The
Low Budget Do-It-Yourself DVX100, DVX100a and DVX100b LCD
Viewfinder Hood for under $10!
*Similar
to the Petrol PMH-2/Hoodman H-400!
by Richard Holloway
If there ever was a super low budget, do-it-yourself piece of film
gear that delivered the most bang for the buck made for your DVX
100, this would be it!
Made from your everyday plastic folder (which in this case we
found at Staples) and a few pieces of self-adhesive Velcro (you
can find this at Office Depot, Home Depot, or an arts and crafts
store like Michael’s), you can have your very own DVX100 LCD
Monitor Hood similar to the Petrol PMH-2 or the Hoodman
H-400…you just won’t be spending a ridiculous amount of money
for it! Plus, not only does it look sleek, the functionality that
it provides during your film shoot is phenomenal!
Now, I speak from experience as the owner of the Hoodman H-400
which I bought for about thirty-some bucks a few years ago (before
I was wise to the ways of the DIY filmmaker). So believe me when I
say that I was disappointed with the lack of glare reduction that
the Hoodman had. The Hoodman was much shorter than I expected and
provided a weak amount of shade for the DVX 100 LCD monitor
screen. The shade barrel/tunnel was not worth the thirty-some
dollars I spent. So, fast forward a few years later. I’m about
to embark on a film production of a do-it-yourself no-budget
digital movie and this means that since we have no money to buy
things, we’ll have to get creative.
So, after a bit of brainstorming, I came up with this super simple
design for my DVX100 LCD monitor hood. It’s lightweight,
durable, collapsible, and long enough to give you the real shade
you need to accurately gauge your shot compositions in your LCD
viewfinder, whether you’re indoors or outdoors. And most of
all…IT’S CHEAP! This will help your film and video production
budget go a long way!
I hope all of you out there will be able to utilize and enjoy it
on your own movie production. DO IT YOURSELF, have fun and good
luck!
P.S.
For the Panasonic HVX200 or other 16:9 aspect ratio LCD screens,
you can easily utilize this design, just make sure to adjust your
measurements accordingly. You should notate the correct
measurements on your HVX200 viewfinder to correspond with the
folding pattern.
Materials:
(1) Plastic folder, Self-Adhesive Velcro, Scissors, Pencil,
a Ruler
(I don't know why the ball of rubber
bands made it into the picture and the ruler didn't.)
|
| Step 1:
Open up the folder and
carefully cut/tear off the pockets. With your ruler and
pencil, measure 5 1/2" from the outer edge. This will
be the length of your LCD shade.
Next, measure and mark 2
7/8" from the bottom of the folder. This will be the
width of your LCD shade.
From the 2 7/8"
mark, measure 2 3/8" and mark it with your pencil. Then
repeat this process. Afterwards, you should have a total of
4 measured increments plus a 1" left over lip.
|
| Step 2:
Cut the folder from top to bottom
along the 5 1/2" pencil mark.
This is what it should look like when
it's cut out.
|
| Step 3:
Take your ruler and crease the folder
along the pencil marks.
This is what it should look like when
it's creased. The 1" lip should overlap onto the
opposite side.
|
| Step 4:
Place a strip of self-adhesive velcro
on the 1" lip.
|
| Step 5:
Place the other piece of the velcro
strip onto the opposite side to secure the 1" lip when
it folds over.
This is what the LCD shade looks like
when properly folded and fastened.
|
| Step 6:
With the LCD shade folded, cut and
stick about a 1" piece of Velcro on the 2 7/8" end
of the shade.
|
| Step 7:
Do the same thing with an identical
piece of Velcro but onto the other side of the LCD shade.
|
| Step 8:
Cut a long strip of Velcro to fasten
onto the top and bottom of the LCD shade as shown.
|
| Step 9:
Fasten the velcro strap of the LCD
shade tightly around your DVX100 LCD monitor as shown.
|
| Step 10:
Enjoy the finished functional look of
your new DVX100 LCD Monitor Sun Shade.
|
Do
YOU have a cheap, low budget, do-it-yourself DVX100 tip or trick that
you'd like to contribute?
If so, just email it to
us and we'll post it up!
Thanks
for helping the grass roots grow!
