Finally, there are four functions buttons at the top of the monitor and a menu button plus scroll wheel to navigate in the menus. The next bundle includes the newer flagship full-frame mirrorless camera from Panasonic – the LUMIX S1H (our Review, our Lab Test). The camera can record up to 6K 30P or a wide range of 4K modes. It offers nice ergonomics, good IBIS, and relatively clean images with high ISO.
CVP Buy link: FUJIFILM X-T3 Camera Body Was: €1,314.19 Now: €1,041.41 (Savings: €272.78 including Cashback). But, as usual at CineD, we review every product equally and point out the things that can be improved. I have no doubts that the products and accessories will continue to get better over time.
The Portkeys BM5 III WR is available now for €517. When you order it, you’ll have to choose the correct control cable for your camera, if you want to control it wired. The PortKeys Bluetooth Module for BM5 monitors retails for $119/99€, and you can pre-order it directly on PortKeys’ website. It should ship from the 30th of November.
B&H Buy link: Panasonic LUMIX GH5 Camera Body with accessories set Was: $1,997.99 Now: $1,297.99 (Savings: $700.00). Before we dive deeper, while I like the included hard case that does its job at protecting the monitor, there’s no extra space inside to put a battery – even if you attach a small Sony NP-F battery, the case doesn’t close anymore – or some spare HDMI cables. Even the antennas don’t fit mounted to the monitor inside the box.
Let’s make it simple here; the PortKeys LEYE II has its predecessor’s same features and specifications. In a nutshell, that includes. To use a Sony NP-F battery, slide it to the right. I already said it for Portkey’s monitor, but I love that battery powering option.
A few days ago, we covered the release of the PortKeys HS7T Metal Edition monitor, with its most exciting feature being a plate on the backside of the device to host a wireless video transmission system. PortKeys has just announced a new 5.5-inch field monitor: the PortKeys P6. This monitor features a 1080P display with a decent 500nit brightness and a 4K HDMI input plus a 4K HDMI output. Let’s take a closer look at it!.
Buy link: FUJIFILM X-T4 Bundle Was: €2,593.15 Now: €2,480.33 (Savings: €112.82). If you wish to attach your monitor to a 1/4-20″ mounting accessory, all you have to do is put a 3/8-16″ to 1/4-20″ threaded insert. Simple and easy, I guess implementing this type of mounting option at the bottom of every monitor is easy to make, making every filmmaker happy.
Did you like that review of the ? What do you think about one of the most affordable products on the market right now? Do you want to learn more about a camera monitor and want us to review it? Don’t hesitate to let us know in the comments below!. You can immediately feel that it’s a well-made product out of the box. The materials look dense, the stitchings of the bag are perfect, the sewing thread is thick.
Now let’s take a quick tour of the monitor. the small front pocket could feature the same metal zippers pull straps as the main compartments ones, so you can close it with the TSA lock.
Buy link: Panasonic LUMIX S1H Bundle Was: €4,830.89 Now: €4,502.40 (Savings: €328,49). The BM5 III WR is made from aluminum, and there is a tempered glass in front of the display.
Portkeys is a Chinese company that released a full lineup of affordable on-camera monitors and viewfinders with an impressive price/feature ratio in a couple of years only. If you’ve never heard of them before, you can take a look at my in-depth review of the Portkeys LH5P here. The Portkeys PT5 comes in a small box. Open it, and inside you’ll find a Pelican-style hard case.
That’s many included accessories for an entry-level/budget monitor and even more than some previous and more expensive options Portkeys has to offer. Via LANC: Z CAM E2 F6 and S6, Blackmagic Ursa Mini, Ursa Broadcast, Pocket Cinema Camera 4k/6K, Sony FS5, FS7, FX9, C700 PL, C700 GSPL, C200, C100, C100 MARK 2.
There are two little charging indicators on top of the Volta36 battery charger that goes from red (charging) to green (charged). Fig. 3: The Portkeys BM5 monitor – bright (2000 NITS) and well built, however the screen is very reflective which can hamper the viewing experience outside.
As I already mentioned, there is a built-in Sony NP-F style battery plate at the monitor’s back. I did a quick battery life test with a Sony NP-F970 battery at maximum brightness (1700nit). I got away with around one to one hour and a half battery life. The PortKeys HS7T has a plate for attaching a wireless video transmission system. Source: PortKeys.
