HV40 viewfinder

[akdanie]

I just received my new Canon HV40 camcorder to supplement my old Panny 3CCD that I love (mostly). I'm in the shakedown mode now to see what I need for accessories and what I need to learn to do differently. I purchased a 2400mah battery with the camera and found that since the viewfinder does not extend like my Panny did, I can't get my eye all the way up to the viewfinder. I shoot in bright sunlight a lot so I'm thinking that this is going to be a problem. I have to use the viewfinder and not the lcd screen since I'm trying to follow drag cars and move around quite a bit and I get a lot less camera shake using the viewfinder. My searches for a viewfinder hood have turned up nothing but hoods for lcd screens. Has anyone here found a fix for this problem or do I just need to stock up on standard batteries?

[Bobby]

I feel your pain! Even with a stock battery my face is cramped.

But to answer your question, yes I use 3 regular sized batteries rather than one big one. I figure one battery, one tape, change both at the same time.

[akdanie]

Thanks Bobby. I guess if this turns out to be my biggest problem with this camera, I don't have much to complain about.
Dan

[Chuck Engels]

I haven't had much trouble with the screen, even in bright light if I tilt it enough the glare isn't bad.

[karri]

My searches for a viewfinder hood have turned up nothing but hoods for lcd screens.

Here is one ... I don't know if it works with HV40, though.
http://www.hoodmanusa.com/products.asp?dept=1065