XL2 Field Monitor / Camera mount LCD

Kelly Harmsworth · August 30th, 2006, 08:52 AM

That might do it. I'll give that a try later.

David Liu · September 2nd, 2006, 07:29 AM

Hey guys, I had my weapon for afew months now and I realise sometimes the viewfinder isnt sufficent enuff to help me focus, most of the time its 'trial and error'...

ANyone has any onboard monitor to recomment for the XL2??
Something doesnt cost a bomb too...

Thanks for reading, cheers
david, singapore

Bill Hamell · September 2nd, 2006, 08:32 AM

David,

Read through this thread I think you will find what you need. :-)
I ended up with the Varizoom 7" you may need a higher res monitor like the Marshall for focusing of course you will spend the $$$$ to match.

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=68671

Bill

David Liu · September 3rd, 2006, 12:46 AM

Hi kyle, yes thats exactly what I did, I see DIY-mounts like these...

http://cgi.ebay.com/BRACKET-combo-Ca...QQcmdZViewItem
Has anyone here tried one of these before?

Hi Bill, I read thru the thread, hows ur the performence of ur varizoom, and how portable is it when you are running around shooting stuff?

I have been searching around my country and I cant find dealers who can help me bring them in...
If I'm gonna buy it online, where do u think I shld buy from?

David, singapore :D

Bill Hamell · September 3rd, 2006, 06:39 AM

David,

The Varizoon 7" has worked out quite well, but I do not "run" around with it.
I have had it on the camera with a tripod and picked it up and moved it with no problems. For run and gun I have always used the viewfinder.

A good place to buy stuff here in the US is B&H good people and they ship overseas.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com

No experence with that ebaY thing seems too pricey to me.
Interresting but pricey.

Bill

Ian Stark · September 3rd, 2006, 11:30 AM

I also use DV-Rack and I think it is a great piece of software - the focus and exposure cards are very useful. The latency is a minor annoyance but more than made up for by the host of other facilities.

One complaint about using a laptop in the field (or even in the studio) with a firewire cable is that firewire connectors are SO ridiculously flimsy and are easily pulled out.

When on location, I like to have the laptop a little way away from the camera in order to facilitate easy movement of the camera (I tend to keep it on a dolly when I can). I couldn't find a 4-pin to 4-pin cable length that was long enough so I bought a 6-pin to 6-pin cable (10m) and a couple of 6 to 4-pin adapters. And of course that makes it even more flimsy! Even using a shorter length 4 to 4 in the studio is a bit hit and miss. Clearly, a tape is still a required safety net.

Quite why the developers of firewire chose to adopt such a feeble connector I cannot understand.

That said, the removal of the capture process is a joy!

Ian . . .

Kyle Prohaska · September 6th, 2006, 06:04 AM

One question I have is if you buy a monitor from B&H or w/e what do you use to mount it to the camera? Ive seen people mount it to the hotshoe, and on the back. How do you hook the monitor to the camera?

-Kyle

Ian Stark · September 8th, 2006, 03:44 AM

I just use a cheap (ha! actually very expensive for what it is) portable 7" lcd tv.

To be honest, I use it primarily for framing and focusing and not for colour balance, exposure etc. The refresh rate is relatively poor but it serves a purpose and means I can take my eye away from the viewfinder and direct off screen action as well. On a recent music video shoot I used it in b&w (the final format for the video) which gave me a great idea of what the pictures would look like, even though I was shooting in colour.

It's powered by 12v dc or 10 AA batteries and I get around 3 hours use from one charge. It's mounted to the XL2 accessory plate, using the car mounting that came supplied with it. The battery pack also acts as a stand which just gets in the way so I attach that to the accessory plate using a spring loaded clamp (looks better than elastic bands!).

I've attached a few pictures to give you a better idea.

Ian . . .

ps, and if you are vaguely curious, here's a link to some stills taken from the video itself http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=74761

James Ng · September 12th, 2006, 04:03 AM

Ian,

is it possible if you can take few more close up picture of the back of the LCD? i have the same LCD. Thanks

Ian Stark · September 12th, 2006, 04:09 AM

Hi James,

The camera/monitor etc is dismantled at the moment, in preparation for transportation to a shoot on Thursday/Friday.

