Welcome to our community

Be a part of something great, join today!

Log in
  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

RED Touch LCD vs. Side Handle -- NEED BOTH?

Jack Allred

Jack Allred

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 22, 2011
Messages
341
Reaction score
0
Points
16
Location
Salt Lake City, UT
I already have a DP6 (HDMI), so I don't need another monitor.

BUT...

I will be using VMount batteries, so I can't imagine I will ever use those little REDVOLTS.

AND...

I doubt I'll want the Side Handle protruding from my rig.

ALSO...

I am waiting for the REDMOTE PRO (for remote focus control via Canon USM focus control) so I don't want to get the current REDMOTE to control the camera.


So for now, should I get the Touch LCD... OR the Side Handle... to control the camera?
Each cost roughly the same (LCD $1600) (Side Handle + 2 REVOLTS + Travel Charger = $1465) and I don't need both.

Which is better for controlling the camera?
Is there a good use for the side handle if you use it on a support rod rig?
Does anyone with Vmount batteries ever use REDVOLTS?

It seems like just getting the Touch LCD (and forgetting the side handle/redvolts/charger) is the way to go. Then I'd have the RED TOUCH LCD for the Cam Op, and the DP6 (HDMI) for the Focus Puller.

Any input or advice?
Obviously I'm trying to save $1500 with this decision.

Thanks!
 
I feel like both are required for different situations, especially if you're going to be renting a package out. But between the two the touchscreen is defiantly the best, fastest and easiest way to navigate the menus and setting.
 
Thanks Robert.
+1 for Touchscreen.

What scenarios would a side handle w/redvolts be desired if a Vmount battery could be used instead?
I do not plan to have an EVF.
 
Jack Allred said:
Thanks Robert.
+1 for Touchscreen.

What scenarios would a side handle w/redvolts be desired if a Vmount battery could be used instead?
I do not plan to have an EVF.
Click to expand...

Handheld.

The weight of the V-mounts really changes the ergonomics of the camera. I do a lot of work with the side handle powering the camera, even though I'm using the lcd. I love that config for handheld.

Also, I would not say that the touchscreen is the fastest way to operate the camera. I'd say the side handle is. The touch screen is the quickest to learn, but with buttons programmed the right way, you can change the camera setup faster with the side handle.

One other note: I power the camera with V-mounts when its on sticks. With a Redvolt in the camera, you just pull the power from the V-mount, release the quick-release, and you're shooting handheld. Seamless transition.
 
Jack,
Thanks for posting this thread. I was going thru the exact debate today in my head, as I am in the same situation. I have the DP6 monitor, Anton Bauer battery system, and I just ordered the quickback system from Wooden Camera. I think going the touchless monitor route is probably the most economical. It will be nice to have the side handle, but I am wondering how necessary it really is. if I have a shoulder rig for Scarlet I probably won't even use the side handle too much.
 
I received my scarlet with only the side handle and no touch LCD (still waiting on it). However I was able to get ahold of a smallHD with SDI input and only the SDI on the monitor would work. HDMI would not as it is disabled and you need the menus to go into the settings to enable HDMI. Although I could get a picture onto the smallHD through SDI, it was preview only and I could not toggle on the menus in any way. I had to track down a touch LCD to be able to get into the menus. Now I'm sure any RED lcd would display the menus, not just the touch, but out of the box I was not able to get menus through SDI and HDMI was not enabled.
 
Thought I'd add to this.

I'm waiting on my DSMC Side Handle and will be using both. Another handy usage note is with the Side Handle you have much more convenient access to your record button and controls when on a shoulder rig. I noticed this very quickly playing with an Epic shoulder rig last year.

The DSMC Side Handle also allows for a very nice 30 minute buffer if you are swapping out larger batteries on the back or using one of the modules.

As others have mentioned, with the Side Handle you've got the lightest setup possible for handheld and steadicam use if that's important to you.
 
Does anyone have issues using the sidehandle due to ergonomics?


I find I can't grip the handle and operate the jogwheel with my Thumb simultaneously,
without losing grip...

Any tips on how to hold grip with right hand and operate with thumb at same time?
 
Side question:

Does the side handle work without a redvolt, when the camera is powered by a brick?
 
Another factor to consider with the side handle is the ability to take stills. That is very important for me the way I use the camera, I need the ability to be able to use the camera for still photography easily.
 
Phil Holland said:
The DSMC Side Handle also allows for a very nice 30 minute buffer if you are swapping out larger batteries on the back or using one of the modules.

As others have mentioned, with the Side Handle you've got the lightest setup possible for handheld and steadicam use if that's important to you.
Click to expand...

Those are two really good points, and which is why I'll probably still keep my order for the side handle and redvolts. Having that buffer of redvolt batteries in addition to my Anton Bauers will be a nice backup battery safety to have.
 
Highly recommend touchscreen for you jack - hdmi - I don't trust it for important shoots.

Personally I really like navigating menus with the sidehandle, faster for changing the settings when you are a one-man shooting machine.
 
Looks like I will not attempt to save $1500. I will just get both of them as everybody else is.
The things that made me choose this:

1. I'll want 2 monitors eventually. (DP6 hssdi being the other)
2. Redvolts/handle is lighter than AB/Vlock setups.
3. Shooting stills
4. Prices going up on both of these items March 1.

Thanks to those who contributed.
 
Im not a huge fan of the side handle nor the LCD as they both are way too quirky. But the LCD seemed to me the better option. First, its a monitor which is always helpful, and you can also view all the menu options available (for the most part), whereas on the side handle you can view menu options one at a time (think 'menu on the back of the red one vs menu on LCD'). Second, I hate the shortcut buttons on the side handle. I found myself constantly accidentally pressing them when in awkward handheld positions, or even when picking up the camera. I tried to turn them to benign options, but accidentally auto white balancing (or other functions) really started to piss me off.

I bought an ipad stylus with a rubber tip that somewhat helped with navigating the LCD's menu. Using my fingers on the edges of the screen often meant i missed the option and the menu would close. But tapping too quickly through menu options will close the menu (a double tap is a close command that Ive yet to figure out how to disable), meaning you have to trudge through the menu. This only became an issue once i felt i could navigate it well enough.

hopefully in the coming months there will be a few updates that will allow a bit of customization with buttons across the whole system.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top