Monitor solution for the 5D/7D/T2i?

I wouldn't get the Lilliput unless that's all you can afford. Rather save up for a smallHD or a Marshall. Many people use them but I wouldn't trust the colour, nor would I trust the ability to focus. for the former you need calibration options and for the latter you need higher resolution of focus assist features.

If $200 is your price range then there aren't many other options.
 
I used a portable Dvd player with my jvc HD 100 and it was useful for nothing but framing shots. Focusing and colour could not be done. I realised that is have to spend money on a decent screen.
 
Well there are a lot of folks over at cinema5D raving about the lilliput and how it helps them to focus. The recommendation is to get the 7" version with NO touchscreen for around the same price (I think it's called the 619H or something like that).
 
Many of the people who are fans of the Liliput have DSLR that only output 480 not the higher resolution the 7D outputs. Plus there are battery issues as well as severe lack of features, poor color etc.

If that's all you can ever afford, maybe. But I'm budget strapped but saving for a SmallHD 5".
 
My suggestion is Marshall 7" Monitor V-LCD70XP hdmi, "PEAKING for Focus, and lightweight and professional! Pricey but its the real deal, i ordered one today!
Cheers
 
I use the Marshall V-LCD70XP-HDMI and it works great with the 7d.

The best feature, imo, is the false color mode for judging exposure.
 
Cool, some questions if i may,
Do you get a big enough picture with the reduced output image of the 7d?
Do u find the color accurate on it?

cheers mate!
 
BLUESPIDER said:
I stumbled upon this. Anyone think the specs are worth getting? I'm thinking of maybe trying this bad boy out. It's the cheapest HDMI solution I can think of. Thoughts, experiences?

http://cgi.ebay.com/8-Touch-Screen-...Item&pt=Computer_Monitors&hash=item439f17436c
Click to expand...
Man I seem to be on the wrong side of every thread lately...

I have one and use it on my jib with a 7D a lot. First off, I'm not a fan of using any field monitor for color matching so I don't. For framing and focus this cheap little monitor work well. As was mentioned, the Marshal has peaking which would be nice but for the price difference if you can take your time and check focus often this monitor works well.

The SmallHD monitor was backordered when I purchased the Lilliput, that looks like a good value too.

Also, someone mentioned something about battery issues, if by issue you meant it doesn't come with one, but you can power this monitor with just about any battery.

Here's a couple of links you might want to page through:
http://www.cinema5d.com/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=8606

For a battery solution:
http://www.cinema5d.com/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=6473

It definitely need's a Hoodman.
 
The back of the 7D is 640x480. This monitor is 800 x 480, so you get 160 more pixels of width. If you need an articulating LCD or you want to get a larger image to frame with, I can see using this, but if the quality of the display is bad (in terms of color and calibration ability) you might be fighting the monitor as well trying to get things perfect.

I have the smallHD DPX1 which is $899. It's 1280x768 which is SUPERIOR to these sorts of LCDs. I'd REALLY recommend saving up for the smallHD. I really wanted the DPSLR from smallHD but it is not out yet. That said, I cannot believe I waited so long to get one. You can also do 1:1 with it AND calibrate very easily. I like the controls on the Marshal better, but everywhere I have read, people like the brightness of the smallHD much more (and the sun hood that you can buy extra is pretty cool).

I've actually visited smallHD before purchasing my LCD from them. They are GREAT and I am estatic with my purchase. They have a lot of new products coming out soon and I will DEFINITELY be buying more from them.

Also, the 7D output does not change when you start recording, unlike the 5D and 1D. This is VERY nice.
 
Guys, I'm really confused about what monitor to buy - it's a pretty big investment.

I'm really keen on the Marshall with it's "pro" features, but I've heard it's got very aggressive peaking that doesn't work too well for focusing which is pushing me towards the higher res Manhattan or smallHD. The way I see it is one has metering and white balance in the field to make sure colour and exposure is fairly "standardized" which can also be tweaked in post whereas focus just can't be fixed so resolution seems the most important to me.

