Why I Started Using an EXTERNAL Monitor for My Bird Photography | Shimbol Memory I

[@CALLOFDUTYGAMERist]

awesome videos of the birds!

[@DavidReidPhotography]

Thank you appreciate the feedback 😀

[@plantman6245]

Hi nice post. I’m a wildflower photographer mostly very low to ground shooting orchids etc. I think monitor may be useful to me as it’s very tough to use optical viewfinder when very low to ground with no flippy screen. But I mostly shoot vertical portrait orientation so not sure if monitor can be turned 90 degrees so I don’t have to tilt my head sideways to see it….thx Isaac

[@DavidReidPhotography]

Thank you and yes the monitor has 2 mounting points one on the long side and the other on the short side. The mounting arm that comes with it also articulates. You should be able to find a way to make it work in almost any situation. 😀

[@plantman6245]

Thanks

[@noelleenboyers9120]

Thanks for this informative video. Have you ever used an external monitor for photography on a DSLR?

[@DavidReidPhotography]

Thank you. Yes I have. Both for bird photography and landscape photography. For bird and wildlife photography I only use it in certain circumstances. Typically when I'm waiting for a bird to land somewhere specific. Hope that helps 😀

[@noelleenboyers9120]

Thanks heaps. It does help. @@DavidReidPhotography

[@DavidReidPhotography]

Thanks for your comment. Not on a DSLR specifically but yes on a mirrorless camera under specific conditions. In this video I also took photos using the monitor. It's very helpful when you're setup on a tripod and have a small area where the bird(s) are landing.

[@stekow1111]

Eh Dave. Could you tell me what the cover is called that you have over the lense barrel and what it is called.I search and can not find them anywhere. I just need to know what they are called. \ Thanks Jerry

[@DavidReidPhotography]

Hi Jerry thanks for the question. In the video I'm using a LensCoat neoprene camo cover. I've recently removed it and am not using Mossy Oak Graphics 14003-7-SGB Camouflage tape. I had challenges with LensCoat on all my lenses. It was always moving around and bulkier than I would like. So far the tape is working well. 😀

[@ScottRitchie-bw9ls]

Thank you David, that was very informative. I am most interested in an external monitor for shooting waterbirds low without having to lay belly down. I am older, and can sit on the beach. Laying? a hassle. And would love a monitor that allows me to look down. Is this the one for me?

[@DavidReidPhotography]

Thanks for your comment and can totally relate. I would say yes this monitor is. It was simple to use and for outdoors the screen was very bright. Main thing to check is that it will connect correctly to your camera body. Good luck!

[@ScottRitchie-bw9ls]

@@DavidReidPhotography ThanK YOU. Also, do you use it much hand held?

[@DavidReidPhotography]

@@ScottRitchie-bw9ls As with any monitor it can be top heavy. I do use it when shooting b-roll with a wider lens handheld. I haven't purposely shot with it handheld for bird photography where you're moving quickly.

[@DavidReidPhotography]

@@ScottRitchie-bw9ls Sorry I thought I replied to you. No I don't use it hand held too often. Like all monitors it's top heavy and can through off your panning or quick movements when hand held. But saying that it's not impossible.

[@arieraharja3717]

Hello David, I use external monitor for still photos, but why my main LCD camera is off? How can I truns both monitor on for still photo not video.Thanks

[@DavidReidPhotography]

Thanks for your question. Some cameras have an option to turn off the LCD when an external monitor is connected. Others don't have this option and will only show the external monitor when it's plugged in. I suggest checking the camera manual to see if it explains it there.

[@arieraharja3717]

@@DavidReidPhotography thank you for reply, I use Sony, any option to truns on together while taking still?

[@DavidReidPhotography]

@@arieraharja3717 Try this Open the Menu on your camera. Go to the Setup tab (usually represented by a toolbox icon). Select "HDMI Settings" or "External Output" (depending on the camera model). Find the option "HDMI Info. Display" or "HDMI Only Display" and turn it Off. This allows the camera to display information on both the external monitor and the LCD screen. Look for "Monitor/Finder" settings or "Finder/Monitor Select" and make sure it's set to Auto or Manual as required, ensuring that both outputs work.

