Best on-camera monitor for DSLR's

Best on-camera monitor for DSLR's

  • Marshall

    Votes: 19 34.5%

  • iKan

    Votes: 15 27.3%

  • Other

    Votes: 21 38.2%
  • Total voters
    55
J

Jon Chema

Active member
I just purchased a Canon 7D DSLR a few months ago along with a Redrock Micro deluxe shoulder mount. Focus is impossible to pull without an external monitor and I am now looking for something that I can mount either on the hot shoe of the camera or on the handlebar of my shouldermount. What do y'all recommend? Obviously I need something with HDMI unless there is a solution that would allow an HDMI or Component out so i can also playback to an additional directors monitor. As of now I am looking at the IKAN 5.6" and the Marshall 7inch with HDMI. Is the Marshall worth the extra bucks for false color and focus assist/peaking? I've heard rave reviews but 999 bucks is a ton of money to drop on this as I am a film student! I've considered buying a Zacuto Z-finder but then i'd have to pull my own focus and wouldn't be able to use an external monitor.

Thanks for your help!

Jon
 
There's a lot of previous discussions on this board, some recently on this issue. I highly recommend doinga search on this. I use a SmallHD but others have other opinions and choices. Check it out.
 
$1000? Ive been thinking of just gettting a cheap 19-22" LCD tv with an HDMI in, and then just hiring a day laborer to hold where i want it.

You can usually pick up day laborers at your local home depot parking lot, and it will be SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper than this $1,000 solution your pondering.
 
I pull focus on the screen of my T2i, I have no idea why people say it is impossible? Could it be because the 7d screen size is smaller?

The T2i has a beautiful screen and it has never let me down, I honestly see an external monitor only as a convenience but not a necessity.
 
Cieloent said:
I pull focus on the screen of my T2i, I have no idea why people say it is impossible? Could it be because the 7d screen size is smaller?

The T2i has a beautiful screen and it has never let me down, I honestly see an external monitor only as a convenience but not a necessity.
Click to expand...

The screen on the 7D is decent but way too small for pulling focus. I've heard that even with a Z-finder it still isn't high enough rez to accurately pull focus soley from the screen. I think a 5-7" LCD, along with a FF would greatly improve the ease of doing this.
 
Cieloent said:
I pull focus on the screen of my T2i, I have no idea why people say it is impossible? Could it be because the 7d screen size is smaller?

The T2i has a beautiful screen and it has never let me down, I honestly see an external monitor only as a convenience but not a necessity.
Click to expand...

The other great advantage of an external LCD is the ability to position it at different angles and positions. You're not forced to keep your eye level with the back of the camera.
 
handsome pete said:
The other great advantage of an external LCD is the ability to position it at different angles and positions. You're not forced to keep your eye level with the back of the camera.
Click to expand...

Thanks Pete, forgot to mention that and its a big talking point with the DSLR's.
 
Jon Chema said:
The screen on the 7D is decent but way too small for pulling focus. I've heard that even with a Z-finder it still isn't high enough rez to accurately pull focus soley from the screen. I think a 5-7" LCD, along with a FF would greatly improve the ease of doing this.
Click to expand...

The Z-Finder helps A TON, it's actually a necessity for me when going hand held.
 
i like my manhatten lcd 8 inch 720p 12v monitor , i run it right off the hotshoe. had the ikan and it was ok but not even close to the manhatten.
 
jetaddiction@mac.com said:
i like my manhatten lcd 8 inch 720p 12v monitor , i run it right off the hotshoe. had the ikan and it was ok but not even close to the manhatten.
Click to expand...

How much does the Manhatten run? How does it compare to the Marshall? Right now i'm looking at the Marshall but if the Manhatten is cheaper and can compare then i'd gladly go with that.
 
What do ya'll think about the new SmallHD monitor that is expected to come out? 5.6" and is higher rez than any other monitor. Plus it seems like it'll be the most solid build out of all the monitors....only thing is its 899!! :)
 
if you can hold out at all, and it will probably give u the time to save up. the new smallhd dslr monitor is coming out in june, if you pre order you can be put ahead in line for it, other than that is a very long wait period. but that little sucker does every thing... i mean EVERYTHING, jeebus.

full 720p screen too, most field monitors, from marshal, panny, and ikan give a weird slightly above SD resolution, and the DPI on the smallhd is incredible. I saw some side by side contrast tests compared to different monitors, and it was amazing.

scales up and down too so it will work with your 5d nicely, passthroughs, every connection you want, and very future proof to move to ur next camera system in the future.

It's not always about the gear, but a rock solid piece of gear can bring you a long way...
 
Lenilenapi said:
Lilliput is lots of bang for the buck.
Click to expand...


Ditto. For a few hundred bucks, it's outstanding. I had a Manhattan LCD 8.9" and a 7" Lilliput for onboard use and ended up unloading the Manhattan LCD unit and keeping the Lilliput. The color and contrast are actually close enough once I tweak it and the resolution is there.

I just ordered a Datavideo 7" unit with HD/SD-SDI, component, composite, and HDMI inputs because I still want something better, so we'll see...

.
 
Texas Jones said:
HD external monitoring on the 5d while recording is useless since the signal changes to SD. So the lcd with Z finder reigns while recording. The only other benefit of the external monitor is the angle of view.
Click to expand...


I've found that having a good monitor onboard is very much less than "useless" even if being fed an SD signal while recording especially since my focus puller can't very well have her eye on a finder while the camera is being operated.

Also, shooting at waist level (or below) or above eye level and having an articulating mount for an onboard monitor is where it's at.

.
 
xmephestox said:
if you can hold out at all, and it will probably give u the time to save up. the new smallhd dslr monitor is coming out in june, if you pre order you can be put ahead in line for it, other than that is a very long wait period. but that little sucker does every thing... i mean EVERYTHING, jeebus.

full 720p screen too, most field monitors, from marshal, panny, and ikan give a weird slightly above SD resolution, and the DPI on the smallhd is incredible. I saw some side by side contrast tests compared to different monitors, and it was amazing.

scales up and down too so it will work with your 5d nicely, passthroughs, every connection you want, and very future proof to move to ur next camera system in the future.

It's not always about the gear, but a rock solid piece of gear can bring you a long way...
Click to expand...


Funny that you mention the SmallHd. I've heard great things about it and I know there is a lot of hype! I'm actually probably gonna go that route. If nothing more I can sell it and probably MAKE money since there will be such high demand.
 
I spent a few hours at NAB evaluating all the monitors that were there and I have to say my favorites were as follows in this order.

1.) Small HD
Pro: Sexy and sleek, HDMI and HDSDI with a coming adapter to loop through HDMI.
Cons: Pricey monitor, proprietary battery.

2.) Ikan
Pro: Great staff and folks, full line with many monitors to choose from.
Cons: Actually I can't think of any. Ikan is a great middle of the road. Nothing awe inspiring and nothing negative. The clear stand out was not the monitors but their staff.

3.) Marshall
Pro: False color and other exposure/ focus tools, price was great, AA batteries
Cons: HDMI only, low resolution
 
jason.adams said:
I spent a few hours at NAB evaluating all the monitors that were there and I have to say my favorites were as follows in this order.

1.) Small HD
Cons: Pricey monitor, proprietary battery.
Click to expand...

Controls on the back...

What about the Datavideo TLM-700HD? Did you happen to check that one out?

.
 
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