http://www.gadgets-guide.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/sony_dvp_fx930_portable_dvd_player.jpg


I was just about to buy the hoodman hoodloupe with the redrock bracket (that's about 135$)

and i suddenly found this guy on youtube with a portable DVD player from sony wich is also (135bucks) with Video IN.

YouTube - Canon5DMKII_SONYDVP-FX930 "monitor" to focus (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wFZ0cYjuT4)

I was wondering what are the benefits with each one of them, and from your experiences,
if there's any complication in the field by going with this portable dvd.

it really got me curious.

Thank you very much.

Roberto.

Hi Roberto,
My opinion Hoodloupe give you difference result and use in difference ocasion.
To fit hoodloupe on to 5D2 provide better handheld capability with better to none on focusing.
External LCD which has to be quite big in order to help on focusing (especially poor eyesight like me) then it might need something to hold it together with camera.
So, for me the hoodloupe is first priority and may be later with external LCD.

regards,
Chounchai

Regardless of the product (Hoodloupe/Z-Finder or DVD screen/Marshall), you should think first about how you will use the camera. If it's handheld or on a shoulder rig, go for a loupe. For all other situations (tripod, jib, balance rig, dolly...) a monitor is better.

I own the Hoodloupe, and it does the job. Its weakness is that it looks soft when your eye is off center, so it's important that it be attached well. Frankly as long as you can see your framing and the main object is crisp, that's all you need. I've played with a RedRock prototype. It's solid. If it has one weakness it's that you can't attach and adjust it instantly - especially if you use it with a juicedLink. Still, it's a solid mount.

For the monitor, I'd look for one with HDMI in. MagicLantern is likely to give us a higher resolution output at some point. Just make sure that it can format switch to both 1080i and 480p.