You got it; the LEYE II is a pretty decent electronic viewfinder that now features a built-in Canon LP-E6 battery plate at the back of the unit. Unfortunately, there is no indication about the battery life from PortKeys. E2-F6 FF: $4995 available in PL or EF mounts.
The D-Tap output port of the Volta Cinema Top Handle can give you 7.2V with a maximum load of 5A. The company has a full compatibility list on its website. In a lot of ways, the Portkeys PT5 reminds me a lot of the SmallHD 501, which is still to this day my favorite 5″ on-camera monitor. It’s compact, lightweight, with good battery life, and it just feels like it’s part of your camera. The good thing is that the PT5 is a fraction of the SmallHD 501’s price, and it even has a way better battery life, but it doesn’t have SDI input/output ports. So you can’t have the cake and eat it too.
EOS R’s smaller brother – the EOS RP – is now also on sale during Black friday. As a bonus within this accessory kit on B&H you will get a SanDisk 32GB SDHC memory card, and a shoulder bag. Also, it gets very very hot and is quite power hungry. I used the “low” setting for the internal fan to avoid picking up the sound on video.
Buy link: Canon EOS C500 Mark II Bundle Was: €19.452,65 Now: €18.928,94 (Savings: €523,70). It is already compatible with the Z Cam E2, Sony/Canon/Panasonic cameras. But, PortKeys just introduced a new Bluetooth Module that pushes the capabilities of the BM5 a little further.
I decided to include drones in this post as well. DJI Mavic 2 Pro is the best drone in its category with the Hasselblad 20MP UHD 4K 1″ CMOS gimbal camera. The aperture is adjustable between f/2.8 and f/11. The drone can film in 10-bit Dlog-M and in up to 4K 30fps. More information about the drone can be found here in our article. This cover also features all the mounting points: a built-in NATO rail and three 1/4″-20 mounting points with ARRI locking pins.
The OEYE-3G EVF is upgradable through a USB port and includes many free software features right out of the gate such as. The PortKeys LEYE features a 2.4″ LCD screen with an effective resolution of 1440 x 900. The display is 8-bit – which is enough for framing your shots -and has a maximum brightness of 300nit with a 1100:1 contrast ratio.
You got it; both monitors are very similar, so what’s new? One of the biggest caveats of the LH5H is its full-plastic construction. The PortKeys LH5P is built with aluminum alloy, which makes it more resistant to field life. Also, it looks slightly thinner than its predecessor, but the LH5P is heavier at 250g vs. 170g for the LH5H. Let’s talk quickly about the batteries’ technology. According to Volta Cinema, the Volta36 uses the same 21700 cells as Tesla uses in their cars. These cells allow them to pack more energy in a smaller format.
I guess that most filmmakers will be covered. It is also possible to connect the LH5P to a Tilta Nucleus N/M wireless follow focus to pull focus via the monitor. For all ZCAM E2 models, the control interface adds AF/MF and touch focus enable button.
PortKeys LEYE – Display and Loupe. I guess adding a small button at the bottom of the screen that allows you to access the “tool adjustments” settings would be a good help and easy to do (UI/Software change).
The EVF is built with all aluminum construction and the OEYE-3G EVF weighs in at a very manageable 400 grams. Three custom user buttons are available and you can mount the EVF using the ARRI Rosette or two provided 1/4″ holes. There is also a headphone port on the back for monitoring audio. CineD has become one of the most successful video camera gear reviews & news websites in the world over the past decade, and we are only getting started. We need more CineD writers.
To me, being able to control the camera using a field monitor (like a RED Touch for example) is a big thing. If I can get a bigger monitor to mount on a Canon C200 or Sony FS5 and still be able to control the camera like the standard little screen, it’s a go-to. This is not that bad on the LH5P, and even at maximum brightness, the image remains viewable and usable. Keep in mind that this is a budget-friendly monitor, so comparing it to the big boys doesn’t make sense.
Portkeys PT5 5″ On-Camera Monitor Released – Only $169. As Phil Holland wrote, aside from REDCODE RAW files, the camera can also shoot ProRes MOV files for quick turnaround. They are available in HQ and 422 for both 4K and 2K resolutions. According to Phil, the camera can’t record both at the same time.
