Best external monitors for Sony FX5 handheld shooting?

Question

Just picked up an FX3 for some run and gun work and I honestly love the image but the screen is killing me. Trying to shoot handheld with the native screen is just a nightmare, especially when the sun hits it. My back is already screaming from the rig and the awkward angles I have to pull just to see if I am in focus are getting old fast.

I have been doing some research online and seen a ton of people pushing the Atomos Ninja V because of the recording capabilities, but I honestly dont think I need another recorder since I am mostly just shooting internally. Then I saw a bunch of people recommending the SmallHD Indie 5, but wow that price point is a bit steep for me right now. Plus, some of the forum threads I saw mentioned reliability issues with the ports on those and it makes me nervous to drop that much cash on something that might fail during a shoot.

Im based in Chicago and have a few wedding gigs coming up in about three weeks so I need to get something sorted quick. My budget is probably around 500 to 700 bucks max. Here is what I actually need:

Needs to be bright enough for outdoor shooting because I cant deal with the glare anymore

Definitely want something lightweight since Im already carrying a cage and audio gear

Needs to have a decent touch interface because I hate navigating menus with buttons while the subject is moving

False color is non-negotiable for me

Is there anything else out there that actually fits this budget without being a total piece of junk? Should I just bite the bullet and grab a Shinobi or is there some secret budget king I am missing here? Really just dont want to regret the purchase a month from now...

CherryBlossom · Accepted Answer

Honestly, if you dont need the recording features, just grab the Atomos Shinobi 5.2 inch 4K HDMI Monitor. It hits that 1000 nit brightness mark which is pretty much essential for working outdoors without going blind. The touch interface is snappy enough for run and gun stuff and the false color tools are solid. For your budget, it leaves you plenty of cash for a good battery setup or a decent cage mount. I know people worry about build quality, but just treat the HDMI port with some respect and use a locking cable clamp, you'll be fine. It is way lighter than the Ninja models so your back will thank you during those long wedding shoots. Just keep a couple extra NP-F batteries handy since it runs through them pretty quick.

link88dal · Answer

Regarding what #3 said about the Feelworld, I have used their stuff in a pinch, but for professional wedding work, honestly, I wouldnt trust them to hold up over a long day. I actually moved over to the Portkeys LH5P II 5.5 inch 2200 nit Touchscreen Monitor a few months back and it is an absolute beast for the money. You get 2200 nits, which is a massive upgrade over those 1000 nit models when you are fighting direct noon sun in Chicago. Trust me, the difference is night and day! I was doing a shoot last month on a rooftop and my buddy was struggling with his Shinobi, but I could see my focus peaking perfectly. It feels super solid, and the touch interface is actually responsive, not that laggy mess you get on cheaper gear. Plus, it gives you full camera control over your FX3 via the cable, which is a total game changer for run and gun. It fits right into your budget and feels like it belongs on a much more expensive rig. Save yourself the headache of replacing a screen in six months and just go with something that can actually handle the light. You will love it, I promise.

PoslFluem · Answer

> Should I just bite the bullet and grab a Shinobi or is there some secret budget king I am missing here? Honestly, save your cash. Getting a monitor that is actually bright enough for Chicago summer sun is gonna eat that whole budget. Be careful with those cheaper touchscreen models, the latency can be a real nightmare when focus pulling. Just make sure the mounting points are solid before you commit to anything.