01Aug Do you really need an EVF for critical focus on your DSLR?
I’m often asked to recommend a good EVF (electronic view finder) adapter for critical focus. I will start out by saying I don’t use and don’t care for EVF adapters. If you’re trying to achieve critical focus, its a cheaper and easier option to use the 5x and 10x zoom on your camera.
Using an EVF adapter on your camera is basically like attaching a magnifying glass to an LCD screen. Most screens are scaling the HD footage out of your camera to some other equivalent aspect ratio. Which means the magnifying glass is giving you a close up of something that isn’t the true image. The only thing I really see as a good thing about EVF adapters is the fact that it completely covers the monitor when shooting in direct sun light. This could be a plus for some applications, but I prefer to use a sun hood.
I’m sure there are others who feel EVF adpaters are great. I tend to disagree, but if you’re in the market for an EVF, there is a flood of them on the market to choose from
August 2nd, 2011 at 8:43 am
DeeJay, I agree. You said the same thing in response to a post of mine on your site.
That said, I was wondering why you got the smallhd DP4 instead of the DP6 …or was DP4 (with evf) a loaner for review purposes?
I am going the DP6 for the reasons you mentioned.
August 2nd, 2011 at 9:48 am
I picked up the smallHD DP4 without the view finder adapter. I thought about the DP6 but I’m in love with the super small form factor.
August 2nd, 2011 at 10:23 am
Ah, I forgot that u can buy the DP4 without the evf.
Still, for me at least, the larger screen size makes the extra cost worth it.
With the kit it will be around a thousand bucks, but due to the build quality and the firmware upgrade capability, I just think it will be a monitor that I can use for years and years (unless I drop it, which I have been known to do).
Joel
August 2nd, 2011 at 4:11 pm
I’ve been pretty happy with the resolution of my Lilliput monitor over the past few years. The DP4 has the same resolution in about 1/3 the size. I don’t think you’ll go wrong with the DP6. I think for me the Sony CLM V55 will be dedicated to my 7d and the DP4 will be bouncing back and forth between the t2i and 5d. The monitors together ended up being about the same price as a DP6 but 2 monitors work better for my workflow. If I decided to get a 3rd, it’ll probably be a DP6.
August 3rd, 2011 at 9:00 am
with the DP4/6, do you have issues with playback/recording? I’m wondering if it still blinks and downscales to SD when recording. Is focusing properly even possible?
August 3rd, 2011 at 10:38 am
Yes the DP4 and DP6 both blink when you hit record. It seems like the blink is actually longer then on some of the other monitors I’ve used. I think the delay might be caused by the monitors image re-sizing feature. If you’re using the Canon 7d & 1D mark IV you’ll get an almost 1080p signal while recording and checking focus is pretty easy. With the rest of Canon’s DSLR lineup, as soon as you press record the output is cut to 480p. I usually try to mark and plan out my focus points before I hit record on these cameras.
At 480p you’re basically looking at a 1/3 size thumbnail of the HD image your filming. I’ve screwed up a few times trusting the 480p output when focusing. The shot looked in focus from the monitor but in post the entire subject was soft. I hope when the 5d mark III comes out, Canon will configure it for 1080p output in record mode.
August 3rd, 2011 at 11:07 am
Holy cow …
You can’t get critical focus from your t2i on your DP4?
Have you switched the monitor to 1:1 pixel display — and then checked focus?
The whole reason I am buying the dp6 was to get a big display to acquire critical focus from a t2i!!!
Pls let me know.
Thanks!
August 3rd, 2011 at 1:01 pm
You can approximate critical focus. But on the t2i you’ll still be looking at a scaled image during recording. The only time I run into problems trusting the monitor for critical focus is when I’m using a lens like the 50mm f1.2 and 85mm f1.2. The depth of field is so shallow that I’ve thought I was in focus only to find out that everything was slightly fuzzy. I posted a video testing the Canon 85mm f1.2 at for example and had to re shoot 4 times before I got what I wanted in focus.
The 1:1 pixel display doesn’t help very much on the t2i since the image output in record mode is around 720×480, however both the DP4 and DP6 can stretch the 720×480 signal to fill the entire screen. I guess you could think of it as Digital zoom. Hope that explains it a little better.
August 3rd, 2011 at 6:03 pm
I saw where you have the 1.2 fifty … I have the little brother 1.4 — but I would guess the same problem would occur at wide open f/stop settings.
The image output resolution of the t2i is definitely a problem.
Thanks for the warning!
