on (or near) camera monitor

[Paul Mailath]

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?

[Allan Black]

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.

[Noa Put]

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.

[Paul Mailath]

Originally Posted by Allan Black

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

[Allan Black]

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.

[Paul Mailath]

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

[Andrew Smith]

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