Working around the need for an external LCD monitor at DVinfo.net

Andris Krastins · July 8th, 2007, 05:16 AM

Hi,
I recently got Canon XH A1 with its small LCD screen and have been thinking about an Ikan or other LCD monitor to use as a focus aid.

The problem is that these monitors are very expensive, and I can't afford one at the moment.
But my camcorder in the manual focus mode shows the distance a particular focus position is intended for.

So I have this idea to use a tape measure for the time being. I'll just get a rope and mark it every 50cm or so, so that I can measure the distance between the camera and the talent or object accurately and then just adjust the focus to the respective distance.

So I have two questions:
1. How precise is the XH A1 in camera focus distance suggestion, i.e., if I measure the distance of 4,5m and then set my camera focus to 4,5m will it be accurate?

2. Have you yourselves tried this workaround and does it work in real shooting situations?

Thanks

Reese Leysen · July 8th, 2007, 05:28 AM

Genius! Hah, this is so simple, should have thought of it before.

I don't have the A1 so I can't comment on that but I'm buying the HV20 to use it with a lens adapter and I was looking for an accurate way to pull focus with our lenses since it might be difficult with our 800x480 lcd.

This is great :) .

Paul Joy · July 8th, 2007, 05:32 AM

Not sure if this is any help, but I was playing around with my camera recently and connected up one of my kids widescreen in-car DVD players as a monitor, it worked just fine as a bigger monitor than the standard LCD. They cost around £120 a pair and are the kind of things that are designed to hang on the back of a cars headrest.

I'm sure that the proper monitors have better colour etc, but it did the job :)

Paul.

Brad Tyrrell · July 8th, 2007, 07:14 AM

Until I see prices settle down a bit more, I'm just using an old 19"" LCD 4x3. (Tripod shoots, AC). I need it to focus as the eyes aren't what they used to be. I use the component out and don't worry about the tall thin people. Frame, focus, and read-outs are what I need.

Kevin Amundson · July 8th, 2007, 04:42 PM

Here's a thread that might be useful.

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...ighlight=focus

Andris Krastins · July 8th, 2007, 04:57 PM

Thanks! I missed that thread.

July 8th, 2007, 05:16 AM	#1
Andris Krastins Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: Lielvārde, Latvia Posts: 326	Working around the need for an external LCD monitor Hi, I recently got Canon XH A1 with its small LCD screen and have been thinking about an Ikan or other LCD monitor to use as a focus aid. The problem is that these monitors are very expensive, and I can't afford one at the moment. But my camcorder in the manual focus mode shows the distance a particular focus position is intended for. So I have this idea to use a tape measure for the time being. I'll just get a rope and mark it every 50cm or so, so that I can measure the distance between the camera and the talent or object accurately and then just adjust the focus to the respective distance. So I have two questions: 1. How precise is the XH A1 in camera focus distance suggestion, i.e., if I measure the distance of 4,5m and then set my camera focus to 4,5m will it be accurate? 2. Have you yourselves tried this workaround and does it work in real shooting situations? Thanks __________________ Our Fire Films - a free film project.

July 8th, 2007, 05:32 AM	#3
Paul Joy Major Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Norfolk, UK Posts: 627	Not sure if this is any help, but I was playing around with my camera recently and connected up one of my kids widescreen in-car DVD players as a monitor, it worked just fine as a bigger monitor than the standard LCD. They cost around £120 a pair and are the kind of things that are designed to hang on the back of a cars headrest. I'm sure that the proper monitors have better colour etc, but it did the job :) Paul. __________________ Blog: www.pauljoy.com Company: www.videotrader.co.uk

July 8th, 2007, 04:42 PM	#5
Kevin Amundson Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: New Prague, MN Posts: 112	Here's a thread that might be useful. http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...ighlight=focus __________________ Kevin \| www.kraentertainment.com A picture is worth 1,000 words \| A 2 hour film at 24fps is worth 172,800,000 words

July 8th, 2007, 04:57 PM	#6
Andris Krastins Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: Lielvārde, Latvia Posts: 326	Thanks! I missed that thread. __________________ Our Fire Films - a free film project.

July 8th, 2007, 05:28 AM	#2
Reese Leysen Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Belgium Posts: 114	Genius! Hah, this is so simple, should have thought of it before. I don't have the A1 so I can't comment on that but I'm buying the HV20 to use it with a lens adapter and I was looking for an accurate way to pull focus with our lenses since it might be difficult with our 800x480 lcd. This is great :) .

July 8th, 2007, 07:14 AM	#4
Brad Tyrrell Major Player Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Morristown, New Jersey Posts: 249	Until I see prices settle down a bit more, I'm just using an old 19"" LCD 4x3. (Tripod shoots, AC). I need it to focus as the eyes aren't what they used to be. I use the component out and don't worry about the tall thin people. Frame, focus, and read-outs are what I need.