On Camera Monitor

Chris_911

Chris_911

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Chris Tarling
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I am looking at circa 5" on camera monitors.

Lots to choose from but I am interested specifically in whether a pure monitor or a combined monitor/recorder is best.

Those that have gone down this path before me - what did you choose and why?

TIA ;)
 
I have used a number of monitors and recorders and I now have a Ninja V recorder and a Portkeys 5" monitor and have had the Blackmagic design video assist 7".

The main reason for using a recorder is that it will often give you a higher bit rate and access to 10 bit colour or even ProRes Raw/BRAW another benefit is that audio recorders often have better pre amps giving better audio.

The higher bit rate is important if you shoot stuff with a lot of detail and motion in it as your image can fall apart during during camera movement. If for instance you pan across a lot of trees you need a lot of data to record all of that detail. I shoot a lot of interior videos and found that the pans were just jerky mush due to the poor data rate, a switch to an external recorder solved this issue. 10 bit colour allows you record much more colour information giving you a wider range of options when correcting white balance issues.

I started off using a Blackmagic design video assist on a dslr but soon swapped it for a Blackmagic P4K with the 5" external monitor for the better image quality.

An external monitor is often useful as it gives access to focus peaking, zebras and false colour, all useful tools which you camera may not have. I have found these so good that I generally use an external monitor with my DSLR when shooting stills for that reason.

What camera would you be using it with and what sort of video's are you making?
 
Andrew many thanks for your reply.
Probably with both Nikon full frame DSLR and Olympus micro 4/3.
Videos will be for my photography website content and Youtube.
 
I think I am sold on the advantages of the Atomos Ninja V, but as it's a circa £1k investment by the time I've added batteries and an SSD it's definitely not a purchase for now. I feel I need to build some content first and gain experience.
I do need to buy some microphones - a remote field recorder and a shotgun - and these need to be my priority.
I am sold on getting a screen but think a cheap monitor - such as this one on Amazon https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08LD7V...olid=2F6I1BAWRX8B9&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it - will be fine to start with, and likely a big help on focus, etc.
 
I don't think many Nikon DSLR's (with the exception of the D780) or Olympus cameras allow you to export 10 Bit video via the HDMI port. So I would suggest you wouldn't get a great deal of benefit.

That kind of low cost monitor may not be that good if you need it to work outside. You need something around 1500 nits for decent daylight viewing.

When I started shooting video I went through this kind of process, buying loads of different kit to try and make my Nikon DSLR's work well for video but in the end just bought a dedicated video camera. I would have saved a lot of time and money by doing that in the first place. Have a look at the Blackmagic Pocket 4k, they are not for everyone but they allow you to shoot RAW video, have very good inbuilt audio will take your MFT lenses and can be adapted to take Nikon lenses for about £70.
 
Thanks Andrew. Hadn't considered the Blackmagic but your thought process/experience has got me thinking.

Is there a low cost monitor that can be used outside?

From your advice I think I need to stick to getting the microphones I need, get cracking creating some video, and then see where I need/want to go.
 
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The monitor I use is by Portkeys because it is very light and has a good screen brightness but probably expensive as the prices of monitors have come down a lot.

One more thing to consider is that the HDMI port on your Nikon is probably a Mini type and not very robust. It might be worth investing some sort of cage or HDMI clamp to protect it.
 
I don't think that's daylight viewable but would be OK for inside work. The one I use isn't made anymore and was about £350, I don't think it's possible to get anything daylight viewable for under about £250.

You might be better getting some thing second hand like this

www.ebay.co.uk

Atomos Shinobi 5.2" Field Monitor, high brightness 1000nit, HDMI monitor, HDR | eBay

It takes Sony-NP batteries (not included). Тhе Ѕhіnоbі іnсludеѕ ¼"-20 ѕсrеw mоuntіng орtіоnѕ оntор аnd bоttоm, mаkіng іt соmраtіblе wіth mоѕt саmеrаѕ, ѕmаrtрhоnеѕ оrНDМІ-rеаdу dеvісеѕ - аnd rеаdу fоr uѕе wіth АtоmХ ассеѕѕоrіеѕ.
www.ebay.co.uk

That way you can move it on for a small loss if you want to change direction.
 
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