Which focus Monitor and why? (3 choices)

J

jmoney

Member
SmallHD (Best resolution)

Marshall - V-LCD70P-HDMI (The only one with peaking)

Manhattan - HD089B (Best price)


If you had to choose of the three, which one and why?

Is the peaking feature of the Marshall really worth it over higher resolution (does it really work good)?

This is going to be used for an HMC150 with a Redrock M2e

Thanks in advance,

JMoney
 
I would pick the Marshall just for the peaking feature my eye sight is so bad though....I have a Marshall also but I would prefer the Panasonic or TV logic monitors....
 
I'm really, really close to buying SmallHD's DP1. You simply can't beat a true 720P HD resolution. It's also got independent RGB color adjustment knobs, a brighter screen, and a higher contrast ratio. And it's lighter and sleeker than the other two.
 
I use the manhattan. It's a great monitor at a great price. Resolution is higher than the Marshall... not quite but almost as high as the smallhd. It works really well pulling focus on the XHA1-SGBlade combo.
 
Thank you everyone for the quick replies. I like all of the moniters for different reasons, and they all have their strong points.

I guess my main question is, how handy is the "red peaking" feature on the Marshall? Does it really make pulling focus that much easier, or is it innacurate at times? Can you fully trust it? I am concerned with the low res of the Marshall.

It seems that everyone here prefers higher rez over peaking for focus.

They are all nice, decisions.....decisions....

Thanks again,

JMoney
 
The focus in red is a life saver for me and works as a confirmation of weather I am in focus or not. I have used the Panny version not the Marshall so I can't say much about it. My friend has that monitor though and in terms of quality its not as nice as mine but its still nice for the money. I would get the cheapest in all honesty, and spend the money on lenses, then upgrade latter.
 
Take a look at this thread I started at another site; in particular, response 4, which offers a perspective about the utility of monitor for peaking and zebra..

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/sony-xdcam-ex-cinealta/237063-ex-1-external-monitors.html

I haven't decided yet, but if you forced me to I'd probably roll with the smallHD. I can't see spending $1100 on a device when a $700 version will do essentially the same thing. I really like the peaking on my camera, but it's not output so I'll learn to look at the lcd for those features.
 
i would take hi-rez over peaking anyday on an external monitor. The whole point of peaking is to compensate for the monitors low resolution in the first place.. Hi-rez, plus camera focus assist(where the cam cuts in close) is a no lose setup. Manhattan gets my vote.
 
Somebody has been trying to sell a Panny ( the 80W) on the marketplace thread for awhile . It might still be there and is a very good monitor.
 
i have panny through sdi - colors are fabulous, sharpness - neraly perfect, though 1024
resolution would be perfect, but really not usable in direct sunlight unless with the hood.

So when i have to buy another monitor, i will go for what has the highest brightnes and
res of at least 800 pixels, prefferably 1024.

Of course, it depends on what you need more - colors or focusing, where is monitor
being used, just for focusing? inside, outside... etc...
 
Marshall...I don't understand why you'd buy one without any outputs. If you ever want a production monitor you're going to be crying when you realize you have to buy a completely different monitor to even think about getting one.
 
I have the Marshall LCD70P-HDA and I love it. The peaking feature was the real selling point for me as my eyes are not what they used to be. The monitor also has an HD res mode so you can see a portion of your image in HD. The exposure mode is nice too but I'm a little more comfortable with the zebras on the LCD.
 
From what I've heard (and I can't confirm this for sure since I don't own one) but the SmallHD DP1's resolution is so clear it doesn't have a focus assist because it's immediately visible to the naked eye whether or not the image is in focus. Now, I know that for older people whose eyes might not be so good that is a little sketchy but so far according to a massive thread over on dvinfo.net forums even the older people with failing eyes see the focus clear as day.
 
I can tell you (first hand) that I'm very pleased with the DP1.

It's really bright, great contrast and the resolution makes focus very easy to achieve.

Also of note - I read a couple of early reports that the menu/button system was really confusing to use. I disagree completely. Like anything new, it takes a couple of minutes to "feel" where they are so that you can make adjustments without looking directly at the buttons - but I'd say that everything behaves as I would expect.


I'm super happy with mine!


PS - The battery set-up is also quite exceptional adding almost nothing to the units already very light weight.


: )


dmc
 
Hey DMC, what's new?
I use a Marshall HD SDI and of course the peaking , expanded focus is in the
Ex1/Ex3 LCD , Super Sharp monitor
What inputs does your model have do they make a HdSdi model?
Hope u r well, off to Comic Con today
Cheers
 
Hey Phil,

I'm using component inputs right now although the monitor also will take HDMI, composite, RGB and s-video. My HPX170 doesn't have HDMI out so I'll probably have to stick with component.

It's really sharp given its native resolution. I was also very impressed by how light weight it is - even with the battery.

I've heard a couple of rumors about an HD-SDI version but who knows?? Very good company to deal with too. I placed my order and had it the next day (to Canada no less!)


I actually sitting at the office right now waiting for the UPS dude to show with my MXO2 mini - I'm not a fan of waiting... especially when the weather is so great. (grrr)


Have fun at Comic Con - one of our artist/animators is down there right now too.


: )

dmc
 
I wrestled with the very same questions for a while before deciding to buy the SmallHD DP1 monitor. I've used it in tandem with an HPX-170/SGBlade combo on several projects for over a month now and the resolution is so high, I can focus very quickly without using any aids in most cases. Of course in low light it is difficult, but it wouldn't be any better with focus-in-red in those instances either... Absolutely no regrets and haven't looked back since.
 
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