After returning the DP4 EVF (VF attachment too big and heavy IMO, monitor itself is nice) I picked up the DP6 and I really love it. Right away, however, I've run into an issue that must be resolved:

As with the 5D2, the HDMI signal has borders around it, so that video appearing in the monitor doesn't use the entire screen. SmallHD now includes presets to enlarge the HDMI signal so it fits the whole screen, but unfortunately the overlaid info (when on) is slightly cutoff. Here is a sample from SmallHD (DP4, but the same phenomenon I'm concerned with here): Canon 5D Mark III and the SmallHD DP4 - YouTube (http://youtu.be/pvt1iZbMEUQ)

I can deal with info being cutoff, I suppose, except that the histogram is cut off at the highlights! I like my histogram, damn it! I've got two solutions:

To make the histogram fully visible, you can create a custom preset based on the 16X10 scale.
[Advanced>Scale>16:10]. In [Advanced>CustomScale] I then set the following parameters: HStart: 650, Hsize: 670, Vstart: 510, Vsize: 478. With these settings, the info is no longer cut off on the right side, bringing the histogram into full view, but at the expense of losing a perfectly full-screen video image.

The other solution is to just deal with it, use the false color feature of the monitor to check your highlights, and roll on.

I'm using the same set up (5D3 / DP6) and I am Ok with the 5D2 preset of slight cutoff. I think you can use the top wheel to roll back and forth between the cropped 5D2 preset and the uncropped full view, no?

That way when you need the histogram, you can roll it back and see it all, and if you need to 'zoom in', you can roll the wheel again to the cropped 5D2 preset.

Thanks for sharing your settings. I don't think you can get both of what you want (full view AND fully visible histogram) so you'll just have to live with the compromise.

With other cameras like the GH2 you can actually reposition the histogram.

Hi Guys,
I think Sam has the right idea here. Your best bet is to use 2 presets. I would say set preset one to your custom preset where you can see the histogram then quickly swap between that preset and the Canon preset once you have checked histogram.
Dave
SmallHD Support

How is the DP6 for focusing on the 5D3? I've heard lots of complaints about the compressed 720 output, but it seems to be mostly from people who want to monitor on larger screens, or need full 1080 for external recording. My main concern is being able to focus clearly.

How is the DP6 for focusing on the 5D3? I've heard lots of complaints about the compressed 720 output, but it seems to be mostly from people who want to monitor on larger screens, or need full 1080 for external recording. My main concern is being able to focus clearly.

It's a breeze. I don't think this is a concern at all, especially with the peaking tools that come with the DP6.

Good to know Sam. Focusing with the 5D3 was my only reservation with what looks to be a great little monitor.

Should I get the DP4 or DP6 monitor? DP6 is better resoution so better right?

I need it for pulling focus on my Canon 5Diii

Thanks!

The DP6 is better for pulling focus when used as a monitor.
The DP4 is better used as an EVF.