Preview Monitors...That old chestnut...

[Daniel Rutter]

Hey guys;

So it's coming up to Tax time here in Australia, and I'm itching to get my new GH2 and start attempting to build my cine-rig (so to speak).

It's been a minute since those monitors started coming out and prices started to drop, but I'm looking at quite a few different monitors right now to eventually add to my rig. Why do I need one? Critical focus, a decent sized screen to use for framing and playback... and of course, it'll be there for the cool factor as well.

Initially I'll be buying my GH2 from B&H somewhere around July or August (depending on when I get the tax back). In a few weeks I should be coming into some money from various video jobs and government handouts (gotta love the Aussie governments for this), and so I'll get some accessories for the pending GH2 purchase. One of these is a HD Monitor.

I'm looking to spend maybe 2-300 on a decent sized monitor to be mounted onto the Hotshoe of my camera. I've looked at Lilliput, which seem to have some rather nice bits of kit, but I'm looking to shop around and see what other competing companies are kicking out. Any suggestions?

Here are eBay results from my search into Lilliput monitors... just in case you'd like to help me compare and choose a monitor.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[kenkyusha]

I use an 8" Lilliput w/the GH2 for quick/run-n-gun shots but it's only 480 and so not the best for critical focus (although it does offer peaking, but whenever power is available we've found 13.3" 720p option way preferable, if heavier). The newer 7" 1024 x 600 ones looks like they'll work a treat.

[EvilBastardProductions]

Hehe I got my eye on one of the 7" ones with the sony battery (first in list)
According to the specs they do full HD, the sunshade is a decent size, and you can get spare betteries/charger from Taky.

[Janke]

According to the specs they do full HD

Nope.

"High Resolution: 1024x600, up to 1920×1080 pixels" means the display is only 1024x600, and it will downscale full HD to that resolution, which is even less than "HD-ready"...

[Daniel Rutter]

Those 1024x600 models should be fine for critical focus though, am I right?

[cgbier]

Doesn't the GH2 have a magnification feature?

[Almohada]

up to 1920×1080 pixels

why bother writing that if it only goes up to 1024???????????

[drapeama]

Those 1024x600 models should be fine for critical focus though, am I right?

Yeah. My Lilliput has the same resolution and it's enough. In fact, I've been able to get decent focus shot with my old Pyle monitor, which was way lower in resolution than that.

why bother writing that if it only goes up to 1024???????????

Because it's a marketing thing: it helps to sell!

[EvilBastardProductions]

Hmm reply's and quotes aren't working for me :/

Daniel- Yeah, 1024x600 is more than enough for critical focus. Anything SD or above will do- HD would just be better lol.

Janke- Not sure how the logic works on that one... 1024x600 up to 1920x1080 means that is the available resolution range, nothing about downscaling is implied. Otherwise it would say that 1024x600 is the maximum resolution.

Either way, I have seen a few things on these forums with people making the same claim, so i've e-mailed lilliput directly, see what they say (if they actually reply that is lol)
And hey, If they confirm what Janke has said, then every body who has bought a lilliput monitor gets to sue for false advertising lol

[Daniel Rutter]

Daniel- Yeah, 1024x600 is more than enough for critical focus. Anything SD or above will do- HD would just be better lol.

Sweet stuff, was hoping this was the case.

Doesn't the GH2 have a magnification feature?

I believe it does, but I don't have my hands on the cam yet to see for sure.

Janke- Not sure how the logic works on that one... 1024x600 up to 1920x1080

Up to 1920x1080 basically means it can take resolutions that high, but from my research the specifications actually say "1024x600". As long as it's useable for critical focus and framing, thats all I care about. Just want my money's worth

[EvilBastardProductions]

Up to 1920x1080 basically means it can take resolutions that high, but from my research the specifications actually say "1024x600". As long as it's useable for critical focus and framing, thats all I care about. Just want my money's worth

Yeah, it would be nice if they were clear on that. I mean, it doesn't REALLY matter, its a big screen, with a good enough resolution either way so it does everything you could conceivable want a field monitor to do, but If 1024x600 is the max res, then there is no point mentioning HD specs as It wouldnt matter.... Its going to take a HD signal no matter what, it has a HDMI connection.

either way, I'm in the same boat- I just want something big and clear so I can see whats in focus, and these will do the job

[kenkyusha]

Yes but it's easier while moving about to simply use an external monitor.

[Bif]

Doesn't the GH2 have a magnification feature?

I believe it does, but I don't have my hands on the cam yet to see for sure.

It does and it is eminently useable. I don't feel any need to go with an external monitor when the built in stuff works so good.

I have the camera set for either Manual Focus with Focus Assist ON (that's the magnification) or set for Autofocus + Manual Focus with Focus Assist set to ON. Outdoors using the EVF (which can be set to eyesight with Diopter Adjust) it works like this:

Shutter release for Auto Focus, touch focusing ring and Assist "kicks in". Refine focus manually. Or if set for Manual Focus, the Assist comes into play as you begin to turn the focusing ring. Indoors using the LCD works just as great, that Focus Assist is neat.

I don't know about long term use of anything with any weight mounted in the shoe on the camera. I've seen those hot shoe mounts loosen on several brands. One HUGE advantage of the GH2 (and should be same for GH1) is it's size. At first handling it seems tiny (I still occasionally use a Canon 60D) but with some handling one gets to appreciate the compact nature, light weight and responsiveness to manipulation.

I can't see "burdening" this thing with anything but the simplest of handling rigs, you can get by with far "less" tripod (my carbon fiber legs with Manfrotto 501 is almost overkill, but I use it).

Some other features many don't know about. I'm not a fan of touchscreen but the implementation on the GH2 is the very best I've seen. A kind of "rack focus" works by "touching" on the LCD the subject you want focus to shift to. You need to practice a bit to get the timing of the camera's reaction and timing of the focus shift. And there is a "follow focus" of a kind. Set the camera for motion picture mode and set the switch on top for "Face Detect".

"Touch" the face you want focus to follow and as long as the face is visible danged if it doesn't work. The amazing thing is how well it works with the 14-42 "kit" lens everyone likes to run down.

I've read of people using a monopod as a "balance" stabilizer. Find the "balance" point and hold it there while you move.

Dan, I'd leave this puppy light weight and mobile, spend the money on lens instead. The Lumix 20mm f1.7 is SUPER for the price and the new Olympus Zuiko 45mm f1.8 is magnificent. Just imagine what you could do with those two optics.

My tuppence worth. This advice may be worth exactly what you just paid for it, I'm amazed at how well I can "see" through the EVF and even on the LCD indoors. So IMO an external monitor is unnecessary unless you are going to try a bit of the "video village" thing.

Bruce Foreman