OT: Field Monitor second opinion needed

Rich Parry wrote on 2/19/2012, 9:07 PM

I have researched LCD field monitors and have narrowed it down to those listed below. If anyone wants to give a second opinion on my choice, I would like to hear from you.

First be aware I am an amateur. I create video for myself and I do everything myself (shoot, post process, edit, etc.). This also means I carry everything myself. I often have to hike with equipment a few miles. I shoot outdoors exclusively, most often in National Parks. Think of me as a Ken Burns “want to be”. I shoot birds in flight, waterfalls, etc. My Canon 5DM2 3 inch LCD isn’t big enough for my needs.

My key requirements are “size (small)”, weight, and it MUST sit in a hot shoe. Price is not a major factor.

1. SmallHD DP6 – 5.6 inch LCD, size 4x6x1, 1280x800 resolution, 12 ounces, $899
2. Marshall V-H50 – 5 inch LCD, size 4.9x4.4x1.8, 800x480 resolution, 10 ounces, $499
3. Ikan VH7e – 7 inch LCD, size 7.5x5.25x1, 1024x600 resolution, 16 ounces, $599

Monitor #1 is my first choice due mostly to the size. Monitor #2 is rather thick, nearly 2 inches. Monitor #3 is too big.

What do you think of my choice? Comments welcome,
Rich

Comments

JackW wrote on 2/19/2012, 9:55 PM

I can't speak to #1 and 3. I have #2 and the image quality is extremely good. However, as you've discovered, it's bulky and heavy. We have two and only use them when we're tripod mounted. I don't think I'd be happy trying to use it on a handheld camera and it would be awkward on a monopod.

Jack

Tom Pauncz wrote on 2/19/2012, 10:00 PM

I have to echo Jack's words.

I have #3 and only use it when mounted on a tripod. Then again, the camera is a full-size shoulder mount rig. :-)

Tom

Steve Mann wrote on 2/20/2012, 12:16 AM

I am not familiar with that camera, but I would be very wary of putting that much mass on a camera shoe mount.

farss wrote on 2/20/2012, 12:58 AM

"My Canon 5DM2 3 inch LCD isn’t big enough for my needs."

Why do you think a bigger monitor will help?
The 5D puts out a quite low resolution image to the HDMI port when it is in record.
I'd suggest the Zacuto Z finder may be money better spent or else their electronic viewfinder. Both will let you see as much detail as you're ever going to see, they're small and low power consumption, zero in fact for the Z Finder and cheap.

Bob.

Grazie wrote on 2/20/2012, 1:00 AM

Hah! This was timely, as I just "consumed" a SWIT 7".

What a difference a Monitor makes? And a more-rez Monitor too!

OK, I have two tripod handles, and I've used RAM Mounts to, er . . , mount the Monitor between. I've always used this method before as I can get real close to it AND I don't get neck-ache.

G

ritsmer wrote on 2/20/2012, 1:40 AM

Very happy with my Sony CLM-V55 5" monitor - small, lightweight and uses the same batteries as my video camera.

Has the support for Peaking for precise focusing too - specially good when doing macros.

Marton wrote on 2/20/2012, 1:50 AM

Hi,
sorry if i ask another question, but i hope somebody can help me.
Our needs is a little different.
We make aerial footage with RC helis and wireless video transmitting. For this we need a 7-10" screen, at least 640x480 resolution, but the most important factor is the brigthness.
We want to see it in bright sunshine! What is the most bright lcd for
affordable price?

thx

Grazie wrote on 2/20/2012, 3:10 AM

First off, put the monitor in a darkened environment, this means a hood. The monitors I've used, all 7" inches, I've had to use a hood and they've had/have brightness control too.

Bob, you get LEDs? I've seen some astonishing Public Poster sites using LEDs. LEDs on field monitors? Maybe . . . . ?

G

Marton wrote on 2/20/2012, 3:52 AM

Yes, we tried a hood, but it makes very little difference, because the
bright light comes from every direction not from just above.

Grazie wrote on 2/20/2012, 4:48 AM

Yeah, that's true . . . . .

Y'know, very soon we are going to get a HUD in some kinda spectacle/goggle configuration. Must be a seller?

G

farss wrote on 2/20/2012, 4:52 AM

"Bob, you get LEDs? I've seen some astonishing Public Poster sites using LEDs. LEDs on field monitors? Maybe . . . . ?"

If you mean OLED then:

But of course, several Sony units. Very bright, very nice, VERY expensive.
The latest Sony ones leave me a bit cold, I mean the images look sort of cold, unnatural. Things like meat look strange, other familiar things look fantastic, stainless steel is rendered to perfection.

I should mention we have a couple of montors by TV Logic. Only LCD but they are built by people who get what a monitor is for. Very easy to invoke all the feature with minimal button pushing and the buttons are located to make the unit easy to use on a camera. This is done simply by putting the buttons on the back. Just brilliant.The bigger monitors that go on stands rt desks have the buttons on the front. I know all this may seem trivial but if you're spending a good slab of cash for something you will use everyday then any effort to improve ease of use if a big thing to me.

Seeing as how this thread is about a monitor for a 5D I should also mention that the VFM-056WP TV Logic unit is the only monitor that has a special 5D / 7D mode. As the 5D goes in / out of record the video it outputs on the HDMI port changes resolution and every other monitor has a mental blank for seconds. The TV Logic doesn't miss a beat and will even feed a clean signal from its HDMI input out its HD SDI port. For a small monitor it packs a real punch. Not cheap but...compared to the Swit and other monitors well worth money. The Swits and many others have their 1/4" tapped holes for mounting as tapped into the diecast and the threads get stripped eventually.

Bob.

Grazie wrote on 2/20/2012, 4:59 AM

I didn't like the bottom hole . . . oops . . . So, I've used the Side cradle holes and have suspended the Monitor on 2 brackets going onto Velcro-ed RAM-Mount plate. 2 holes are better than one . . . Nice . . . . .

I'll get up a piccie soon.

I got the SWIT for £400 all-in. That included the hood as part of the SWIT package.

Very happy.

G

farss wrote on 2/20/2012, 5:17 AM

The side holes and a cradle is a WAY, WAY safer way to go, wise move.
I have a couple of Swits to fix with bung bung holes :)
The Swits are good value for the money. Had a play with the SmallHD, also good but small :(

One thing we've added to our Miller Compass sticks is a block on the ball of the head that has a 1/4" tapped hole for a Noga arm, much better way to mount a monitor when the camera is on sticks. The monitor pans with the camera but doesn't tilt and it is very solidly attached.

Bob.