Do You Use an External Monitor?

[Joshua Milligan]

I've had my FX6 for about 15 months now and I have it pretty much completely dialed in the way I like it. Everything from the menu options to the top plate, mic mount, aftermarket monitor bracket, etc. It's working like a well oiled machine for me at this point.

The only thing I'm still toying with is where/how to mount an external monitor. There's an infinite number of ways you can do it, but finding the perfect way that works for me has been challenging. I do, however, think I finally found a way that I like. I've attached some pics below for reference.

Throughout the process of figuring out where and how to mount an external monitor, I got frustrated at the options I tried and almost gave up and decided to just run the stock monitor. That got me to wondering, just out of curiosity, how many of you do that? As such, I created a poll below in order to get an idea of who all runs stock only monitors on their cameras and who feels the need to always run a larger external monitor. I'd love to see your answers in the poll as well as to hear from you on why you do one or another in the comments below.

Let's chat.

 

[drboffa]

What are you using to mount the external monitor? And what is the piece mounting the stock monitor?

I generally run one of two setups if I've using an external monitor: either mounted to the hot shoe on the handle or mounted on the rear of the handle. Neither is perfect, but I'm starting to prefer the former (hot shoe).

 

[Doug Jensen]

I have a Zacuto EVF for proper monitoring, and the Sony LCD is mounted solely for touch-screen focus. In this photo it is slung under the Zacuto, but I am now running it above.

 

[Joshua Milligan]

What are you using to mount the external monitor? And what is the piece mounting the stock monitor?

I generally run one of two setups if I've using an external monitor: either mounted to the hot shoe on the handle or mounted on the rear of the handle. Neither is perfect, but I'm starting to prefer the former (hot shoe).

I am using a Bright Tangerine FX6 Top Plate (https://www.brighttangerine.com/stor...fx6-top-plate/) which has a BT Handle Brace connected to it (https://www.brighttangerine.com/stor...-handle-brace/). The handle brace is then mounted to the BT Monitor Bracket (https://www.brighttangerine.com/stor...nitor-bracket/) which is also mounted into the side of the handle. This whole setup by Bright Tangerine is really well thought out and makes the entire handle and monitor bracket super secure since everything is bolted together and bolted to the camera body. My FX6 feels like a tank now.

What I did different though was I moved the actual monitor mount from BT to the back of the camera via a 15mm rod clamp mounted to the back handle. That way I can put the stock monitor on the back of the camera and have it dead center there. That also leaves a 15mm clamp free at the front of the camera's handle and that's how I mounted the SmallHD there. I use this SmallHD 15mm Mounting Spud (https://upgradeinnovations.com/produ...ting-spuds-14/) which bolts right into the side of the SmallHD monitor. That spud then slips perfectly into the Bright Tangerine Monitor Bracket and allows me to run a SmallHD monitor on the side of the camera, just like how the stock monitor would be.

 

[Joshua Milligan]

I have a Zacuto EVF for proper monitoring, and the Sony LCD is mounted solely for touch-screen focus. In this photo it is slung under the Zacuto, but I am now running it above.

Looks good Doug.

I'm not sure about you, but I wish Sony would give the FX6 tracking via the joystick. That way you don't have to keep the stock monitor on if you don't want to. If that was possible like it is on Sony's mirrorless line, then you could select what you want to track through your EVF and I could through my SmallHD monitor. If that was possible, I wouldn't need both monitors to be on at the same time anymore.

 

[Doug Jensen]

Yeah, I'd like to try the joystick method. I sitll might prefer tapping on the screen, but I'd like to try both.

