FS7: DP502 monitor

Yes. Thanks for posting experience. I'm still waiting for the ability to output lut to another (client) monitor and hdmi/sdi cross conversion. If this happens, as was originally promised, then it becomes very attractive to me.
 
Sidefinder is due in June. Just was working on borrowing one for a review and was told sometime in June

Ned Soltz
 
Well it runs off one battery and I have a 5d-Ptap dummy battery
S

Hey Morgan,

Which Canon P-Tap dummy batter are you using? I saw the Letus version, but it's $130. Hoping to find something a little cheaper.

Or is there anyway to input power (with a DC Barrel) aside from using Canon batteries?
 
Gene

I had a Hawkwoods dummy battery.

Actually it does not fit as the wire pokes out on the wrong side.

I have been on a long shoot and had to take the thing apart in my hotel room and 're-design' it (with a pen knife) so that the wire comes out of the other side of the unit!

--

General feed back on my recent shoot - long days.

4 canon batteries is not enough.

For professional use hook the 502 up to external power of some nature!

S
 
Due to constant power loss with 4 canon batts my rig ended up like this on the last day of shooting..

A comment - once you have the 502 the sony monitor is scary small!

S

IMG_2131.JPG
 
There is no DC barrel.

I have not undone all the hex heads on the back of the monitor but I feel the canon bit is removable and they will introduce other options in the future..
 
This monitor does currently not work properly with the F3. The 25psf signal gets interpreted as an 1080i signal with only half resolution and choppy motion.
 
Ive just put on the 1.2 firmware to this monitor.

The WFM is excellent.. even a full screen version.

This really shows the point at which Slog3 clips very clearly which is a huge help to those wanting to make thick exposures.

Although Im not a huge fan of the build or powering of the 502 a FS7 without it is pretty limited.

S
 
2 questions about the 502.

1- How do you like the sidewinder and do you need to purchase any additional rig to get it mounted to the FS7? Its an odd looking design.

2 - Did they ever add LUT to the SDI-out signal for going to a client monitor?
If not Do they intend to?

Lenny
 
and a 3rd... the cross conversion ability of hdmi / sdi as was initially promised too (but the LUT out signal is the most important to me)...
Sam - you are probably not interested - but the Tilta v-lock comes with a [FONT=OpenSans, arial, sans-sarif]Dummy LP-E6 Type Power Cable that I believe could be used to power the 502 from a bigger battery.[/FONT]
 
For the initial testing of the Sidefinder + 502, we attached to my FS7 using a Noga arm. I hate these articulating arms but it was all we had on hand. SmallHD sells a universal mounting kit for $99. You would definitely need to experiment with various mounting solutions and see what works best for you.

I do not believe that SDI LUT out has been enabled yet but I could be wrong. We didn't get to that test and while I have a Sidefinder with me, the 502 is with another individual in NYC.

They definitely have not yet implemented cross conversion, but it will come in a future update.

The only minor annoyance that I have with the Sidefinder is that it almost covers the 502 buttons and joystick. It is virtually impossible to stick your finger into a the small gap. SmallHD provides a wireless remote with the Sidefinder to control the 502. It works well enough but I just don't need one more little piece of gear to manage or to fumble with. Construction of Sidefinder is definitely plastic and it is held in place over the 502 by plastic tabs. Optics are excellent. At about 2 pounds with batteries, it adds weight to the FS7.

Once I finish testing and writing, I will definitely be able to recommend it for those who want or need such a set up. I'm not buying it. For handheld with FS7 minus XDCA, I want something as lightweight as possible. I'll await whatever replacement loupe for the FS7 monitor comes down the road. For tripod work, I'll shoot the FS7 with the XDCA plus the Odyssey 7Q+ (whether as a recording device or just monitor). So, as nice as the 502 might be (and it is a lovely feature-packed monitor), it isn't worth the investment for my purposes.

Ned Soltz
 
Thanks Ned.

Based on past experience I'm wary of Small HD promises on future updates, but it does sound like it has a lot of nice features - especially for LUT's & waveform in 4K & HFR. How that sidewinder mounts is confusing to me so far though.
 
For my purposes the 502 is not satisfying my needs. The promised cross conversion has been pushed to the end of July and I have no confidence that it will be available then. I have had the sidefinder and the hood ordered for over 10 days and have not received either item and when I contacted them they said they are trying to fill orders as fast as they can but cannot tell me when it will be delivered. Since the last firmware update to fix problems with artifacts introduced the new firmware has broken the battery indicator. I also believe that the final Sidefinder + 502 package will be too heavy for handheld work, but I mainly purchased for tripod work and the ability to send out an SDI feed to a client monitor which I still cannot do at this point.

Disappointed in the company and their response.
 
Len

- I dont have a sidefinder
-Ive not tested the I/O options - really I dont want much more cabling up front!

Unlike Ned I think the 502 is an excellent concept.. I shoot way too fast to add/remove (where do you put it how do you power it?) an ODY for sticks work.

S
 
If not the sidefinder- what do you use as a eyepiece for it when outdoors - That's the whole point isn't it?
Otherwise an Odyssey does the same thing
 
I made a wooden box :)

You completely need to shade the screen in the outdoors.

SHD have now sent me their shade and a new screen protector, Ive not tested either of them yet as they 'clash' with my cludged voltage box.

The Ody is way too big for shoulder work, (and life on the road) even the 502 risks creeping into shot.

All in all I have a pretty complex set up that is rather in the wash.. I might be better with a gratical or the BM EVF and a small monitor for sticks/lo mode.

Im a both eyes open operator (most people who have done sports/riots are this as an unexpected bash from a ball/brick hurts) Im also left eye.. so have a big bias against EVFs but the FS7 is so short that it kind of forces the need for an EVF and for right hand focus if you balance it right.

Really I think there are no great solutions right now because manufacs dont shoot or generally have a clue :)

Ill try and do some pics of my rig sometime..

S
 
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