5in Touch Display vs. BOMB EVF and REDmote

[Daniel Christensen]

This may have been asked before, but the question was never really answered, as far as my research went. I'm looking for a lightweight set-up to use for all kinds of work. Basically I love capturing images, both still and moving, and RED seemed like the way to go.

So here's how I see it. With the touch display, you get camera control and a decent articulating monitor. With the Bomb and REDmote, you get a real EVF, and real buttons to control functions. With that route you also get the option to control the camera from a distance.

Now what I just said is basically what the stuff is supposed to do on paper.

In real life, I have heard issues with both systems. First, that the touch display can be finicky, i.e. it doesn't always respond, takes more than one tap to register, etc. Secondly, without some sort of top plate or arm or some other form of ugly rig gack, you have one spot to mount it, and you don't get a top handle to carry the camera. I would have to sort of cradle it some weird way, ugh! Finally, rumor has it that it's harder to focus on a screen, especially a smaller one, and also it would be harder to use in daylight.

The problems with the Bomb/REDmote that I have heard is that the Bomb doesn't have super accurate color rendition, i.e. you see one thing through the EVF, and you get something totally different in post. That seemed odd to me, since you're shooting raw, and I would imagine what you see in the EVF is in no way baked in, just as long as you exposed with your goalposts and traffic lights, and framed correctly, everything else would be fixable in post. Anyway, I also heard that the REDmote has issues with wireless control, and it's really only reliable when it's attached to the camera. That's not a big deal to me, as I can't really see myself taking it off of the back of the camera that much. The big plus with this set-up is that with a tactical EVF mount and top handle, you have a great way to carry the camera.

So here's the final word. I shoot a LOT outdoors (God's giant set, right?), and I shoot a lot handheld (about 50/50 between slider/tripod and handheld). With the Bomb, REDmote, tactical EVF mount and top handle, I could handhold the camera fairly easily. Not so much with the touch display. So are there any thoughts on these two different systems, and which would be better? I know the touch display is less than half the price of the Bomb and REDmote, unless I get the LCOS or battle-tested LCOS, in which it would nearly half the price. That was the other thing I wondered about, is the OLED $2000 better than the LCOS?

Thanks for your thoughts!

 

[Dane Henry]

Bomb EVF/SIde Handle for high contrast environments and smallest/quickest configuration. Side handle is is muscle memory for super fast/no look operation. The Touch screen is great as well....but I still use my side handle to navigate most of the time

Here is a link to photos and some BTS video showing small, compact form factor can switch between handheld, slider, tripod: http://shootcutcreate.com/2013/09/time-in-the-pines-climbing-series/

How do you plan on powering? With side handle you get access to smallest/lightest power option (albeit, at the expense of 25 minute battery swaps).

If you power from V mount or AB's you will have a tough time reliably using the REDmote as your only means of camera control....sometimes the wireless connection just wont work.

-dane

 

[Daniel Christensen]

How do you plan on powering?
-dane

With the RED battery belt and RED bricks.

 

[Ketch Rossi]

I have switched to the 9" Touch and never looked back to the 5", however at times I ended up missing too much the EVF Oled...

So I have both mounted almost all the time, with the side handle too, and in addition to do that and power both of them at the same time I have also the +1 Module installed all the time, so this adds size and weight.

But I really love running the the camera without the +1 Module and only the EVF Oled with Side Handle of course, as even so I always have a second power active via the V-Lock battery system in the past and via the XL Module most recently, so to be able to hot swap power for longer takes.

I also have gotten the Redmote down pretty well, were I would change some settings without even looking at it, but prefer mostly the side handle which of course I have all memorized, so I never have to take my eye off the EVF when changing settings.

Also an other great set up is to have the EVF Olde, Side Handle, and or Redmote to control functions, and adding a smaller lighter onboard monitor like the new SmallHD Oled DP7 7.7" monitor gives yet an other great option, but to get the best image output quality you must have a 1080p true output monitor connected via the HD-SDI port.

 

[Bob Gundu]

I'm not sure if you read my post about different rigs from some time ago.

http://www.reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?103725-All-About-Balance-Building-the-Perfect-Rig

Also, the touch screen today is nothing like it was originally. All touch screen bugs are pretty much gone. I prefer everything to be quick release, so my LCD works like this:

 

[Jordan Raabe]

Option 3: Get the side handle, since you seem to plan on using RedBricks (I assume direct on the back, meaning using the RedMote and having it charged all the time will be difficult) and get an arm and a SmallHD or other 3rd party monitor for yourself. When doing run-and-gun handheld and I'm adjusting shooting heights often, it's easy to view a screen than reposition the EVF or contort yourself to keep your eye on it. I don't have any touch problems with the 5" Touch, I think it works great like that, but I do find it very difficult to judge focus. It just always seems soft, and its not just because of it's size. For the price of a 5" Touch, you can get a 3rd party LCD, top handle, and monitor arm. I'm partial to the Ultralight arms.

 

[Daniel Christensen]

With the REDmote, if I were to keep it attached to the camera, would I run into issues? Or is it mostly when using it wirelessly that it doesn't work as reliably?

 

[Terry VerHaar]

Daniel - as just one point of reference, my REDmote has always worked like a charm; both on and off the camera (Scarlet). I know there are folks who have reported differently and may have given up trying by now, but my experience has been excellent. I have used it with RED Bricks, REDvolts, REDvolts XLs. That said, I do also have 5" Touchscreen and RED Side handle.

As far as mounting, there are a million ways to do it. Get creative. I almost always have a Touchscreen and a top handle mounted in some configuration or other.