I am about to buy the
Marshall V-LCD70XP-HDMI 7" LCD Field Monitor

for 5d VIDEO shooting.

Should I also get a HDMI cable or is the a/v out on the camera the same quality and everything as the HDMI?

Any suggestions for clamping the monitor to the camera or how does this work?

Comments?

You will need to get an adapter to plug into the monitor from the AV Video jack. It is not RCA.

Also, be aware that if you are using camera to record sound, there is the potential off feed back from the monitor. When I did that with an LCD4Video monitor hooking up that, I did get buzzing. So when I got the Marshall, I was happy to use HDMI. I am happy with the results of the HDMI feed, even when the camera switches to low rez at time of recording.

You will not want to mount the monitor off the hot shoe. It will rip it off. My hot shoe is loose just trying to mount a ligher accessory.

I use rails to mount the monitor in back of camera when tripod shooting. At other times, you can mount monitor on a cheap tripod next to the tripod with the Canon on it.

See pictures attached below of rails. When I am shooting on shoulder, I opt for eye loupe to focus.

I see...
Can you just turn the monitor volume down to avoid feedback?

What is the best rail system for the monitor and camera? Tight budget for this.

Also, I do not know if there is a better monitor to use.....

Here is what i am hoping for:

attach large (7") monitor to hot shoe of 5d and avoid rails system etc.....most shots will be glidecam, jib and tripod.


Perhaps one of the magnifer systems with a hood over the 5d would be better??

Looking to spend under $900 for monitor and setup if possible. Mainly want it for focusing.

Maybe Zacuto Z-Finder Pro 2.5x ??

Rails: indiSYSTEM - indiRAILSpro 12 (http://www.indisystem.com/products/indirails_pro)

Mounts to mount on Rails: DIY Rail Mount - Standard Rail Mount Accessory for your DIY Projects - dfocussystem.com (http://www.dfocussystem.com/diy.html)

I also use the DFocus Follow focus: D|Focus - The Affordable Follow Focus - dfocussystem.com (http://www.dfocussystem.com/dfocus.html)

With these lens gears: D|Gears - Affordable Universal Lens Gear System - dfocussystem.com (http://www.dfocussystem.com/gears.html)

Swivel is a Manfrotto 3232 : Amazon.com: manfrotto 3232

About glide cam, that monitor will come in at about 2 pounds with a battery if you mount it. With a steady came, you won't beable to touch camera to to focus anyway, so you are prefocusing your shot and all you need to do is frame.

As far as Z finder, I made my own... but that is a cool product.

The marshall is cool for the other uses, but I have also mounted a 15 inch LCD monitor, I bought at Best Buy for $150 or so on a a DIY stand to compose with runing HDMI to it.

Marshall features are cool, and false colors are helpful for getting exposure right, and its worth it just for that-- especiallly shooting outdoors.

Thanks Chris, I'll check all that out......

I am wondering if the Maybe Zacuto Z-Finder Pro 2.5x might be better for my needs.
I could take it off for glidecam shots, and use it for the tripod and also handheld would be easier to use too.

Not sure if you have an opinion about that.....I was glad to hear that the Zacuto has a piece that covers the opening so you can avoid cooking your LCD screen in the sun -- good news!

That cover piece is a good idea. I had my homemade unit on my T2i and managed to burn a portion of the LCD.

For hand held, I think best way to go is with an eye piece.

But a monitor is needed to for your low angle tripod shots, dolly and jib shots...

I really like the Marshall for those needs mounted on the rails with the swivel..

I see...
I have a cheap color monitor I could use for the jib, but I think you can use the Z-Finder Pro 2.5x for tripod shots, right? and its great for handheld.

The film I am working on will require mostly tripod and handheld shots plus the occasional jib shot (i'll have to preset focus probably for that) and glidecam shots (again preset focus).

I am concerned that the marshall monitor and rails and everything is going to be a ton of equipment to lug around with more things to go wrong.......not sure exactly what is best for this film i am creating....

