Canon 350D Video Out

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ICS - 20 Jul 2005 19:01 GMT

On the Canon 350D, is there a way to get real time video out to a TV to
see what the camera is seeing before taking the shot? I know I'd have
to lock up the mirror.

I do a lot of product shots of industrial computers (see
http://www.chassis-plans.com) for our web site and printed material.
I've been using a Nikon Coolpix 4500 to good effect but have started
thinking about moving up in quality to an SLR for better glass,
resolution, etc. The 350D looks to be a nice camera for this.

My problem is I've gotten used to using the video out from the Nikon to
a TV to compose the shot, focus, set lighting, etc. It works very well
to hand hold a couple of lights with a remote in one hand and watch the
TV for the best image. Our chassis are metal so glare from exposed
parts is always a problem and it takes some moving around to find the
sweet spot.

I don't look forward to framing the shot through the view finder,
moving a light, check the camera view, move a light, - you get the
idea.

Canon says no, none of their SLR's will do this. Anybody have any
alternative idea.

Thanks,
David

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eawckyegcy@yahoo.com - 20 Jul 2005 20:02 GMT

> On the Canon 350D, is there a way to get real time video out to a TV to
> see what the camera is seeing before taking the shot? I know I'd have
> to lock up the mirror.

> [...]

> Canon says no, none of their SLR's will do this.

What the hell? You ask a question that Canon definitively answered.

> Anybody have any alternative idea.

The obvious solution is to use two cameras (like pre-digital
photographers would use a polaroid to assess lighting, etc before
committing to the Real Thing), but I guess you are looking for
something harder or more expensive?

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SteveJ - 20 Jul 2005 21:42 GMT

Maybe someone could come up with an adapter with a CCD tv camera that would
mount on the eye piece.

>> On the Canon 350D, is there a way to get real time video out to a TV to
>> see what the camera is seeing before taking the shot? I know I'd have
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
> committing to the Real Thing), but I guess you are looking for
> something harder or more expensive?

Reply to this Message

Mike Warren - 20 Jul 2005 22:51 GMT

> Maybe someone could come up with an adapter with a CCD tv camera that
> would mount on the eye piece.

Someone has...

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0506/05060701zigview_lcd.asp

-Mike

Reply to this Message

ICS - 21 Jul 2005 00:57 GMT

Thanks for the lead. I previously saw this and thought it was pretty
slick. The two problems is that I end up in front of the camera
holding the lights and the image is still pretty small. But it is
definitely interesting.

Reply to this Message

ICS - 21 Jul 2005 00:55 GMT

Does my heart good to see even the digital photography world has got
its share of rude, inconsiderate idiots. I asked a legitimate question
and you've got to immediately be the bully. Does this make you feel
more the man?

"What the hell.." - Ask Canon if the 300D will lock up the mirror.
They will say no. Yet there is a firmware mod that allows that. So
the fact that Canon says no doesn't mean diddly. That's why I politely
asked in this forum. If you can't provide constructive guidance - keep
your fingers off the friggin keyboard.

The idiot part comes from the two camera suggestion. Having done my
share of medium format product photography, we never used two cameras.
You load a Polaroid pack to check the exposure, framing, focus, etc.
Then you load the film pack in the same camera. There is no way you'd
get two camera mounted to take the same photo.

What I'm looking for is the same ability my Nikon 4500 has to show
the image before taking the photo. Seems pretty simple.

So take your childish manners to the schoolyard where they belong and
bully people your own age.

David

Reply to this Message

eawckyegcy@yahoo.com - 21 Jul 2005 17:06 GMT

> Does my heart good to see even the digital photography world has got
> its share of rude, inconsiderate idiots. I asked a legitimate question
> and you've got to immediately be the bully. Does this make you feel
> more the man?

I did not dispute the legitimacy of your questions; so you can shove
your misrepresentations. I simply observed you posed it to what
amounts to the final authority on the matter and received a definitive
response. Why, then, ask it again?

> "What the hell.." - Ask Canon if the 300D will lock up the mirror.

No, that is not what you said. Here, allow me to quote you once again:

>>On the Canon 350D, is there a way to get real time video out to a
>>TV to see what the camera is seeing before taking the shot? I know
>>I'd have to lock up the mirror.
>>[...]
>>Canon says no, none of their SLR's will do this.

So did you, or did you not, ask Canon if a 350D body would provide
"real time video"? If you did not, then your posting misrepresented
your actions, and you have no grounds to criticize if someone takes you
at your word. If you did, then your posting was pointless in so far as
"real time video" was concerned, as you received an authoritative
response, and again, on what grounds do you have to criticize someone
for taking you at your word?

> They will say no. Yet there is a firmware mod that allows that.

