wouldn't say "sadly" at all, it just flat-out sucks. I can't get a hard drive based one because of elevation restrictions. Flash memory only would be ideal, but none with a viewfinder. I might just have to buy the HV30 and call it good. I had no idea it would be so difficult to find something with a viewfinder that will work everywhere I take it. None of the upper range of Canon have viewfinders, which is really unfortunate since they seem to get the best reviews.

so we all agree VFs are good.....

The top models of all manafactures will ALWAYS have viewfinders,for people who use reading glasses they are a must to save putting them on and off plus getting acurate focus outdoors using the lcd is something near impossible.

Damn the aging process! :D

To those of you that think that viewfinders are a wast of time - I guess you must do most of your filming in "simple" environments. I do most of my filming on travels. There is just no way that you can hold a camcorder in your hands in front of you when you are in a moving jeep or bus and get as steady a picture as the one where you are looking through the viewfinder with the camcorder held against your head. Your body helps cushion the shaking. I like my Sony CX-7 but the video I get with it in such situations is substantially shakier than what I used to get.

So if you want a viewfinder, what's your best options, a Canon HV30?

so we all agree VFs are good.....

No, it's a tradeoff. Adding a VF adds cost, weight, and size. The reason most new models lack a VF is for these reasons.

I have the opposite problem. The LCD on my camcorder cracked (insuffiently protected in checked luggage) and is unusable. Thus I have been using the VF exclusively and desperately wished I had the LCD on a number of occasions such as when videoing while skiing (VF in the eye is obviously problematic) and videoing a baseball game where following a hit ball is far easier with the LCD.

i am about to get another avchd camcorder (probably the HF-11 unless something better comes out imminently) and will deal with the LCD's usability in bright light.

So if you want a viewfinder, what's your best options, a Canon HV30?

Or the Canon HG21 if you don't think you'll ever film at altitude, or some of the Sony models if you don't mind their proprietary/useless cards.

No, it's a tradeoff. Adding a VF adds cost, weight, and size. The reason most new models lack a VF is for these reasons.


I completely disagree. It isn't a tradeoff because we are talking in ounces here. Unless one is as weak as Mr. Burns, who has a hard time lifting a napkin, I don't see how anyone could notice a dramatic weight difference. EVF's have been around forever and certainly must not add much of anything to the overall cost. Even if it does, it is a great backup even for those who only use the external LCD display.

I just think camcorders are following the trend of the digital camera (non-DSLR), which has been to completely drop the viewfinder altogether.

There are obviously 2 camps involved with all of their related pros and cons, but IMHO, it is ridiculous to not have both a viewfinder and external LCD.

Damn the aging process! :D

Its hard on us isnt it;)

There are obviously 2 camps involved with all of their related pros and cons, but IMHO, it is ridiculous to not have both a viewfinder and external LCD.

the features that you find on cameras are the direct result of what the manufacturers believe that people want, based on a lot of research data... if most people wanted viewfinders, that's what these cameras would have, or they would be losing market share to a company that does put viewfinders on their camcorders.

the features that you find on cameras are the direct result of what the manufacturers believe that people want, based on a lot of research data... if most people wanted viewfinders, that's what these cameras would have, or they would be losing market share to a company that does put viewfinders on their camcorders.

As I said, there are definitely 2 different camps with differing opinions. I agree with most of what you said, but we all know how ineffective marketing types can be, and a lot of the time the ultimate decision rests with the higher-ups. If marketing data were actually used by companies such as Ford or Chrysler, for the past 5 years or more, they wouldn't be in their current situation. My only point is that marketing data is obviously there, but some companies don't use it to their advantage (or just ignore it & hope for the best).

I haven't paid any attention to the camcorder/video segment at all because I just haven't been interested, so I can't comment on anything historically. I am extremely well versed in the digital camera arena though, and have seen and followed the transition to rear LCD display only, cringing the entire way. Interesting that you can have the P&S crowd clamouring for tiny sizes w/LCD only, yet the DSLR folks will kill at the mention of dropping the optical viewfinder from any of their cameras.

I tried out the Canon HG20 for about 15 minutes outside in bright sun & couldn't see squat on the LCD. Since 99.9% of my shooting will be outdoors, not having a viewfinder is simply not an option. As it stands now, I may actually have to buy one w/out a viewfinder anyway, seeing as how there really aren't any options available.