I'd be more than happy to take a few close ups then (feel free to remind me!).

Ian . . .

Riley McDougall · September 12th, 2006, 02:53 PM

Very nice work, now I just have to find that lcd in Canada

Ian Stark · September 12th, 2006, 03:01 PM

Riley, if you're talking about the LCD that I use, it's a Maxim MX11-47, if that helps you find one in Canada. I have to say that it is only really of use for framing and partly for focusing. The refresh rate is poor, as is the resolution. For the price, though, it serves a purpose. When I'm in a studio or other indoors location I use a laptop with DV-Rack - that gives me much better focusing, exposure, colour etc control.

If you're not talking about the LCD I use then I apologise for butting in and I'll shut up now!

Tim Bickford · October 15th, 2006, 08:31 PM

I'm looking for a LCD Color Monitor to mount on my XL2 for $200 or less. I found this one on ebay. I was hoping for some suggestions.

http://cgi.ebay.com/New-LCD-Monitor-...QQcmdZViewItem

Tim Bickford · October 15th, 2006, 09:03 PM

I think I'm dreaming here. OK... better yet how much above $200 would I need to do to get something decent? I would like tha ability to view 16x9.

Adam Bray · October 21st, 2006, 05:43 PM

Ian, what kind of matte box is that?

September 2nd, 2006, 07:29 AM	#77
David Liu New Boot Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Singapore Posts: 23	On-board monitor for XL2 Hey guys, I had my weapon for afew months now and I realise sometimes the viewfinder isnt sufficent enuff to help me focus, most of the time its 'trial and error'... ANyone has any onboard monitor to recomment for the XL2?? Something doesnt cost a bomb too... Thanks for reading, cheers david, singapore

September 2nd, 2006, 08:32 AM	#78
Bill Hamell Major Player Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Mystic Ct. Posts: 477	David, Read through this thread I think you will find what you need. :-) I ended up with the Varizoom 7" you may need a higher res monitor like the Marshall for focusing of course you will spend the $$$$ to match. http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=68671 Bill __________________ Cinematographers Bring Shadow To Light

September 3rd, 2006, 06:39 AM	#80
Bill Hamell Major Player Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Mystic Ct. Posts: 477	David, The Varizoon 7" has worked out quite well, but I do not "run" around with it. I have had it on the camera with a tripod and picked it up and moved it with no problems. For run and gun I have always used the viewfinder. A good place to buy stuff here in the US is B&H good people and they ship overseas. http://www.bhphotovideo.com No experence with that ebaY thing seems too pricey to me. Interresting but pricey. Bill __________________ Cinematographers Bring Shadow To Light

September 6th, 2006, 06:04 AM	#82
Kyle Prohaska Major Player Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Ransomville NY Posts: 239	One question I have is if you buy a monitor from B&H or w/e what do you use to mount it to the camera? Ive seen people mount it to the hotshoe, and on the back. How do you hook the monitor to the camera? -Kyle __________________ Online Portfolio \| Feature Film on XHA1

September 8th, 2006, 03:44 AM	#83
Ian Stark Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Hampshire, UK Posts: 2,237	I just use a cheap (ha! actually very expensive for what it is) portable 7" lcd tv. To be honest, I use it primarily for framing and focusing and not for colour balance, exposure etc. The refresh rate is relatively poor but it serves a purpose and means I can take my eye away from the viewfinder and direct off screen action as well. On a recent music video shoot I used it in b&w (the final format for the video) which gave me a great idea of what the pictures would look like, even though I was shooting in colour. It's powered by 12v dc or 10 AA batteries and I get around 3 hours use from one charge. It's mounted to the XL2 accessory plate, using the car mounting that came supplied with it. The battery pack also acts as a stand which just gets in the way so I attach that to the accessory plate using a spring loaded clamp (looks better than elastic bands!). I've attached a few pictures to give you a better idea. Ian . . . ps, and if you are vaguely curious, here's a link to some stills taken from the video itself http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=74761 Attached Thumbnails __________________ www.vit-media.com www.classicmachinefilms.co.uk

August 30th, 2006, 08:52 AM	#76
Kelly Harmsworth Regular Crew Join Date: May 2006 Location: Saskatchewan Posts: 60	That might do it. I'll give that a try later.

