Thanks for posting this monitor! I've been looking for something like it!

Thanks Brain, thanks Jim
Jim can you please please let me know how good the monitor is also the store at artarmon do they have a website or can you give me their phone number please..
thanks for everything guys.

Here is a pic I snapped of one of the IKAN V8000HD's that we got in stock today.
Great picture, extremely lightweight and affordable at $799. The competing Marshall 7" monitor we also use is big bucks when you take into account battery power for shooting on the go. The IKAN uses Sony batteries. The Marshall can use two Sony batteries with an add on $299! http://lcdracks.com/accessor/V-DV-PWR1.htm

The IKAN accessory kit adds a charger and battery for $99. http://www.dvcreators.net/ikan-8inch-lcd/

We've just finished shooting a short using the XHA1 and a 7" 800x480 monitor - composite input. only good for framing.

We used a Macbook with FCP for critical focus - it was a pain due to the delay (we thought the camera had some sort of delayed autofocus on) but it did the job once we got used to it.

before you spend any money on any monitor I'd test it thoroughly - it's so easy to end up with soft focus when you think it's spot on

Thanks Guy, Thanks Paul
I think intead of getting the Ikan 8" LCD Monitor Wide i might go ahead and get the right gear ikan V8000HD i think this monitor will be able to help in focusing...
If anyone have used ikan V8000HD with xha1 can you please comment....
thanks in advance
Mick

I used it on a shoot !
 

Used the hd version both inside and outside and its good for focus but I am very disappointed in its color rendition. Seems very blue and I couldn't find any way to set up the monitor with the blue setting that most professional monitors that I have used have in the settings .I eyeballed the colors but was not impressed. I worked with a marshall 70 P which a week before was much better.

Doug

Hi, did you use firewire for the feed?

Anybody knows tv-logic for onboard-monitors ?

I'm looking at their 7 inch-model, but regarding the price, I would like to hear opinions from people that have experience whit this monitor. The viewing angle is dissapointing: 130, will that really bother ? Is it better than the Marshalls or the Ikans ? I'm using a jvc hd201 most of the time.


LVM - 071W
7 inch Multi-Format Monitor

Multi-Format SDI Signal Support
(480i, 576i, 720P, 1035i, 1080i, 1080P, 1080PsF)

· Input - 1 DVI, 3 BNC (Analog), 1BNC (SDI)
· Output - 1 BNC (SDI Channel - Active Thru Out)
· LCD Resolution - 800 X 480 (15:9)
· Dot Pitch - 0.190 mm
· Color - 16.7M (true), 24bit
· Contrast - 300:1
· Viewing Angle - 130 degrees
· Power - 12V DC
· Power Consumption (Approx.) - 18Watts (DC)
· Weight - 1Kg

http://www.tvlogic.co.kr/eng/product...d/ml_index.php

yep

Gee that's too short an answer, I have to add something.... give me a minute

Thanks guys i wanted the monitor for exposure and focus am not worried about the color i use stevens vivid rgb and am happy with the results.... thanks again... will get the ikan 8000hd by jan end.

So I suppose the conclusion of this thread is that a good LCD monitor will provide you the visibility to obtain accurate focus?

I was reading elswhere in the forum that a Zeiss/Leica range-finder or just a simple tape measure will do the trick and save you the hassle of lugging around a monitor and batter pack. I understand that a monitor is appropriate for certain situations in the film industry but for simply focus, could not a tape measure or range-finder give you even better focus?

The answer, Terry, is that in high end HD production, all of the things you mentioned are used by most AC's.

When shooting with film, the onboard monitor relies on the videotap image and thus is not considered focus-critical in most circumstances. AC's may use tape measures, rangefinder devices, ultrasonic units like the Cinetape, their own eyes and a series of tape marks to help them calculate focus on the fly. Essentially they collect as much information from their various sources and interpolate them into their best estimate of where focus should lie. The operator will be able to give them feedback on focus due to the good resolution of the ground glass.

