Re: Using External Monitors for Focusing (and Video)
numbers505 wrote:
Hey Mike,
Wondering if you wouldn\'t mind sharing your reasons for choosing the DP6 vs the DP4. I\'m looking to use this for the same reasons you are and am wondering if the extra size and resolution makes that much difference.
Thanks!
Mike W.
I am writing up a review of the DP6 as Fred is also very interested for the same application as mine, low angle Tilt/Shift.
The increase in resolution is pretty significant. If you are going to use the monitor primarily for composition, it is not a big deal, but for my application of fine tuning lens tilt and focus it makes a very noticable difference. I have owned other 480X800 monitors, like the 7\" Lilliput, and it seemed rather soft by comparison. Its really hard to tell precisely where the optimum lens focus is. I wasn\'t interested in an EVF as it would not allow critical viewing from 1-2 ft distance. Marshall and Ikan are to release HD monitors this year also, but like the DP6 they will not be cheap.
For max resolution I use 1:1 mapping, which is viewing about 2/3 the 5DII LCD, pixel per pixel, along with 5-10X image magnification from the camera. Another great feature are the DP6 presets for Nikon & Canon, which allow auto resizing of the display so that nearly all of the monitor pixels are used. This can be quite a problem with some displays as much of the monitor\'s screen is wasted on border.
You might think that focus peaking would substitute for resolution, but this is not my experience. Peaking and especially Focus Assist + is a somewhat rough focus guidance when you need to use manual focus to quickly grab the proper focus with moving subjects (like with video). It allows you to quickly assess the dof without studying the scene in great detail. Some image qualities are sacrificed with peaking as the sharpest edges are haloed with white. This preempts their use for evaluation of image sharpness in a native state. In my experience for stills there are more accurate and precise strategies.
Setting up the DP6 takes a few minutes and increases the working bulk of the camera so I use it selectively. The DP6 is plenty bright, I usually don\'t use the shade and I don\'t crank up the brightness beyond 50. Too much brightness seems to degrade the fine resolution. LIke all LCDs glare can be a problem in certain situations, then it takes a minute to attach the shade. From time to time they have sales of \"B stock\" which are units with several dead pixels. I got one with a $300 discount. I only see the dead pixels when using \"focus assist +\", which is a form of highly amplified focus peaking. Get on their mailing list if you want to be notified of B stock sales.
Mike K
Re: Using External Monitors for Focusing (and Video)
numbers505 wrote:
Hey Mike,
Wondering if you wouldn\'t mind sharing your reasons for choosing the DP6 vs the DP4. I\'m looking to use this for the same reasons you are and am wondering if the extra size and resolution makes that much difference.
Thanks!
Mike W.
I am writing up a review of the DP6 as Fred is also very interested for the same application as mine, low angle Tilt/Shift.
The increase in resolution is pretty significant. If you are going to use the monitor primarily for composition, it is not a big deal, but for my application of fine tuning lens tilt and focus it makes a very noticable difference. I have owned other 480X800 monitors, like the 7\" Lilliput, and it seemed rather soft by comparison. Its really hard to tell precisely where the optimum lens focus is. I wasn\'t interested in an EVF as it would not allow critical viewing from 1-2 ft distance. Marshall and Ikan are to release HD monitors this year also, but like the DP6 they will not be cheap.
For max resolution I use 1:1 mapping, which is viewing about 2/3 the 5DII LCD, pixel per pixel, along with 5-10X image magnification from the camera. Another great feature are the DP6 presets for Nikon & Canon, which allow auto resizing of the display so that nearly all of the monitor pixels are used. This can be quite a problem with some displays as much of the monitor\'s screen is wasted on border.
You might think that focus peaking would substitute for resolution, but this is not my experience. Peaking and especially Focus Assist + is a somewhat rough focus guidance when you need to use manual focus to quickly grab the proper focus with moving subjects (like with video). It allows you to quickly assess the dof without studying the scene in great detail. Some image qualities are sacrificed with peaking as the sharpest edges are haloed with white. In my experience for stills there are more accurate and precise strategies.
