Best O-C LCD monitor for *JUDGING FOCUS*?

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david_p

Veteran
hi all,

for the EX-1, is the Panasonic_BT-LH80WU the best "on camera" LCD (under $3,000) for judging critical focus ?

currently, i find i can focus better using the eyepiece on the EX-1 than i can using the flip out LCD. how much better do you think a good LCD on camera would be than not using one at all?

although, other brands like the Nebtek, Marshall, etc are talked about quite a bit do most of you concur that the Panasonic would still be better functionally... aside from the fact that it costs a bit more money?

what about *brightness*? any comments as to the pecking order of these different brands.

thanks
david
www.davidprobst.com
 
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31 views an no opinions???

please dont be shy. i am open ears. i love peoples personal opinions...the stronger the better.

even if you have good 2nd hand info (co-worker with credibility raving about the Pany or another).

i have a massive project that will start pre-production at the end of this month and will keep me busy the better part of Sept.

is the Pany or any other are worth pulling the trigger on specifically ***for focusing***. if its not much of a improvement over the EX1 flip out LCD, i will gladly save my cash...on the other hand if i am going to get a real tangible *boost/benefit* i will happily part with the cash.

i am aware of the other obvious benefits of some of these LCD's like blue gun/ scopes, etc. these would be the icing/bonus only....but, can i expect better manual focus....no difference...a little different...dramatic difference???

i will need to order this by at least tuesday of next week (aug 27, 2008) in order to have it and adapt somewhat to it.

thanks
david
www.davidprobst.com
 
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I have no real experience to offer, but it seems to me that almost anything larger than the VF or the LCD would be better. I know I need something too, because I have a real hard time making sure my cam is focused correctly.
 
I would say that the BTLH80U is the best 8 - 9" monitor on the market. We used it for an HGTV shoot a couple of weeks ago and the producer and I fought over it the entire weekend. :)

Actually, she was a good sport when I used it and put her on the 1354Q.

We also have the 1700W, which also has component and HDSDI included. The Focus In Red feature is insanely handy for operators who are working without a 1st.

e
 
BTLH80 is the best small 7-9" monitor for that purpose especially since it has red peaking. It is also very bright. It does reflect more ambient light than the BTLH900 but that is anther $1000, and has more off axis problems than the 900.


However the EX-3 eyepiece is phenomenal and if the impending hoodman Loupe adapter for the EX-1 is anything like it , that may be great as well.

Lenny Levy
 
Big fan of the 900 if you can deal with the extra cash and weight. It's really another class than the 80. I opted for a Nebtek HDS 70. Some things I like better others not. I find it brighter, has loop through and lighter but lacks waveform. It has a focus in white peaking (1 through 4 levels) that work quite well. Very sharp. Go to a rental house and take them for test ride I suggest.
 
Lenilenapi said:
BTLH80 is the best small 7-9" monitor for that purpose especially since it has red peaking. It is also very bright. It does reflect more ambient light than the BTLH900 but that is anther $1000, and has more off axis problems than the 900.


However the EX-3 eyepiece is phenomenal and if the impending hoodman Loupe adapter for the EX-1 is anything like it , that may be great as well.

Lenny Levy
Click to expand...

hi lenny,

the rumored Hoodman Loupe adaptor for the EX-1 sounds it might be very effective. unfortunately its not out yet so, i have about 5 days to make a decision for getting an on camera LCD. even if the Hoodman works great there would still be times where i feel i could benefit from being able to see accurate focus without being *glued* so close to the camera.

i was just looking at the specs of the Panasonic BT-LH900A. there is quite a bit more resolution and viewing at 170 degrees. a bit more cash for this one though. i wouldnt say this is out of reach for me but i would probably need to hear a few people scream their praise and say that it is a serious step above the BT-LH80WU (and why) as far as being a strong focusing aid.

someone suggested i try one out. its very tough to find stuff like this in stock where i live. a big boring cow town. pooh!

i just bought a new tripod and head purely from research on the web...and a lot from this site. i got very good info and was happy with my purchase. there are people here that have the input im looking for.

i do get the impression that there are more people drooling over the Pany than the others and it usually seems like though...no matter what people already have...many want/wish to upgrade to the Panasonic.

should i be taking a more serious look at the Nebtek or any other? is my thinking too narrow? remember...***manual focusing***. #1 priority!

