Field Monitor with peaking at DVinfo.net

Peter Rush · November 20th, 2013, 06:09 AM

Hi All - I've started to use my 5DIII for evening receptions as my EA50 doesn't really cut it in low light - despite using Canon glass at f2.8 I still need an on-camera light, which is something I hate!!! One problem I'm having however is focus, my Sony cams have great focus peaking but with the 5D I'm constantly checking my focus. I use a lilliput 5" field monitor that helps but what i really need is one with good peaking - can anyone recommend one in around the £300 price bracket?

I should point out I have a Swivi viewfinder but I shoot from a variety of angles and having my eye against the loupe restricts me.

This from IKAN is looking promising at only $224

Pete

Donald McPherson · November 20th, 2013, 02:20 PM

Have you thought about putting Magic Lantern in the Canon as it has focus peaking that comes through the HDMI.

Peter Rush · November 21st, 2013, 03:52 AM

ML doesn't work with firmware 1.2.3 unfortunately

Dave Partington · November 21st, 2013, 05:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter Rush

ML doesn't work with firmware 1.2.3 unfortunately

Correct. But unless you need clean HDMI (not really required for a monitor) you can down rev to a lower version that does.

Steve Bleasdale · November 21st, 2013, 12:23 PM

[QUOTE=Peter Rush;1821436]Hi All - I've started to use my 5DIII for evening receptions as my EA50 doesn't really cut it in low light - despite using Canon glass at f2.8 I still need an on-camera light, which is something I hate!!!
Jeez just about to pull the trigger on a 5d iii, Pete??

Peter Rush · November 21st, 2013, 01:53 PM

I really hate it Steve - I love the quality of the footage but the form factor!!! I'm old school and although I embraced short form cameras such as the Sony Z1/FX1 over traditional shoulder mount I struggle with the 5D. I hate that I have to be a meccano expert just to have a usable mic and monitor lol!

Joking aside I find myself more and more uncomfortable using an on-camera light during evening receptions and this is where i hope the 5D, for me, will shine - coupled with my 24-70mm f2.8 and 50mm f1.8 I can just about get the footage I need without p*****ng off half the guests. DOF at 1.8 is a little tricky without focus peaking though.

For the rest of the day my EA50 and Canon lenses do the job - it's when the lights go down I struggle!

Steve Bleasdale · November 23rd, 2013, 02:41 AM

Ha Gotcha Pete, still the 5d looks the best for low light so I am getting one, just worried it was not that good!! Cheers mate all the very best.

Les Wilson · November 23rd, 2013, 01:59 PM

I had the same problem using the 5DM2, once you start rolling, it's hard to focus using the LCD and Loupes are restrictive.

I used the SmallHD DP4 that optionally has a flip-up loupe and can swivel up or sideways or both when you want a more comfortable angle. It's very light so mounting it on the shoe is tolerable. The SmallHD focus peaking technology is fantastic. Watch some of their videos about it.

I know what you mean about the ergonomics of shooting with a stills camera. I bought the Edelkrone Handstrap to restore the traditional grip missing from stills camera bodies. You can build out a whole system that gives you a cage for all the things missing from a stills camera. It's modeled after the XL1. Not cheap but had I stayed with the 5DMxx line, I would have gone with it I think.

November 20th, 2013, 06:09 AM	#1
Peter Rush Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: UK/Yorkshire Posts: 2,069	Field Monitor with peaking Hi All - I've started to use my 5DIII for evening receptions as my EA50 doesn't really cut it in low light - despite using Canon glass at f2.8 I still need an on-camera light, which is something I hate!!! One problem I'm having however is focus, my Sony cams have great focus peaking but with the 5D I'm constantly checking my focus. I use a lilliput 5" field monitor that helps but what i really need is one with good peaking - can anyone recommend one in around the £300 price bracket? I should point out I have a Swivi viewfinder but I shoot from a variety of angles and having my eye against the loupe restricts me. This from IKAN is looking promising at only $224 Yardbless Pro Shooter - Ikan VL5 Field Monitor Deluxe Kit Review - YouTube Pete Last edited by Peter Rush; November 20th, 2013 at 06:45 AM.

November 20th, 2013, 02:20 PM	#2
Donald McPherson Major Player Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Aberdeen Scotland Posts: 815	Re: Field Monitor with peaking Have you thought about putting Magic Lantern in the Canon as it has focus peaking that comes through the HDMI.

November 21st, 2013, 03:52 AM	#3
Peter Rush Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: UK/Yorkshire Posts: 2,069	Re: Field Monitor with peaking ML doesn't work with firmware 1.2.3 unfortunately

November 21st, 2013, 12:23 PM	#5
Steve Bleasdale Trustee Join Date: May 2010 Location: England liverpool Posts: 1,343	Re: Field Monitor with peaking [QUOTE=Peter Rush;1821436]Hi All - I've started to use my 5DIII for evening receptions as my EA50 doesn't really cut it in low light - despite using Canon glass at f2.8 I still need an on-camera light, which is something I hate!!! Jeez just about to pull the trigger on a 5d iii, Pete??

November 21st, 2013, 01:53 PM	#6
Peter Rush Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: UK/Yorkshire Posts: 2,069	Re: Field Monitor with peaking I really hate it Steve - I love the quality of the footage but the form factor!!! I'm old school and although I embraced short form cameras such as the Sony Z1/FX1 over traditional shoulder mount I struggle with the 5D. I hate that I have to be a meccano expert just to have a usable mic and monitor lol! Joking aside I find myself more and more uncomfortable using an on-camera light during evening receptions and this is where i hope the 5D, for me, will shine - coupled with my 24-70mm f2.8 and 50mm f1.8 I can just about get the footage I need without p*****ng off half the guests. DOF at 1.8 is a little tricky without focus peaking though. For the rest of the day my EA50 and Canon lenses do the job - it's when the lights go down I struggle!

November 23rd, 2013, 02:41 AM	#7
Steve Bleasdale Trustee Join Date: May 2010 Location: England liverpool Posts: 1,343	Re: Field Monitor with peaking Ha Gotcha Pete, still the 5d looks the best for low light so I am getting one, just worried it was not that good!! Cheers mate all the very best.

November 23rd, 2013, 01:59 PM	#8
Les Wilson Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Boca Raton, FL Posts: 3,014	Re: Field Monitor with peaking I had the same problem using the 5DM2, once you start rolling, it's hard to focus using the LCD and Loupes are restrictive. I used the SmallHD DP4 that optionally has a flip-up loupe and can swivel up or sideways or both when you want a more comfortable angle. It's very light so mounting it on the shoe is tolerable. The SmallHD focus peaking technology is fantastic. Watch some of their videos about it. I know what you mean about the ergonomics of shooting with a stills camera. I bought the Edelkrone Handstrap to restore the traditional grip missing from stills camera bodies. You can build out a whole system that gives you a cage for all the things missing from a stills camera. It's modeled after the XL1. Not cheap but had I stayed with the 5DMxx line, I would have gone with it I think.