BTW, I'd like to get a top plate for my FX6 to bear the weight of the Zacuto and LCD panel. Both of those combined is a little too much weight for the camera's handle and causes the screens to sit a little sloped, which bugs the hell out of me. My only requirement is that that the top plate still allows the handle to be attached for audio.
What do you think about this TILTA? It is 1/3 the price of the Bright Tangerine and has rod connections.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...plate_for.html

 

[matt.pignataro]

It's great seeing other users' setups, so thanks for this thread. I'm in the "both" crowd with a 7" Atomos Shinobi. Previously I've used the SmallHD 702 Touch. However I sold it because it would get extraordinarily hot to the touch after only 15-20 minutes of use. The Shinobi is 2200 nits and has a cooling fan that is imperceptible when it is on during normal use.

 

[ahalpert]

Looks good Doug.

I'm not sure about you, but I wish Sony would give the FX6 tracking via the joystick. That way you don't have to keep the stock monitor on if you don't want to. If that was possible like it is on Sony's mirrorless line, then you could select what you want to track through your EVF and I could through my SmallHD monitor. If that was possible, I wouldn't need both monitors to be on at the same time anymore.

Does the joystick only work to toggle between faces? What if you want to track an object?

 

[Doug Jensen]

Does the joystick only work to toggle between faces? What if you want to track an object?

On the FX6, the joystick has no control over subject-tracking. The subject must be selected by tapping the touch-screen LCD.

That might explain why the FX6 does not have a flip-down VF diopter tube like the FX9 and FS7. Because if it did, you could never use subject tracking and the diopter tube at the same time. Imagine the uproar that would cause. I'm sure the thinking by Sony is that it would be better not to give the FX6 a diopter at all.

 

[Joshua Milligan]

I don’t understand why they don’t give us tracking with a joystick though. You can do that with the various focus modes in the Alpha line and it’s very convenient. On the FX6 it would be even more so since touching a screen while rolling can be counter intuitive.

 

[LDV20]

Yeah, I'd like to try the joystick method. I sitll might prefer tapping on the screen, but I'd like to try both.

BTW, I'd like to get a top plate for my FX6 to bear the weight of the Zacuto and LCD panel. Both of those combined is a little too much weight for the camera's handle and causes the screens to sit a little sloped, which bugs the hell out of me. My only requirement is that that the top plate still allows the handle to be attached for audio.
What do you think about this TILTA? It is 1/3 the price of the Bright Tangerine and has rod connections.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...plate_for.html

I have the titla top plate fits perfectly I am using it for the gold mount plate for external batteries when I need them.

 

[Doug Jensen]

I have the titla top plate fits perfectly I am using it for the gold mount plate for external batteries when I need them.

thanks. I think I'm going to order one today.

 

[Nick M]

thanks. I think I'm going to order one today.

That top plate also attaches to this battery solution:
https://tilta.com/shop/battery-plate-for-sony-fx6/

Haven't been able to test it out though, fx6 is eternally on backorder, latest update was a December delivery for the order. I am a little worried that since it's so close to the camera body, it won't offset lens weight as much as your set up.

 

[LDV20]

thanks. I think I'm going to order one today.

Here are some quick pictures will give you an idea

 

[LDV20]

Plate with Battery Plate

 

[Doug Jensen]

Thanks for the photos but I already have (and like) the Anton/Bauer version of the battery plate for my FX6.

After taking another look at my FX6 and the Tilta top plate photo I decided not to order it because I don't think it would work for my intended purpose. But the process of taking another look at the camera led me to find a better way to beef up the mounting of my Zacuto viewfinder without buying anything new. So, for now I'm all set.

 

[Doug Jensen]

Current build with a 85mm lens attached.

 

[LDV20]

Thanks for the photos but I already have (and like) the Anton/Bauer version of the battery plate for my FX6.

After taking another look at my FX6 and the Tilta top plate photo I decided not to order it because I don't think it would work for my intended purpose. But the process of taking another look at the camera led me to find a better way to beef up the mounting of my Zacuto viewfinder without buying anything new. So, for now I'm all set.

I looked at Anton Bauer - I used to have them - they are one of the best out there - But could not beat the price on Tilta -time will tell how it holds up

Your rig is set up very nice -