AC160 Need Help Choosing an On-Camera Monitor for AC-160A

P

pifemaster

Well-known member
Hello,

I am considering adding an on-camera monitor to my AC-160A and I have a few questions I hoping you guys can help me with.

Here is the monitor I am considering:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ..._Electronics_V_LCD70MD_3G_7_HDMI_Monitor.html

Will this monitor display in real time just like the built in LCD display (ie. no lag, delay or stuttering video)?

Which connection is best HDMI or SDI

Is there a different/better monitor I would want to consider?

Can someone recommend a QUICK DISCONNET mount for this monitor. I am thinking I would want to mount it to one of the 3 holes in the handle on the AC-160A, but would also consider mounting on my manfrotto tripod which is this one:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...VK502C_Mvh502A_Head_535_Cf_Tripod_Padded.html

Thank you,
Robert Pfeifer
Pifemaster Productions
www.pifemaster.com
 
Thats a very nice monitor. SDI is a better connector than HDMI. You can also get used battries on ebay for it that what I did. 1 battery last me 3 hours of shooting. So if you are going to mount it to the camera remember its heavy. I do all mine on the tripod as I am changing the screen from peaking to levels. Dont know about a quick diconnect I use a arm so I can move it around.
 
rzr219 said:
Thats a very nice monitor. SDI is a better connector than HDMI. You can also get used battries on ebay for it that what I did. 1 battery last me 3 hours of shooting. So if you are going to mount it to the camera remember its heavy. I do all mine on the tripod as I am changing the screen from peaking to levels. Dont know about a quick diconnect I use a arm so I can move it around.
Click to expand...
Which battery plate did you go with? Are you using the same batteries as your camera or did you go with a different battery?

Thank you,
Robert Pfeifer
Pifemaster Productions
www.pifemaster.com
 
I have that monitor for use with my 160, and like rzr219 said, it is a bit heavy. I use a heavier duty Bogen ball head mount and put it on the handle. Alternately, Bogen Manfrotto also makes something called the Super Clamp that you could attach to your tripod. Then attach an "articulating arm" to the clamp and you're in business. It's a good, heavy duty monitor.
With respect to battery plates, I use one for the Canon BP series, as these batteries (as well as Sony's) seem to last longer than Panasonic's. I use a pair of Canon BP970's I believe they are called, from my old XHA1 kit. They run seemingly forever.
 
sewolla said:
I have that monitor for use with my 160, and like rzr219 said, it is a bit heavy. I use a heavier duty Bogen ball head mount and put it on the handle. Alternately, Bogen Manfrotto also makes something called the Super Clamp that you could attach to your tripod. Then attach an "articulating arm" to the clamp and you're in business. It's a good, heavy duty monitor.
With respect to battery plates, I use one for the Canon BP series, as these batteries (as well as Sony's) seem to last longer than Panasonic's. I use a pair of Canon BP970's I believe they are called, from my old XHA1 kit. They run seemingly forever.
Click to expand...
Thank you for the response. I changed my mind a little regarding mounting the monitor. I decided to mount the monitor via an articulating arm to my Manfrotto fluid head (the head has a 3/8" threaded hole on each side. Here is the arm that I plan on purchasing http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/571951-REG/Noga_DG6145CA_Cinematic_Arm_with.html

I have decided to stay with the same battery as the camera. I would rather not have to deal with dedicated batteries just for use in the monitor. I already have 2 batteries for the camera currently and will buy another one with the monitor. I also found a nice SDI cable that I plan on picking up http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/895918-REG/CineCoil_BNC2BNC_20_20_Coil_Based_SDI_Cable.html it is one of the few cable I saw that has an angled connector and I love the coiled wire feature.

I plan on ordering everything in a couple of hours once B&H Photo resumes their online ordering.