You aren't thinking. Does a 1D, 10D or other camera prior to the
350D's appearance have real-time video output? Why would Canon add RTV
to a low-end model, hide it, and _NOT INCLUDE_ the feature in
higher-end cameras? Well?

The firmware hack almost certainly existed because the software that
went into the 350D (or similar) came from other code elements for
Canon's higher-end cameras. Either they didn't care, or someone forgot
to remove all traces of it for the 350D's build.

> So the fact that Canon says no doesn't mean diddly.

The only facts before me are that you are demonstrably ignorant, and
getting worse.

> That's why I politely
> asked in this forum. If you can't provide constructive guidance - keep
> your fingers off the friggin keyboard.

If you can't figure out how to use a killfile, then you are beyond
stupid.

> The idiot part comes from the two camera suggestion. Having done my
> share of medium format product photography, we never used two cameras.
> You load a Polaroid pack to check the exposure, framing, focus, etc.
> Then you load the film pack in the same camera. There is no way you'd
> get two camera mounted to take the same photo.

There is no way to critically evaluate fine focus, final exposure, or
similar, via NTSC/PAL video (unless, of course, you are just shooting
video) either. Consider, as one example, the problem with flash.

> What I'm looking for is the same ability my Nikon 4500 has to show
> the image before taking the photo. Seems pretty simple.

Use the video for (claimed) rapidity in creating your set (arrangement,
general lighting, etc). After that, use the 'real' camera to take as
many test frames as you want to fine tune.

Anything else is, as I suggested, just useless added expense or
complexity.

(Personally, I get by fine with just the main camera -- clicking the
shutter costs zip. I've used the video output from time to time to
view the images while not at the camera (trip the shutter remotely),
but without being at the camera to 'zoom' in and the like, the
functionality is limited.)

> So take your childish manners to the schoolyard where they belong and
> bully people your own age.

Oh dear, I made another 'professional' cry.

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Cockpit Colin - 23 Jul 2005 14:22 GMT

>> On the Canon 350D, is there a way to get real time video out to a TV to
>> see what the camera is seeing before taking the shot? I know I'd have
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>
>> Canon says no, none of their SLR's will do this.

Just discovered this ...

http://www.digitalcamerainfo.com/content/Astral-Specialized-Canon-Coming-to-US-i
n-July.htm

If I read it correctly then the new 20Da will do it

Reply to this Message

Canongirly - 20 Jul 2005 22:45 GMT

Have you considered the Panasonic Lumix fz-10, 20 or the new 30?
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0507/05072004panasonic_fz30.asp

> On the Canon 350D, is there a way to get real time video out to a TV to
> see what the camera is seeing before taking the shot? I know I'd have
[quoted text clipped - 22 lines]
> Thanks,
> David

Reply to this Message

ICS - 21 Jul 2005 01:01 GMT

Just started looking. They look like nice cameras. The -30 has the
resolution I want but I can't find pricing. The low end on the zoom
may not go far enough out for some of the stuff I do. But thanks.

Reply to this Message

Canongirly - 21 Jul 2005 05:00 GMT

The 30's brand spanking new so hasn't hit the shops yet. But expect it to
be around the same price as the -20

> Just started looking. They look like nice cameras. The -30 has the
> resolution I want but I can't find pricing. The low end on the zoom
> may not go far enough out for some of the stuff I do. But thanks.

Reply to this Message

David J Taylor - 21 Jul 2005 08:17 GMT

I understand there is a 24 or 25mm wide-angle adapter for the FZ30.

David

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David Littlewood - 20 Jul 2005 23:02 GMT

>On the Canon 350D, is there a way to get real time video out to a TV to
>see what the camera is seeing before taking the shot? I know I'd have
[quoted text clipped - 22 lines]
>Thanks,
>David

You may care to look at the Canon 20Da. This body has recently been
released by Canon for specialist use in astrophotography. It has
extended IR response (which would not be of use to you) but also has
continuous output. I am not sure, from reading the Canon press release,
whether this is available only during the exposure, or as a preview; the
latter would be much more useful, but others I have discussed it with
suggest the former only is true. In any event it may serve your purpose.

I believe the cost is nearly twice that of the basic 20D model, and it
may be available only on special order, depending on the distributor
wherever you are located.

Hope this helps,

David

Signature

David Littlewood

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Larry - 21 Jul 2005 12:13 GMT

> On the Canon 350D, is there a way to get real time video out to a TV to
> see what the camera is seeing before taking the shot? I know I'd have
[quoted text clipped - 22 lines]
> Thanks,
> David

The simple, most complete answer to your question is:

NO!

DSLRs dont work that way.

Signature

Larry Lynch
Mystic, Ct.

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