Mounting a small monitor / evf to 5D at DVinfo.net

Donald Ong · November 6th, 2013, 05:45 AM

I'm thinking of getting either a zacuto evf or a small monitor (less than 7'') for my 5d3.

How are most of you mounting them onto your DSLRs? Assuming I do not wish to use the hotshoe mount than comes with most monitors, is there a simple way of mounting?
For the events I do, I would rather not bulk up the camera too much with rails, but i am not against it if need be. The wooden camera medium cage seems quite nice, anyone has expereince with that?
I need it to be sturdy and be able to easily go from tripod to glidecam without much fuss.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Again, I'm not opposed to rails if need be, but Ideally under $300... though i can go higher if need be (~$500-700?). Again, I'm not opposed to rails if need be, but preferably under $500.
Thanks!

Dave Ande · November 6th, 2013, 03:43 PM

Donald, I purchased a IndiPro tools 5" monitor this past March for my 5DM3. It's not a bad monitor for the price. The resolution is only 800x480, but it has built in peaking and several other features. I bought it at B&H for around $225.00 I've also attached this monitor to my C100 at times. You can also get it with a Canon battery mount. I believe this monitor is the same as the Ikan VL5 monitor. I had a cheaper 7" monitor, but it was too big for the camera IMHO.

David

Evan Bourcier · November 6th, 2013, 03:53 PM

Quick note: Placing a monitor on there while flying a glidecam might be iffy.

Donald Ong · November 8th, 2013, 05:04 AM

I was actually looking more for mounting solutions. would a cage setup or rail system be better?

Also, anyone has experience with this monitor?
Marshall Electronics - V-LCD51 5" Small 800 x 480 Camera-Top / Portable Field Monitor with HDMI
Marshall V-LCD51

Brian David Melnyk · November 8th, 2013, 07:17 AM

Just a thought.. I spent a lot of dough on a smallHD 5" monitor, which is pretty great with super handy features. BUT, I leave it in the bag. I find it makes the 5D unwieldy, set up time and battery changing is easy but just adds more concerns and potential complications. I installed Magic lantern and find the 5D lcd fine for focusing and exposure. I can even rack focus.
I will keep the monitor, though, for studio work and more controlled shoots...

Les Wilson · November 8th, 2013, 12:20 PM

It's expensive but I think the Edelkrone system is my favorite. It starts with the handstrap that uses the strength of your arm to stabilize and hold the camera forward of the sensor plane instead of the still photo squeeze by the side approach. I also prefer it over handles of a rail system. The Edelkrone design puts the SmallHD with it's flip up loupe on an outrigger at the right spot to the side and forward to back. It's all based on well understood ergonomics from decades of work refining the camera-man-machine interface. YMMV

Dave Ande · November 8th, 2013, 02:16 PM

Donald,
I've tried different mounting points using an arm, a bracket for my tripod and monopod handle, hotshoe, and for me I found the hotshot worked best.

Like Brian mentioned I've spent money on different monitors an I really don'tuseitas much as I thought I would. I've also added color bars to my5DM3 so that I could calibrate the IndiPro and I still don't use it that much. I shot a wedding this past September and I had the 5D on a tripod and after I had everything focused and framed, I didn't use it again that day.

David

Donald Ong · November 9th, 2013, 07:57 PM

I want a monitor mostly because I'm a tad tired of guestimating my focus during longer takes for stage events where i can't stop the recording to use the focus magnification.

Btw, will the 5D3's hdmi out with firmware 1.2.1 be clean enough to fill up the whole 5'' lcd51 monitor? Or would any other monitor be better for this?

Dave Ande · November 11th, 2013, 10:00 PM

Donald, I have 1.2.1 installed and I'm able to output the same thing I see on the lcd of the camera. My 5" has native 5D Canon live output. I've also added color bars to my 5D so that I can calibrate the monitor. I have included a pic of a framed shot. I looked at the monitor that you're referring to, but I didn't want to spend the additional $$ since the resolution was 800x480.

