Can't seem to find it on the Sony site yet, but I thought this was an interesting "accessory". Makes it look like Sony might be stepping it up a notch in the video department?

Sony Alpha CLM-V55 movie monitor hands on - Pocket-lint (http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/37686/sony-clm-v55-movie-monitor)

Certainly is an interesting add-on and as the article notes, might open up some possibilities for the HDMI out when the firmware updates come out.

If you put an external recorder on the NEX-VG10, this would be a possible option for the external monitor there as well...

The original article in Sony's site: http://presscentre.sony.eu/content/detail.aspx?ReleaseID=6423&NewsAreaId=2

Though I shoot & film using a Canon EOS 1D Mark IV, I am pretty excited with this Sony gadget. The price of external LCD viewers like Zacuto is similar. LCDVF is about half of it. I use a LCDVF however, I would prefer an external monitor like this which can be mounted on the flash bracket. Also, while filming, when the record button in the DSLR is on, one cannot zoom in to check the focus. This will help in that regard.

When one compares the pricing of this one with other external monitors, this one is likely to be preferred.

It also says that one can monitor the sound (mono speaker) using a headphone. Would love to hear if someone has experienced it.

Cheers,
Sabyasachi

I'm ready to jump on this for my NX5 as soon as it's released...

Here's a hands on overview of the SONY CLM-V55

Sony CLM V-55 LCD monitor for DSLR on Vimeo

I don't get it...there are all this monitors intended for DSLRs but almost none of the have a waveform or at least zebras (some of them have false colour yes, but a waveform is a must if you ask me...). I found only one monitor that is intended! for DSLR users which has a waveform - SWIT S1070+C. Interesting enough I can't find a single review of that monitor and by functions it looks like a perfect fit for a dslr...

Anyway this monitor from Sony looks quite decent for it's price tag (judging from the video review). I like the viewing angles (side to side) - to bad he didn't tilt the monitor up and down to see the vertical viewing angles!

What's not to understand ?

How many DSLR users do you think would even have a clue about using a waveform on their monitor ?

The market is driven by wannabes and the price points of peripherals are low given the market. That's where the SONY fits in. It is a good value but it's not a pro monitor.

What's not to understand ?
The market is driven by wannabes and the price points of peripherals are low given the market.

If you put it like that then yes: it is understandable why this monitors aimed at dslr users don't have waveforms and other must features. But there also are lots of people that know what they are doing and would appreciate waveforms and zebras in a low cost monitor (price range around 600€ - 800€). There are so many monitors with tons of useful features but almost none with a waveform. If you ask me: remove all those features and just give me a waveform and maybe zebras! That way the price of a monitor wouldn't change...

It's funny because exposure monitoring should be the first thing on the list of features not the last...

I think if you spoke with most new video shooters who are using DSLRs you'd find peaking is what they want most.

It's funny because exposure monitoring should be the first thing on the list of features not the last...
I always thought that focus monitoring is the first thing in the list, and if I had to choose less expensive monitor I would be more interested in focus assist features, like peaking;
but that's me;

Focusing yes... I don't know. I guess that would depend on what you are doing. For run and gun I guess a focussing feature would be more welcomed. But for narrative video shooting where there is time I would welcome an exposure feature more than focusing. If I have time to focus and if I would need to chose between this to features I would go for a waveform. Doing lighting by eye is a very limiting thing to do...

It all depends on what you are doing.

Looks like its showing up at dealers!

CLM-V55 | Portable Monitor| Sony | Sony Style USA (http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921666295823)

i wonder how does it compare to the 5" Marshall

I am really considering this for monitoring my Nanoflash. Has anyone got one yet?

I might be wrong but I thought you had to have an SDI signal to get waveform which is why the inexpensive monitors, which have HDMI but no SDI, do not have waveform.

Ok, I got tired of waiting and bought one. Waiting for delivery.

Mine just arrived. Didn't realize a battery wasn't supplied. Awsum.

Off to the battery store.

Jason, what are your first impressions?

Mine will be here tomorrow. It should be fun.

I have an extra battery for my SONY A850 so I've got that covered. Batteries are as cheap as $20 if you buy the Chinese knockoffs.

I've had the CLM-V55 for only a few hours but I'm totally impressed.

