Camera mountable LCD monitor?

[Brandon Wood]

Does anyone have much experience with camera mountable LCD monitors? I use a PD170 that I find impossible to focus with the included LCD and I'm looking for a solution for this (not just framing) at a fairly low price.

I included a link below for one on B&H but it's hard to find feedback on this sort of thing. For instance, does "power supply" mean battery or just ac power? Can I use a battery and how long would one last?

Any help would be appreciated. I have another wedding coming up soon and I want to make sure the focus is on the couple, not their family 10 feet behind them ;)




http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ist&sku=224151

[Mark Bournes]

http://shopping.msn.com/Prices/shp/?itemId=169651771

$269.00 runs on 6 aa batteries, which attatch to the back of the monitor, comes with the hot shoe, cables and sun visor. I use it on my xl1 and it works just fine.

Good luck, Mark

[Brandon Wood]

Mark,

That looks to be about the size of my foldout LCD on my PD170. Is the quality that much better that you can use it to focus a shot being that small?

Also, how much time do you get for battery life?

[Mark Bournes]

Brandon, it's a little bigger then the fold out on the pd 170. The focusing is about the same, a little better than the smaller lcd on the camera. If you have a bigger budget you might want to go with the panasonic 7 inch lcd.
Panasonic 7" lcd model # tc7wms1. Just google it to find a dealer. I have also used this one for years and it's one of the best camera mountable lcd models out there. I think it retails for about 500-600 dollars?

http://www.camera-prices.com/panason...m=most_popular

Mark

[Brandon Wood]

thanks again Mark

Looks like Panasonic discontinued this product. I may can save up enough to get one of the few left out there.

[Patrick Moreau]

If you want really affordable check out www.mp3playerstore.com

The monitors start at 109US, they are high resolution, brightness and viewing angle are also good on many of them. It can easily be mounted onto the PD170 with a cheap piece from something like BH as it has a standard sized threaded whole in the bottom. of the monitor so many shoe mount will mount on the camera then screw into the monitor. These don't come with batteries but that is also a very easy solution. I actually have a lithium ion battery and charger that has been modded to work with these monitors if you go that route and what something affordable. You could get this would system, monitor and battery, delivered and steup for under 200US.

[Brandon Wood]

Thanks Patrick.

Not really sure if this one would work or not, but it looks pretty good. Then again, there's got to be a reason these are so cheap.

http://www.mp3playerstore.com/stuff_...al/IN-777A.htm

any ideas or clues? There's certainly not much to go on from the website. I have no idea of the quality of these from one of these to the next. Also, who did you get to do the mod on yours for the battery pack?

[Patrick Moreau]

Brandon,

I have purchased on myself for video work and seen others use them in their vehicles - all of which were purchased here. They do have a satisfaction guarantee so that definately means something. In my opinion, they are well-built, have great resolution, brightness and viewing angle and have a reasonable number of features (16:9 or 4:3, flip the image or rotate, NTSC or PAL, remote).

I agree that the price looks suspcious but I can guarantee they are legit,although I'm not quite sure why they are so low. On the other hand, if you can get a 17" lcd for under $200 now, it makes sense these ones would be even cheaper if you can produce enough of them.

To run it off the battery was very simply and I did the mod myself. They come ready to place in a car so it is very easy to work with. The connector on my battery comes off at the end and you can buy a different one at radio shack that plugs directly into the battery and has a power and ground line on the other end that you simply connect to the LCD. As these are made more for cars, you will get slightly more cord bulk in the rear but you can easily cut off extra inputs if not needed and keep it all very compact regardless.

If your interested in one of my batteries with the connector ready to go, just let me know. I went with the IN-708A but the one you linked was the other one I considered.

[Brandon Wood]

Thanks Patrick.

I will seriously consider it!

[Jeremy Rochefort]

Originally Posted by Patrick Moreau

If you want really affordable check out www.mp3playerstore.com

The monitors start at 109US, they are high resolution, brightness and viewing angle are also good on many of them. It can easily be mounted onto the PD170 with a cheap piece from something like BH as it has a standard sized threaded whole in the bottom. of the monitor so many shoe mount will mount on the camera then screw into the monitor. These don't come with batteries but that is also a very easy solution. I actually have a lithium ion battery and charger that has been modded to work with these monitors if you go that route and what something affordable. You could get this would system, monitor and battery, delivered and steup for under 200US.

What kind of connectors do these things come with. The website doesnt show too much info. I see they have a nice 16:9/4:3 switchable unit

Thanks

Jeremy

[Brandon Wood]

Two other quick questions for you Patrick before I purchase this, if you don't mind...

Does this come with any accessories like a plug in power supply?

The features you mentioned in your prev. post (16:9 or 4:3, flip the image or rotate, NTSC or PAL, remote) all applies to the 708A?

The website simply gives no info on this that I can find, nor can I find it anywhere else.

thanks in advance

[Barry Oppenheim]

Originally Posted by Patrick Moreau

Brandon,

If your interested in one of my batteries with the connector ready to go, just let me know.

Patrick,

Can you explain the battery mod? Are using a LI-Ion charger in reverse mode (i.e. leaving the battery in place and letting the LCD drain instead of charge the battery)?

Barry