How good are LCD monitors outdoors for use with gimbals/steadicam?

[Scott Pultz]

The monitor on my camera is basically invisible outdoors if there is sun in the sky. How well do the various 500 nit (TV Logic, DP, iKan, etc) monitors work outdoors? Are they at all usable for framing and monitoring zebras?

 

[Peter Stelzhammer]

If no viewfinder is available the use of a sun shield/hood is highly recommended under such environments anyways...
Just take a look at the stuff provided here: http://www.hoodmanusa.com

The RED Touch is pretty bad under direct sunlight, TV Logic is much better usually! But it also depends on stuff like e.g. additionally added (glass)protection shields which can add additional mirroring at wrong angles and such. We tried to use Hoodmans or brand-own Hoods/Shields whenever possible in direct sunlight (working in snow plus sunlight can be pretty tough - even with hoods, just too much light and reflections).

 

[Daniel Stilling]

500 Nit will never be enough. you will need over 1000 and then you'll be fine. Small HD and Bon are 2 of many manufacturers that offer that. I have a bon 7" superbright and its absolutely excellent.

 

[Marc Wielage]

Or... you could buy a big black DIT tent and watch a well-adjusted monitor inside that. Watching a monitor with artificially-jacked highlights is not going to give you a realistic idea about exposure or color. Here's a list of some inexpensive ($300-$400) tent manufacturers:

http://www.pelsue.com/products/tents_shelters/ground-zstyle.html

http://www.popnwork.com/

http://www.quikshade.com