Setting up the DP6 takes a few minutes and increases the working bulk of the camera so I use it selectively. The DP6 is plenty bright, I usually don\'t use the shade and I don\'t crank up the brightness beyond 50. Too much brightness seems to degrade the fine resolution. LIke all LCDs glare can be a problem in certain situations, then it takes a minute to attach the shade. From time to time they have sales of \"B stock\" which are units with several dead pixels. I got one with a $300 discount. I only see the dead pixels when using \"focus assist +\", which is a form of highly amplified focus peaking. Get on their mailing list if you want to be notified of B stock sales.
Mike K
Re: Using External Monitors for Focusing (and Video)
numbers505 wrote:
Hey Mike,
Wondering if you wouldn\'t mind sharing your reasons for choosing the DP6 vs the DP4. I\'m looking to use this for the same reasons you are and am wondering if the extra size and resolution makes that much difference.
Thanks!
Mike W.
I am writing up a review of the DP6 as Fred is also very interested for the same application as mine, low angle Tilt/Shift.
The increase in resolution is pretty significant. If you are going to use the monitor primarily for composition, it is not a big deal, but for my application of fine tuning lens tilt and focus it makes a very noticable difference. I have owned other 480X800 monitors, like the 7\" Lilliput, and it seemed rather soft by comparison. Its really hard to tell precisely where the optimum lens focus is. I wasn\'t interested in an EVF as it would not allow critical viewing from 1-2 ft distance. Marshall and Ikan are to release HD monitors this year also, but like the DP6 they will not be cheap.
For max resolution I use 1:1 mapping, which is viewing about 2/3 the 5DII LCD, pixel per pixel, along with 5-10X image magnification from the camera. Another great feature is the presets for Nikon & Canon which allow auto resizing of the display so that nearly all of the monitor pixels are used. This can be quite a problem with some displays as much of the monitor\'s screen is wasted on border.
You might think that focus peaking would substitute for resolution, but this is not my experience. Peaking and especially Focus Assist + is a somewhat rough focus guidance when you need to use manual focus to quickly grab the proper focus with moving subjects (like with video). It allows you to quickly assess the dof without studying the scene in great detail. Some image qualities are sacrificed with peaking as the sharpest edges are haloed with white. In my experience for stills there are more accurate and precise strategies.
Setting up the DP6 takes a few minutes and increases the working bulk of the camera so I use it selectively. The DP6 is plenty bright, I usually don\'t use the shade and I don\'t crank up the brightness beyond 50. Too much brightness seems to degrade the fine resolution. LIke all LCDs glare can be a problem in certain situations, then it takes a minute to attach the shade. From time to time they have sales of \"B stock\" which are units with several dead pixels. I got one with a $300 discount. I only see the dead pixels when using \"focus assist +\", which is a form of highly amplified focus peaking. Get on their mailing list if you want to be notified of B stock sales.
Mike K
Re: Using External Monitors for Focusing (and Video)
numbers505 wrote:
Hey Mike,
Wondering if you wouldn\'t mind sharing your reasons for choosing the DP6 vs the DP4. I\'m looking to use this for the same reasons you are and am wondering if the extra size and resolution makes that much difference.
Thanks!
Mike W.
I am writing up a review of the DP6 as Fred is also very interested for the same application as mine, low angle Tilt/Shift.
The increase in resolution is pretty significant. If you are going to use the monitor primarily for composition, it is not a big deal, but for my application of fine tuning lens tilt and focus it makes a very noticable difference. I have owned other 480X800 monitors, like the 7\" Lilliput, and it seemed rather soft by comparison. Its really hard to tell precisely where the optimum lens focus is. I wasn\'t interested in an EVF as it would not allow critical viewing from 1-2 ft distance. Marshall and Ikan are to release HD monitors this year also, but like the DP6 they will not be cheap.
For max resolution I use 1:1 mapping, which is viewing about 2/3 the 5DII LCD, pixel per pixel, along with 5-10X image magnification from the camera. You might think that focus peaking would substitute for resolution, but this is not my experience. Peaking and especially Focus Assist + is a somewhat rough focus guidance when you need to use manual focus to quickly grab the proper focus with moving subjects (like with video). It allows you to quickly assess the dof without studying the scene in great detail. Some image qualities are sacrificed with peaking as the sharpest edges are haloed with white. In my experience for stills there are more accurate and precise strategies.
