GH5 Autofocus Monitor (Finally) - Portkeys LH5H review

[@TommyCallaway]

To everyone using the phone app.. it's a valid option. I hate using my phone for stuff like this though, I have 9 other filmmaking tools that require my phone, my phone could be dead, the resolution on the monitor is way better, better focus peaking on the monitor, etc.

[@LunaScopeJustin]

Does it work as continuous Auto focus or just 1 time auto focus?

[@TommyCallaway]

You can of course set your camera to continuous autofocus, but the monitor wouldn’t improve anything there.

[@OriOnTheIguanaHunter]

Basically is like having manual focus and taping the camera screen right?

[@gastypm]

I never imagined that an external "autofocuser" could exist, but it turns out it does!

[@SpoonerStudios]

Made me smile when I saw your workflow on using the GH5 with a target on a stand. That's how I have used the GH5 in the studio for the past few years as well. :) :) :)

[@castielvargastv7931]

I use my i pad or my phone for this. You can also use an old phone without a sim card so it becomes your remote

[@YourStoryStudios]

I've got the Portkeys LH5 monitor and it's pretty good with my GH4. It'd be nice to start and stop record and set focus with it, like this newer monitor, but for the price, I might just keep using the WiFi function and control the GH4 with the Photo App. That way I can change aperture and iso as well if needed. Thanks for showing us how the monitor functions!

[@MCO_group]

You can buy a longarm camera controller. A bit bulky but it works!

[@ThePhenomenalLife]

Fieldmonitor app and GH5's built-in Wifi and Ipad or phone. It also has luts, false colors vectorscope and anamorphic de-squeeze.

[@TommyCallaway]

The monitor has most/all of that as well, and more. Explanation pinned in comments, but basically I hate using my phone for anything other than a phone, 9 other tools in my studio require my phone, phone could be dead or attached to the gimbal's wifi network instead of the cameras, etc.

[@blyatberry7036]

Your quality of the videos is amazing

[@TommyCallaway]

Thank you!

[@BasicFilmmaker]

Wow! Great solution for GH5 owners!

[@KaganTech]

Fantastic video... you could have done the autofocusing for free with the lumix mobile app from your phone though. Control ISO and all that too.

[@CalebHoover]

what!!!? this looks like great studio monitor! this intrigues me

[@TommyCallaway]

It really is, lots of great features you would expect from a modern monitor.

[@OriOnTheIguanaHunter]

Caleb, are you going to test this?

[@CalebHoover]

@@OriOnTheIguanaHunter i'm talking about another monitor but yes this one needs to be on my list cuz this looks great for the studio!

[@JeffBourke]

Bloody bell that setup process was PAINFUL!!!!

[@Nqrgaard]

Hi Tommy I shoot in the GH5 as well and I have been using the WiFi app to my iPad and in that way I can remote control everything from shutterspeed, aperture, iso, start/stop recording and focus by tapping on my face, moving the focus area if I want and also white balance. Normally I previously used the native 12-35, but I later got the Sigma 18-35 also. If you use that lens, set your camera to manual mode (flip dial) and the lens to AF you can tap the little AF icon on your GH5 screen or I also think on the app. You can also use AE-LOCK button to set focus, but then you need to be behind the camera.

[@TommyCallaway]

Yeah. I don’t want to be required to use an iPad or iPhone, and I want to control it remotely.

[@connellsmith3761]

Right on! This is great.

[@LoverOfTech]

If you forget anything, just remember to get lights

[@Trevellian]

Another great video Tommy.

[@personalview7388]

That PortKeys monitor is a very nice monitor. I have been using the Fotga RM-VP1 for GH5 for years doing my reviews. I can focus and start/stop with it. Also the cord is very long.

[@TommyCallaway]

Hey thanks for stopping in man - I've found myself on your forum many, many times. 👍🏻I'll have to check out that Fotga RM-VP1

[@AaronMcFadden]

The gh5 update fixed the autofocus issue that a lot of people were having. But this is a great addition.

[@Beakerzor]

I hope the people at Panasonic watch this and feel the deep sense of shame they should feel. God, I need to just sell this camera and move on with my life. Fantastic video, as always, sir.

[@TommyCallaway]

I hope so too!

[@twosheafilms]

Super interesting!!! If I didn’t already have a SmallHD, I’d pick one of these up! I’ll just keep using the iPhone app for now.

[@yshrem]

This functionality is available through the Panasonic phone app. You can do the same exact thing and more over wifi with your phone.