The finder is not as useful on tripod, if you are shooting low and high angles, or even in panning (vertical and horizontal). In those situation you either have to use the LCD or HDMI it out to a monitor, whether in be a Marshall or something else. I have no problem with using what you have, but remember to pay close attention to exposure, especially outdoors in sunlight, because you can miss the clipping of the highlights, or it won't be so obvious. The Marshall helps with that, but you have lots of budgetary issues to deal with.

Got it......
I think I will do some more research and then probably start with the Z-Finder Pro 2.5x and then upgrade my monitor later on as budget allows.

My only complaint with the onboard lcd screen is:
1- small for focusing
2 -hard to see in bright outdoors light

Z-Finder Pro 2.5x would fix this.

I have had no problem with low angles and such yet, but also have not done tons of crazy angles yet (though I want to!)

I'll check to see any threads out there that might have info.

Thanks again for your help, Chris, really appreciate it!

I have had no problem with low angles and such yet

Try to do a crab crawl with the Z-Finder, and I'll bet you'd be begging for a monitor instead ;^)

-- peer

I always thought that the best monitor would automatically switch between HDMI and Composite. While your framing your shot and setting focus, you would be viewing via HDMI. But then when you start recording, the HDMI signal would drop and the monitor would automatically switch to Composite.

I haven't done the research yet to see if such a monitor exists yet. I'm currently using the Zacuto Z-Finder Pro 2.5x and honestly, that combined with the bare LCD has been working well enough for me. Although some of my shots have been soft. A larger monitor would be nice.

If you are hooked into HDMI with the Marshall, it will automatically switch between HD and low rez feed.

I always thought that the best monitor would automatically switch between HDMI and Composite. While your framing your shot and setting focus, you would be viewing via HDMI. But then when you start recording, the HDMI signal would drop and the monitor would automatically switch to Composite.

I haven't done the research yet to see if such a monitor exists yet. I'm currently using the Zacuto Z-Finder Pro 2.5x and honestly, that combined with the bare LCD has been working well enough for me. Although some of my shots have been soft. A larger monitor would be nice.

Are your shots soft when using the onboard LCD or Zacuto or both?

Sorry, should have given more detail.

I was trying to capture a car driving round and round a traffic circle shooting at f/2.8. So my depth of field was VERY shallow and focus was critical. When I'm shooting stationary objects (people, buildings, etc...) focusing is not an issue.

I see.
I'll be shooting a short film with the Zacto, think that will work with it?
people moving around, cars driving from and away the camera etc...... seems like the best option for shooting outdoors perhaps

Yes, I think it will work well. As others have already stated, the only problem is when you need to shoot a low angle. You have to lay on the ground to see through the viewfinder.

I would recommend starting with a viewfinder (Zacuto, or ?) and then upgrading to a monitor if you feel it's necessary.

Does the 5DM2 play back clips via HDMI? In otherwords, can you play back your last shot via the HDMI output? That would be very useful.

We don't have an HDMI monitor, only a SDI/Composite that we steal from our Steadicam when needed.

Sweet, I think I am sold on the Zacto then....I have a cheap monitor already I could use for low angles or anything crazy and then get the Marshall monitor with peaking later if i need it.

Most of the shots will be on a tripod or job or glidecam (with preset focus)

The Marshall Monitor with peaking sounds really cool, but if the image is larger then I could probably just focus with Zacto no problem from what things sound like.

Also, don't forget you can zoom in on the Canon LCD to really lock in your focus. You can't zoom in while your shooting (too bad), but it really helps to nail focus before you hit the record button.

Also, in addition to the 2.5x Z-FinderPro we bought the Zacuto DSLR Baseplate. DSLR Baseplate (http://store.zacuto.com/DSLR-Baseplate.html)

This let's you move very easily from tripod to handheld. It's something you should also consider for your shoot. I assume you have a decent fluid head tripod already. Cheers! :)

Yeah zooming in is a good trick for starting out on.

Does this include the base plate: I thought it did?

Amazon.com: Z-Finder Pro 2.5x: Camera & Photo

Thanks for your help!

Oops! Yes it includes the baseplate. It's a different baseplate. One that doesn't have holes for rods, etc... But it would be a good first solution. Good call.

I think it should go right on a tripod plate, correct?

Thanks!

Yep! That's correct. :)