60D - how important is the monitor?

R

randomname

Well-known member
I recently picked up a Marshall 7" monitor because it was a really good deal and I'm confident that I can make a profit if I choose to sell it. If I have a 60D with a loupe, how helpful is a monitor going to be? Should I just sell it and get a better follow focus and fill out my lens kit? I currently have a Dfocus, 17-50 2.8, a 50mm 1.4 and an 85mm 1.8
 
I also have a 60D and just purchased both a 7" Marshall and the SmallHD DP6 for it and, after spending over $2K for the two, I find out you can't calibrate them with a DSLR. They're fine for judging frame and focus but that's all. My bad - I should have researched it first.

People are going disagree with me in subsequent posts but none will back it up with verifiable, repeatable instructions, unfortunately.
 
sandisfield said:
I also have a 60D and just purchased both a 7" Marshall and the SmallHD DP6 for it and, after spending over $2K for the two, I find out you can't calibrate them with a DSLR. They're fine for judging frame and focus but that's all. My bad - I should have researched it first.

People are going disagree with me in subsequent posts but none will back it up with verifiable, repeatable instructions, unfortunately.
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I definitely agree. Its ok for framing, but you can just do that with the lcd. Its not reliable in terms of color.
 
The DSLRs don't output color bars. I hook mine up to an HMC150 and calibrate it; mine holds its calibration for weeks at a time it seems. You can also use a blackmagic card or similar breakout, depending on formats & connectors.

That said, I find the DSLR LCD to be really quite good; doing some tests with the brightness level is a good idea. If you're using a loupe you may find you never take it off, negating the 60D's swingout screen. And for many shots (ceiling rigs, cranes, very low angles) you'll need something as a monitor.

If you're feeling like you're not getting your money's worth, get a breakout box or system at your edit bay and a power adapter. Use the little monitor as a calibrated grading screen when you're not shooting. Even a little 5" is wonderful - detailed stuff on your computer screen, verify color on the little guy. It's really a great thing if you can't afford a big calibrated screen.
 
I usually use Magic Lantern and keep the histogram on at all times - even if the final output isn't exactly as seen on the screen, I'd still at least maintain a good exposure.
 
60D doesnt send HD out hdmi while shooting. so all an HD monitor is going to be good for is setting up your shot. youd be better off with the loupe for general shooting.
 
wgzn said:
60D doesnt send HD out hdmi while shooting. so all an HD monitor is going to be good for is setting up your shot. youd be better off with the loupe for general shooting.
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I don't find that to be totally true; I do prefer the loupe and I can focus just fine with it (2Ti, essentially the same). But you do get a larger image on the monitor than the LCD and it's pretty handy for handheld, etc.

I find the histogram to be what I rely on most for setting up though - on something like an HMC 150 with it's total-crap LCD, I've got the monitor on 90% of the time, don't mess with it much on the DSLR unless I'm using some sort of rig. With a monitor on the T2i you get some shot-start latency issues that I can't get used to.
 
I had the same debate with myself about getting a monitor. Like stated above. The 60D does not push out HDMI, and for determining white balance and color, your LCD is the best option.
 
I had a project and a 60D was brought onto the set. I quickly found that the HDMI connection was poor and half the time we were trying to fiddle with it to get it to stay connected. Resorted to gaffers tape with no luck. Finally I said we are going without the monitor cause it is too much of a hassle. Not sure if that 60D was just faulty but it looked to me like the HDMI input was cheaply made and couldn't hold the cable in very well. Just my experience with that. Maybe test it out for yourself so you can make the decision?
 
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