The DP6 is plenty bright, I usually don\'t use the shade and I don\'t crank up the brightness beyond 50. Too much brightness seems to degrade the fine resolution. LIke all LCDs glare can be a problem in certain situations, then it takes a minute to attach the shade. From time to time they have sales of \"B stock\" which are units with several dead pixels. I got one with a $300 discount. I only see the dead pixels when using \"focus assist +\", which is a form of highly amplified focus peaking. Get on their mailing list if you want to be notified of B stock sales.
Mike K
Re: Using External Monitors for Focusing (and Video)
numbers505 wrote:
Hey Mike,
Wondering if you wouldn\'t mind sharing your reasons for choosing the DP6 vs the DP4. I\'m looking to use this for the same reasons you are and am wondering if the extra size and resolution makes that much difference.
Thanks!
Mike W.
I am writing up a review of the DP6 as Fred is also very interested for the same application as mine, low angle Tilt/Shift.
The increase in resolution is pretty significant. If you are going to use the monitor primarily for composition, it is not a big deal, but for my application of fine tuning lens tilt and focus it makes a very noticable difference. I have owned other 480X800 monitors, like the 7\" Lilliput, and it seemed rather soft by comparison. Its really hard to tell precisely where the optimum lens focus is. I wasn\'t interested in an EVF as it would not allow critical viewing from 2 ft distance. Marshall and Ikan are to release HD monitors this year also, but like the DP6 they will not be cheap.
For max resolution I use 1:1 mapping, which is viewing about 2/3 the 5DII LCD, pixel per pixel, along with 5-10X image magnification from the camera. You might think that focus peaking would substitute for resolution, but this is not my experience. Peaking and especially Focus Assist + is a somewhat rough focus guidance when you need to use manual focus to quickly grab the proper focus with moving subjects (like with video). It allows you to quickly assess the dof without studying the scene in great detail. Some image qualities are sacrificed with peaking as the sharpest edges are haloed with white. In my experience for stills there are more accurate and precise strategies.
The DP6 is plenty bright, I usually don\'t use the shade and I don\'t crank up the brightness beyond 50. Too much brightness seems to degrade the fine resolution. LIke all LCDs glare can be a problem in certain situations, then it takes a minute to attach the shade. From time to time they have sales of \"B stock\" which are units with several dead pixels. I got one with a $300 discount. I only see the dead pixels when using \"focus assist +\", which is a form of highly amplified focus peaking. Get on their mailing list if you want to be notified of B stock sales.
Mike K
Re: Using External Monitors for Focusing (and Video)
numbers505 wrote:
Hey Mike,
Wondering if you wouldn\'t mind sharing your reasons for choosing the DP6 vs the DP4. I\'m looking to use this for the same reasons you are and am wondering if the extra size and resolution makes that much difference.
Thanks!
Mike W.
I am writing up a review of the DP6 as Fred is also very interested for the same application as mine, low angle Tilt/Shift.
The increase in resolution is pretty significant. If you are going to use the monitor primarily for composition, it is not a big deal, but for my application of fine tuning lens tilt and focus it makes a very noticable difference. I have owned other 480X800 monitors, like the 7\" Lilliput, and it seemed rather soft by comparison. Its really hard to tell precisely where the optimum lens focus is. I wasn\'t interested in an EVF as it would not allow critical viewing from 2 ft distance. Marshall and Ikan are to release HD monitors this year also, but like the DP6 they will not be cheap.
For max resolution I use 1:1, which is viewing about 2/3 the 5DII LCD, pixel per pixel, and 5-10X image magnification from the camera. You might think that focus peaking would substitute for resolution, but this is not my experience. Peaking and especially Focus Assist + is a somewhat rough focus guidance when you need to use manual focus to quickly grab the proper focus with moving subjects (like with video). It allows you to quickly assess the dof without studying the scene in great detail. Some image qualities are sacrificed with peaking. In my experience for stills there are more accurate and precise strategies.
The DP6 is plenty bright, I usually don\'t use the shade and I don\'t crank up the brightness beyond 50. Too much brightness seems to degrade the fine resolution. LIke all LCDs glare can be a problem in certain situations, then it takes a minute to attach the shade. From time to time they have sales of \"B stock\" which are units with several dead pixels. I got one with a $300 discount. I only see the dead pixels when using \"focus assist +\", which is a form of highly amplified focus peaking. Get on their mailing list if you want to be notified of B stock sales.
Mike K
Jul 26, 2012 at 11:11 PM
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