Thanks for the reply Ray. What I try to do is actually show somebody exactly what pic I am taking short of passing the camera back to them after I have taken it. In other words, if the viewfinder would work(so that I could see what I am doing) simultaneously with an external monitor(so that they could see what I am doing) it would make the job a whole lot quicker. As mentioned, monitor does work using supplied usb, however this disables the viewfinder which leaves me looking over my shoulder at the monitor whilst trying to take a photo which is a total pain in the ass...

Just saw your reply and I thought it would be something like that.

I'll ask around at the club tommorrow night.

Well I know about tethered shooting and I know what it's like to present live demonstrations. I've just never tried to demonstrate a camera's use to an interactive audience.

Interesting challenge. 

I'm off to look things up.

If I get a useful reply from anyone it will be around midnight tomorrow before I can get a reply to you.

See you then.

Hi Joe.

I'm not sure if you would be able to see the on board menus through this. If you could it would work if you could get an adaptive eyepiece to fit. It seems to be for DSLRs. 

LINK.

Is it a camera directed at the viewfinder and relayed to the screen? does it overide the camera's settings or can you still use the cameras?

What's it's normal use?

Yes, I've looked more closely now but one thing comes to mind.

How do you split the video output without making it less effective to walk around with or you are back to square one. Would a simple Y adaptor do?

The device doesn't seem to have any outputs.

If the signal from the camera wouldn't degrade supplying two feeds It could be feasible.

The only other way I can think of is to get a small high def web cam and put it on a thin goose-neck and use the tripod mount thread on the camera to attach it. You could then bend a thin 12" goose-neck with the camera at the other end to point at the screen. That could then be relayed via a laptop to another monitor or TV screen but the definition may not be good enough. Also the connecting cable to the laptop would have to be  secured to the camera body to prevent the goose-neck from bending while demonstrating. ( Also may not look as neat).

It would leave the camera usable 'as is' though.

It would also be cheaper if you already have a laptop you could use as an interface.

Hi Joe.

Read that review.

I think it would be worth Gerald's while to send them an e-mail as I think the cost of the unit is only a small part of the problem.

If I understand this he uses one camera to a group to show them how to set up theirs. The cameras would be the same or similar and would save time within a workshop environment. I think because of the repetitive nature of this type of thing it would pay for itself.

In fact I may get one for myself for inside use as I think the screen should cope better. For outside it would give my D300 with a sun screen, the same capability of my S100fs for crowd use . I could use it similarly for club demos with the projector.

Magic!

It's just a pity that when you connect any camera's usb or HDMI output to a cable the screen goes blank. Why does it need to do this? I'm sure it's a battery saving mode for slide show use but why not the option of turning it off? It's mad.

perhaps use HS V3 Studio Utility, you can connect and operate the S2/3/5 cameras directly from a laptop or desktop if indoors via the cable needed (supplied with camera and either a firewire or a usb)

Many thanks all for your useful and helpful tips, however none will really do the job. Problem is I am predominantly outside with a "student" who I am trying to show how to take a(numerous) specialised shots. Currently just use the "continuous image hold" facility on the S1730 which means I take the photo but then have to pass the camera on to the "student" to see the image through the eye piece whilst all the time trying to explain what the hell I am doing. Other option is that I connect my 9" portable dvd monitor via the supplied usb. Image as per the view finder comes up perfectly on the monitor, but the viewfinder is now dead which has me yelling at "student" to hold the monitor where I too can see it to take the shot whilst all the time manouvering the camera too..See the problem!!SURELY somebody must know an easier way in so far as all the cam is doing is recognising the usb and then shutting off viewfinder/eye piece. Is there no type of usb cable that can be purchased/modified that the camera won't recognise and still feed monitor and eye piece and/or some or the other setting on these cameras that would allow simultaneous use of both modes?? Many thanks again for all your responses.  

I asked at the club and they didn't even know about the Zigview option.

I think it's worth a thought as it has three advantages.

It can be used with any camera that has a usb or video out so it could be used on future cameras.

The output could be plugged directly to a portable LCD TV. Then you both have screens to carry around.

Any strain between cables does not go directly to the camera and a cable would be easier to secure to the Zigview with tape or elastic bands than it would to the camera body.

As tricky pointed out it could be a 'switch' within the usb wiring to disable the screen. Probably put in to cut battery consumption for slide show use. It could also form part of a wiring loop that without, the camera ceases to function. I think that type of modification if not done by yourself would be as expensive as the Zigview.

At the moment, that's the option I would take. I think Joe's suggestion is the best but taking the Zigview's output to a portable TV.

In fact since I've seen it, it's on my things to have list, but for other reasons.

I would check that it will do what you want of it with the manufactures first though.

Hi Gerald.

Your post is the first time I've been challenged to think of the wisdom for a screen to go blank. Many a-time I've wanted to use my camera's screen once connected to a monitor but just accepted it.

Personally I can't think of a good reason it's not an option to turn it on.

Please let me know what you think of it. Especially the screen.

I could use it for similar reasons and I'd love the ability to get above crowds again. It's a useful feature.

I don't know about the EOS 400D, but with the 450D the viewfinder & display get blanked as the video jack is inserted - before it is fully pushed home. i.e. there is either a switch or contact (maybe more than one) that's used to disable the live view & (to prevent stray light ingress) viewfinder. There is no menu option to override this feature.

The smaller jack socket is for either a wired or radio remote.

The USB socket is for connecting to a PC that has the Canon EOS Utility (EOS Utility.exe) installed and can also be used for remote "live view" shooting. This also disables the live view & viewfinder on the camera the instant you press the "Remote Live View Shooting" button in the software. You can't control the lens zoom via the software. OK if you're setting up a tripod, but not really much use as a teaching aid - unless you're extending the curriculum to include remote live view wildlife photography.

The ZigViews display doesn't appear to get disabled when a jack is plugged into its "Video Out" socket, so seems like the nearest solution, except that you can't use a viewfinder.

Have it sussed Lads-training woes over for the mo. 400D has a dedicated video out jack.(2 pin earphone type affair) Monitor has the same video input jack. Dug out a pair of headphone 2 pin jacks, butchered another 3 metre unused flylead and soldered the jacks on. Tested the whole lot with a multimeter, plugged it, crossed my fingers and thought I was never mad about the 400D anyway! Works perfectly. Viewfider on the 400 remains operative the whole time, and you get a duplicate image on the monitor. Happy days, but maybe I just got really lucky. Possibly not the average trick "you want to try at home". Nonetheless, all is well that ends well - Regards, Gerald

Will work ok I hope-Here is the scene. I am in advertising and part of what I do is to offer motor dealers a program that addresses the quality of their online used car classified ads. The general standard of online presentation is shocking so it's not hard to make a day and night difference using a bit of professional photography and editing. I use and offer S Series Fujis to Dealers in/during the program simply because they are rugged little units that I think offer exceptional value for money at a not off the wall price. Anyway, you can draw a mental picture of the following scene..Car interiors are particularly fiddly to photograph properly. I can set the 1730 to continuous frame hold on the viewfinder/lcd,  do a hell of a lot of talking and keep on passing the camera back to the "student" after every shot for review and discussion. Or, I can now just take the 1730 out the loop for a bit, plug in the 400/monitor, and let the "student" hang on to the monitor while I take the shots. A hell of a lot more instructional and a lot less talking, never mind cutting the time required in about half. Thanks again for all your help. Regrds, Gerald 

It is annoying that the AV jack immobilises the viewfinder/screen on these bridge cameras... my fairly elderly Sony DV camcorder will accept an AV jack, sending or receiving data, and still allow you  to use the viewfinder/screen.

Alan.