I was able to visually calibrate and get good color and contrast quickly. The presets of 9300K, 7200K and 6500K are readily tweeked with the Color tone (Phase), brightness, contrast and backlight adjustments. Popping in and out of the menu for these is quick and deliberate.

Peaking works like it should and if your res is 800X480 or higher you can go 1:1 and check focus at the center of the image quite effectively.

The pop up hood is sweet. It gives good shading in the full sun while never limiting a quick glance from off center. It snaps back down easily and becomes a good travel protection. The included soft cloth drawstring bag can easily hold the CLM-V55 with the hood and a battery attached.

The Auto-Lock shoe mount swivels and tilts easily with a good amount of resistance to keep it right where you put it, no creeping or sagging after you take your hand off.

Battery life is very good. I ran it for a couple of hours and popped the battery back in the charger where it fully recharged in under an hour. Batteries are light and cheap so I don't feel like I'd want to tether it to another battery system.

SONY has brought a great little 5" display to the market for a very good price.

Kirk, I'm about to purchase the Sony, but I'm holding back due to size and thinking of the Marshall 7". Have you used a 7", and do you feel the 5" is adequate for focusing?

By the way, Kirk, the reviews for the Pearstone batteries are pretty poor, (if that's what you're using) at least on the B and H website, so be prepared for a possibly short battery life...keep us updated!

Jeff I'm using SONY batteries. If you shop around you can find them for under $40. I've never risked cheap Chinese batteries in any of my gear.

I have used the M-LCD7-HDM and I prefer the SONY. They're both 800X480 but the SONY is much lighter and it's much less obtrusive mounted on the shoe. The higher res on the smaller screen makes it very nice and sharp. Quite easy to see.

Kirk, I don't know why I thought you said you were using generics, I was clearly confused with someone else's post somewhere.

Anyway, thanks for the report, good to hear from someone who has used both! I'm glad you're pleased, and at any rate being newer equipment I thought it would be bound to be decent. At heart I really am a Sony fan to begin with, and I really wanted the monitor, so I guess I'll go ahead! thanks again!

Who do you guys buy it from, Sony site tells me "No results found for "CLM-V55" in All of Sony" :)

Buba,

I assume you're looking at sonystyle.ca Canada. They don't appear to offer it yet on their site, but if you take a look at sonystyle.com US, it's listed under DSLR accessories or you can type CLMV55 in the search. Another option is B&H...looks like they have it in stock as well.

i know Sony Canada don't have it, i was looking sony.com
but thanks for the tip :)

Huh, you're right...it's nowhere to be found on sony.com. Seems strange...but you will definitely find it on sonystyle.com

All the usual vendors have had it in stock. B&H, amazon, SONY Style.

I found it on Sony before B&H, you just have to look in the right place, but it's $50 cheaper at B&H anyway.

So, if you use a 550D, how long would it take for it to jump to the SD input it that sends out once you press record? And is the screen still useable to focus with at that resolution?

Seems like a good option :)

I can't help you on the 550D. I can tell you that it's about 2 seconds for it to switch on the 5DII and of course it's instantaneous on the 7D.

To turn the monitor on you have to hold the power button for a couple of seconds and then it takes another second or two to give you a display when you put the 5DII into liveview/movie mode.

So from my experience I'd say it's the monitor waiting for the camera, not the other way around.

I haven't turned mine on yet, but I'm excited, it's a very nice little piece of hardware. It looks beautiful on top of the camera. I'm very pleased. I'm charging the battery now.

I shot a human interest piece for US Youth Soccer today. While prepping my camera for the shoot I decided to use my new Sony Clip-on LCD Monitor, thinking it would really help framing the shots. It was a beautiful sunny day so I clipped on the hood. When I got out to shoot at the soccer field and turned everything on you could barely tell it was even on. The lcd on the camera was far more useful than the Sony Clip-on LCD Monitor. Inside during playback the monitor really looks beautiful. I just wish it worked better outside.

I'm sorry to hear that, Ron. I still haven't shot with mine. I'll be trying it outdoors Monday.

>>I'm sorry to hear that, Ron. I still haven't shot with mine. I'll be trying it outdoors Monday. <<

Jeff, did you get a chance to try the monitor, and what are your impressions?