in the early 90's i had a 3-2/3rds inch chip Hitachi Super VHS camera with a very nice Canon lens. no problems focusing with its eyepiece whatsoever. when i would be in a static position for a long enough period of time i would bring along one of my 9" Panasonic broadcast monitors (of course not LCD back then). focusing was a breeze either way i went. things could get pretty shallow with the 2/3rds in chips as well but focusing never presented itself as a problematic issue. of course with my DVX100a...i usually just stayed away from manual focus as much as possible. now with the EX-1 the temptations to start using MF again (as a priority) has me thinking again how to make it as doable as possible.

i dont remember what model number those old Panasonic 9" tube monitors were...but they did work great....sharp sharp sharp. now though...i want portability. LCD/mounted/lightweight. will any of these LCD's match one of those old & heavy types?

thanks again,
david
www.davidprobst.com
 
Here's a thought, instead of buying, try to find a place that rents and will deliver. I know there are some places out there. You won't get to keep it when you're done, but you will have an opportunity to try one, instead of being stuck with something you aren't in love with. If you happen to like what you rent, then you'll know what to get. And just maybe, the same rental place will be able to sell you a slightly used one for a little less.

I know what it's like in an area that isn't video buyer friendly.
 
Tim Naylor said:
Big fan of the 900 if you can deal with the extra cash and weight. It's really another class than the 80. I opted for a Nebtek HDS 70. Some things I like better others not. I find it brighter, has loop through and lighter but lacks waveform. It has a focus in white peaking (1 through 4 levels) that work quite well. Very sharp. Go to a rental house and take them for test ride I suggest.
Click to expand...

hi tim,

is the 900 kicking the butt out of the BT-LH80WU *specifically for focusing*? could you put a percentage amount to it? sorry to bug you but *tangibles* are greatly appreciated to me for this kind of thing since i cant touch and see it.

like...the BT-LH80WU is 15% better as an aid than the EX1 flip out LCD but the 900 is 50% better than the EX1 flip out screen.

thanks for your input!
david
www.davidprobst.com
 
Capt Quirk said:
Here's a thought, instead of buying, try to find a place that rents and will deliver. I know there are some places out there. You won't get to keep it when you're done, but you will have an opportunity to try one, instead of being stuck with something you aren't in love with. If you happen to like what you rent, then you'll know what to get. And just maybe, the same rental place will be able to sell you a slightly used one for a little less.

I know what it's like in an area that isn't video buyer friendly.
Click to expand...

you know Capt Quirk, renting via deliverey is an option i hadnt considered. if i dont score enough info for me to pull out the credit card and purchase an LCD...i will seriously consider this idea.

now, any suggestions of *reputable rental* places in the USA you would recommend before i just start doing some google searches?

thanks for a great idea.
david
www.davidprobst.com
 
Erik Olson said:
I would say that the BTLH80U is the best 8 - 9" monitor on the market. We used it for an HGTV shoot a couple of weeks ago and the producer and I fought over it the entire weekend. :)

Actually, she was a good sport when I used it and put her on the 1354Q.

We also have the 1700W, which also has component and HDSDI included. The Focus In Red feature is insanely handy for operators who are working without a 1st.

e
Click to expand...

hi erik,

sorry to sound dumb but...what is the 1354Q?

were you using the BTLH80U for the EX1? were you using MF?

thanks
david
www.davidprobst.com
 
The Sony PVM-xxxxQ series monitors were the standard for SD montoring. We brought ours out on the BetaSP shoot for that reason.

I've used the 900 for an intensive season of shooting on a TLC series (for outdoor jib work) and the BTLH80U for a couple of weeks. Off-axis viewing isn't really as relevant in my world - not on an 8" monitor. I'm the operator and I don't typically have (or allow, when I'm on the jib) anyone looking over my shoulder when I'm shooting. For a 1st AC, you're going to most often put yourself into the best viewing location for pulling focus.

Anyone else who needs to be watching has their own monitor(s). I provide the 1700W as a director / producer / client monitor.

The BTLH80U doesn't have loop-through feature. As an aside, this monitor now has HDSDI standard at an very competitive price. For more than one monitor, I've had no problem adding a BNC-T ($6) to the video input on the monitor and running the "loop" out to a second monitor. In this case, it was that old Sony.

I don't know (too lazy to have tested yet) if the same will be true for "looping" the HDSDI.

e
 
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