Am I talking nonsense? Does the Marshall's peaking work just fine - even on skin-tones?Without testing them I just can't tell and I live in Arfica so I can't just pop round to the local B&H (actually there is one here but they only stock photographic equipment)!
 
modernPrimitive said:
Guys, I'm really confused about what monitor to buy - it's a pretty big investment.

I'm really keen on the Marshall with it's "pro" features, but I've heard it's got very aggressive peaking that doesn't work too well for focusing which is pushing me towards the higher res Manhattan or smallHD. The way I see it is one has metering and white balance in the field to make sure colour and exposure is fairly "standardized" which can also be tweaked in post whereas focus just can't be fixed so resolution seems the most important to me.

Am I talking nonsense? Does the Marshall's peaking work just fine - even on skin-tones?Without testing them I just can't tell and I live in Arfica so I can't just pop round to the local B&H (actually there is one here but they only stock photographic equipment)!
Click to expand...

Well I can say I was originally set on getting the Marshal till I did a lot of reading on the false color modes and setting them up. The amount of work some people have had to do just seemed too much for me to worry about. What I cared about more than ANYTHING was resolution. Not just for focus, but for seeing Moire/aliasing. This is ESSENTIAL on the 7D. The back display does not show it since it is a downsample of what is recorded.

I'd get something that does 720p minimum. For $899 base price before accessories, I felt the smallHD was a good deal. the dpSLR I want more, as I like the button interface A LOT, I am still VERY happy with the DP1X. It looks fantastic.
 
This is all the same problem I have. Shooting with the 7D I was looking at a few options. Let me start with the multiple item option first:

1. JAG35 Monitor for $240.00 the LCDVF Digital SLR Viewfinder $179.95

2. Jag35 Monitor $240.00 and Zacuto Z-Junior $265.00

3. Jag35 Monitor $240.00 and Zacuto Pro 2.5X $395.00

4. Manhattan HD071A 1024x600 720P monitor $599.00

5. Marshall Marshall V-LCD70XP-HDMI $ 949.00

I am trying to figure out is it really worth spending $1,000.00 on a Marshall external monitor, or is it more economical and beneficial to go with a nice LCD viewfinder and a cheaper no frills external monitor? I mean how many people are really using the pro functions on the Marshall monitor?

As I still need just a few more pieces after the monitor, I could got the JAG35 and LCDVF route and still have plenty left to say get a Sigma 20mm 1.8 prime lens, or even a 70-200 Canon f4 L lens?

So if anyone has uses any of the monitors I mentioned could you chime in and let me know how your experience was or is with your monitor.

Thanks.

EDIT: Keep in mind I am shooting with the Canon 7D, HF-S10 and I am possibly looking at either also picking up either an EX-1 or EX3, or equivalent 3 chip camera.
 
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To me (if you have a 7) resolution is the factor. END

SmallHD is the cheapest 720, there are others - costly

My latest grip on the SmallHD is the power must be a regulated 12v

My investigations of powering from Vlock batteries it that they kick out 14-11 volts

a regulator is therefore needed

more wires, more money more bits to lose

I have not had great experience with smallHD own brand batteries

they are OK but no good for being out all day

S
 
I shot with the smallHD all weekend. I didn't use the smallHD for every shot, mostly used it for overhead and underneath shots mounted to a monopod. The first battery lasted almost the whole shoot. I was just VERY careful to unhook the power any time I wasn't shooting. I was impressed the battery lasted that long.

For the money, it was worth it. EVERYONE on set was amazed with the clarity. I'd buy one again at this point for sure.
 
So, if you're budget-strapped to the limit of a 550D, with its 480p output, is there any point in going above a Lilliput?
Not being facetious, I'd save for a SmallHD if I thought it would do any good, but I could do with a monitor now-ish and I'm broke, well nearly :Drogar-BigGrin(DBG)
Dave
 
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