Thank you,
Robert Pfeifer
Pifemaster Productions
www.pifemaster.com

I am using a Manfrotto
 
pifemaster said:
Thank you for the response. I changed my mind a little regarding mounting the monitor. I decided to mount the monitor via an articulating arm to my Manfrotto fluid head (the head has a 3/8" threaded hole on each side. Here is the arm that I plan on purchasing http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/571951-REG/Noga_DG6145CA_Cinematic_Arm_with.html

I have decided to stay with the same battery as the camera. I would rather not have to deal with dedicated batteries just for use in the monitor. I already have 2 batteries for the camera currently and will buy another one with the monitor. I also found a nice SDI cable that I plan on picking up http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/895918-REG/CineCoil_BNC2BNC_20_20_Coil_Based_SDI_Cable.html it is one of the few cable I saw that has an angled connector and I love the coiled wire feature.

I plan on ordering everything in a couple of hours once B&H Photo resumes their online ordering.

Thank you,
Robert Pfeifer
Pifemaster Productions
www.pifemaster.com

I am using a Manfrotto
Click to expand...

Sounds good, although I forgot to mention one thing.
If you plan on using an arem like that, thye weight of the monitor and large battery can be too much for it to support. So once you get it set up, use gaffers tape or a bungee chord to support the arm. wrap once around the arm, and run it to the tripod. Then it'll stay put.
 
ELN614 said:
you might google Lilliput and see if there is anything that catches your eye.
Click to expand...
Thank you for the response. I ended up placing an order for the Marshall Monitor last night with B&H Photo. I just received notification that it was shipped today. I am hoping that it arrives to me on Friday since I would like to try it out at my wedding on Saturday.

Thank you,
Robert Pfeifer
Pifemaster Productions
www.pifemaster.com
 
sewolla said:
Sounds good, although I forgot to mention one thing.
If you plan on using an arem like that, thye weight of the monitor and large battery can be too much for it to support. So once you get it set up, use gaffers tape or a bungee chord to support the arm. wrap once around the arm, and run it to the tripod. Then it'll stay put.
Click to expand...
I am hoping that based on the cost of Noga Arm that it lives up to it's specifications. They claim a weight capacity of 10 pounds. Between the battery and monitor, I should be at about 2.5 pounds. If this arm does not support it properly I will end up returning it and they have another arm with a capacity of 20 pounds. Unfortunately, the other arm is about $20.00 more money and it is larger & heavier. I will post my findings once it arrives on Friday (at least that's when it is scheduled to arrive).

Thank you,
Robert Pfeifer
Pifemaster Productions
www.pifemaster.com
 
pifemaster said:
I am hoping that based on the cost of Noga Arm that it lives up to it's specifications. They claim a weight capacity of 10 pounds. Between the battery and monitor, I should be at about 2.5 pounds. If this arm does not support it properly I will end up returning it and they have another arm with a capacity of 20 pounds. Unfortunately, the other arm is about $20.00 more money and it is larger & heavier. I will post my findings once it arrives on Friday (at least that's when it is scheduled to arrive).
Click to expand...

Here is the arm I use and it looks much less than what you are getting. I move allot and dont have any issues I think you will be fine, just the balance might change unless it is mounted to the legs of the tripod. Also if you dont get a case here is what I picked up for my monitor.
 
rzr219 said:
Here is the arm I use and it looks much less than what you are getting. I move allot and dont have any issues I think you will be fine, just the balance might change unless it is mounted to the legs of the tripod. Also if you dont get a case here is what I picked up for my monitor.
Click to expand...
I considered that arm when I was comparing different options. After reading a lot of reviews I decided on the Noga. I am keeping my fingers crossed.

I did not see the case you mentioned when I placed my oder. I did bookmark it and I think that will be perfect for me. I will probably wait until next week and place a follow-up order after I have a chance to try everything out this weekend. I also want to pickup one of the sunshades or hoods to help reduce glare outdoors.

