
Housings with no viewfinder, monitor only, opinions ?
#1
Posted 26 March 2007 - 02:25 PM
How reliable are these things ? I'd hate to have some kind of failure with the monitor, batteries or electrical connections and then be stuck not being able to see what I am filming.
#2
Posted 26 March 2007 - 03:27 PM
Perhaps this raises the failure points by two?
Besides, shouldn't you be able to frame your subjects without the viewfinder by now?

BTW - I'm eagerly waiting for you to get the Endeavor and post some clips

Edited by PnL, 26 March 2007 - 03:27 PM.
#3
Posted 26 March 2007 - 03:39 PM
You'll need to carry extra batteries and chargers for it = more things to go wrong, at least with an external one you can leave it off for a dive if your battery charger gets unplugged by someone or they circuit breaker goes etc.
The LCD in your camera is old technology, tried and tested, a HD monitor in a housing, not so sure on that, im sure its thoroughly tested, but i'd like to have access to the viewfinder too.
I think it's great for an occasional shooter who can get it serviced often, but if it's to be used a lot i'd be cautious. I used a sea and sea housing ages ago with a monitor back, but we had the viewfinder back as a backup. It was way easier to shoot with the monitor back, but.... if it goes down

Nauticam Rossa / GH4 / 7Dmk2 / 1Dx
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#4
Posted 26 March 2007 - 11:32 PM
Connections: With a camera, it's fully assembled and designed to be integral with the camcorder. Whereas in a housing it's dissassembled, reassembled in the housing with new connectors etc. That alone creates new variables and possible failure points. However that said, my monitors from 8 years ago still works (albeit a lot dimmer!).
LCDs are nice and big but the viewfinder is better for focus and accurancy. With video peaking focus however, the LCD wins hands down(BUT...read further!)
Battery: Often battery life is not indicated unlike on the camcorder. So you run the risk of running out on a dive if you are not religious in replacing the battery after so many on hours etc.
Camera indicators: Zebra and Peaking are usually not available in the videoout (For Sony, haven't checked for Canon). Depends on the camera. Basically without zebra and peaking, 2 of the crucial functions when in manual mode is handicapped.
Drew
Moderator
"Journalism is what someone else does not want printed, everything else is public relations."
"I was born not knowing, and have only had a little time to change that here and there.
#5
Posted 27 March 2007 - 09:45 AM
Thats mad, we will go from no monitor to two of the bleeding things...I like external monitors... Does this mean I'd have to have two..Thats even more trouble if things go wrong.
I love the look of the Endy but it keeps getting worse the more I find out...

Dive safe
DeanB
P.s I'd love to be able to compose a shot just by pointing the camera at my subject and not looking thru the viewfinder...

#6
Posted 27 March 2007 - 02:25 PM
#7
Posted 27 March 2007 - 04:34 PM
Edited by sjspeck, 27 March 2007 - 04:34 PM.
#8
Posted 27 March 2007 - 05:23 PM
When I 1st saw the rear mounted monitor, I thought wow, that's a nice option, I could start out with a viewfinder and then upgrade to the monitor after saving some more money and still have the viewfinder as a backup. Surprise, surprise, no viewfinder at all.
Edited by ronrosa, 27 March 2007 - 05:48 PM.
#9
Posted 27 March 2007 - 09:26 PM
#10
Posted 27 March 2007 - 09:29 PM
The Sea & Sea VX2000 housing had a monitor back for the PD150/170/VX2k/2100 and they for the most part it was good. But I like to use manual exposure for shoot using 100% zebra, and the LCD doesn't show zebra. I still don't think they show up on the new cameras, which is stupid but I guess how the circuitry is laid out.
One of the best features for macro shooting is peaking for focus, and that isn't shown. However, if the monitor is sharp enough, it may be moot. I suppose calibrating the monitor to the camera will be key for exposure.
Drew
Moderator
"Journalism is what someone else does not want printed, everything else is public relations."
"I was born not knowing, and have only had a little time to change that here and there.
#11
Posted 28 March 2007 - 03:15 AM
I thought one would have been heavy enough..Your a strong man Drew...
Dive safe
Dean(I just canny help myself)B
#12
Posted 28 March 2007 - 03:52 PM
Steve B)
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Steve Douglas
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I have worked as an unpaid reviewer for the editing websites since 2002. Most all hardware and software is sent to me free of charge, however, in no way am I obligated to provide either positive or negative evaluations. Any suggestions I make regarding products are a result of my own, completely, personal opinions and experiences with said products.
#13
Posted 28 March 2007 - 03:59 PM
We had a guy here with a FX1 when they first came out in a custom made housing. He had the FX1 LCD inside the housing at the back so when you looked through the viewfinder you actually looked at the LCD screen inside. Seem to work okay.
Amphibico Phenom & EVO PRO & Navigator 900
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#14
Posted 28 March 2007 - 04:11 PM
Well they might offer a normal viewfinder door as an option. I figure it might be abit close to you as you would have to hold the housing way out in front of you. Anyhow time will tell.....
According to the Amphibico guy at the Beneath The Sea show, a rear door with a viewfinder is not being offerred or designed.
I guess they could always change their mind. We're just talking about changing the rear door.
#15
Posted 29 March 2007 - 02:46 AM

Z2 rumours are turning up on forums again...New one is its going to be the same as the PD150 to PD170 sort of upgrade..Better res and better Lux rating...Here's hoping...But then again I wouldn't be able to afford it, so what the hell am I getting excited for :glare:
Be good if it fits the original Phenom housings though...For you phenom guys anyway.
Dive safe
DeanB
#16
Posted 29 March 2007 - 02:19 PM
They could also change their minds about the price...
I would think a viewfinder door should be at least $1,000 cheaper than the monitor door.
#17
Posted 29 March 2007 - 08:59 PM
In email correspondence with the folks at Amphibico, I was told that if the monitor is powered by lithium ion AA's (I'm assuming 4) it will be good for 50-70 minutes in 'good' conditions.
Since I'm currently using the Ike housing with mirror and reversing circuitry, the rear monitor is an upgrade from an ease of use standpoint. My main concern, however, is battery life in colder climates. In Mexico two weeks ago, the QM71 battery was good for a couple of hours on the morning dives in 78F water as well as the video capture to the laptop back at the hotel. Last weekend, however, with local water at 32F (and some ice

Although not directly related to this thread, the Elite housing will accept the camcorder with standard and medium (71) batteries, however, not the 91's. Also, a wide angle solution for the CMOS housings including this one is in the works and will be available by mid to late summer. No tech spec or pricing info available yet.
Alan
#18
Posted 30 March 2007 - 03:15 AM
And I thought my local pond was cold.....
Dive safe
DeanB
#19
Posted 30 March 2007 - 11:52 AM
#20
Posted 30 March 2007 - 12:58 PM
Or is that just me...
Gives us more of an anticipation into what 'Gates' will pull out of the bag.
Dive safe
DeanB