I must say that i'd have to agree. I'm also going to try to demo the Datavideo. I stumbled across that on their site. Apparently they will let you demo their products for up to two weeks as long as you pay the shipping. As of right now Marshall is out of the running for me. I'm turned off by the price and low rez. The SmallHD is impressive but still expensive. The only reason i would consider it would be the pre-order price. If one of their employees gave me a discount i'd take it hands down. I'll be making a final decision in a couple of days and let you all know what i go with...
Best on-camera monitor for DSLR's
- Thread starter Jon Chema
- Start date
I must say that i'd have to agree. I'm also going to try to demo the Datavideo. I stumbled across that on their site. Apparently they will let you demo their products for up to two weeks as long as you pay the shipping. As of right now Marshall is out of the running for me. I'm turned off by the price and low rez. The SmallHD is impressive but still expensive. The only reason i would consider it would be the pre-order price. If one of their employees gave me a discount i'd take it hands down. I'll be making a final decision in a couple of days and let you all know what i go with...
Chris, I contacted them and they are going to let me demo the 700. Thanks for the tip you have been very helpful. I wish everyone had your attitude on this forum! :2vrolijk_08::2vrolijk_08:
Chris Santucci
Veteran
Thanks. I just got the Datavideo 7" today and took a quick look at it. It's built like a tank, has a great image and the menu navigation is actually intuitive (for me) and easy to navigate through. The image looks accurate although I do see some stairstepping on diagonal lines at wide lens settings which I'm guessing is a function of the scaling, but for a grand I'm not going to nitpick about that as I'd imagine it's common in this price range.
It actually comes with a cheapy magnetic mounting hood (yeah, the case is steel for some reason).
I'm not sure if I'll ever invest in the v mount batteries that the thing has a mount for but it has a 12 volt power jack and ALL the jacks are chassis mounted as they should be.
The biggest thing for me is having an accurate image, having HDMI, component, and HD-SDI inputs, and having front mounted controls that work in a fashion that makes sense to my brain.
Regarding the Marshall, I have no interest in looking at "false colors" (just the true colors, please) and regarding the DP-1, I want controls where they belong - on the front.
I wish the case was aluminum but I welcome the weight on my 5D rig.
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Chris Santucci
Veteran
Why does SmallHD only show the 5.6" and 8.9" units on their website?
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Chris Santucci
Veteran
They only sell a 9" and 5.6" however the 5.6" is what im going to get. The rez is higher than the other monitors. Should make focus a bit easier.
Chris Santucci
Veteran
They HAD a 7" model. I guess it's gone. 7" is the perfect size for onboard use.
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I know I'm late, but I completely that pulling focus is NOT impossible. I have a 7D and pull focus all the time, doing it straight from the camera LCD scene. Bought and ZFinder but returned because it was not a must have. Maybe my eyesight is a little better therefore not needing a external monitor.
I would however like one if I was directing or was on a job that I thought was worth it.
Exactly how I feel...I only purchased a monitor because I know I will be doing paid jobs where I can't afford to be off with focus. Also, I'll have a AC on some of the projects to a monitor will definitely help. Plus its nice for the director so they can simply look over my shoulder. 
The 7D screen is great, you just really need a FF unit to smoothly pull focus. Yes it can be done on the barrel but its just very hard to hit marks accurately. LCD monitor for me is a must and so is a FF- obviously this is all just personal preference.
The 7D screen is great, you just really need a FF unit to smoothly pull focus. Yes it can be done on the barrel but its just very hard to hit marks accurately. LCD monitor for me is a must and so is a FF- obviously this is all just personal preference.
modernPrimitive
Active member
I have good eyes and a hoodman with a hoodmag3 eyepiece replacement. It is possible to pull focus but not easy with lots of "squinting". I also don't think it's as accurate as an external monitor, but I haven't purchased one yet...still deciding betwen the smallHD and the Marshall or the SWIT. I'm not convinced that focus assist works that well.
chris, can you tell me if the audio monitor on the datavideo work with the 5d in record mode? to me that is what make that monitor stand out. also have you tried attaching a different battery system? i don't have vmount batteries either...
Chris Santucci
Veteran
I plug my onboard 12 volt battery into the monitor. The monitor has a standard 12 volt dc power jack next to the jack for the tally light.
The camera only sends audio while playing back as far as I can tell.
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The camera only sends audio while playing back as far as I can tell.
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modernPrimitive
Active member
What about the new Manhattan 8.9"?
http://www.manhattanlcd.com/product_p/7010.htm
1280x768 with lots of calibration features! It's got the resolution of the small HD and some of the "pro" capabilities of the Marshall. Freeze frame is also a nice feature for matching up shots. 8.9" might be a little big though.
http://www.manhattanlcd.com/product_p/7010.htm
1280x768 with lots of calibration features! It's got the resolution of the small HD and some of the "pro" capabilities of the Marshall. Freeze frame is also a nice feature for matching up shots. 8.9" might be a little big though.
Chris Santucci
Veteran
I had a Manhattanlcd 8.9" and it's way too big for onboard use. Also, note to small camera LCD monitor manufacturers - jacks should be on the BACK of the unit. Not the bottom. Not the sides. On the back.
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Angry Leprechaun
Well-known member
What about the 7" Manhattan LCD? Higher Rez than the Marshall and it's only $589.95. Any opinions on it?
Also, quick stupid question: Does the T2i output at 720p like the 7D or 480p like the 5D?
And I can focus just fine with the screen on the T2i, but what I want a monitor for mainly is checkng for moire, aliasing, etc. And also as a precaution for making sure the focus is dead accurate.
Also, quick stupid question: Does the T2i output at 720p like the 7D or 480p like the 5D?
And I can focus just fine with the screen on the T2i, but what I want a monitor for mainly is checkng for moire, aliasing, etc. And also as a precaution for making sure the focus is dead accurate.
why in the world dont people just zoom in on the shot, check focus and then zoom back out before actually rolling?
I do this all day long with my 7D and its perfectly fine. The more equipment you add the more constraints you add to your shots. Less mobility, less freedom, less room for creativity.
If your going to stand on sticks all day then i guess its fine, but who wants to do that?
I do this all day long with my 7D and its perfectly fine. The more equipment you add the more constraints you add to your shots. Less mobility, less freedom, less room for creativity.
If your going to stand on sticks all day then i guess its fine, but who wants to do that?
Stephen Mick
Totally Usable
Because not all zoom lenses are "parfocal" lenses. Meaning that if you zoom in and check focus on a non-parfocal lens, then zoom out, your image may not be in focus. Parfocal lenses hold focus as focal length is changed, non-parfocal lenses do not.
A monitor also helps with more than just focus. Some have false color for better and more consistent judging of exposure, and some add waveforms and other goodies.