Thank you,
Robert Pfeifer
Pifemaster Productions
www.pifemaster.com
 
Well my B&H order arrived today. A mix of good & bad. Fortunately, everything related to the on-camera monitor was perfect. Here is a pic of the monitor on the camera

camera.jpg

The Noga arm is AWESOME. I love the Cinecoil SDI cable. The monitor has some great features and I am sure it will work very well. Although the battery seems a little difficult to mount & un-mount from the monitor, but I might just to practice.

The only problem I encountered today was with a Varizoom remote that I also ordered. I ended up ordering the VZ-PRO-PZFI and it will not work correctly unless I apply pressure to the one cable connection. I contacted support at Varizoom and after some troubleshooting, they feel it is defective. So I am having another one shipped out from B&H photo to replace this one.

Thank you,
Robert Pfeifer
Pifemaster Productions
www.pifemaster.com
 
Nate Haustein said:
Nice looking setup. How did you mount that Receiver to the battery?
Click to expand...
Thank you. I mounted it using 2" wide industrial velcro. I have one half of the velcro attached to the back side of all of my batteries and the other half attached to the back of the Senheiser receiver. I can easily switch batteries and the receiver never falls off or gives me any problems there.

Thank you,
Robert Pfeifer
Pifemaster Productions
www.pifemaster.com
 
pifemaster said:
The only problem I encountered today was with a Varizoom remote that I also ordered. I ended up ordering the VZ-PRO-PZFI and it will not work correctly unless I apply pressure to the one cable connection. I contacted support at Varizoom and after some troubleshooting, they feel it is defective. So I am having another one shipped out from B&H photo to replace this one.

Thank you,
Robert Pfeifer
Pifemaster Productions
www.pifemaster.com
Click to expand...
Hi Robert, nice set-up. I have the varizoom too and the two plugs sre very close together on the camera and really do need to be seated properly to work. This has been noted by several other users too, so do make sure they are really seated well. It is a nice unit but I always felt the knobs could have been improved if they presented slightly more resistance- it is all too easy just to brush one and knock everything out of kilter. Best of luck.
Cheers!
ROd
 
Rod Pike said:
Hi Robert, nice set-up. I have the varizoom too and the two plugs sre very close together on the camera and really do need to be seated properly to work. This has been noted by several other users too, so do make sure they are really seated well. It is a nice unit but I always felt the knobs could have been improved if they presented slightly more resistance- it is all too easy just to brush one and knock everything out of kilter. Best of luck.
Cheers!
ROd
Click to expand...
Thanks for the comment Rod. I did double check (and triple checked) to make sure that the plugs were fully inserted. I actually ordered the remote from Studio 1 Productions last week also, I just don't like the layout quite as well. Plus there is sooo much wire included with the Studio 1 Productions remote, it ends up looking like a rat's nest on the camera. However, that remote does work fine on my camera.

Is your camera the AC-160A or is it the older AC-160. When I talked to Varizoom, they said that they have been tested and confirmed to work on the AC-160 and they are just assuming they will work on the 160A. I am hoping I just got a bum remote and once I get the new one it will work just fine.

Thank you,
Robert Pfeifer
Pifemaster Productions
www.pifemaster.com
 
Hi Robert, yes mine is a 160A. WHat is also useful is that you can leave one or the other leads out altogether and the remaining one works normally. I do this occasionally when I only want the zoom control and don't wish to unsettle the focus/aperture settings accidentally.
Cheers!
Rod
 
Rod Pike said:
Hi Robert, yes mine is a 160A. WHat is also useful is that you can leave one or the other leads out altogether and the remaining one works normally. I do this occasionally when I only want the zoom control and don't wish to unsettle the focus/aperture settings accidentally.
Cheers!
Rod
Click to expand...
AWESOME. That makes me feel much better that it was just a bad controller. I was worried that it was just not compatible with the 160A. Now I will just have to wait until next week when the replacement arrives.

Thanks again.

Thank you,
Robert Pfeifer
Pifemaster Productions
www.pifemaster.com
 
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