I've been shooting multi-camera dance concerts for some time, but as I get older, I struggle to be sure I have critical focus, and when I get back to the office, I can see that I'm soft, particularly on the wide. I've gone from 5" to 7" full HD, and I'm still missing critical focus at times.

Apart from retiring, I'm wondering what options I have - there doesn't seem to be many monitors in the 10" to 15" range unless I cart along a director's monitor.

Ideally, I'd like something that displays 4k (not downconverted to HD) and is around 15".

I tried the ARZOPA 2.5K Portable Monitor 16" 2560x1600 HDR Kickstand Display from Amazon, and it worked a treat, as long as I shot in NTSC - it doesn't work in PAL.

Has anyone come up with a monitor solution that might suit an aging event camera op?

Hi Paul, my first thought is, what about new spectacles? Or Laser treatment getting new plastic eye lens, eight years ago I did, I had the choice of 2 long lens, 2 short lens or medium, one of each. When I asked what was the most popular and successful they said 90% chose medium, so I did, left long my dominant eye, right short.

I first went in while they measured for my new plastic lens, then a week later for the operation where under anaesthetics the Laser broke up the lens in both my eyes, pulverised all the bits then I rested and a few hours later they put in my new plastic lens. Didn’t feel a thing. The first thing I noticed was how bright colours were. Waiting for my wife to bring the car around I stood outside watching the different shades of red cars go by. I went back a week later for them to check everything was ok.

And it was, it was amazing they were right, it took a little while but for distance viewing my brain took over my left eye for viewing, for reading my brain took over my right eye. Now 8 years later I’ve just got new glasses as my eye sight is aging and at my age I’m now retired and it’s not worth paying for new plastic lens. But although at first it was expensive it was very well worth it. Paul I see you’re at the Central Coast, Laser Clinic at Chatswood is the place, recommend Dr. Chen, he’s very popular.

If you haven’t, get your Macula checked very important too. This’ll be the cheapest advice you’ll get all-day :) Good luck mate.
Cheers.

In my experience, it’s not the size of the monitor that matters. What really counts is how well it displays focus peaking. I currently use an Atomos Shinobi monitor for that very reason. I used to shoot with a JVC GY-LS300, which had a small low-resolution viewfinder and LCD screen, but I never missed focus because its peaking was so clear and accurate. That’s something I’ve never quite gotten from my Panasonic cameras, whether Micro Four Thirds or full-frame.

Hi Paul, my first thought is, what about new spectacles? Or Laser treatment


got new specs but the Laser surgery sounds really interesting! I heard about this before but didn't think it would suit me as I'm long sighted.

I think I might have a visit to Chatswood and see what's what - thx mate

Hi Paul. 8 years ago before I had my Laser op, my annual eye check at OPSM (Optical Prescription Spectacle Makers) indicated I might be developing cataracts in both eyes but my Macular was fine, no changes. A referral and a booking at Laser Clinic confirmed this, hence my Laser op. So you need an eye check and a referral first, to book your visit to the Chatswood clinic. Call them first to confirm this.

Another option is ‘stitches’ an older procedure before the Laser. Older surgeons who still perform this, find it suits them so they haven’t needed to learn the Laser treatment, and buy the expensive equipment. My dear late sister, at one time was a receptionist for a stitches surgeon and told me although it was cheaper than the Laser op., the wait time while the stitches slowly dissolved over time, didn’t suit a lot of his patients. But it is an older successful eye treatment, I have a friend who had it and he’s happy.

Cheers.

the words "stitches" and "eye" scare the shit out of me, even laser surgery sounds scary, are you under general when they do it?

There are some who receive the laser treatment on their eye and get eye pain from it that never resolves. Patients with this unfortunate outcome have even ended their lives over it. Something to bear in mind.

Andrew

Or you could buy a good monitor, that would only hurt your wallet a bit.

There are some who receive the laser treatment on their eye and get eye pain from it that never resolves. Patients with this unfortunate outcome have even ended their lives over it. Something to bear in mind.

Andrew

yea - been reading up on post surgery pain - certainly makes you think

Or you could buy a good monitor, that would only hurt your wallet a bit.

I'm leaning this way -already have a 15" directors monitor but there's a 4k 15" that might just do the job. I can use PIP to see both cameras.

Paul, all you need is a diagnosis of eye cataracts developing to look seriously at Laser eye surgery to prevent it. It’s all done under anaesthetics, I and other friends who’ve had it done, never felt a thing. Because of your focus problem, I suggest you get a complete eye check asap, before you do anything else.

I’ve never ever heard of people killing themselves because of constant pain after Laser eye surgery. It’s just plain sense that the specialist doctors would go to all lengths to cure any pain to prevent any bad publicity, maybe a court case and an official investigation by authorities.