August 7th, 2011 at 5:15 pm
First off, there’s a difference between a Loupe and an EVF. What you describe in your video as a magnification is called a Loupe, which attaches to the back of the LCD screen. An EVF is something different, in that depending upon the brand you buy, it’s not just a representation of your LCD, but in many cases, has a higher resolution than your LCD screen. True, the 5 & 10x magnification is a good tool to use for critical focus, however, once you hit record, that magnification is defeated. So what you say, I’ve already set my focus. All good and well, but at wider open f-stops in an interview situation you need to see critical focus continually and somethingt much clearer than that little LCD screen. Why? Well, depending upon DSLR used, let’s just say a 5DM2, at f2.8 at say 10 feet, that subject moves a few inches forward and you’re out of focus. And trust me, you’ll never see that from the LCD screen. We call that scenario in this business ” you just got you ass handed to you!”
August 7th, 2011 at 8:17 pm
As soon as you attach an eye peace adapter to a screen you effectively have an EVF. Many people have other terms they like to use. Your magnification option does go away in record mode so I normally us it to set my focus marks before I start recording. Once a camera like the 5d MKII is in record mode the output to a monitor or EVF is 480p, which matches the scaled image on the back of your camera’s screen. So you effectively have a 1/3rd representation of your 1080p image to look at. You can put a magnifying glass up to an LCD on the 5d mkII, or on an external monitor, but you still wont be able to look at your 1080p signal until the camera is done recording. You are stuck with 480p.
The amount of in focus area you have to work with is a factor of more then just your f stop. At 50mm f2.8 for example you would have about 1 1/2 feet with subject matter 10 feet away, however with a 35mm focal length on the 5d mkII you would have more then 4 feet to work with. Shallow depth of field can cause problems if you don’t properly set your focus marks before you start recording.
Or you can trust that a 1/3rd scaled image with a magnifying glass will solve your problem.
August 8th, 2011 at 7:29 pm
And you call yourself a Noob? Geez, that was a thesis and much if it incorrect, but I won’t argue. Look toward the EVF, by the way, that stands for electronic view finder, stand alone, not a loupe, Red Rock Micro EVF, which is a higher resolution than the stock LCD. Dots per inch are not all created equal, and trust me, you put a high end EVF on a 5DM2 you’ll see a helluva lot more than looking at a bare LCD screen.
August 8th, 2011 at 8:19 pm
I know my opinion on this subject is unpopular. I’ve been in heated discussions on the subject many times. All I can do is present my opinion and listen to others.
“much if it incorrect” – Which part are you referring to Steve?
August 8th, 2011 at 9:25 pm
“As soon as you attach an eye peace adapter to a screen you effectively have an EVF. ”
That is just plain wrong. You have a magnification of your LCD screen, which is calked a Loupe. You cannot compare a Loupe to an EVF.
Those DOF charts you’re looking at, that range is acceptable focus, key word acceptable, which doesn’t equate to razor sharp. Put that acceptable focused image on a 27″ screen and you’ll very quickly see that image is unacceptable and you’ve just caused a re-shoot, or worse, lost the client. My situation was more like 6 feet from subject 50mm @ around 2.8 or wider, that person moved 2-3 inches and was out of focus. Now, I’ll bet that DOF chart will give much more forgiving numbers, but trust me, acceptable focus doesn’t cut it. And, if I may add, you still have young eyes, and that makes a difference seeing that small LCD screen.
Well, I’m sorry to hear you have heated discussions on this subject, everyone has their own opinion and in my book, that’s all good!
August 8th, 2011 at 10:27 pm
No worries Steve. I agree completely with your representation of the charts. In practice your “sharp” focus range is a bit smaller then listed. I haven’t run into problems at f2.8, but I have run into problems at f1.8 and f1.4 when shooting at 85mm. I’ve given these devices a chance and haven’t had any better luck then using a reasonable field monitor on the 5d mkII, although I will admit my eye site is still very good. If I really need critical focus and there is no room for error, I normally make the switch to the Canon 7d. The output allows me to use pixel to pixel scaling on my field monitor for razor sharp focusing. I wish Canon would have given the 5d mkII this feature, it would make life a lot easier.
Regardless, I’ve screwed up shots using a field monitor, evf, and attached loupe on the 5d mkII. In a critical environment I don’t shoot under f2 on the 5d as a rule.
The heated discussions are normally fun. They keep us thinking about our craft and open you up to new ideas. I hadn’t taken in to consideration eye site issues, that might be a very good reason to go with an EVF. It’s easy to forget that others might not see as well as I do. That is a very good point.
August 8th, 2011 at 9:56 pm
Sorry, not to drive this into the ground, but honestly you can’t see an advantage of having this versus a bare LCD screen.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TwTIwCtaDg&feature=youtube_gdata_player
August 8th, 2011 at 11:28 pm
Oh yeah, it’s hell getting old! Congrats on your new ride, I like the Versa, good for you.