I'm close to pulling the trigger on a H18 after playing with one at Circuit City. I like everything about it, but I'm concerned about the screen in bright light/sunlight. I will be using it mostly for outdoor sports. I borrowed a friend's Sony 8mm the other day for a high school football game....the screen was terrible...and it was just hazy sunlight. Of course the salesperson said "it's no problem"....couldn't convince em to let me take it outside.

Wow, a week has passed with 112 views and no responses. Someone must have used the h-18 in bright sunlight! The screen looks great indoors, but how is it outdoors in sunlight? I assume it's better than the "old" Sony I borrowed, but there's nothing like the opinion of someone who knows 1st hand.

Thanks

LCD displays have gotten better in sunlight but I have no experience with the H18 and I have been a viewfinder type person for many years.


Did you use the search function?

Here is one thread by an owner, I did not read through it:
http://www.camcorderinfo.com/bbs/t136476.html

Here is a search with 22 hits for H18:
http://camcorderinfo.resultspage.co...p=Q&ts=v2&w=H18




Rich

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FireWire Survey

Thanks for the response. I've done and read searches (including yours)....no comments re the LCD screen in sunlight. I know they're better than in the past, but. Also, obviously user opinions are subjective. I guess I'm looking for something like. " I shot my son's football game in bright sunlight...the LCD was fine, unless it was in DIRECT sunlight" The H18 is in my price range, has the optical zoom I want, and I "think" I want a Hard Drive camcorder, if it only had a viewfinder, I'd be golden. My concern is the camera I borrowed was pretty bad (LCD wise), considering it was just hazy sunshine, and I even shaded the screen.

I have the H200 and I recently came back from a trip in sunny Hawaii. I still haven't looked at my footage, so I can't comment on the quality. As for the LCD, it was tough at times to see it in direct sunlight, coupled with me wearing sunglasses, but for the most part it was fine, in my opinion. I keep the camera in the automatic mode, so it would sometimes take a few seconds to adjust when going from a dark to brightly lit background, or vice versa.

I do believe the H18 also has the button inside the LCD cavity to increase/decrease the brightness of the screen. If brightened, it is a bit easier to see. Just remember that the additional brightness/dimness of the LCD screen has NO effect on the actual footage.

In general, a common complaint is seeing LCDs in sunlight. That is why many of the more advanced videographers are dismayed to see viewfinders left off newer models. I am a point-and-shooter, and didn't really understand that argument until recently. Again, for me, it wasn't that big a deal, but I could see the merits of a viewfinder at times.

I was thinking about making a removable "hood", then googled and found several. I think something like this would do the trick, if needed. Surprised no one mentioned it. It's certainly cheap enough or a with little velcro, some fabric or cardboard, one can make a "custom fit" version.

http://shopper.cnet.com/digital-cam...lShoppingView=1

Your concern with the LCD was also a concern of mine as well. My previous camcorder (VHS-C) also had an LCD that was unusable outside on bright days which forced me to use the viewfinder. The SDR-H18 has a very convenient button that will cycle the LCD brighter and brighter and eventually returns to dim. I have no complaints using the LCD indoors or out as it can be adjusted to suit one's needs. I don't miss the viewfinder in the least.

Yes, an LCD hood is a good option. I have one for my Elura 100. It takes quite some time to assemble, so I keep it assembled, it has all sorts of straps on it. But even so, putting it on is a real pain in the butt, I am always afraid that I tear the LCD screen off the camera. So all in all I don't use it much, maybe I should have gotten another model. I've got a rigid Petrol hood with rubber bands, but Hoodman seems softer and easier to put on as it has velcro.

Anyway, you (and me) are lucky that the LCD on you camera does not have a joystick or some other important controls. The new cameras like new Canon HF series have no viewfinder AND they have a joystick on the LCD, so using a hood is impossible. Stupid, stupid design. Seems the engineers don't even bother trying these cameras themselves.