[@TommyCallaway]

Pinned a comment with an explanation. 👍🏻

[@ping3488]

Looks like the touch screen is not responding well, and I don't like the layout too complicated to setup...not worth it at that price..will wait for the GH6, they will surely improve the autofocus

[@TommyCallaway]

I’m really interested to see what they come up with for the GH6 too

[@davemurray9107]

The fail point is the ef-m4/3 lens adapter, native lens autofocus is much better.

[@JohnKlosner]

"surely improve the autofocus" and other lies we tell ourselves.

[@TommyCallaway]

@@JohnKlosner "Contrast AF is the best AF!" I think they're stubborn to a fault.. hopefully, somehow, they implement phase detect of some kind.

[@BurningParisMusic]

So is the autofocus comparable to others? Sony, canon, ECT ECT.

[@TaedeMathis]

I have been using the Panasonic app. It is wireless, free and it has more control over the camera. What are the benefits of using the monitor over the app. I recently purchased the Panasonic the FOTGA RM-VP1 remote which I will try and review soon. I currently have the Atomos Shinobi, this with the app is pretty nice but a hassle to setup.

[@UXXV]

What is the latency like moving around and the device following you then setting focus? Could you do a follow up video showing how well it works ? Thanks bud this is great but also shows that Panasonic should be able to sort in firmware what this fixes as a kludge.

[@davemurray9107]

Have you used the panasonic app? It's actually pretty decent and can do all these this and latency isn't too bad

[@anime2121]

Why don't you just get remote trigger recorder for the gh5 that you can half press for focus and full press for record. The remote trigger I got is 5ft long and cost $24.99. Would that be better? Nice video.

[@TommyCallaway]

Yeah.. I'm gonna have to go ahead and do that.

[@VincePhung]

@@TommyCallaway Found one on amazon at 6ft for $11! A bit cheaper than $300. Sidenote, googling your name leads to unfortunate results these days haha!

[@TommyCallaway]

@@VincePhung haha yeah.. unfortunately, names are not entirely unique.

[@raksh9]

@@TommyCallaway HAHAHA, gone for a jog lately? 😁

[@barryobrien1890]

Nice review. May add a little life to the aging gh5

[@shiznuts]

Isn't that something you could've just done with your phone...?

[@ThePhenomenalLife]

Fieldmonitor app and GH5's built-in Wifi and Ipad or phone. It also has luts, false colors vectorscope and anamorphic de-squeeze.

[@TheToneWork]

I bought two of these and got them working with the Pocket 4k after an update (which wasn't easy because they don't list it on their site). After using it only four times, one of them failed (probably from heat). Contacted PortKeys and they told me they wouldn't honor the warranty unless I bought it directly from them. The warranty was less than two months old. Portkeys is an untrustworthy company.

[@TommyCallaway]

Damn, noted. Sorry man, that really sucks. I would contact the seller and report the issue with the warranty, if it’s a reputable company they may be able to handle it and possibly de-list port keys items

[@TheToneWork]

@@TommyCallaway I got it from Amazon and they handled it since it was still within the return phase, but it makes me not trust PortKeys. Too bad too, because it was a nice little monitor.

[@3rdGorilla]

I use the image app works just fine

[@JamieFenn]

Most importantly, does the auto focus through the monitor work better than the GH5? How does it do with continuous tracking?

[@LuisMigGarcia]

Couldn’t you do this using the Image App on your phone?

[@ThePinkBeachTowelExile]

100% or just use a LANC remote to af and start/stop

[@JimiCanRead]

Yeah I use the app to do this on the G80

[@TommyCallaway]

Yes but I don’t like to use my phone for anything. Too many devices require a phone to work

[@blaspayri]

I have used extensively the Image App for one tap focusing and start-stop recording, it works quite well and can be used reliably at a 9 meter distance. It is not perfect and probably this monitor has better screen definition and delay, but the external monitor doesn't look very responsive and the ImageApp is free. Anyway, thank you Tommy for your review and it is useful to know that this system exists.

[@THEROSEWORLD]

Awesome

[@connellsmith3761]

Hi, Has anyone here managed to get the LH5P II to work with the Panasonic GH5? I'm assured by Portkeys you can focus the GH5 via the monitor using onscreen +- keys but am not able to do so. Any explanatory videos - or simple advice - much appreciated.

[@NikitaVladimirovich]

Hello, how to connect via Type C - to Panasonic gh5s? did someone connect?

[@dclubfoto]

Wow, interesting!! Thanks for sharing... What are default battery mount? If it is not a V-mount adapter.