[@arieraharja3717]

@@DavidReidPhotography thank you very much David, I will try tomorrow 🙏

[@kevinanderson853]

I'm wondering if something like this would be a good way to review photos from high frame rate bursts (on a car ride back after an outing for example) to mark the best ones so i can just import those into my computer and spend less time picking keepers on the computer. I currently use bridge for doing this before importing the picks into Lightroom. Maybe it would be no issue to do the review on my computer if i used capture one or fast raw viewer or something else quicker than bridge. Thanks for your insight!

[@DavidReidPhotography]

Thanks for the comment and that's a pretty good idea. The screen certainly makes it easy to view photos and videos and something I'll consider next time I'm using it.🙂

[@kevinanderson853]

@@DavidReidPhotography What I'm curious about is if the photos display as quickly on the field monitor as on the built-in LCD (which is INSTANT). I used FastRawViewer on my laptop this past week and it was acceptable but not as fast at displaying the images as the camera itself, and it's nice to be able to start the review before getting home. It will be interesting to see how the speed of FastRawViewer is on my desktop 👀

[@DavidReidPhotography]

@@kevinanderson853 from what I recall yes they appeared at the same speed as I had on the screen for the SONY A1. I never found any lag with any function using this screen. Even the touch screen capabilities were responsive and didn't hold me back.

[@giuliamamott5679]

Hi. if I don't need to record, I just want to use it to help me focus bracket shooting low to ground wildflowers using touchscreen AF functionality, will the non Pro version suffice at same brightness? Thx

[@DavidReidPhotography]

Thank you for your question. Yes either monitor will work and are equally bright. I found it an easy monitor to use.

[@giuliamamott5679]

Hi thank u again for your post. I have Nikon d500 and d7200. How do we check if our cameras are compatible with this unit? Thx

[@DavidReidPhotography]

Good question. The monitor has an HDMI input. If your cameras have an HDMI output you'd be ok. I use it on several cameras with regular and mini HDMI connectors using an adaptor where needed. Hope that helps.

[@photobeast]

I'm glad you showed off this one in the video I just wish I'd caught the video sooner. Recently I started watching videos about using external monitor in my professional Wildlife photography as well. What happened was I ended up purchasing one from FEELGOOD which does not have a touch screen!! And it does not record. I spent $169 on it and with tax it was close to $200 and at this point I never use it because it's more of a pain in the ass. I wasted thousands of dollars following Trends on KZbin and I don't know at this point I'm just so frustrated

[@DavidReidPhotography]

Thanks for your comment. I think most of us out here have a hidden stash of gear we regret buying. It always looks great before we get it but once we have it it's another story. Good luck with your photography!

[@HN087]

Hi there. Did i see which batteries are used? Can't find it ..

[@DavidReidPhotography]

Thanks for the comment. I've used both battery and adapter power via L-Series/F970 battery or DC Input. You have to purchase these separately.

[@HN087]

Sorry David forgot to say I loved the video 👍

[@DavidReidPhotography]

@HN087 thank you

[@garylord7202]

Hi Do the Zebra's on the A1, display on the Monitor

[@DavidReidPhotography]

Thank you for your comment. Good question. What I do recall was that the zebra settings I used were within the monitor. They did change as my settings changed ultimately giving me the same functionality

[@plantman6245]

Hi if my camera has touchscreen AF functionality does this monitor have same function or do I still need to keep looking at camera screen for touch AF? In other words does this monitor have AF touch functionality if my camera does? Thx again

[@DavidReidPhotography]

Thanks for the question. The screen does have touch screen capabilities and I did use it with my camera to place the focus spot. I did however confirm this with the camera shutter button to make sure it was locking on to what I wanted to focus on. Hope that helps. 😀

[@isaacmihaeli3261]

It looks great based on the description. How does it compare to Atomos Ninja 5 inch?

