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Field monitor - tech cam and IQ3100
- Thread starter 0beone
- Start date
dchew
Well-known member
Hi Frank,
I thought about it a while back, but ultimately decided to deal with the image on the back. The IQ screen isn't the best, but I've never come home and said, "I would have captured a better image if I had a better screen in the field." I guess I learned to interpret what is sharp and what isn't using the live view image. One thing Steve Combs and I noticed in Iceland: the live view image appears to have more detail than the jpeg rendered after capture. Ever since then I've been ignoring the captured image when it comes to detail/sharpness. I do use it for evaluating exposure. That, of course, requires interpretation too! But that's another subject...
Dave
I thought about it a while back, but ultimately decided to deal with the image on the back. The IQ screen isn't the best, but I've never come home and said, "I would have captured a better image if I had a better screen in the field." I guess I learned to interpret what is sharp and what isn't using the live view image. One thing Steve Combs and I noticed in Iceland: the live view image appears to have more detail than the jpeg rendered after capture. Ever since then I've been ignoring the captured image when it comes to detail/sharpness. I do use it for evaluating exposure. That, of course, requires interpretation too! But that's another subject...
Dave
Last edited:
Jamgolf
Member
With Credo 60 I used to carry a Surface Pro and it really did make a difference (to me). With an IQ3 series back, I felt the need for an external monitor was not large. So, I parted ways with the Surface Pro and now rely on the digital back screen entirely. I do carry a cheapish loupe which sometimes comes handy in very bright/sunny conditions to judge critical focus.
SmallHD 5" on camera Focus Monitor - it has 600nits brightness, so you can see it really well on a sunny day. (many others fail in this respect). Connects to your miniHDMI port on the IQ3-100.
I find using the screen on the back unreliable - its too small and too dim.
Also use Surface Pro 4 when working tethered. They have a new one out - the 'Surface Go', which should do the job too, and is smaller and very affordable, but not sure of screen brightness. Couldn't find that figure anywhere online.
I find using the screen on the back unreliable - its too small and too dim.
Also use Surface Pro 4 when working tethered. They have a new one out - the 'Surface Go', which should do the job too, and is smaller and very affordable, but not sure of screen brightness. Couldn't find that figure anywhere online.
I started shooting tethered to a Macbook (the version that replaced the Macbook Air) when using the IQ160 in the field. This helped me minimize the times I'd arrive home disappointed by out of focus images, given the poor live view of the older CCD back, not to mention my aging eyes and my inability to hit focus reliably on the ground glass. It's too early to know whether I'll continue to tether now that I've taken the 100 Mp plunge. At least now I can opt to leave the laptop stowed if conditions are poor or I'm in a hurry, but I still like being able evaluate composition and focus on the larger screen. It's also nice to be able to enter metadata (like information re: shift) on the spot. YMMV, of course...
John
John
420 nits max for the Surface Go, according to some reviewers tests. Pretty decent
That should be plenty, even more so because you can decide where you hold it. And it's way more versatile than just a monitor even when used as a monitor with all the C1 features.
Wayne Fox
Workshop Member
I’ve found capture pilot adequate for what I need. Normally just use my iPhone X, works great for focus and composing on Cambo DB. I have on occasion used it with my iPad Pro, pretty sweet to see that great big image. If I could flip and invert it, it would be like working with an 8x10 view camera 
0beone
Active member
Hey, thanks gentlemen for your views.
Whilst the live view on the back is pretty good, the size is the thing that is my problem. As John (jng) mentioned, ageing eyesight is my concern and I think that I may be well served with this option.
In any event they are not too expensive so might just give it a go.
many thanks all
Cheers
Frank
Whilst the live view on the back is pretty good, the size is the thing that is my problem. As John (jng) mentioned, ageing eyesight is my concern and I think that I may be well served with this option.
In any event they are not too expensive so might just give it a go.
many thanks all
Cheers
Frank
kdphotography
Well-known member
SmallHD makes excellent monitors that work well with the Phase IQ with the HDMI cord option.
If you want the power of tethering, the tablet form factor if the Surface Pro is hard to beat.
Regardless of approach, the most difficult issue (not a deal killer) is how to handle glare from the sun. (dark cloth, hand, hat, etc)
Ken
If you want the power of tethering, the tablet form factor if the Surface Pro is hard to beat.
Regardless of approach, the most difficult issue (not a deal killer) is how to handle glare from the sun. (dark cloth, hand, hat, etc)
Ken
GrahamWelland
Subscriber & Workshop Member
I use the rear LCD and a loupe. Like most, I don't rely on the jpg for sharpness vs the live view. The final result matches the live view but the jpg always ends up softer than the final raw.
I have the SmallHD 503 but haven't used it much after I bought it because I wasn't able to move the live view point around once connected which the LCD easily supports.
I probably should revisit Capture Pilot but I was so disappointed by the IQ260 performance and earlier versions that I've never really used it since. I know my IQ3100 is much improved but once disappointed I kind of abandoned this solution.
I have the SmallHD 503 but haven't used it much after I bought it because I wasn't able to move the live view point around once connected which the LCD easily supports.
I probably should revisit Capture Pilot but I was so disappointed by the IQ260 performance and earlier versions that I've never really used it since. I know my IQ3100 is much improved but once disappointed I kind of abandoned this solution.
