If you want to do low angle shots and not get down on the ground, a small LCD monitor is the only practical answer, I think. They're lightweight, and you can get a swivel hotshoe mount to tilt it up. Another few hundred dollars.

I am between animals with my camera!

The cheapest I see are the marshall's. Those aren't a few hundred pounds but thousand and I find them to big. Need something small: 3 or maximum 4 inches. What types are you referring to saying a few hundred dollars?

Did anybody on this forum ever connected a pair of video glasses to any HDSLR?

And Steev, do you really have the 5D, 7D AND GH1? Amazing. I am very interested in some comparisons.

http://varizoom.com/products/monitors/vztft7.html
Not HD but good enough for composing and focusing.

Just an observation from reading, but wouldn't you benefit more from a 4:3 monitor since the output is 4:3 on the 7D/5DM2? Unless I'm missing something, you can't take off the overlays. A widescreen monitor would still leave black sides and your actual "widescreen" footage would be cropped in. Of course, I don't have a monitor yet, but this photo makes me think I'm right:

http://blog.vincentlaforet.com/wp-co...s/img_0771.jpg

LCD Viewfinder Set with Plate for Canon 5D Mark II with Battery Grip

Bill, you were suggesting this thing. It says that it features horizontal, vertical and forwards/backwards adjustment, but what does it mean exactly. Can I change the angle?

No, none of the LCD viewers will change the angle. The only solution is a separate monitor.

Amen - all these LCD angle hacks are to be used in frustration and disappointment. Ya really gotta use a separate monitor, or using a conventional camcorder, or the GH1 is what I'd recommend. Furthermore, I'd warn against getting cheap LCD external monitors - their resolution really sucks. If it's not HD capable, with component or HDMI, don't buy it.

Next year, hopefully, all this will be some moot points with the next generation of pro camcorders with larger chips. "But what about Scarlet?" That'll need an external monitor too!

Just for framing a low angle shot, I don't think an HD monitor is critical. I just ran across this. Don't know if it would work, but looks very handy. It's different from the viewfinder LCDs in that it appears to take a video out rather than anything from the viewfinder.

Amazon.com: Aputure Gigtube Live view LCD Viewfinder for Canon EOS 450D, 1000D, 500D, Digital Rebel Xs, Xsi, T1i; GT1C: Camera & Photo

Along the same lines, has anyone tried the 5" or 7" GPS units with video in? The video in is designed for backup cameras on trucks/SUV's, but the size of the unit w/ a built-in battery would make it interesting.

Aha! Well, I'm skeptical about the resolution, but I'll try it out.

*Purchased*

Would be very interested in your after-purchase thoughts Steve.

I want to get one of these, but don't want to be the first one. (-:
80" 3D Virtual Video Glasses with VGA Connection (Connect to any PC, MAC, Laptop Zetronix

The gigtube live view looks very interesting. I am happy if I can focus with it. Thats the most important. Thanks for the tip.
The videoglasses are nice too, but I´ld like to here some experiences from somebody using it with a camera.

I got the Gigtube, and created a new thread for it.

http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/1442442-post1.html