Can you succesfully use a monitor with the 60D/550D/5D?

Stab

Well-known member
I know about the downres problems going on with these camera's, but I wonder if you guys (with these camera's) use a monitor anyway and can tell me how it looks...

I used 1 monitor only on my 60D and it was not looking like I hoped for. After I brought it back to the renting agency they told me that they usually use another monitor for DSLR's...

So is it useable? Would a cheap monitor aid with framing and focussing? And is bigger (10inch f.e.) better because it doesnt use the whole screen?
 
Yes its usable, except for racking focus on the fly. if you use FF and mark your points then it is usable, but your shots need to be planned out. I use an 8" Lilliput with great results, but it depends on what you're expecting from it. Fter setting up my focus I use it to maintain and monitor framing and composition.
 
I used a cheap 7" lilliput with a 5D and couldn't handle it. Not after having gotten used to the 7D's HDMI out. Focus is pretty much impossible to do by eye for me. If you could spring for the SmallHD DP6, though, the peaking filter is absolutely killer. I have no problems pulling focus by eye with that monitor.
 
I know about the downres problems going on with these camera's, but I wonder if you guys (with these camera's) use a monitor anyway and can tell me how it looks...

I used 1 monitor only on my 60D and it was not looking like I hoped for. After I brought it back to the renting agency they told me that they usually use another monitor for DSLR's...

So is it useable? Would a cheap monitor aid with framing and focussing? And is bigger (10inch f.e.) better because it doesnt use the whole screen?
I am looking to get a monitor here pretty soon myself for my 60D. Did you use HDMI for you output?
 
I am looking to get a monitor here pretty soon myself for my 60D. Did you use HDMI for you output?

Yes. Unfortunately, only in playback mode it was showing the footage how it actually looked. While framing and especially recording, it gave me strange resolutions and even the framing was off I remember.

Anyway, I know the resolution drops to standard def after pressing record so it becomes harder to see if things are in focus I guess. But impossible?
Magic Lantern is being developed for the 60D right now, will that change anything?

And do you think its impossible to focus on the fly because of the 'detail' on the monitor, or the small resolution frame?
 
I believe the down rez issue is due to these cameras having a single image processor and cannot process for recording and out simultaneously. the 7D has 2 processors (i believe they had to in order to get a fast still sequence) which in turns allowed one processor to be used for recording video and one for out-puting full HD. since this is a physical atribute of the camera I dot see how firmware can aleviate this issue.

I still enjoy having my 8" monitor even if it doesn't work as nicely as it does on the 7D. its great on my other cameras as well, and its a must for Jib operation.
 
Check out Smallhd.com and look at the DP6 videos, they included a feature in the monitor that automatically deals with the signal changes in these cameras once you start recording and it works very well.
 
I believe the down rez issue is due to these cameras having a single image processor and cannot process for recording and out simultaneously. the 7D has 2 processors (i believe they had to in order to get a fast still sequence) which in turns allowed one processor to be used for recording video and one for out-puting full HD. since this is a physical atribute of the camera I dot see how firmware can aleviate this issue.

I still enjoy having my 8" monitor even if it doesn't work as nicely as it does on the 7D. its great on my other cameras as well, and its a must for Jib operation.

So you use a normal monitor for your 60D? (or what do you use?) And it looks good? Does it help with your framing and focussing?

I am not interested in the SmallHD monitor as they are too expensive for me...
 
I agree. Its hard to resist the less expensive monitors, however I still want accurate focusing.
 
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