GH2 Sexiest (and practical) GH2 rig with SmallHD DP6 monitor

Do they sell that EX1 hood by itself anywhere? That's all I need--something small and functional.

Oh, and is that an indiSYSTEM rig?
 
Do they sell that EX1 hood by itself anywhere? That's all I need--something small and functional.


Oh, and is that an indiSYSTEM rig?

I don't know: you could try to contact Sony direct and ask for a replacement part, they should be able to sell it, it's just the lens shade

Yes, is the Bulldog with the top handle taken off to put the monitor in that position. You can still mount the monitor with the top handle on, but for me this set up works better. And with the recorder on the side rail, it makes it very stable on your shoulder.

Hope this helps.

Carlo Zanella
www.santafetvshow.com
 
This is probably stupid of me, but I figured this lens hood would work with my 14-42 kit and for 15 bucks...eghh Its 52mm and and says it works with any 52mm thread... either way-- Ill find some use for it.

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http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320560557298&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

It looks good! For that price it may seem a good solution to block some unwanted light (especially if you use the FD lenses). It would be nice if a company could make a screw-on ultralight matte NOT oversized, just big enough to have at least one rotating and one fixed filter tray. A matte on rails is always (in my opinion) a little bit of a pain when you use zoom lenses... With primes, when you change lens it stills gets in the way sometimes. I am just not a big fan of bulky mattes on dslrs.

Carlo Zanella
www.santafetvshow.com
 
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This is sure SEXY! I saw that you connect the GH2 to the SmallHD DP6 monitor. How does the GH2 work with that monitor?
 
This is sure SEXY! I saw that you connect the GH2 to the SmallHD DP6 monitor. How does the GH2 work with that monitor?

It works GREAT. You just connect the mini HDMI port of the GH2 to the HDMI on the DP6: the image fills up the entire display, and you see all data shown on the GH2 internal display in the DP6 as well. Pulling focus with this monitor is very easy: it's extremely sharp, and the definition is amazing (720p) on a monitor only 5.6 inches! You can use it not just to frame and focus, but also to really see what you are shooting - the color reproduction is very accurate. Two thums up for this amazing monitor! Nothing I have used in the past comes even close to the DP6...As far as outdoor shooting, with the smart design of the SmallHD sunhood, you can shoot in bright daylight and actually see what you are doing.

Hope this helps.

Carlo Zanella
www.santafetvshow.com
 
Well I will review it as soon as I get it . I still haven't received my camera, but should have them both by Wednesday. The camera shop selling the hood on ebay says more than 10 available.
 
Thanks for that. I am going on SmallHD's web site now to get more info. I am going to do a lot of outdoor shots in bright sunlight, so it's important for me to be able to view the screen. Curious, why did you get the smaller one instead of the larger size monitor that they have? And does the GH2 output HIGH DEFINITION during recording?


It works GREAT. You just connect the mini HDMI port of the GH2 to the HDMI on the DP6: the image fills up the entire display, and you see all data shown on the GH2 internal display in the DP6 as well. Pulling focus with this monitor is very easy: it's extremely sharp, and the definition is amazing (720p) on a monitor only 5.6 inches! You can use it not just to frame and focus, but also to really see what you are shooting - the color reproduction is very accurate. Two thums up for this amazing monitor! Nothing I have used in the past comes even close to the DP6...As far as outdoor shooting, with the smart design of the SmallHD sunhood, you can shoot in bright daylight and actually see what you are doing.

Hope this helps.

Carlo Zanella
www.santafetvshow.com
 
Thanks for that. I am going on SmallHD's web site now to get more info. I am going to do a lot of outdoor shots in bright sunlight, so it's important for me to be able to view the screen. Curious, why did you get the smaller one instead of the larger size monitor that they have? And does the GH2 output HIGH DEFINITION during recording?

I went for the SmallHD DP6 because I wanted something small, yet versatile and big enough to pull focus. I am sure I would love the DP1 as well, but we do a lot of travel in our field productions so something light and small is more suitable for our use. It does indeed output HD during recording, that's why the DP6 works so good with the GH2. We also use it with our EX1s through the SDI output: exceptional picture quality.

Carlo Zanella
www.santafetvshow.com
 
Well I will review it as soon as I get it . I still haven't received my camera, but should have them both by Wednesday. The camera shop selling the hood on ebay says more than 10 available.

Let me know how it works when you get it. I have many other lenses but only 2 EX1 lens hoods....
 
I read that when you hook up an external monitor you loose the focus assist and ETC function on the GH2. Is it still worth it then to use the GH2 with an external monitor? And if so, why the DP6 and not some cheaper solution/monitor?
 
I read that when you hook up an external monitor you loose the focus assist and ETC function on the GH2. Is it still worth it then to use the GH2 with an external monitor? And if so, why the DP6 and not some cheaper solution/monitor?

Well, if you really need to use the GH2 ETC...just disconnect the HDMI cable. For every other shot, the SmallHD DP6 just helps you to get a better idea of what you are doing, whether you are shooting indoor or outdoor (especially outdoor). I just think, and this is just my personal opinion, that too many people try to find a cheap monitoring solution (even though they may have an expensive camera/DSLR set-up). I think it is essential to be able to shoot and going to post without any surprises...Before getting this monitor, too many times I got footage that looked "different" in post from what I "thought" I had shot. No camera, and especially these new DSLRs, have good enough displays (unless you use the EVF - that in some cases, at low or unusual angles becomes hard to use...).

Hope this helps.

Carlo Zanella
www.santafetvshow.com
 
How often do you use false color for exposure? Sony is coming out with their 5" monitor and it doesn't have false color, so I'm asking.
 
ETC can't be the deal breaker. Either ext monitor or Cineroid evf provides practical way to fine-tune the color, contrast, etc. In fact we don't talk much about ETC anymore.
 
How often do you use false color for exposure? Sony is coming out with their 5" monitor and it doesn't have false color, so I'm asking.
I use it quite a bit, especially in situations where is not easy to assess lighting (in a non-controlled environment). As you know, with these DSLRs there is not much forgiveness when it comes to blown highlights, so, in my opinion, it's a nice feature to have. And, If you have an EX1, the picture you get out of the SDI output is simply outstanding. I use preset 1 on EX1, preset 2 on GH2, you can customize the look of the display according to the camera you are using. NICE! I simply think that the use of a high quality monitor helps you get the most out of these cameras (that have great picture, but a lot of shortcomings).

Hope this helps.

Carlo Zanella
www.santafetvshow.com
 
I've read nothing but good things about that DP6. I was shooting yesterday and once you're at f2.0 or faster focus really becomes an issue. Sure you can zoom in, but it's slow and clunky.

Your posts have pushed me off the fence... so I just put an order in for the DP6. I'm stoked!
 
That Sony monitor is also a lot lower resolution than the DP6 IIRC.

I am not familiar with the Sony monitor: what model is it?

The resolution of the SmallHD DP6 is indeed amazing (1280x720): so sharp you can pull critical focus with the GH2 very easily. I also think a monitor needs to be versatile, especially at that price range: the ability to successfully use it with my GH2 as well as both of my EX1s is a big plus for me. And again, with presets, swapping it from one camera to another is very quick: just change the preset and you are ready to go!

Carlo Zanella
www.santafetvshow.com
 
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