Markus Nord · November 12th, 2013, 02:51 AM

I don’t use the hotshoe, I use my 5D3 for stills too and I’m scared to break the mount and lose connection with the flash. I made a half cage that I attach monitor, H1, wireless receiver or mic. I got 5 holes where I can attach coldshoe or screw direct though to the gadget.

I always got a Elderkrone pocketrig on my camera and the half cage is attached to the short rails on the rig. It’s a net rig and easy to use if you like follow focus (wish I did before but don’t use any more).

I use the monitor most for the reason to not over heat the camera during long shots indoors. Or if I got a producer that what’s to see what I’m shooting. I just don’t like the mini HDMI connection, it’s too loose and some time I lose the image (that the reason I don’t believe in the Ninja 2 solution).

Donald Ong · November 12th, 2013, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Ande

Donald, I have 1.2.1 installed and I'm able to output the same thing I see on the lcd of the camera. My 5" has native 5D Canon live output. I've also added color bars to my 5D so that I can calibrate the monitor. I have included a pic of a framed shot. I looked at the monitor that you're referring to, but I didn't want to spend the additional $$ since the resolution was 800x480.

Does the output shrink when you hit record?

Markus: I'm looking at the wooden camera quick cage (medium) and cheese handle bar. It looks like quite a nice solution with plenty of mounting holes. Does anyone use that?

Markus Nord · November 12th, 2013, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donald Ong

Does the output shrink when you hit record?

on the 5DIII the output don't shrink, that was a "problem" on 5DII.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donald Ong

Markus: I'm looking at the wooden camera quick cage (medium) and cheese handle bar. It looks like quite a nice solution with plenty of mounting holes. Does anyone use that?

it looks like a nice solution, I have not used any wooden camera gear. But one thing that have really been good with a cage is that it have saved my camera and connections a few times.

Donald Ong · November 22nd, 2013, 05:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Markus Nord

on the 5DIII the output don't shrink, that was a "problem" on 5DII.

it looks like a nice solution, I have not used any wooden camera gear. But one thing that have really been good with a cage is that it have saved my camera and connections a few times.

I see, thanks for confirming that. Really important to me that the image doesn't shrink!

November 6th, 2013, 05:45 AM	#1
Donald Ong Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Singapore Posts: 37	Mounting a small monitor / evf to 5D I'm thinking of getting either a zacuto evf or a small monitor (less than 7'') for my 5d3. How are most of you mounting them onto your DSLRs? Assuming I do not wish to use the hotshoe mount than comes with most monitors, is there a simple way of mounting? For the events I do, I would rather not bulk up the camera too much with rails, but i am not against it if need be. The wooden camera medium cage seems quite nice, anyone has expereince with that? I need it to be sturdy and be able to easily go from tripod to glidecam without much fuss. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Again, I'm not opposed to rails if need be, but Ideally under $300... though i can go higher if need be (~$500-700?). Again, I'm not opposed to rails if need be, but preferably under $500. Thanks! __________________ Premiere Pro & Vegas user \| freelance filmmaker Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/donaldong Last edited by Donald Ong; November 6th, 2013 at 06:16 AM.

November 6th, 2013, 03:43 PM	#2
Dave Ande Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Tulsa Oklahoma Posts: 35	Re: Mounting a small monitor / evf to 5D Donald, I purchased a IndiPro tools 5" monitor this past March for my 5DM3. It's not a bad monitor for the price. The resolution is only 800x480, but it has built in peaking and several other features. I bought it at B&H for around $225.00 I've also attached this monitor to my C100 at times. You can also get it with a Canon battery mount. I believe this monitor is the same as the Ikan VL5 monitor. I had a cheaper 7" monitor, but it was too big for the camera IMHO. David

November 6th, 2013, 03:53 PM	#3
Evan Bourcier Major Player Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Mashpee, MA Posts: 251	Re: Mounting a small monitor / evf to 5D Quick note: Placing a monitor on there while flying a glidecam might be iffy. __________________ DSLR Photographer/Videographer from Massachusetts Portfolio at http://ebourcier.com