September 3rd, 2006, 12:46 AM	#79
David Liu New Boot Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Singapore Posts: 23	Hi kyle, yes thats exactly what I did, I see DIY-mounts like these... http://cgi.ebay.com/BRACKET-combo-Ca...QQcmdZViewItem Has anyone here tried one of these before? Hi Bill, I read thru the thread, hows ur the performence of ur varizoom, and how portable is it when you are running around shooting stuff? I have been searching around my country and I cant find dealers who can help me bring them in... If I'm gonna buy it online, where do u think I shld buy from? David, singapore :D

September 3rd, 2006, 11:30 AM	#81
Ian Stark Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Hampshire, UK Posts: 2,237	I also use DV-Rack and I think it is a great piece of software - the focus and exposure cards are very useful. The latency is a minor annoyance but more than made up for by the host of other facilities. One complaint about using a laptop in the field (or even in the studio) with a firewire cable is that firewire connectors are SO ridiculously flimsy and are easily pulled out. When on location, I like to have the laptop a little way away from the camera in order to facilitate easy movement of the camera (I tend to keep it on a dolly when I can). I couldn't find a 4-pin to 4-pin cable length that was long enough so I bought a 6-pin to 6-pin cable (10m) and a couple of 6 to 4-pin adapters. And of course that makes it even more flimsy! Even using a shorter length 4 to 4 in the studio is a bit hit and miss. Clearly, a tape is still a required safety net. Quite why the developers of firewire chose to adopt such a feeble connector I cannot understand. That said, the removal of the capture process is a joy! Ian . . .

September 12th, 2006, 04:03 AM	#84
James Ng New Boot Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 20	Ian, is it possible if you can take few more close up picture of the back of the LCD? i have the same LCD. Thanks

September 12th, 2006, 04:09 AM	#85
Ian Stark Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Hampshire, UK Posts: 2,237	Hi James, The camera/monitor etc is dismantled at the moment, in preparation for transportation to a shoot on Thursday/Friday. I'd be more than happy to take a few close ups then (feel free to remind me!). Ian . . . __________________ www.vit-media.com www.classicmachinefilms.co.uk

September 12th, 2006, 02:53 PM	#86
Riley McDougall Tourist Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Vancouver Canada Posts: 1	Very nice work, now I just have to find that lcd in Canada

September 12th, 2006, 03:01 PM	#87
Ian Stark Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Hampshire, UK Posts: 2,237	Riley, if you're talking about the LCD that I use, it's a Maxim MX11-47, if that helps you find one in Canada. I have to say that it is only really of use for framing and partly for focusing. The refresh rate is poor, as is the resolution. For the price, though, it serves a purpose. When I'm in a studio or other indoors location I use a laptop with DV-Rack - that gives me much better focusing, exposure, colour etc control. If you're not talking about the LCD I use then I apologise for butting in and I'll shut up now! __________________ www.vit-media.com www.classicmachinefilms.co.uk

October 15th, 2006, 08:31 PM	#88
Tim Bickford Major Player Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 448	LCD Color Monitor on a $200 budget? I'm looking for a LCD Color Monitor to mount on my XL2 for $200 or less. I found this one on ebay. I was hoping for some suggestions. http://cgi.ebay.com/New-LCD-Monitor-...QQcmdZViewItem __________________ Tim Bickford

October 15th, 2006, 09:03 PM	#89
Tim Bickford Major Player Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 448	I think I'm dreaming here. OK... better yet how much above $200 would I need to do to get something decent? I would like tha ability to view 16x9. __________________ Tim Bickford

October 21st, 2006, 05:43 PM	#90
Adam Bray Major Player Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Houston/Austin Posts: 394	Ian, what kind of matte box is that?