T2i Is a monitor worth the money?

dany27227

dany27227

Member
Is a monitor really that useful and is it worth the money?

Now, I know that focusing on an 8" monitor that does at least 720P is a lot easier and more accurate that focusing on the small low-res LCD of the T2i.

But the T2i only outputs SD when recording. So is it still better than the small LCD?

I'm thinking of buying the Jag35 monitor and that would cost me $250. Is this money better spent elsewhere or will it really help me when shooting?
 
I think so. I'm not familiar with what type of signal your camera outputs and what type of monitor will work but, in general terms, I think a monitor is worth the investment.

Here's why:

1) Focus assist. Yes, you can buy a finder and/or zoom into the image on the camera's lcd screen but it is a lot easier to do this when you are looking at a bigger image.

2) Framing. I shoot a fair amount of stuff where I am the subject and being able to face the monitor toward myself is very helpful for determining whether I've framed the shot properly.

3) Focus peaking, false color. This depends on what monitor you buy. I find these tools indispensable. I wouldn't buy a monitor without them.

4) Allows others to see the shot; for example, the director, AC etc.

5) You don't have to hunch over to look into the camera's lcd. Ergonomic advantages add up over the course of a long day!

I'd proceed cautiously with a $250 monitor. I'm not familiar with the product you reference but when I was researching this the $600 mark seemed to be the low end of devices. I would also shy away from buying anything that cannot be calibrated with pluge bars. Stick with brands with a proven reputation and good aftersale support. There's are reasons why one brand's line is more expensive than another's: better construction and support. Read through the forums here and down in Hardware to get a sense of the issues associated with each brand.
 
dany27227 said:
Is a monitor really that useful and is it worth the money?

Now, I know that focusing on an 8" monitor that does at least 720P is a lot easier and more accurate that focusing on the small low-res LCD of the T2i.

But the T2i only outputs SD when recording. So is it still better than the small LCD?

I'm thinking of buying the Jag35 monitor and that would cost me $250. Is this money better spent elsewhere or will it really help me when shooting?
Click to expand...



Low Res of the T2i ? I think people need to get their facts straight before they post on here. The resolution and clarity of the T2i screen is probably the best out of any DSLR. Better than the 7d, 5d, gh1, etc.


Now monitoring the output can be a problem as the image is stretched when recording. Many users have found that if you force your monitor into 4x3 mode then it will record perfectly fine , with of course the left and right sides being cropped. Not all monitors are able to do this, so you need to be careful.



Personally from my own experiences is that the 5d and t2i fall short when compared to the 7d in output monitoring. This is just my opinion but I would not use a monitor with the T2i as it just does not look very good. Instead get something like a Zacuto Viewfinder.

Some people might have found the perfect monitor for the t2i, but everyone I have tried and use I just do not like them. Personally I love using the cameras screen a lot more as the resolution is just amazing on it.
 
dany27227 said:
Is a monitor really that useful and is it worth the money?

Now, I know that focusing on an 8" monitor that does at least 720P is a lot easier and more accurate that focusing on the small low-res LCD of the T2i.

But the T2i only outputs SD when recording. So is it still better than the small LCD?

I'm thinking of buying the Jag35 monitor and that would cost me $250. Is this money better spent elsewhere or will it really help me when shooting?
Click to expand...

If you already own a laptop, try the eos utility that comes with the camera. Digital out to laptop usb port. I haven't tried it when moving the camera, and it's an sd image, but very useable, and it doesn't rob the camera lcd either, or change when you go into record. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.
 
I agree T2i's LCD is great. I had more trouble pulling focus with the 7D and Marshall/Ikan monitors than with T2i and just wearing 5$ 3+ reading glasses, looking at T2i's LCD. For proper color/white balance check I think only the LCDs are trustworthy anyway. On the other hand there may be situations like shooting from above or below where you can't directly look at the LCD and monitors are a real help there.
 
mr bill said:
If you already own a laptop, try the eos utility that comes with the camera. Digital out to laptop usb port. I haven't tried it when moving the camera, and it's an sd image, but very useable, and it doesn't rob the camera lcd either, or change when you go into record. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.
Click to expand...
Anyone use a netbook for this like the Dell 10" ?
 
i love the monitor for handheld work, allows you to place the camera weight away from your arms and onto your shoulder like it should be and still easily frame the shot.

Also is great for allowing the director and focus pullers to see the shot.

Almost a must have i think for me.
 
Its great to know that the t2i's LCD is that good and I think I'll buy a small netbook and use that as my monitor. Has anyone attached a netbook into their rig?
 
Are we talking about any $300 netbook -- asus, acer, toshiba -- what would you
look for in a netbook?
 
dany27227:

I've tried using the Acer aspire net book with the t21.

The picture is kinda stuttery --- don't know whether the netbook is slow, or that is the nature of the beast when going through usb.

One thing to know, though: the Eos Utility software will complain that the resolution of the netbook is not high enough and stops installing.

You'll need to find the drivers folder tp manually install and bypass setup.
 
The netbook alternative definitely sounds worth trying... Might you, berylium or mr bill, spell out the set-up from T2 to laptop in more and easier detail, as tho you were writing "T2 Monitering for the Slow"
 
I'm on the fence about monitors. I've got the 8.9" Manhattan. The low resolution of the output is a huge downer. Plus it's even lower rez when it's recording, which makes focus pulling a chore. The Manhattan is no where near bright enough outside, no matter how much sunshading you try...proper exposure is almost impossible. The Camera LCD is MUCH sharper, much brighter, and way more accurate.

That said, clients like to see a big LCD while you're shooting. Plus, it's nice to be able to have a monitor that you can see when the camera is up high, or down low, or on a dolly or what-have-you. Obviously, you're pretty limited to looking at the back of the camera if you don't have an external monitor.

I use my monitor on other cameras, and I'll be buying into the AF100 or Scarlet whenever one of those come out, so my monitor purchase is not a total wash. But, if I were buying a monitor JUST for an HDSLR, I'd spend as little as possible.
 
is a monitor useful? Of course. How useful depends on yoru style.

Ilike camera movement, so im holding off to invest. I like shoulder mounted, slider, glidecam footage that isnt conducive to using a monitor. When i am tripod mounted EOS utility and a laptop work just fine.
 
berylium said:
dany27227:

I've tried using the Acer aspire net book with the t21.

The picture is kinda stuttery --- don't know whether the netbook is slow, or that is the nature of the beast when going through usb.

One thing to know, though: the Eos Utility software will complain that the resolution of the netbook is not high enough and stops installing.

You'll need to find the drivers folder tp manually install and bypass setup.
Click to expand...

I've heard the shorter and faster the usb cable the better the video plays.

I've kind of decided on a netbook because it's really the only way I can justify spending $300 on a monitor.
 
One thought on monitors

ONe you build your rig to have monitor often the rig is wrongly set up for use with no monitor and a finder

result - flat monitor batteries - cant really shoot

consider the cost of 10hours worth of mon batts

may be more expensive than the monitor by a lot

also you enter a world of (lost) wires, dodgy HDMI connections and make your camera into a spaghetti junction that seems one stupid connector from putting egg on your face

Ive now got two SMall HDs, three HDMI leads, 4 batts (not enough) and a bundle of connectors

Very cool on a production, a right pain in the real world compared to a LCDVF - I have one of them too

Ive been speaking to PAG about power the whole lot - that will probably cost another grand add another pelicase full of sh*t into the motor and that peli will cost another couple of hundred

so much for the DSLR super cheap dream

S
 
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