XL2 Field Monitor / Camera mount LCD

Ian Stark · October 22nd, 2006, 01:29 AM

Hi Adam,

It's a Formatt (www.formatt.co.uk). I'm reasonably pleased with it although it feels a little less sturdy than I'm happy with. Also it's impossible to use when there's any wind - it acts like a sail and the camera goes everywhere!

The 4 x 4 filters are very good, but the rotating stage is a little stiff.

Lastly, Formatt are not particularly good in the customer service department - they take ages to respond to sales enquiries, which really irritates me. I now buy through one of their dealers here in the UK who gives me the same price and next day service.

But, it was relatively inexpensive and (incoming sad admission) it makes me look good!

All in all I rate the box 6.5/10, customer service (from Formatt) 3/10. Given the same budget and the same need, I'd go for it again, but I'd buy through my dealer, not direct.

Hope that helps.

Ian . . .

Tim Bickford · November 10th, 2006, 10:38 PM

I'm looking to purchase a LCD color monitor to mount to my XL2. I need something that will do 16x9. I'm thinking at least 7" wide. Budget is now up to $500. I can go a bit higher. Any suggestions?

Dave Perry · November 11th, 2006, 09:31 AM

Look at the Varizoom monitors. Not the best, but affordable.

Tim Bickford · November 11th, 2006, 05:17 PM

Thank you Dave. Not a bad place to start looking.

Lou Bruno · November 11th, 2006, 06:27 PM

For highest quality check out the Marshall Monitors in 16:9.

Tim Bickford · November 11th, 2006, 07:34 PM

Thanks again for the suggestions.

This one looks like it's in my price range.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search

Not crazy about the composite input. Does anyone think that makes a big difference over S-Video or R-G-B.

Thanks..

Kyle Prohaska · November 14th, 2006, 08:29 PM

what im most interested in is something that will give me the best quality to tweak my camera settings. LCD color isn't as accurate as CRT or on a TV but the LCD is much more convienant and most of the time its the light thats different on the television. Whats the best to buy thats not going to make me go broke and I can mount on the thing? Also, are there any that people recommend that are aspect ratio switchable?

-Kyle

Tim Bickford · November 14th, 2006, 09:05 PM

Thanks...

I find it difficult to focus with the small view finder. Also - I'd like to be able to fool with the presets in the field. I also find it hard to adjust presets using the small viewfinder. This is why I'm looking for a LCD.

Akwasi Osei · November 18th, 2006, 12:43 PM

Hi all
I just bought the xl2 after using the gl2 for sometime. Well my concern is with the lcd of the xl2. I love my lcd of the gl2, it really helps with adjustment for true color reproduction. The xl2 lcd is dull and difficult to rely on it to get the best image. I want an lcd similar to that of the gl2 and not big as the 7" that most recommend (give me reasons why the 7" is better). Since I am an event videographer, I will rely most on this on-camera lcd.
Secondly, the weight at the front makes it difficult to use the xl2 on your shoulder for a long time so I need a front end support for this camera (not so expensive) or even improvised. With my gl2, I had it on a monopod which was great.
Finally, I would like to thank all for your support and contribution to this forum

Dale Guthormsen · November 21st, 2006, 09:42 AM

I have the same complaint about my xl2. 7" just makes it easier to view and perhaps focus (depends on resolution).

varizoom makes the 4 inch one as I recall and a 7 inch one.

Goto the gl2 list and there is a thread on lcds going right now. Grazie even put a clip in of his set up.

Remeber lcd's are not the best to actually see the colors you are actually getting. a small crt monitor would actually be more accurate, just not so portable.

Amos Kim · June 3rd, 2007, 01:15 AM

I want to use my laptop and final cut pro as waveform monitor.... so what exactly does the non-controllable device selection do? I don't want to capture, do I need to select this option?

Tony Nguyen · June 3rd, 2007, 10:39 PM

btw... know any places that sell wires that are more than 6-10ft? Don't know if it even exsists.

Jarrod Whaley · June 4th, 2007, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tony Nguyen

btw... know any places that sell wires that are more than 6-10ft? Don't know if it even exsists.

What wires, firewire? You can get them longer than this, but like with any cable, a longer wire means more chance of loss of signal.

Jay Gladwell · June 5th, 2007, 08:17 AM

Jarrod's right.

You can also buy repeaters that will boost the signal along the way without any adverse effects.

Ryan Mueller · July 16th, 2007, 03:11 PM

Yes, I know the topic of monitors has been covered in many other areas of DVInfo, but I have read most of them so please don't rip my head off for this because I do not believe my question has been answered in the other threads.

That being said, with the XL2 is it really necessary to use a monitor that supports 800x480 lines of resolution. I realize that it is a must for HD, but can you still pull critical focus in SD with a monitor that has 480x240 lines of res.

What it comes down to is that I am trying to decide between the following setups:

http://www.varizoom.com/products/monitors/vztft7u.html

or

http://www.ikancorp.com/pages/monito...d.htm#included
plus battery, charger, and battery mount.

