External Monitor Recomendation for determining focus?

M

M1CEtro

Active member
Hey guys, I shoot music videos with my Canon 7D. I often have to adjust my manual focus on a moving subject. However, I have at times found it hard to determine if I have the most accurate focus on the subject on the small LCD screen on the back of the camera. Depending on the environment and space restrictions, it may be difficult to be right behind the camera looking closely at the pixels to see if they are in 100% focus as opposed to like 90%. I am currently researching external/field monitors to attach or mount to my 7d and or tripod. Originally when starting to search, I was looking for a monitor with NATIVE resolution of 1080p, but I'm starting to think that these aren't very common, if made at all. Even some 3,000 monitors are only 800x400 native resolution. The most common high resolution I've seen so far is 1024x600. There are a few exceptions. The really expensive monitors have all of these cool features but I don't believe I will need any of that. I usually shoot a neutral/flat picture style and then do my color grading and editing in post-production with Sony Vegas Pro; so the extra features won't be needed at the time of production. My main purpose of getting an external monitor is to be able to more easily determine if I have maximum focus on my subject. I would not like to spend more than $400 if possible. I believe a 7inch would probably be my best bet with an hdmi connector. Does anyone have recommendations for my situation? Or thoughts on what to consider when researching these external monitors? Will there be a dramatic difference in determining focus in a cheaper 800x400 monitor vs more expensive 1024x600 monitor?

Thanks guys!
 
For $400, you may be hard-pressed to find something for judging critical focus. The SmallHD DP4 may be the closest, at $549 and 800x480 resolution.

If you really want a top-notch monitor that doesn't cost a fortune, get the SmallHD DP6. The cheapest version is $1,100, which is 3 times your budget, but if you really want critical focus, that is the best bang for buck.

Check out coollcd.com for budget monitors. Their Ruige monitors are under $400 and they MIGHT have critical focus judging capabilities now. I'm not entirely sure. I bought a cheap-o Lilliput 7" from them that I loop out from the SmallHD DP4 for the director's use.
 
Thanks for the input Jordan. So I am assuming that there are other factors other than native resolution that determines how well you can judge focus on an external monitor if you are recommending an 800x400. Could you comment more on that?
 
SmallHD DP6 just updated the firmware (they don't even have a video demo yet) and added "Focus Assist +". It is MILES better than the old focus assist. If you can't hit focus with this then you just can't hit focus.
 
Harry Pallenberg said:
SmallHD DP6 just updated the firmware (they don't even have a video demo yet) and added "Focus Assist +". It is MILES better than the old focus assist. If you can't hit focus with this then you just can't hit focus.
Click to expand...

I'm hoping that comes to the DP4. I don't really like the focus assist on the DP4, but I use it when absolutely necessary. For fast-paced tracking or dolly shots when the AC or I can't set specific marks, I have to use my eye, since the DP4's focus assist doesn't update fast enough.
 
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