In HD, most AC's I know have begun to rely on the onboard monitor for checking their focus at certain points during a shot, however they will still use their other tools. One method that some of the top guys are using is to have their own 15" Astro or equivalent on a stand that they can place away from the camera, pulling focus using a remote system and eyeballing the actors and the camera as well as the monitor (which they may have zoomed in with the peaking control turned way up). I have also begun to see guys parking themselves at the full-size monitor on the set and simply pulling by eye. The problem with this is that it is hard to anticipate body movement and see potential issues before they happen. For instance, in a tight closeup an actor may lean forward a little which will be hard to detect on the monitor except that the focus will go out; if you are keeping an eye on the actor, you can see exactly how much and when he is leaning. The result of pulling from a monitor is that it becomes reactive focus; when something goes soft, you turn the knob until it is sharp again. This is not as good as anticipating and pulling focus simultaneously so that there is no visible buzzing.

Regarding battery packs on the back of onboard monitors--they are getting bigger and heavier all the time without being saddled with batteries, and it confounds me why more folks are not equipping their setups with 12v batteries that power both camera and monitor (and other accessories). Certainly with the proliferation of baseplates and rods there are plenty of opportunities to rear-mount battery packs, and getting a 12v to 7.2v stepdown is easy. Obviously there is a certain expense involved in getting into the larger battery systems, but the annoyance of having batteries go down one at a time would seem to point towards unifying power into a single battery source.

Charles, always a pleasure.

Your reply reminds me of the importance of the follow focus that many have highlighted for me in the past. I find that alot of people see this necessary when shooting. But is it quite possible to focus just fine without it? My problem with the device is simply budget. I would love to buy one, but I find that a good one is around $1000. I am worried that without it, I will not be able to pull off the quality that I am wanting to acheive.

to use with my Canon A1
 

Hi,

I'm looking to buy a complete on the field viewing solution. I need a monitor and a wireless video transmitter and receiver system.

I think Marshall is a valuable option. I prefer to buy a complete kit, including sunshields etc...

Any suggestions?

Camera LCD too small need alternatives
 

OK, I'm getting old. The 2" LCD is usually too far from my eyes to be of much use. I use the camera for theatre shows and I'm recording for an hour straight, in the dark. The viewfinder is also problematic due to eye strain after long recording. I need suggestions on whether or not the larger hot/cold shoe style LCD displays are worth the money. I hear that most of them (up to the 800 dollar range) are just OK for framing or composition but not critical focus. In addition, I wonder how accurate they are for color rendition.
I can't see myself spending 1700 dollars or more for a Marshall or Panasonic unit.
Any suggestions?
thx

These small LCDs are not good for accurately judging anything other than composition, really. If you're shooting theatrical shows, their white lights are generally tungsten and if you use your 3200 preset, or white balance in advance to one of the house spots, you should be OK in terms of color. I've never used any monitor for critical focus, preferring the viewfinder. If you need something bigger for checking focus, you might want to look for a more professional black & white high resolution monitor. I believe there are some 8" LCDs that are fairly decent for that purpose.

yeah, I think even a small 5" LCD would be fine. Something I can stare at from a foot away, mounted on the shoe, that I can make sure I'm in focus as the depth of shot changes. Know of any brands etc?

I have ordered a Sony DVP-FX810 but there are also DVP-fx820 and 850 which are dvd players with composite video inputs. Iv ordered mine off ebay for 50£ so its worth it even for a test atleast youll also have a dvd player. They have a supposed 6 hr battery and are 8inch sony xblack screens. Id rather pay this money and be wrong than spend 800 and wished I had bought cheaper. I think it will work for critical focus which is the reason I have bought it. There are obvious limits to it, as its not HD but I dont think that matters for what you want.

Yesterday I had the opportunity to hold a Sony Z1 for the first time and boy, what an LCD monitor! It's a treat focusing with that screen. Why on earth did Canon put this miniature thing on my XH-A1? If I compare it to my Apple cineview monitor it's way off colour too. I have the same problem with my Canon 5D camera's, so it seems to be a general problem. I hope Canon fixes this in the next generation video- AND photocams.

I use a Hoodman with a magnifier which helps increase the picture size.

