Monitoring and EVF questions for light-ish shoulder rigs

[Gene Sung]

Hello,

I’m trying to figure out a starter Dragon package for myself and the whole monitoring and EVF issue has me a bit perplexed. Most of the threads I found were from 2011 or 2012, so I’m hoping they are updated with the new Dragon.

I am going to purchase the side handle and hoping to get a used 5” Touch Screen (I would actually prefer the smaller size). I have to keep my Dragon package a bit cheaper at the start so I cannot afford things like the RED Pro I/O Module.

This thread applies to more hand held / shoulder rig configurations where I would need an EVF and the goal is try and keep the camera LIGHT WEIGHT.

Questions

1) I can’t afford the Bomb EVF, so I’m going to have to use either an Alphatron (SDI) or Zacuto EVF (HDMI). Pre-Dragon, one could not use both the HDMI and the SDI simultaneously. You pick one or the other from what I read. Is that still the case because it would be nice to use an HDMI for the Zacuto EVF and the SDI for the client monitor feed. Is this possible with Dragon?

2) For the SDI port, can you run an SDI SPLITTER so you can use an EVF and feed the client monitor? Split the signal basically?

3) If you have the DSMC Side Handle, do you need the touch screen still to control functions? Once again, this would be for lighter weight, EVF shoulder mount configurations.

4) If I am using a 3rd party EVF through SDI or HDMI, will I be able to see critical camera information (ISO, Shutter Speed, White Balance, etc…) in the 3rd party EVF? Or will I just have to check the LED display on the DSMC Side Handle? Obviously, seeing it in the EVF is a bit easier.

Thanks for any info

 

[Mike P.]

Yes to all of them.

With a side handle, you don't need a touch. SDI and HDMI work simultaneously. You can use a splitter. All the critical info can be shown on non-RED displays (though maybe not by default; you'd have to adjust what gets displayed).