Ron, I love the monitor. The included hood is very nice. The image is crystal clear...I haven't used it outdoors as I said I would. I've barely played with it.

If you have a GH2, the GH2 will not do TV out for 720p, which is beyond belief to me and very frustrating.

The monitor is very well made for consumer grade, it is first class, and seems to be the perfect size for the camera. Considering it has an audio jack for previewing audio, which I haven't used, I can't see how a monitor for $350 could be any better.

The shoe adpater is extremely solid and the monitor is not wiggly at all, it's a very secure fit.

Based on my limited use of it, I highly recommend it.

I also like the monitor and yes, it looks very nice indoors. I have only done that one shoot outside and it was useless on the sunny day. I hope that there is a setting that will make it work better in the sun. I have yet to play with it sense then. I tried the headphone jack and it only worked on playback on my Canon 7d.

Jeff....are you saying the Sony won't work with the GH2??

Thanks
Mark

No, Mark, the GH2 and the Sony work well together, but only in 1080 modes. I had planned to shoot in 720p for various reasons important to my workflow, so this was a disappointment to me.

If you plan to use 1080 modes, a monitor will work fine.

This is a camera restriction, has nothing to do with the monitor.

Gotcha!! Thanks

Mark

I used the monitor yesterday at a wedding reception, it worked out very well. People noticed it, and I got a few remarks on how "cool" it looked.

My beautiful sony monitor is for sale in the classifieds if anyone is interested.

It is truly heartbreaking that I cannot use it. My cam will not shoot in 720p with the monitor hooked up, and that is the mode I must shoot in. I am selling just to get it out of my sight. I used it Saturday (in 1080i 24p mode) and it was absolutely stunning, impressed the people at the wedding and it impressed me as well. I cannot however abide the look of my footage after it's been converted from 24p.

Does the Sony CLM-55V monitor have a tripod socket? My Sony XR-500V camcorder's AIS shoe (with cold shoe adapter) will be used for a shoe-mounted mic. I would want to mount the camcorder with mic on a tripod and then use some sort of bracket to mount the monitor to the tripod. If the monitor doesn't mount to a standard 1/4" tripod screw, are there other alternatives for mounting it next to a camcorder that is on a tripod?

Yes, it's called an articulating arm. But to buy what you need it is best to go somewhere in person that has what you want, to make sure what you buy works for you.

Articulating arms are available at B&H, Manfrotto's "Magic Arm" is just one variation of it. The magic arm is pricey, and I think too heavy duty/bulky for what you need.

There is a photography store in N. Kentucky, one of the last ones left in the area. They fixed me up with the right hardware, which included an arm, extender, clamp and shoe mount for the end of the arm. The clamp alone was $40, the shoe mount was $20, the arm was $40. I got a great deal, all top quality stuff.

You clamp the arm to your tripod handle, and it works perfectly,and moves with your head.

Don't ask me details, the guy just ran around the store, got the stuff, and put it together for me. I sold my monitor, and don't use mine anymore, but I may use it in the future, as it can be used to mount lights, mics, anything. Very cool stuff.

Call b&h, tell them you want something like the magic arm but not a heavy, and someone there will know exactly what to sell you. Just have to find the right guy.

The store I used has no more of the arms, and they cannot remember where they got them from, as I wanted another one at the time.

Can someone tell me a height measurement from bottom of hot shoe adapter to the top of the monitor?

Thanks!

5 5/8" with the adapter straight up. Can't imagine you're run it that way though.

Does the Sony CLM-55V monitor have a tripod socket?

The shoe adapter screws into a 1/4 20 thread in the bottom of the monitor and the adapter itself also has a 1/4 20 thread in the bottom of it. So yes, you could mount it to a tripod.

I should add that with the arm I mentioned you are able to position the monitor directly next to your camera.

5 5/8" with the adapter straight up. Can't imagine you're run it that way though.

Yeah I only have 4-1/2" headroom once I mount my camera on my halorig (a fig rig wanna be) before it hits the underneath part of the rig.

When you say "Can't imagine you're run it that way though." what do you mean? I suppose I would be angling it back a few degrees? Maybe that would make the clearance.

Thanks, Chris