Here’s a nice side story, my wife is an excellent bridge player and once a month has a bridge party afternoon at our house. One of her group is the guy who started the Vision Eye Institute company many years ago, and he and his wife attend the bridge afternoon.

Last year I learned he sold his company and the Chinese buyer landed at Sydney Airport, caught a taxi into the Chatswood head office met this guy, sat down and wrote out a cheque for 350 Million. There’s money in the eye business. Btw I don’t play bridge, my wife wouldn’t put up with me, but she’s good, she teaches bridge on monthly cruises, 3 times a week for cruise passengers who sign up. It’s a nice ongoing way for us to see the world.
Cheers.

Here's a couple of examples of what I was talking about:

"Pennsylvania officer died by suicide after complications from Lasik eye surgery, parents say"
Pennsylvania officer died by suicide after complications from Lasik eye surgery, parents say - YouTube

and

Fox 2 meteorologist Jessica Starr's suicide puts focus on Lasik safety
https://www.freep.com/story/money/business/2018/12/18/meteorologist-jessica-starr-suicide-lasik-questions/2335467002/

"News reports and websites such as Lasikcomplications.com have cited nearly a dozen instances of Lasik patients who were driven to suicide by the unbearable pain and vision impairments that followed their procedures.

The physical pain was often accompanied by the psychological regret of having opted for a roughly $4,000 elective procedure that, if only they had stuck with glasses or contacts, wouldn't have been needed."

Andrew

Andrew, you should read all about things before posting, because the Lasik eye surgery you’re referring to, is not anywhere near the same as the Laser eye surgery I’m talking about.

My referral replaces the lens in the eye with a prescribed plastic lens, The Lasik procedure is entirely different to Laser eye surgery, Lasik involves using lasers to reshape the cornea to improve vision. Read this …

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LASIK#:~:text=LASIK%20or%20Lasik%20%28laser-assisted%20in%20situ%20keratomileusis%29%2C%20commonly%20referred%20to%20as%20laser%20eye%20surgery% 20or%20laser%20vision%20correction%2C%20is%20a%20type%20of%20refractive%20surgery%20for%20the%20corr ection%20of%20myopia%2C%20hyperopia%2C%20and%20an%20actual%20cure%20for%20astigmatism%2C%20since%20i t%20is%20in%20the%20cornea.

Paul, although the Lasik procedure is available in Australia, the problems Andrew mentioned happened in America where everything happens. :)

It’s up to you which you choose, but because of your focus problem, get your eyes checked ASAP! So you might not have to worry about them.

Yeah, I know, and was even thinking of clarifying that.

But if you're getting laser surgery to correct the surface of the eye to fix a focus issue, it will likely be that lasik thing. A lens swap is very handy, but it's never as good as good as a non-artificial lens.

Can only wish you the best.

Andrew

Andrew you’re still not reading posts properly, must be the weather in Brisbane :)

If when Paul or anyone gets his eyesight professionally checked to find the lack of clear focus is being caused by eye cataracts slowly developing, then the Laser operation to replace the lens in both eyes is the only way to correct it, not by using Lasik to ‘correct the surface of the eye’ as you claim in your post. Cataracts require surgical removal of the cloudy lens and replacement with an artificial lens. While Lasik can be an option for after cataract surgery to fine-tune vision, it cannot treat the cataract itself.

In Australia everyone needs a referral from the eye check outfit, OPSM, or their doctor to present to the Laser people, Vision Eye Institute, Laser Clinic and maybe others, who’ll all take special photographs to confirm the presence of cataracts before proceeding with their Laser operation. If your medical insurance covers this, all the better, I went through all these processes over a month.

Paul if you are developing cataracts in both your eyes, your vision will slowly degrade to the point where you can’t work, drive and worse. If left untreated, cataracts can eventually block a significant amount of light from entering the eye, leading to severe vision loss or even blindness.

So it’ll be far more sensible to spend money to cure any cataracts now, instead of wasting it on new equipment you don’t really need now.

Yes, if the cataracts are the source of the focusing problems then it will be a lens issue. Really need that eye check to happen before anything else.

Andrew

Hi Paul. One of the important values of DVinfo is when members post a problem, eventually they receive posted replies that completely solve their problem, or in your case ‘cure’ it :)

As we all get older, yours is a problem we’re all going have to deal with at some stage, so this thread might encourage members, and readers to do something about their focus problem now. It’ll be far less expensive, rather than dealing with cataract blindness later.

Wherever you are in the world make sure you deal with the best reputable companies, you won’t get a second chance.

So Paul, can you let us know what your current situation is? Did you get your eyes checked? Do you have cataracts developing in one or both of your eyes? Are you preparing to have the Laser Operation? Once you’ve had it, let us know how your eye’s are now? Thanks, we all appreciate it mate.

Cheers.