November 8th, 2013, 05:04 AM	#4
Donald Ong Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Singapore Posts: 37	Re: Mounting a small monitor / evf to 5D I was actually looking more for mounting solutions. would a cage setup or rail system be better? Also, anyone has experience with this monitor? Marshall Electronics - V-LCD51 5" Small 800 x 480 Camera-Top / Portable Field Monitor with HDMI Marshall V-LCD51 __________________ Premiere Pro & Vegas user \| freelance filmmaker Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/donaldong

November 8th, 2013, 07:17 AM	#5
Brian David Melnyk Major Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Winnipeg Canada Posts: 532	Re: Mounting a small monitor / evf to 5D Just a thought.. I spent a lot of dough on a smallHD 5" monitor, which is pretty great with super handy features. BUT, I leave it in the bag. I find it makes the 5D unwieldy, set up time and battery changing is easy but just adds more concerns and potential complications. I installed Magic lantern and find the 5D lcd fine for focusing and exposure. I can even rack focus. I will keep the monitor, though, for studio work and more controlled shoots...

November 8th, 2013, 12:20 PM	#6
Les Wilson Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Boca Raton, FL Posts: 3,014	Re: Mounting a small monitor / evf to 5D It's expensive but I think the Edelkrone system is my favorite. It starts with the handstrap that uses the strength of your arm to stabilize and hold the camera forward of the sensor plane instead of the still photo squeeze by the side approach. I also prefer it over handles of a rail system. The Edelkrone design puts the SmallHD with it's flip up loupe on an outrigger at the right spot to the side and forward to back. It's all based on well understood ergonomics from decades of work refining the camera-man-machine interface. YMMV

November 8th, 2013, 02:16 PM	#7
Dave Ande Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Tulsa Oklahoma Posts: 35	Re: Mounting a small monitor / evf to 5D Donald, I've tried different mounting points using an arm, a bracket for my tripod and monopod handle, hotshoe, and for me I found the hotshot worked best. Like Brian mentioned I've spent money on different monitors an I really don'tuseitas much as I thought I would. I've also added color bars to my5DM3 so that I could calibrate the IndiPro and I still don't use it that much. I shot a wedding this past September and I had the 5D on a tripod and after I had everything focused and framed, I didn't use it again that day. David

November 9th, 2013, 07:57 PM	#8
Donald Ong Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Singapore Posts: 37	Re: Mounting a small monitor / evf to 5D I want a monitor mostly because I'm a tad tired of guestimating my focus during longer takes for stage events where i can't stop the recording to use the focus magnification. Btw, will the 5D3's hdmi out with firmware 1.2.1 be clean enough to fill up the whole 5'' lcd51 monitor? Or would any other monitor be better for this? __________________ Premiere Pro & Vegas user \| freelance filmmaker Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/donaldong

November 11th, 2013, 10:00 PM	#9
Dave Ande Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Tulsa Oklahoma Posts: 35	Re: Mounting a small monitor / evf to 5D Donald, I have 1.2.1 installed and I'm able to output the same thing I see on the lcd of the camera. My 5" has native 5D Canon live output. I've also added color bars to my 5D so that I can calibrate the monitor. I have included a pic of a framed shot. I looked at the monitor that you're referring to, but I didn't want to spend the additional $$ since the resolution was 800x480. Attached Thumbnails

November 12th, 2013, 02:51 AM	#10
Markus Nord Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: Vastervik ,Sweden Posts: 639	Re: Mounting a small monitor / evf to 5D I don’t use the hotshoe, I use my 5D3 for stills too and I’m scared to break the mount and lose connection with the flash. I made a half cage that I attach monitor, H1, wireless receiver or mic. I got 5 holes where I can attach coldshoe or screw direct though to the gadget. I always got a Elderkrone pocketrig on my camera and the half cage is attached to the short rails on the rig. It’s a net rig and easy to use if you like follow focus (wish I did before but don’t use any more). I use the monitor most for the reason to not over heat the camera during long shots indoors. Or if I got a producer that what’s to see what I’m shooting. I just don’t like the mini HDMI connection, it’s too loose and some time I lose the image (that the reason I don’t believe in the Ninja 2 solution). __________________ www.nordproduktion.se https://vimeo.com/nordproduktion Last edited by Markus Nord; November 12th, 2013 at 04:08 AM.