HD monitors/ Nikon Lenses for the M2......

bluehaven

bluehaven

Active member
We just ordered 2 HVX 200's and 2 redrock M2 adapters. I have a couple of questions. First HD monitors vs. LCD monitors, Does everyone go with the Marshall HD monitors so they can see their image in true HD or does it have to be HD so you can grab the sharpest focus? As much as I would love to view my stuff in HD I thought that maybe a SD monitor would do the trick for now, any thoughts?

Second what kind of Nikon lenses do you use if you have a M2? I have been looking around but there are so many options. If you could tell me about the lenses that would be great.

Oh another question, Has anyone done the magnet flip trick with the HVX, I read a lot about it for the DVX but not so much for the HVX.

Thanks for any of your thoughts on these questions.
Brian
 
The magnet flip does not work on the HVX. You can do a minor mod to the LCD to get it to flip. Search for it on this website or the redrock forums, you will find it.

As far as the lenses check out the redrock forums. There is a whole section on that. In short, get FAST lenses. Fast lenses tend to be primes. People like 28, 35, 50, 85, and 105mm lenses the most. Peoples favorites tend to be lenses like 50mm f/1.4 or f/1.8, 85mm f/1.8, 35mm f/1.4 or f/1.8. Zooms are nice but are usually slow. Try not and go over a 2.8 for primes.

Ask if you have more specific questions but searching is a good idea because this has been covered alot.
 
Thanks and I have been doing some searching but my more specific question was about the HD monitors VS the LCD monitors. Thanks for the info you gave though prodigy.
 
Blue Haven, sorry I didn't even touch that subject! I was in your dilemma awhile back but I decided not to buy either. My production needs are mainly narrative or music video, which I will be dealing with sets. I didn't have the 3k needed for a marshal HD monitor, and I didn't trust the 7" sd monitors.

Just to tell you what I did: (I am not saying to do this, but to consider if it would work with your needs)

I bought the gateway 21" widescreen flatscreen monitor.
http://www.gateway.com/programs/lcd/

Not only does it's resolution (1680 x 1050) supports HD, but the monitor has component in, composite in, s-video in, dvi-d, and analog in. I use the component and WOW. The monitor is great for location sets and soundstage sets, does not wiegh a ton, I think around 15lbs?

This monitor is NOT great for run and gun.

The monitor also does this odd 90 degree swivel for web page portrait viewing. I modded the mount so it can swivel 360 degrees, which makes switching from the M2 to w/o the M2 a breeze!

It has been great so far and the resolution is amazing. I would check it out if most of your shooting is on a set and you do not have the 3,000. The gateway dropped in price to 500.

I don't know if you are familiar with Vincent Pascoe's work here on DVXuser, but I think for one of his productions he said he used this gateway monitor. I think this was the one.... http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=56760&highlight=vincent

But just because you have the gateway monitor does not mean you can make a film THAT great. I think that feature is prob one of the best M2/HVX demos you can find.

-best of luck

Edit: I think I remember reading that somewhere (V.Pascoe using a gateway monitor) so don't file a lawsuit if I am wrong :)
 
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I really only shoot in 720p, so I bought a standard 18" LCD with a DVI input. It has a 1280x1024 resolution, so it will display pixel-accurate for 720p.

I then got a DVI transcoder, that converts the component video output of the HVX to DVI. It works great. Not very portable, of course, but for the purpose, it's just fine.

The whole rig (monitor, transcoder, and cables) cost less than $300
 
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