The varizoom will be a little cheaper when all is said and done, but would it be worth it to spend the little bit of extra dough to get the higher resolution (not to mention the extra inch) even though I am only shooting SD? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

October 22nd, 2006, 01:29 AM	#91
Ian Stark Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Hampshire, UK Posts: 2,237	Hi Adam, It's a Formatt (www.formatt.co.uk). I'm reasonably pleased with it although it feels a little less sturdy than I'm happy with. Also it's impossible to use when there's any wind - it acts like a sail and the camera goes everywhere! The 4 x 4 filters are very good, but the rotating stage is a little stiff. Lastly, Formatt are not particularly good in the customer service department - they take ages to respond to sales enquiries, which really irritates me. I now buy through one of their dealers here in the UK who gives me the same price and next day service. But, it was relatively inexpensive and (incoming sad admission) it makes me look good! All in all I rate the box 6.5/10, customer service (from Formatt) 3/10. Given the same budget and the same need, I'd go for it again, but I'd buy through my dealer, not direct. Hope that helps. Ian . . . __________________ www.vit-media.com www.classicmachinefilms.co.uk

November 10th, 2006, 10:38 PM	#92
Tim Bickford Major Player Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 448	Recommendation for a LCD monitor I'm looking to purchase a LCD color monitor to mount to my XL2. I need something that will do 16x9. I'm thinking at least 7" wide. Budget is now up to $500. I can go a bit higher. Any suggestions? __________________ Tim Bickford

November 11th, 2006, 09:31 AM	#93
Dave Perry Major Player Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Roanoke, VA Posts: 796	Look at the Varizoom monitors. Not the best, but affordable. __________________ Dave Perry Cinematographer LLC Director of Photography • Editor • Digital Film Production • 540.915.2752 • daveperry.net

November 11th, 2006, 05:17 PM	#94
Tim Bickford Major Player Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 448	Thank you Dave. Not a bad place to start looking. __________________ Tim Bickford

November 11th, 2006, 06:27 PM	#95
Lou Bruno Go Cycle Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Huntington, NY Posts: 815	For highest quality check out the Marshall Monitors in 16:9. __________________ Lou Bruno

November 11th, 2006, 07:34 PM	#96
Tim Bickford Major Player Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 448	Thanks again for the suggestions. This one looks like it's in my price range. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search Not crazy about the composite input. Does anyone think that makes a big difference over S-Video or R-G-B. Thanks.. __________________ Tim Bickford

November 14th, 2006, 08:29 PM	#97
Kyle Prohaska Major Player Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Ransomville NY Posts: 239	what im most interested in is something that will give me the best quality to tweak my camera settings. LCD color isn't as accurate as CRT or on a TV but the LCD is much more convienant and most of the time its the light thats different on the television. Whats the best to buy thats not going to make me go broke and I can mount on the thing? Also, are there any that people recommend that are aspect ratio switchable? -Kyle __________________ Online Portfolio \| Feature Film on XHA1

November 14th, 2006, 09:05 PM	#98
Tim Bickford Major Player Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 448	Thanks... I find it difficult to focus with the small view finder. Also - I'd like to be able to fool with the presets in the field. I also find it hard to adjust presets using the small viewfinder. This is why I'm looking for a LCD. __________________ Tim Bickford

November 18th, 2006, 12:43 PM	#99
Akwasi Osei New Boot Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Jersey City,NJ Posts: 11	Best lcd monitor on XL2 Hi all I just bought the xl2 after using the gl2 for sometime. Well my concern is with the lcd of the xl2. I love my lcd of the gl2, it really helps with adjustment for true color reproduction. The xl2 lcd is dull and difficult to rely on it to get the best image. I want an lcd similar to that of the gl2 and not big as the 7" that most recommend (give me reasons why the 7" is better). Since I am an event videographer, I will rely most on this on-camera lcd. Secondly, the weight at the front makes it difficult to use the xl2 on your shoulder for a long time so I need a front end support for this camera (not so expensive) or even improvised. With my gl2, I had it on a monopod which was great. Finally, I would like to thank all for your support and contribution to this forum

November 21st, 2006, 09:42 AM	#100
Dale Guthormsen Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Saskatchewan Posts: 3,048	lcd I have the same complaint about my xl2. 7" just makes it easier to view and perhaps focus (depends on resolution). varizoom makes the 4 inch one as I recall and a 7 inch one. Goto the gl2 list and there is a thread on lcds going right now. Grazie even put a clip in of his set up. Remeber lcd's are not the best to actually see the colors you are actually getting. a small crt monitor would actually be more accurate, just not so portable. __________________ DATS ALL FOLKS Dale W. Guthormsen

June 3rd, 2007, 01:15 AM	#101
Amos Kim Major Player Join Date: May 2006 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 335	I want to use my laptop and final cut pro as waveform monitor.... so what exactly does the non-controllable device selection do? I don't want to capture, do I need to select this option?

June 3rd, 2007, 10:39 PM	#102
Tony Nguyen Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 107	btw... know any places that sell wires that are more than 6-10ft? Don't know if it even exsists.

June 5th, 2007, 08:17 AM	#104
Jay Gladwell Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 1,244	Jarrod's right. You can also buy repeaters that will boost the signal along the way without any adverse effects.

July 16th, 2007, 03:11 PM	#105
Ryan Mueller Major Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Highlands Ranch, CO Posts: 336	XL2 on camera monitor Yes, I know the topic of monitors has been covered in many other areas of DVInfo, but I have read most of them so please don't rip my head off for this because I do not believe my question has been answered in the other threads. That being said, with the XL2 is it really necessary to use a monitor that supports 800x480 lines of resolution. I realize that it is a must for HD, but can you still pull critical focus in SD with a monitor that has 480x240 lines of res. What it comes down to is that I am trying to decide between the following setups: http://www.varizoom.com/products/monitors/vztft7u.html or http://www.ikancorp.com/pages/monito...d.htm#included plus battery, charger, and battery mount. The varizoom will be a little cheaper when all is said and done, but would it be worth it to spend the little bit of extra dough to get the higher resolution (not to mention the extra inch) even though I am only shooting SD? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!