Tuesday, February 26, 2013

SmallHd dp4 diopter review

The SmallHD dp4 is my go to monitor. When I first got it I noticed using the efv attachment made the image hard to judge focus, the image would look a little blurry. So I've been using the dp4 as a monitor only which is fantastic. Easy to judge what is in focus without using the focus assist.

I recently ordered the dp4 diopter kit, to see if the blurriness would ease up.
The kit which includes 3 different diopters. A +1,+2 and +3. These can also be stacked to give even great effects.
When I got the kit I tried all 3 diopters. All tests were done inside in controlled lighting and outside mid day.  The +1 helped but the image was still blurry. The +3 was too much magnification making the image even more hard to tell what was focus and what wasn't.  
+2 is the diopter I'll be using as it got the image clear and much easier to judge focus especially in bright conditions. 
Using the +2 diopter I'll be using the dp4 as an evf more then ever before. It made the image as clear as just using the dp4 as a monitor. Plus it will give the extra point of contact needed while shooting with a shoulder rig.
You can find the SmallHD diopter kit here. http://store.smallhd.com/Store/DP4-Monitor-Accessories/VF4-Diopter-Set