using a tablet as an external monitor

[rocketman122]

saw these.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYWaYgA2Qdc

in german with subtitles though.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Udj-f3AOaS4

and this blog here
http://studium.tobiasdeml.com/2012/...ller-in-a-real-life-film-product-environment/

there has to be a nice svelt way to mount the screen off to the side of the dslr though. I thought id manufacture a custom metal case and have that padded and slip it in with velcro because at weddings it gets rough on the dance floor.

basically looking for a 6-8" 1080p screen to use for easier focus peaking/exposure.

there are the inexpensive liliput screens ($100-150 on ebay) but they have native rez at 1280x800 or 800x600 and it will accept a 1080p signal but the ppi is crap. so instead of seeing fine detail for critical focus (small dof with wide aperture lenses) it will look mushy and blotched together and lack minute detail.

but jumping up a few hundred dollrs to a more pro level screen is expensive and unnecessary for me since all I want to do is focus peaking and check exposure. I thought the tablet is a happy medium since its also a tablet at the end of the day.

anyone use this setup? downsides? how laggy is it? I dont care to control the camera and chage settings. my hands wont even be touching the tablet. I can doall that in camera. battery power is somethinbg that concerns me. I can verlcro an external batter pack to it. there are solutions but my main concern is how is the setup.

cheers

 

[Michael Carter]

Every time I've played with DSLR video via USB, it's a laggy wonderland.

Every cheap monitor I've tried has been a little nightmarish - poor exposure. And peaking with a DSLR - in my experience - requires a monitor with adjustable peaking. Even my Marshall seems to show "everything in focus" when it's nowhere near. Seems to pick up on the aliasing as detail. It has improved as sensors improve, but using it with, say, my Panasonic prof. camera, it's fine.

Manfrotto just released an interface to control cameras via a tablet, just announced at NAB but you might do some research. Also looks like the new BMC monitor/recorder is a steal for the $$. Many people hate the Atomos screens, the BMC may be a big improvement… we'll see.

 

[rocketman122]

thanks for the reply.
I realize there will be compromises. lag being one of them. im sure though itll be a ton better than using the dslr screen, no?

im sure the more I invest the better the product. I cant afford a $500+ monitor as much as id want. not when starting. thats how it goes. you have a budget of X and you have to purchase the must haves. everything gets allocated a chunk. its like with stills. I want a D4s but right now I deal with my D3s.

looked at the digital director with manfrotto. I dont think im understanding the product. its an app that runs on ipads. what is that different than the digital dashboard app or one I might use from nikon? just trying to understand the benefit of the product.

correct me if im wring but the lag is the signal and not the tablet/lcd, correct? meaning, connecting a more expesnive product isnt what will make the the lag any less. possibly a bit less but it will lag, no?

I basically want this to use in low light situations in the time of the wedding. mostly dance floor. for the ceremony as well which is shot at night (I dont luive in the US) pic included

 

[Michael Carter]

I really couldn't say - I've tried USB over a laptop. It's cool for stills in a controlled situation (especially shooting product straight overhead on a big camera stand - you can stay off the damn ladder!), nightmare for video unless you're not moving the camera. You really can't do a pan with that lag.

I really don't dislike DSLR screens if I have a decent loupe - that $60 Kamerar QV-1 is great for the $$.

An HDMI monitor is really a game changer. Don't know about overseas, but in the US, there's usually a few of those marshall 5" monitors (V-LCD50) on eBay for $250 and less. A really great little monitor at that price, there are models that take AA batteries, models that take different battery plates, etc.