Another 16mm question

[Actor]

I have a Canon Scoopic which has been called "the 16mm camera with the heart of a super8" (or some such). It has SLR focusing via a beam splitter similar to most super8 cams. My problem is that the viewfinder just isn't very bright and I have a hard time focusing it. For an upcoming shoot I am considering just dispensing with the viewfinder as far a focusing goes and instead using a tape measure and trusting the distance marks on the lens. Does anyone have any experience doing this sort of thing? Were the results any good?

[Nigel]

Assuming that your lens is in proper working order this will be fine. I would suggest doing some tests first if you are unsure of anything.

Good Luck

[rollemfilm]

I know the Scoopic has a dim viewfinder, but make sure you focus with the lens wide open. You should have no problem with the tape measure. Use the gate marking on the outside of the camera. Also, set your diopter correctly. Zoom into a bright object and turn the diopter till you see the grain of the ground glass. The Scoopic does hold its focus through the zoom range. I've really never had a problem with the focus in dim settings.

[Matt Pacini]

My Scoopic isn't dim at all.
I think maybe you have your lens stopped down.
I don't mean to sound silly, but do you know how to set this?
Because when you stop down, sure, it goes dark.

Matt Pacini

[Jodes]

Hey
I did a course on 16mm and its always best to go with the tape measure. you can never never be sure with a viewfinder. Also remember ure own eyesight adds to incertainty, one mans focus is anothers blurry nightmare!! Thats my 2 cents worth. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[Actor]

Matt:

Do you have the Scoopic 16 or the 16M? I know Canon made some changes in the viewfinder optics in the later Scoopics. Mine is serial number 19285.

Changing the aperture does not affect the brightness. In any case the diagram in the manual seems to indicate that the iris is behind the beam splitter and not in the path of the viewfinder.

[Nigel]

You bought what you did for whatever reasons seemed right in the moment. Yet I can't help but say--Should-a done it right out of the gate.

You all know I hate Scoopics.

This is just one of the reasons.

If you buy a camera with real glass you would never have to worry about anything. They can take good pictures and they are somewhat tough cameras. Yet, in my opinion a Beaulieu 4008 is a better camera than a Scoopic.

Good Luck

[MovieStuff]

The viewfinder on the Scoopic is actually fairly bright, compared to many, since the aperature is behind the beam splitter. This means that you are always viewing with the lens wide open, even if the lens is stopped down. I prefer the viewfinder of the Scoopic to the flickering and dim viewfinder of the Beaulieu any day of the week. I've shot with both and the Beaulieu viewfinder is only brighter IF you are shooting wide open in a situation where you really need to be stopped down. How often does that come up?

That said, the markings on the Scoopic are quite accurate. I used my Scoopic to shoot lots of music videos and we used the tape measure all the time. Everything came out just as the depth of field guide said it would! Can't ask for much more than that.

Roger

[rollemfilm]

Roger; The opposite is true. The Scoopic is viewed through the lens aperture.

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ January 27, 2003 12:11 PM: Message edited by: rollemfilm ]</font>

[Matt Pacini]

My Scoopic is an "M" model.
And Roger, I don't know if you had a modified Scoopic, but mine definitely goes dim as I stop down the lens.
In fact, I blew a couple shots, becaues I would take a light reading, set the aperture, then I'd open the lens up so I could see & focus, then I'd forget to set the lens back!

Matt Pacini