Member of the Month

hi_vis360
November, 2024

Online

Welcome to the Newschoolers forums! You may read the forums as a guest, however you must be a registered member to post. Register to become a member today!

Need help with an LCD hood or viewfinder

profile picture
steezyjibber
Posts: 15967 - Karma: 11,026
Hey guys,

I switched to a DSLR for video (T3i) this summer. And for the most part, I feel my videos get better with each one I make.

But, I've been having a really big problem recently. I film in a lot of weird light (I have to), and when I put my footage on the computer, it just does not look like it did on the little LCD screen. It's always darker or brighter than I thought it would come out, even when I try to compensate for that.

I think having some type of LCD Hood or viewfinder would help significantly. What's a good one to look at? Seems like you can get these things for like 10 - 40 bucks. However, I don't mind spending more on one if it'll help a lot.

Examples of what I'm talking about are pictured below. And while I'm at it, does anyone else have this same problem? Any other advice?

Thanks.

Click for larger image

Click for larger image
Feb 24 2014 10:00AM
7 0
profile picture
steezyjibber
Posts: 15967 - Karma: 11,026
One more thing. I've tried playing with the LCD brightness and it doesn't really seem to help me.
Feb 24 2014 10:02AM
0 0
profile picture
Forcillo
Posts: 3801 - Karma: 3,580
I don't have any experience with that stuff, but I look more at my histogram than the live view to get exposure right. I think the T3i has one integrated, just hit info a few times
Feb 24 2014 10:20AM
3 0
profile picture
Randy_Quench
Posts: 5447 - Karma: 4,343
I have one of the cheap magnet eyecups that fit over the lcd screen. Its cheap, and is kind of a pain, but it will help if you need something to quickly set up a shot. for less than 20 bucks off amazon, I'd say I've gotten my moneys worth out of it.
Feb 24 2014 10:57AM
0 0
profile picture
Sklar
Posts: 8864 - Karma: 31,612
histograms and zebras via magic lantern are a big help
Feb 24 2014 2:21PM
2 0
profile picture
raymondcabral
Posts: 747 - Karma: 1,094
This. Magic lantern is a huge help for exposure and such
Feb 24 2014 2:49PM
0 0
profile picture
steezyjibber
Posts: 15967 - Karma: 11,026
Right on. I actually do have Magic Lantern on one of my SD cards but haven't played around with it much.

Thanks
Feb 24 2014 4:58PM
0 0
profile picture
buttrapinpirate
Posts: 497 - Karma: 225
Histograms for days, if you don't know how to read one, google is your friend.

One other thing I would recommend is if there's a scene you're unsure about, or that has complicated and mixed lighting, underexpose slightly. You can always pull up those darks, but an overexposed section you can never bring back down.
Feb 24 2014 5:55PM
0 0
All times are Eastern (-5)