On camera monitor suggestions?

O

oxband

Well-known member
I'm thinking of getting an on camera monitor for the HMC-150. I figured I'd ask if anyone has one they'd recommend. Obviously, there is a price range. I figure I'd like to spend 3-500, although if someone here thought this was a piece of equipment that really should have more spent on it, I'd like to hear those thoughts.
 
Cheap monitors for just getting an IDEA of what your shooting would be from CoolLCD.com for around $200. I have 2 and love them for the price.

Good monitors are Marshall, SmallHD, and Manhattan IMO. I would go with 7" which is a balance of being compact but also a large viewing area compared to the on-camera LCD. You also get correct color, exposure and other features (like focus assist) with these monitors. They range from $500-$800ish.

Also consider how you will power the monitor... I use all Sony L batts for my monitors and lights - works out GREAT.
 
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+1 Mad is right on all points. You should check the posts around here, I remember a DVX group discount on SmallHD going around last month.
 
A real, calibrate-able production monitor on-set is really one of those "start of a new chapter in your career" things.

They're god-awfully expensive; the 5" Marshall is about $550... but it's a beautiful screen and great for knowing your color and exposure are good.

And... for $200-$400 you can add Matrox or similar HDMI output from your NLE, and edit with a calibrated screen as well. Not necessarily something that only lives in your camera bag.
 
I've been looking into the Ruige models, they look quite good but there's almost no reviews/opinions about them at all besides a video where someone from the company talks about it. I love the pop out sunhood thing and all the options you get for the price!

http://www.coollcd.com/ruige-tl480h...9.html?zenid=f823fdc2bc26c149705fc87d82337844

Anyone that has anything to say about these monitors? I mean, for the price this could really be a option for you, it maybe would be mine next option!
 
If you just want a bigger screen, I guess anything would work, But I would really advise against that option. Why? Waste of money.

The purpose of a proper video monitor is to know what you are filming on set is colored right, exposed right, in focus, and framed well. You will never, ever be able to trust a monitor that doesn't have the proper calibration tools (blue gun, tint, phase, bright, contrast, RGB gain) and a proper LCD panel. These things cost more then $200. There is no free lunch.

Imagine if you were trying to capture mission critical audio on set, and showed up with the earbuds that came with your iPod. Could you hear that you are getting audio? Sure. Could you tell if it was good? Probably not. People will get lucky, and say it works for them and if you are just running around making shorts with your friends or stuff that doesn't have dollars and dollars in crew and talen behind it that is one thing. You have a producer over your shoulder? Different story.

It's the same point Barry made on using the best media cards you can find. Why why why would you trust everything you have organized and placed infront of your camera to a cheep $200 LCD panel?

Also, not to mention nice things like False Color, frame guides, 1:1 pixel mapping, etc.
 
I am by no means a pro or a person that's living on his hobbie (cameras and producing stuff). But, the way I see is that I would rather have a "crappy" $200 monitor than no monitor and just the HMC LCD screen, right?

While we're on it... Would a 4.8 inch monitor be enough for focus and color, or is a 7 inch a minimum when it comes to an on board monitor on the camera?
 
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William_Robinette said:
If you just want a bigger screen, I guess anything would work, But I would really advise against that option. Why? Waste of money. The purpose of a proper video monitor is to know what you are filming on set is colored right, exposed right, in focus, and framed well. You will never, ever be able to trust a monitor that doesn't have the proper calibration tools (blue gun, tint, phase, bright, contrast, RGB gain) and a proper LCD panel. These things cost more then $200. There is no free lunch.
Click to expand...

The point I was making, in more words. Although I will totally disagree that a $200 coollcd monitor is a waste of money. Much better to have a good "idea" of what your recording (from 2 different lcd's, built-in and 7" external) rather than just the little built-in lcd. 2 things that cant be corrected in post are framing and focus - which a $200 monitor is perfect for... All the rest can be somewhat corrected in post. OF COURSE if you can afford a $700 monitor, by all means go for it. Its worth money to know exactly what you are shooting, especially if you are considering this for professional applications. Calibrating a monitor takes some know how also.


Admir said:
I am by no means a pro or a person that's living on his hobbie (cameras and producing stuff). But, the way I see is that I would rather have a "crappy" $200 monitor than no monitor and just the HMC LCD screen, right?
While we're on it... Would a 4.8 inch monitor be enough for focus and color, or is a 7 inch a minimum when it comes to an on board monitor on the camera?
Click to expand...

Of course, like I mentioned... for framing and focus, these little guys are great. I would go with 7" minimum, I may consider a 5.6 if I needed to be very mobile/compact - nothing less than that.
 
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I kinda go the other way - I use a 22" HDTV for focus, and a 5.5" Marshall (with blue only and calibration functions) for color and exposure. Focusing on the 22 is kind of nice.

On many shoots, once you get the color dialed in it's not a worry til a major change comes up. And I have split the Marshall and the HDTV from my NLE and used the TV's control panel to get it as close as possible to the marshall. Until I can afford a 17", true 1080 production monitor, it's a good setup - use both in studio or indoor settings with lots of space, use only the marshall for everything else. Marshall, Samsung 22" and a Matrox mini: under $1300.
 
The 22"HDTV isnt viable for me cause I'm doing a lot of run-and-gun stuff. So, I need something small. I realize it's not ideal, but I've had some bad experiences using the HMC-150 monitor when it comes to focusing on skin.

I went to B+H and am considering the following. Any thoughts (or even suggestions for other items) would be appreciated:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/648039-REG/Ikan_V5600_DK_C_V5600_5_6_LCD_Monitor.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/749456-REG/Marshall_Electronics_5_HDMI_On_Camera_Monitor.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...XP_HDMI_CM_V_LCD70XP_HDMI_CM_7_LCD_Field.html
 
I have that 7" Marshall and recommend it highly. Very reliable, but a bit of a battery hog.
I had the Ikan 7" HDMI before the Marshall and it was not good at all. Neither was the replacement unit Ikan sent, it had a screw rattling around inside among other issues, so I switched to Marshall. Either Marshall you have is great, but I do like a 7" screen.
 
I do not recall the model number--V7000, or something like that. It was a $900 monitor at the time. First one I got, the LCD screen was not centered in the casing. It was offset by at least .250". The identical replacement unit had a srew losse rattling around inside. I'd had it at that point, returned it and got the Marshall. Really a better made product in my experience.
 
Understandably. Both fortunate and not, ikan has released newer monitors that fill that 7" on-camera spectrum. better build quality, as well. Consider taking a look the vl7, vh7, and vx7e on the website.

its unfortunate that your experiences with ikan have been sub-par. Hope we get to do business together once again with better results.

Best,
Ryan
twitter.com/ikancorp
 

This might be a stupid question but............if im shooting in 1920x1080, wouldn't i ideally want a monitor that is 1920x1080? do such things exist that work fit on top of an HMC-150? I see the "7 marshall is not is not.
 
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