Key features: 7-inch IPS display, 1920×1200, 16:10 aspect ratio, 500 nits, 1200:1 contrast ratio, 160° viewing angle, 4K 60fps HDMI input and output, Touchscreen , Sony NP-F battery plate on the back to host and power accessories, Support for 50 custom 3D LUTs, Camera power supply , 5V USB-C Power Supply, 4x 1/4”-20 threaded holes, 330g, 175x105x22mm. Let’s be clear, this new Portkeys BM5 III WR is not a massive upgrade over its predecessor, and most of the main features are the same, including.
The battery is held at the back of the handle by a screw. As you can see, one end of the Volta Cinema Top Handle is fully open. According to the company. Canon EOS R6 Bundle – €144,82 Savings.
One full-size HDMI to mini-HDMI cable. With a very affordable price of $399, this entry-level electronic viewfinder filled a hole in the market. And, if you have a camera without a built-in EVF – like the Canon EOS C70 or Sony FX3 – it could have been the perfect solution.
According to Manfrotto, these “SAS-TEC” structural reinforcements feature exclusive viscoelastic memory foam for multi-impact endurance. Unfortunately, I did not open the bag with a knife to verify, but the bottom bumpers did well during my testing. So, you have to rely on the camera’s focus peaking (displayed via HDMI to the monitor).
The promoter reserves the right to amend these terms and conditions at any time and to amend or withdraw this promotion at any time. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer. Pricing accurate as of 7th August 2020, CVP is using live exchange rate pricing converted from GBP currency. Currency exchange might affect amount payable. The PortKeys P6 will start shipping at the end of December, and it retails for $169.00. You can pre-order it on PortKeys’ website, we will update this article with links to B&H and CVP as soon as it becomes available.
the height of the small dividers could be higher so small objects doesn’t move inside the bag. The monitor has a contrast ratio of 1000:1, and the panel itself is 10-bit (8+2 FRC), so not “true” 10-bit. An 8+2 FRC panel is less expensive for manufacturers to produce, as it’s based on a “software trick” to simulate 10-bit on an 8-bit panel. I’m simplifying things here, but keep in mind that even some of the most expensive monitors from SmallHD or Atomos (except NEON) use the same technique.
As you can see, the P6 is fully packed with all the essential tools. The only drawback of PortKeys’ monitors is the user interface, which is not the most intuitive near beautiful out there, but it gets the job done. Optimize the camera control interface and functions: improve the aperture display accuracy of BMPCC4K/6K. Fixes an issue where the BMPCC 4K resolution cannot be switched to 4K 2.4:1 4096×1720.
Chinese manufacturer PortKeys has just introduced a new version of its famous HDMI-only compact electronic viewfinder: the PortKeys LEYE II. The LEYE II now features a built-in battery plate. Also, PortKeys has been teasing an SDI version of its viewfinder for quite some time now, which should be released soon. So let’s take a closer look at these!. Bottom: there is one camera control mini-USB port, a 5-pin motor camera control port that doubles up as a DC 7-24V power output port, one 1/4-20” mounting point with locating pins, and a USB Type-A port to update the firmware of the LH5P, load your LUTs, or power it.
Also, one thing that I found annoying is that the display catches fingerprints quickly. It means that you need to clean your monitor very often, which can be annoying. You can adjust the scale/position/settings of each tool via the touchscreen. However, you have to press the monitoring tool you want to change for a second and slide it to the side. I have to admit that this manoeuver is sometimes tricky, and it takes some time to get used to.
Manfrotto PRO Light Flexloader L carrying capacity. When looking at the price of this camera, keep in mind though that you have to rig it up with a monitor and audio equipment – see the setup that I used for the sample footage below.
You can adjust the scale/position/settings of each tool via the touchscreen. However, you have to press the monitoring tool you want to change for a second and slide it to the side. I have to admit that this manoeuver is sometimes tricky, and it takes some time to get used to. I have tried this option in practice but quickly abandoned it for moving shots, as the motion blur (or partial lack thereof) of the resulting image looks weird. It may work for a static interview though, or a situation where the scene demands a higher shutter speed (1/200 and up).