[@TommyCallaway]

Sony NPF series

[@dimitrimoonlight]

Why just don't you use Panasonic App for it?

[@davideludovico6416]

hi TOMMY, I'm Davide and I'm an Italian videomaker and I also have the Portkeys LH5H and I would like to ask you where can I buy the remote cable you use to interface GH5 to the display (a link is fine) which must be jack mini 2,5 to Mini B correct me if I am wrong, and it must be connected to the remote Mini B port of the monitor. Thank you very much if you want to answer

[@felipevece]

is there any way to buy a d tap cable to 5 pin conector porkey, to use it directly with the camera?

[@CrazyAboutFlyFishing]

The image app with your phone is way easier and works a ton better. I use it all th time. It's wireless too. I just can't see why you would waste $300 if you already have a phone that can do all this and more?

[@TommyCallaway]

Because my phone is already controlling 3 other devices or battery is low.

[@calogeroricciardello6766]

Which cable do you use to control your gh5? 2.5 earphone (4pin) to mini usb 10pin? Thanks

[@andreasgiobel6355]

Just as heads up, when taping the link to port keys LH5H, I get a Moza Air 2

[@AlessandroSofo]

Have you tried the Kinotehnik LCD EVF 5” with this monitor?I would like to use on the portkeys lh5h but I’m scared is too big the screen! Right now I’m usign a video assit 5” 1st gen with bmpcc4k

[@davidkujawiak7987]

Have you ever tried Atomos Shinobi? I am trying to pick between those two. Will be working with Sony A73

[@TommyCallaway]

I haven't. I have the ninja V, which is awesome, but find the fan is too loud sometimes.

[@five18audio]

This is Bluetooth camera control right?

[@Humcrush]

Note that you can do the same things - and a whole lot more - with iOS app.

[@TommyCallaway]

Sure. But I don’t ever want to use my phone to control things I use for production. There are too many things that require it already.

[@Humcrush]

@@TommyCallaway I use an iPad, but a cheap Android phone or old iPod Touch would work well, too. A lot better interface, many more capabilities (virtually everything except setting sound levels) and you wouldn't be limited by cable length.

[@zeidaghabi7284]

You mentioned that you never use NP-F batteries & only go for V-mount, why? Also you said something about mini batteries towards the end, elaborate further please. I am looking for light weight, small form factor, & with plenty of juice to power a new gimbal rig I am putting together.

[@TommyCallaway]

bebob micro v-mount batteries: bhpho.to/3gVfMZv - they have tons of accessories available, tiny form factor, rain proof, shock proof, high output, build in tiny LED light. Super lightweight, very small.

[@zeidaghabi7284]

@@TommyCallaway Great, thanx for the suggestion

[@timothyawe5103]

Are the monitors still available.?

[@mrheng562]

Bro, it was painful to watch you deal with the menu system on that monitor. Why not use an tablet/phone and the Panasonic Image app to touch focus on a single point, your eyes, and call it a day? That's how I use to do it when recording my talking head videos. :)

[@TommyCallaway]

I don’t want to ever be required to use my phone to use a piece of filmmaking equipment.

[@timothyawe5103]

Are these monitors still available?

[@puma3100]

Does it work with Lumix s1?

[@TeaJayPhotography]

Why not just use the Panasonic Image App on a phone or tablet? You can do much more with it.

[@TommyCallaway]

Pinned a comment with an explanation. 👍🏻

[@TeaJayPhotography]

@@TommyCallaway Saw it after I posted because in YT App I did not see it right away. For my YT videos I use the image app on an old tablet I do not use for anything else nowadays.

[@TommyCallaway]

Understood. I hate connecting devices to WiFi networks to use them. It’s my biggest pet peeve.

[@tylou4479]

Is the feature available on other portkeys monitors?

[@LTULOfficial]

Is the autofocus only for the gh5?

[@Brookssmedia]

Out of curiosity why not just use the app for the Gh5 when you're doing talking head videos? It would make your life easier.

[@felipevece]

Could do the same with the Poket 4k?

[@TommyCallaway]

It can do a lot more with the pocket 4k (full camera control) apparently

[@zeidaghabi7284]

LH5H vs BM5 II, any thoughts?

[@TommyCallaway]

I think the next monitor I pay more than $300 for is going to have a V-mount plate built in, and be bigger than 5" - i'll stick with the LH5H for now

[@zeidaghabi7284]

@@TommyCallaway Any advantages for the higher price tag though in the BM5 II, if you have anyexperience that monitor?

[@jeevus74]

Why not just use the Panasonic app on an iPad? Boom

[@TommyCallaway]

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