Problem viewing Steadicam Pilot Monitor outdoors
I have a problem viewing from the monitor outdoors. Using a hoodman may restrict viewing. I do not own a hoodman but I DIY something from some hard paper. It worked but restricted my viewing a little. How are you guys overcoming this in outdoor shoots? Should I try a hoodman?
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I'm still thinking of getting video googles, I know they're wired, and that's the only thing that stops me; I use both camera flip LCD and pilot monitor, and for framing 90% those work well, but on the bright sunny day it's not as easy, so I think I'll try video glasses, I like new toys :)
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I'd be interested to give the goggles a try just for the fun of it someday. I don't hold out much hope for them, however. It's amazing just how much information you require and use via peripheral vision while operating. Watching for marks, obstacles, feeling the action (rather than just seeing it) and more, are all things that would be virtually eliminated with an "in your eyes" system like goggles. All that said... I'd still like to play around with them someday.
Sean, unfortunately a sunshade is really the only reasonable option. Find a good tilt angle that works best depending on the position of the sun and the shot. I'm not sure about the monitor you currently have, but if it doesn't already have anti-glare treatment, you could try getting an anti-glare overlay for it. The only drawback to that is it cuts down slightly on brightness - would just be a matter of which produces the best final result. Bright sunlight is the main reason the greenscreen CRT monitors are still quite popular with the professional rigs. Even the best LCD's, although very close (and getting closer), can't compete. |
thanks guys. I have the original steadicam pilot monitor. I am considering the Ikan HDMI monitor but I'm concerned if even changing the monitor will not solve the prob. I will try to DIY something b4 I go for a hoodman. If anyone has a photo of the 16:9 monitor with hood I would be most appreciative :)
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I saw a set of these glasses Gametrailers.com - CES 2008 - My View TV Glasses by gaffyh at C.E.S. the past 2 years (the video is from 2008's show and newer/better models are available, see Myvu personal media viewer | video eyewear | iPod video glasses). They don't obstruct one's peripheral vision too much so you could use them on the move. They're not HD, by any means, but the pair I looked at gave the impression that you were looking at a screen similar in size to the average living-room wall.
Not sure I'd want to operate them with a Steadicam though. Julian |
Garret tried a goggle setup in the early 70's, and found it impractical. The camera is rarely point in the direction of your movement, and it's very disorienting. Your brain places you in the camera space, not real space, so you lose orientation in the real world and begin to move as if in the cameras virtual world. Not a good look.
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Steadicam Forum: Chapter One about 2/3 of the way through. |
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anyways, today I got the pair, it's on the way, as soon as I'll get it, I'll try and share my thoughgts; Garret tried it, I want too :) |
Video goggles are possible. see my thread here:
Myvu video glasses I haven't done a full text/video review yet, which should be coming sometime in the near future, so I can't really fully communicate their effectiveness as of this moment, but in my tests so far they have been functional, viewable, and I have been able to retain my peripheral, bottom, and top vision.....completely able to navigate in other words. I've used them while walking around inside my house, down the street, around trees, up and down hills, following subjects....been good so far. |
This may help outside:
LCD Screen Protector Films |
Video goggles didn't work for me because after about 5 minutes, I started to get motion sickness. I'm sure you will too. What you see in the goggles and what your inner ear feels will conflict, prompting dizziness and nausea.
An easy solution to the problem is to use the flip out lcd monitor on your camera. Angle the screen so it's facing the ground just a bit, to reduce reflections from the bright sky. With this method you'll have 2 monitors as reference, with no modifications necessary to your steadicam monitor. |
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Most people operate with the sled on their left close to their body, so most people will not be able to see the LCD monitor on the camera. Also, if the camera LCD is sticking out, Don Juan (with the camera pointing back over your shoulder) may be difficult, since the LCD could easily hit your left shoulder. Some people operate with the sled on their right side. This is called "goofy", which is actually a standard steadicam term. When operating goofy, it may be possible to see the camera LCD if you're looking off to your right, but I doubt you would be able to see where you're going. In goofy Don Juan, you wouldn't be able to see the monitor at all. Perhaps the best solution for sun glare is to buy some black coroplast, some black gaff tape, and start experimenting with custom hoods. You could also try turning down the brightness, and turning up the contrast to max. That might help. |
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Goofy foot actually comes from Goofy the Disney character, he was drawn surfing left foot leading. Goofy foot :)
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