* CVP Terms and conditions apply. All products are subject to availability. We reserve the right to withdraw the Promotion at any time without notice. Any descriptions of the promotional product is for illustrative purposes only and there may be small discrepancies in the size and colour of goods supplied. I’d say that from 0 to 25% brightness, black levels are okay, but you’ll have to consider gamma shifts if you go higher than that, which you’ll do if you go outside.
I hope that in the next production batches, Volta will solve that with a permanent labeling or engraving technique. We’ll talk about the battery charger’s build quality and monitor mount a bit later in their dedicated sections. The X-T30 offers very compact body and only a slightly less features than FUJIFILM X-T3. Make sure to check our X-T30 anamorphic review for more information about this tiny yet capable filmmaking device. B&H offers free accessories – memory card and a bag – along with the camera.
If your monitor colors are incorrect, you won’t see your footage how it really is. For example, when a monitor’s colors are wildly inaccurate, you can see orange when you’re supposed to see yellow or red. It can affect how you’ll set your camera’s white balance or exposure, for example. Temperatures in the Indian jungle would be as high as 45°C, the climate is very dry hence exposing the gear to the bumpy, dusty roads in an open jeep got me a bit nervous. Would the cam and the monitor survive?.
Buy link: Panasonic LUMIX S1 Camera Body Was: €2,120.75 Now: €1,734.99 (Savings: €385.76 Cashback + Free 3-Yeatr Warranty). I think monitors like the Atomos Shinobi that retails for a $299 price tag ($100 cheaper), or even the AndyCine A6 Plus V2 do make a better comparison starting point. I worked on a table to compare all three models which you can find below.
We first reported about their Portkeys BM5 monitor in 2019, a 5-inch field monitor with SDI/HDMI input and output ports capable of controlling your camera. The company released an upgraded version, the PortKeys BM5 III WR, that boasts a bigger screen and a couple of new features. The has a glossy and quite reflective screen and is not very bright, so if you plan on using the monitor outside, the included sun hood will come in handy.
PL to RF Revolva Mount Adapter with ND filters. Source: KipperTie. A top handle to power your camera and accessories.
At the front of the bag, there is a small accessory pocket. This can be handy to carry some small items, batteries, snacks, papers, etc. Left side: one HDMI input port, one HDMI output port, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Portkeys PT5 5″ On-Camera Monitor. Buy link: Canon EOS C500 Mark II Bundle Was: €19.452,65 Now: €18.928,94 (Savings: €523,70).
Indeed, 1/4-20″ with locating pins mounting points are not “industry standard,” but 3/8-16″ with locating pins are. But, again, to me, Atomos did it right with their Ninja V/V+, and a lot of camera monitor manufacturers should follow the trend. Waveform, Luma, Histogram, false color, and zebra.
B&H Buy link: Sony a7R III Camera Body with Free Accessories Kit Was: $2,798.00 Now: $2,498.00 (Savings: $300.00). There are four user-assigneable buttons on top of the LEYE II.
Education is an important part of self-development. MZed offers all kinds of usefull online courses. You can check our rewievs of their courses – Cinematic filmmaking masterclass by Philip Bloom and Directing color with Ollie Kenchington. They have interesting Black Friday offers which will be live from Wednesday 27th (PST) until the end of Monday, December 2nd (PST). Available offers. Not all monitors are created equal, and the quality of the display behind them may vary significantly. A great on-camera monitor must be as color accurate as possible and close to “what you see is what you get” as possible. If your monitor colors are incorrect, you won’t see your footage the way it’s supposed to be.
RED Komodo is the new Super 35 6K cinema camera that features a very small form factor. RED shipped out the first batch of custom-colored pre-release cameras in Grossman Gold color. The first hands-on tests and sample footage from Komodo users as well as first accessories are appearing. Canon EOS RP Camera Body with Accessories Kit – $300/€243 Discount.
However, Volta Cinema is a small team with only Tudor and his friend Oskar Woinski doing everything with love and passion. In that sense, you can’t judge and compare the product from a startup like a product from the big players of the filmmaking industry. However, they also closed the door on other monitors who might want access to the latest features from Teradek. BlackMagic, Atomos, PortKeys, and others will have to find their own solutions.
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