Best Monitor Solution for A1 and 35mm Adapters?

M

Metrolens

Well-known member
Hi all, I've tried a search on this and haven't found a concise, recent post on this.

So what's the best monitor to use with say the Brevis? Is there currently a monitor that does it all - image flip, camera mountable, enough rez for accurate focus, accurate color?

What about larger monitors? Workarounds like computer LCDs with component ins?
 
That one looks very interesting jade, and appears to have excellent build quality. Only "flaws" I could see were the 3 lb weight (not so camera mountable), and the price (which is a bit high for me).

I'm not expecting to find the perfect monitor! Just wanting to stimulate a discussion of the current best options that exist. I know there's a good Marshall, a new Panasonic monitor, an Ikon, a Varizoom... a Nebtek. But what models? I'm a bit confused as to which ones people would recommend.

And what about low cost non-mountable solutions? Any HDTVs or LCD computer monitors have people been using?
 
petro, i m thinking of geting the ikan... it does wotk with the A1 right? (I'm using a DVX as well)

How do u run it? Sony battries? anyway to run it of panasonic or canon batts?

Regards
 
From the B&H website:
"Additionally, the LCD features built-in support for Sony "L" series batteries, making sure power is always in plentiful supply. Whether attaching directly to the camera or jib arm, the V-8000HD is a highly capable video-assist monitor. "

Petromak, if you happen to be checking back, I'd be interested in what you like or don't like about this unit. I wish they made one that runs off Canon batts, maybe they do?
 
I know someone with the Ikan and he's very happy with it. But it's still out of stock pretty much everywhere so good luck getting one. The Marshall gets pretty good review too but that's out of your price range as well (what is your price range exactly?). In fact, the Ikan is the only one that might be in your price range.

You can always use a a high res LCD monitor with component to monitor, those are fairly cheap and you can calibrate it to a degree. But there's no way to power them aside from a wall plug and they're usually too heavy to flip for a 35mm. Not very useful unless you're in a studio environment.
 
So the Ikan V-8000H... that one looks nice, and the price isn't too bad. But it doesn't flip, and yes it would be ideal if it used Canon batteries. What are the other main criticisms?

Jade - B&H lists that Ikan as in stock. Which Marshall are you referring to?

And any specific suggestions for an LCD or HDTV? I know Dell and BenQ made good 24" 1920x1200 LCD computer monitors with Component In, but that's already awhile ago. Ideally any LCD should also have 1:1 pixel mapping, or at least present an image in 16:9 aspect ratio (most computer monitors actually seem to do 16:10).
 
Metrolens said:
So the Ikan V-8000H... that one looks nice, and the price isn't too bad. But it doesn't flip, and yes it would be ideal if it used Canon batteries. What are the other main criticisms?

Jade - B&H lists that Ikan as in stock. Which Marshall are you referring to?

And any specific suggestions for an LCD or HDTV? I know Dell and BenQ made good 24" 1920x1200 LCD computer monitors with Component In, but that's already awhile ago. Ideally any LCD should also have 1:1 pixel mapping, or at least present an image in 16:9 aspect ratio (most computer monitors actually seem to do 16:10).
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Ah, I wasn't aware that the Ikan just became in stock.

I was talking about this Marshall monitor

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/391161-REG/Marshall_V_R70P_HDAA_V_R70P_HDA_7_LCD_Monitor.html

Battery for it is pretty expensive although for another $300 you can get a Nebtek upgrade that'll allow you to mount Canon, Sony or Panasonic battery.

My friend uses the Gateway FPD2185W 21'' monitor. I plugged the A1 into it once and the color seems pretty accurate (after he calibrated the monitor) and sharpness was good.
 
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In response to Deepfocus88, the IKAN can only use Sony L series batteries or ac at this point. Dont expect it to be as sharp as a $3000 monitor, but for framing and focus it is great. Unfortunately, I wouldn't consider it a real reference monitor for color, but it doesn't claim to be that anyway. All in all, genuinely good value for the price. Component HD as well as composite and Svideo. Great for A1, a bit too expensive if you are looking for something for your DVX in SD.

Also, I hear its tough to get your hands on one in the US, but there are plenty here in Canada...their more expensive, but perhaps still cheaper than the competing models from Marshall etc.
 
Jade, that Marshall looks nice but expensive. Compared to the first monitor you posted (the Carrion) that Marshall seems to come up lacking in rez and flip. Though it is significantly lighter at 1.8 lbs.

So is the Marshall appreciably better than the IKAN? If so, how? They seem pretty close in features, but the IKAN is lighter and half the price. Does the Marshall offer greater colors or something?

That Gateway monitor seems somewhat pricey for what it is, and 16:10. When you saw it in use, were there at least letterbox bars, or did it automatically stretch the image? I could definitely live with black bars on a 16:10 display, but would not want to work off a 16x9 image that was distorted.

Any thoughts on this one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824255001
 
Metrolens said:
Jade, that Marshall looks nice but expensive. Compared to the first monitor you posted (the Carrion) that Marshall seems to come up lacking in rez and flip. Though it is significantly lighter at 1.8 lbs.

So is the Marshall appreciably better than the IKAN? If so, how? They seem pretty close in features, but the IKAN is lighter and half the price. Does the Marshall offer greater colors or something?
Click to expand...

The Marshall is undoubtedly better than the Ikan; it's twice the price. Although whether the difference is worth that price increase is debatable. The Marshall is somewhat sharper with better build quality (my friend's Ikan came to him DOA and had to be replaced) and another DP friend of mine commented that in term of colors "What you see [with the Marshall] is what you get." Although I'm not sure how good the color is on the Ikan once it is calibrated. Keep in mind though that these LCD monitors never offer 100% accurate color rendition. Not even the $5000 Panasonic monitor does that.

Once I have the cash I would get myself a Carrion. When you think about it it's really ridiculous how much companies like Marshall charges you for a monitor that's only 800 x 480. They're able to get away with that price simply because there is no other alternatives. But that seems to be changing.

Metrolens said:
That Gateway monitor seems somewhat pricey for what it is, and 16:10. When you saw it in use, were there at least letterbox bars, or did it automatically stretch the image? I could definitely live with black bars on a 16:10 display, but would not want to work off a 16x9 image that was distorted.
Click to expand...

I didn't recall any black bars on the Gateway when I used it, although that was back in July and my memory might be faulty. You might want to ask user Nic Aragon about it since it's his monitor. What I did recall though was that there was no obvious distortion of the image on the screen.

Another LCD monitor that people recommended is the Dell 2407, although that's pretty darn expensive as well.
 
It appears we are spiking off the charts of this post. We have 7 to 8 inch portable battery driven LCD monitors, then we go to computer monitors, and now TV's? Hopefully in the audio section a post about location headphones does not turn into the best pc speakers, then a 5.1 kenwood surround system.
 
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