How do you mount the Sony on your camera, Marko?

Greg?
 

I'm familiar with Hoodman but can't get info on the magnifier part. How does this work?

thx.
I bought one and I'll give it a try

I agree, but outdoors forget it :) You may as well be looking in a mirror with that magnifier outside. I need to concoct some some of extended hood I can just velcro on in that case.

I got one of those rigs to make your cam a shoulder mount. Now when I flip the screen out it is right in the area between too close and too far away for my old man eyes. You know the feeling. You have to tilt your head backward to see anything. That can be bad for a long shoot. My solution (and it's cheaper than any others mentioned) a $10 pair of reading glasses. Now my flip out monitor is clear and the added magnification is most welcome.

I have a hoodman for outdoor shooting but have found them to be more trouble than benefit for me. I just turn on the zebras for exposure and occasionally flip on the peaking feature and do the best I can when shooting outside.

Try some reading glasses....you might be surprised how well they work...you may not look "stylin" but they are functional.

Uh, oh.. I just ordered one of those hoodman magnifiers.

There is a thread on this forum discussing the fx820 and other portable DVD players for SD monitoring.

Viewfinder cheap
 

The worry with the viewfinder is the cheap little slider focusing bar. Very difficult to get it perfect. I use the bar generator in B & W but it's hard to get it dead on. Besides, I find myself questioning what is good focus on those bars.

anyone tried the totevision LCD 703 HD?
 

I have read the spec's on a bunch of field monitors, and still can't make up
my mind. First I don't have a lot of money to spend, maybe $700 to $1000
range. The Totevision LCD 703 HD looks pretty good. Have any of you tried
this monitor? Thanks.

Charles Dodd

External monitor
 

Does anyone know of a cheap-ish external monitor that can be mounted upside down and will make focusing easier on the xha1? I'm thinking of using this with a 35mm adaptor. What kind of monitor mount would have to be used if i was using a 15mm rail system?

Depends on your budget, or rather the relationship between:

How much do you care about your film
Vs.
How much can you spend

As the former increases thus the latter rises. Or rather this occurs if you consider how important it is to get critical focus with 35mm adaptors. Nothing worse than getting your film shot to discover it's all soft cos you skimped on your monitor.

Give more info on a budget and maybe we can give info on lcd's.

Matt

I'm currently filming at the Edinburgh Fringe and have been using a Sony FX850 portable dvd system which has a hi-res 8" screen. It's absolutely great and lasts for about 6 hours on its own battery. I made a small wooden platform for it which I attach to the top of one of the tripod legs.

I leave the Canon's own screen folded in and use the Sony screen all the time.

Ian
www.festivalpreviews.com

But are you using a stock XHA1 or one with a 35mm adapter?

Thanks for the reply. I was looking into this unit. I have also just checked out the 7" displays by lilliput which seem be a cheap option for use with a 35mm adaptor. I have seen another person with an xha1 using this with an external 12v battery. They are using a Noga mount but i'm not sure where the best place to get one of these or something similar in the uk. Does anyone know?

I have been curious about that myself. I think the nearest US equivalent is the FX820. Do you find it pretty useful for focus while shooting HD? Also, how are you connecting it to your camera?

yeah im curious to if ur using the sony with a 35mm?

I'm using the fx850 with just a "stock" A1. I didn't spot the 35mm reference in the original post.

I've constructed a small shelf to hold the FX850. The shelf attaches to the top of one of the tripod legs using bicycle lamp holders. Very ad hoc and I intend to look for something better after the Festival finishes.

At about 15m distance from the stage and with the A1's Magnify on, a microphone ball head fills about half the screen vertically and makes it very easy to focus on the wire mesh of the microphone.

Ian
www.festivalpreviews.com

What's the connector cable needed to use Sony 850/820 DVD Player as Monitor
 

I looked at a Sony "High Res" DVD player , I think an 820 model, in a USA department store, looked like it has some kind of 1/8" jack labelled "AV In"

Can someone tell me which out jack from the XH-A1 do I connect , and what the cable spec is?

Thanks!