[@DavidReidPhotography]

Thanks for your comment. I can say from experience how the 2 compare. I can say I have no issue with the monitor when using outdoors in full sunlight. 🙂

[@ezekielkok1848]

Hi David, what a lovely video you shared using this monitor! Indeed I enjoyed watching it. Silly question thou, if you record a video, will you still be able to take photos? What kind of memory card should I get for such video captures? Totally noob and am curious. Thank you in advance

[@DavidReidPhotography]

Thank you. Good question. The monitor is recording the viewfinder screen so if you're taking pictures I don't know why it wouldn't record the screen while taking pictures. I think I'm going to have to test this and see for sure. Stay tuned! 😃

[@okbit2646]

Are you able to see the zebra for over exposure on this??

[@DavidReidPhotography]

Thank you for your comment and yes you are. For the money it's a very well built high functioning monitor.

[@plantman6245]

Your video shows the monitor screen size as being only slightly larger than the camera LCD….why isn’t it displaying the full screen monitor size? I don’t get it?.

[@DavidReidPhotography]

Thanks for your comment. The screen is larger than the SONY A1 screen. Probably more important is that brightness and ability to locate it anywhere you'd like. One of the biggest faults with SONY cameras until recently is that the built in screen has limited articulation. The screen also allows for a variety of 'views' in what shows on the screen. Usually I have camera settings and monitor settings overlays on to assist with the shot.

[@lurkzone]

battery life?

[@DavidReidPhotography]

Thanks for the question. The monitor uses SONY NPF970 battery. If not mistaken you can get them in 3 sizes. I used the largest size and went from 100% to around 70% after 3 or 4 hours of shooting. I'd say the battery life was very good. Much better than the SONY A1's battery.

[@jezmink]

Looking at your screen at 2.18min this monitor can't display full screen in camera mode, so the big screen isn't doing much better than the camera's LCD, I have another brand and it's the same as yours the large display doesn't give a large image from the camera, only in video mode.

[@DavidReidPhotography]

Thanks for the comment. I'm not sure I follow you. This screen is much larger than the one on this camera or any other's I've seen. It's also much brighter and can be placed almost anywhere. As for full screen depending on the aspect ratio of you're output signal it certainly fills the screen enough to make it worth while.

[@jezmink]

@@DavidReidPhotography Thanks for your reply, what I'm saying is it's not possible to get full screen in the external monitor, there is no way of changing aspect ration signal from camera's LCD in camera mode to get full coverage on the external monitor. I understand the other points you have made.

[@adamr8628]

Cell phones work great as monitor 1.most people own several already 2. much lighter weight 3. Supports apps/control camera 4. Has its own camera as well

[@DavidReidPhotography]

Thanks for the comment. I did try that a few years back with an older Pixel but didn't have the same experience as I did with a monitor. 🙂

[@adamr8628]

@@DavidReidPhotography I can understand that. I try to save money in certain areas. And I know it might not be quite 100 percent as good..... But I definitely like to spend my money on something like lenses whenever possible, In the big picture of photography.

[@DavidReidPhotography]

@@adamr8628 I hear you. Photography is a hobby with an endless demand for your money!

[@paddykeogh1495]

How much does it cost

[@DavidReidPhotography]

Thanks for your question. Depending where you're located it's around $250-$280.

[@ReactaDev]

Most cameras also have a app you can use. I know I use Canon Camera Connect!

[@DavidReidPhotography]

@@ReactaDev True enough they do. What I found different than the app is the larger brighter screen, no lag time between the camera and screen and overall simplicity of using it.

[@ReactaDev]

@@DavidReidPhotography Yeah I completely agree, but it works if your on a budget / quick uses.

[@BenjiSamosir]

if you have something like an ipad, cant you just use that?

[@DavidReidPhotography]

Thanks for the comment. Yes I guess you could try to do that. There would be several challenges. iPad's are much larger and bulkier on top of your camera. The controls and screen options wouldn't be the same I don't think you can record on it. Top that off an iPad isn't as robust as this screen is. If you think you need a screen you can't beat the quality and price point of this screen.

[@ClumsyAI]

I lost count of how many times He said Shimbol Memory Monitor, How to Say Paid Promo. Without saying it.

[@DavidReidPhotography]

Hmmmm but I did kzbin.info/www/bejne/r6DXfpWqe5mXY9E 😂