Torben Greve

I read that thread and it's all interesting, but whenever I else comparisons they always seem to refer to some test done inside or at best in not-sunny weather... preferable also in a vertical position. No one seems bold enough to do that direct sunlight test. Why not test gear at the most challenging setup? That's where it's supposed to shine. With tech today there's no real reason why you shouldn't be able to purchase small hd monitors with anti-glare / transflectiveness for a small price. The only reason is that the manufacturers have to have something to "improve" their product with for the next generation or two... heck, I'm sitting at a 24" Eizo monitor with anti-glare and what not for the meager price of $2500, so why do I have to pay more than twice this to get something remotely in the same quality in a monitor a fraction of the Eizo monitor size? Sorry, I'm probably being ignorant here. I just have a hard time finding justification for the price tags around in relations to what you're getting. Small market = less competition = higher prices? I don't know about those TB6 and Cinetronics... I was comparing 4 other monitors :) that are approx in the same price range (1000-1600), and where the Marshall 6.5" seems to be the one best able to withstand sunlight. I'll see if I can look it up again (was random googling).

http://www.amazon.co.uk/PRO-POWER-F008B-BATTERY-HOLDER/dp/978804333X/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1309546521&sr=8-3 or these maybe from Ebay http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/6PCS-10x-AA-Battery-Holder-Box-15V-Case-w-Snap-bes10aa-/180642939522?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a0f288282 Thanks :)

I just saw an extensive test where it was the only one that was remotely viewable in sunlight. The others were the dp6, the 5" marshall and some fourth monitor.

Any smaller versions coming? :)

I decided to go for the Marshall 6.5" with transflective.. visibility in daylight is a key factor.

I was just suggested this one from another steadi guy... http://www.shoot35.com/products/rodsupport/af100baseplate/af100baseplateframe.html Quite a bit cheaper, but still looks decent. I could just add the 6 inch extentions to it and have 16 inches for the price $260 instead. Only thing I'm unsure off is wether the height between the base and the rods is too high.

Will it be lighter than the Cinetronic monitors on the website at the moment? 3.6 pounds sound like a lot :o

You bring up a valid point of view which I hadnt thought about. I'll hold off the purchase and see how it goes. Thanks :)

I'm having a hard time deciding what kind of base plate to get for the Steadicam Pilot. I'll be flying the 5D with a Hocus Focus and therefore need some rod support. What alternatives do I have beyond the Zacuto mini base and microSupport system? I don't need anything fancy, although it would be nice to have a stable quick release option. Thanks

Sometimes it's best to just study and study and then study some more. I found a lot of answers here, including in the monitor shootout thread. I understand now that most lcds are too weak to work in the field. And with the luminance of 300 in the DP6 I guess this would make it very unusable in sunlight. I don't doubt that a lot of people find the DP6 a nice monitor (the glossy effect... same thing going on in Apple products). From the start I should have told myself that I could apply the same mythology to a monitor like this as I do for monitors I use for retouching, anti-glare is good :) I then noticed the V-LCD651STX-HDMI being mentioned in the monitor shootout, and decided to see what's it about. It's not that much more expensive than the DP6 and alone by the specs I like it a lot more. But thanks for letting me vent a bit here hehe... please do correct me if I'm walking too deep into the woods :D

I've read a few posts saying that even the new and nice 5.8" monitor that comes with the Pilot could have some challenges in regards to view-ability in daylight etc. So I was looking at the SmallHD DP6 as an option to replace the stock monitor. I has some nice options like peaking etc, that I could also use when going shouldermounted. However one post here stated that the screen had a bit too much glare for his taste. Has anyone else experienced this? I know that companies just want to sell their products, but SmallHD states that the DP6 should be fine even in daylight, so I'm at a loss. I can't afford a more expensive option than this. Would it be as easy as fitting it with a sunhood? If I could I would go see it in person, but noone carries it around my neighbourhood :S

Hi and thanks for replying. Yeah, I see that advice a lot, and have paid attention to it. That was also one of the first things the guy from the store mentioned. I think they had Garrett Brown come by a couple of times, but that it would be another great guy that would hold the next seminar (which was sold out already :( ). So I'm looking forward to next year, where I might join that class. In regards to the pilot and the Zephyr are the differences in operation as far apart as the price?

Hi guys, and thanks for letting me roam around a bit ;) First a few words on myself and what I'm looking to do. I'm another one of those still photographer guys who's turning video... I do this out of ambition rather than need. I've always been a film geek and if I could go back and tell myself what to do with my still I would have persuaded myself to become a film/tv photographer rather than a still photographer. Anyways, I lost my video virginity last year through 3 music videos and an instructional video. All was shot on Canon DSLR, mostly handheld but later also with tripod and then the homemade t-shaped stabilizer (the one made from metal pipes and weights in the bottom). And man... did that video work ever grow on me! During the post and the next shoot and the next, I started thinking about how the whole steadicam univers worked. How could I get more stable video, that had more production value than these homemade things and ultimately eliminate the need for extensive tracking etc. in AE and the likes. Currently my accessories only amount to (please dont laugh :S) a homemade IKEA shouldermount, and a homemade slider that I made from an old Manfrotto 231 and a set of Rigwheels. So here I am... a year later, and finally got myself together to start asking knowledgeable people questions about this. Recently I got in touch with our local Steadicam pusher and putting it like it is: I'm a 5D owner, I only own 2.8 L zooms (24-70 and 70-200) and a 100mm L and while I have an idea of what I want my worklife to look like in 5 years, I can't tell for sure. I mean, I wouldn't mind being able to shoot on a RED if the opportunity came along, or atleast something bigger/better than my 5D. I'm looking to invest in a rig, but I need guidance in what to get. He called me up and wanted to have a chat. He had two types of steadicam that I could think about, but in regards to price they are north and south. The ones he suggested was the Pilot and the, twice as expensive, Zephyr. My target areas are: corporate videos, event videos (not weddings... but backstage and social events and so on), small business advertising, music videos, documentary and news covering. Which model would be reasonable to look more into? He invited me in to the store to have a look at both models, but I haven't had the time yet to do that. The next camera investment after a steadicam would probably be to improve my lens setup, all though I'm not entirely sure if I need primes at all for anything other than the extra 1 aperture or so. Thanks for taking your time to read through this. Kindly Torben