When DSLRs started to be able to record HD video, the indie film community jumped for joy (quite literally), and still do. Finally – a cheap format with lenses so we can get that wonderful bokeh.
There were however a lot of drawbacks. Chief among them being audio and manoeuvrability – and by that I mean having to crane your neck to see the screen. Many cameras compromised and introduced an articulating screen, but if you’re a Canon user like I am, that screen only comes with their crop sensor cameras. While they are getting better, going above ISO 400 introduced so much noise you might as well have just taken it on iPhone.
So this presented me with a dilemma. New camera or new monitor? To cut a long story short, I bought an external monitor. At last, I wouldn’t have to lay on the floor any longer to get the shot I needed.
I did a bit of research and came across the Sony CLM-V55, a 5 inch HD monitor with a 800×400 resolution. This to me seemed like it was going to be the monitor of choice. Despite it being £300, I thought that it was going to be exactly what I needed. Small enough to hold on a rig as it was a 5 inch monitor as opposed to a 7” and had very good reviews.
Then I came across something. Something which I did not expect. The Viltrox DC-50 – which seemed to be an exact clone of the Sony CLM-V55. I did some digging on Youtube and found a few videos doing a side by side comparison. I’m not going to lie I was still tiny bit sceptical. One costs £300, the other £90, but everything about them is so similar. The DC-50 has all the features of the CLM-V55, with the most handy thing being focus peaking and the sunshade (both are invaluable outside and I wonder how I survived without them for so long. So I went and purchased the DC-50 and I’ve got to say I’m very impressed with it so far.
OK, the picture quality is not going to be winning awards any time soon, nor would I trust the colour temperature information on the screen (best to white balance using the DSLR screen if you can). I do have some minor gripes with it, but they are all things that don’t really bother me. It doesn’t come with a plug-in cable or batteries. I knew all this before buying and bought 3 batteries. Speaking of power, it doesn’t have a battery indicator, so when you are in the middle of recording the monitor will just cut out. It would have been handy to have that.
It does make filming outside a dream compared to the nightmare it was before though. The sunshade is invaluable, as is focus peaking. While it doesn’t make the image on screen very pleasant to watch, you rest soundly in the knowledge that what you’re shooting is indeed in focus.
I’m really happy with this investment, and it’s nice and light so on a rig you’re not going to be too top heavy. If you’ve got a magic arm (because putting too much on the hot-shoe for me is just scary) then it’s great as you can adjust the monitor to wherever you are. Something which really made me think “this is good value for money” is the mini HDMI out port, so I can go out to a separate monitor. Invaluable for a DOP working separately from the Director.
So if you are looking for a good alternative to the Lilliput monitors and don’t want to break the bank, check out the Viltrox DC-50.