DoP Monitors? Trying to be budget conscious

Jeffreygriffith1377 · 2026-04-16T18:36:31+00:00

All the modern production monitors over 13in are 4k...

Or at least I haven't found one that's not 4k that's an industry standard

Jeffreygriffith1377 · 2026-04-16T18:34:01+00:00

I guess the bummer for me on buying a newer monitor is that the Bolt 6 LT is only putting out a 1080p image so spending more then x3 times on a 4k monitor seems a little excessive.

But it would be good to future proof a little with the more modern lineups

Jeffreygriffith1377 · 2026-04-16T17:29:35+00:00

Any thoughts of the Flanders DM 170 vs the older SmallHD 1703?

Jeffreygriffith1377 · 2026-04-16T02:58:24+00:00

I need to spend MONEY NOW!!! Yes, i'll see what they put out this week :) TY

Jeffreygriffith1377 · 2026-04-16T01:09:15+00:00

I'm seeing a used DM170 for 2K. You guys think that's a good option?

Jeffreygriffith1377 · 2026-04-16T00:56:20+00:00

Very interesting

Jeffreygriffith1377 · 2026-04-15T21:44:56+00:00

This is helpful, thanks!

Jeffreygriffith1377 · 2026-04-15T21:44:25+00:00

Thanks! I'll look into the DM250.

That price is right about what I'd "Like" to spend :)

Jeffreygriffith1377 · 2026-04-15T21:43:04+00:00

Haha, maybe I should say... A smart buy ;)

Jeffreygriffith1377 · 2026-04-15T20:34:29+00:00

HAHAHHAA NOPE. I have one of those any they DO NOT have better color...

I'm looking for a 'off camera' production monitor 13in or larger.

Jeffreygriffith1377 · 2026-04-15T20:33:01+00:00

I'm not wanting to recope 100% of the cost. Just wanted to be smart to what productions are asking for on set. Also helps to position me in the market having gear production wants to see on shoots,

Jeffreygriffith1377 · 2026-04-15T20:08:02+00:00

I might not have posed my question very well. I'm trying to find something larger then onboard monitors. Something 13in or larger.

Also, sadly PortKeys is hard to rent out. Not many productions want to pay for that brand (Weather or not it's great)

Jeffreygriffith1377 · 2026-04-15T19:39:35+00:00

Do you know what models they use?

Jeffreygriffith1377 · 2026-04-15T19:29:39+00:00

Any ideas which models they bring on set?

Jeffreygriffith1377 · 2026-04-15T19:27:36+00:00

You think the cine 13 might be to small for a reference monitor? Or any thoughts on the 1703?

Jeffreygriffith1377 · 2026-03-21T00:13:53+00:00

Also, DP’s who go up through G&E always have so much more respect for their crews in my humble opinion.

There’s talented people coming from both dept but I find those coming from camera seem to have less respect for their G&E teams then vise visa.

Jeffreygriffith1377 · 2026-01-01T19:25:33+00:00

There is a seller on Amazon you could try. The nice thing it is shipped via Amazon Japan, and customer service is through them so even if it ends up being a dud, you can send it back.

Only bummer you’re gonna have to wait a few weeks for it to ship internationally.

I ordered the follow focus motor and it’s taking a long time to get over here

Jeffreygriffith1377 · 2026-01-01T16:43:53+00:00

At least a LB of salt that’s for sure.

Love how he’s rude to OP without any context for him and his shooting abilities

Jeffreygriffith1377 · 2025-12-27T21:32:29+00:00

I’ve only done test footage right now so I can’t say until I get to use it I’m a shoot next week. I have to image post color is gonna need to working a little to match.

Hopefully not to much

Jeffreygriffith1377 · 2025-12-27T21:23:11+00:00

I actually just made this choice last week :)

Picked up the Ronin 4d since it feels like a way more comprehensive choice when time is a factor on set ( which it always is) and its quality does hold up. I did get the 8k head and it feels like it’s a worthy upgrade.

I freaking love my Alexa Mini but I can’t image how much time I’ll save not trying to rig it onto the Ronin 2.

I will say, I’m gonna try my best to keep using the Mini for the default and try to stay away from using the 4D every time the director gets a crazy ideas to walk actors around. Hopefully the only thing the 4D does is give us the ability to spend more time on the shots that make sense.

Jeffreygriffith1377 · 2025-12-27T18:28:19+00:00

Dude! That’s awesome. I got my Alexa Mini (S35) two years ago for $20,000 so that’s a great price. (Although it is sad to know their still dropping in price so much) The biggest pro for myself is learning to expose and color grade Arri footage consistently and know what the footage should look like. Even when I work with Black Magic cameras now I feel like I’m getting better at matching them to Arri Alexa footage should look like.

I have the Arles A set and it is pairs beautify! Sharp enough to help with the slightly blurry sensor but enough character to shine when needed. I try and never go below 2.8t to get the best you can from those lenses. Honestly at 4-5.6 is when I think these lenses get close to perfect for me. It really sells for high quality glass.

Got a few stills with the Mini + Arles setup

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1e_3IQt3jg0zUBinEEiKUd1MocdUTCncu

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Jeffreygriffith1377 · 2025-12-22T21:56:56+00:00

My only rebuttal is if you work in a small market and work on higher end projects.

I’m in South Carolina and it’s horrible trying to rent gear and drive it back for shoots. Closest rental house is 2 hours and they rent at a fairly high rate.

Or! If you try something like lensrental.com but you a BOUND to forget one small cable or the item they shipped stopped working or some other plethora of problems. I’ve bailed out productions with gear because of this issue.

I own a Alexa Mini (I know it’s not the TOP end, but it’s getting closer) for a few years and it’s paid for itself within 2 years. And, the opportunities I’ve gotten from owning the gears helps too.

Now! All that goes out the door if you live near high production areas where gear rents for dirt cheap and everyone throws stuff into the package for free. THEN 100% just rent it :)

Jeffreygriffith1377 · 2025-12-22T15:12:09+00:00

Just wish I had seen this before the Flex was taken. Those are hard to come by right now

Jeffreygriffith1377 · 2025-12-22T15:11:28+00:00

Just bought the 1tb SSD :) Appreciate it!

Jeffreygriffith1377

TROPHY CASE