Tablet/External Monitor

A recent article in Outdoor Photographer mentioned using a tablet as a larger LCD screen for critical examination of your image while in the field. For the photography I prefer to do, it could be useful. Add in the various applications for camera control and possibly the option of additional storage, it might be time to purchase one.

My question is: which one? For my use, using it as a larger Live View would be desirable. Applications as a camera controller would also be useful. If it were tethered to the camera with a cable, that will work. As good as Cam Ranger looks, at +/- $300, I'd like to pass on that extra expense; at least for now. Perhaps use that money for a more useful device (Surface Pro 2 perhaps- would this work?). Apple iPad or Android would not matter. So, those who use a tablet, please offer a suggestion or two.

Thanks!

Review this thread, in particular the latter entries.

https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1169061

Thanks John for the research. Some good information there, but questions remain.I probably didn't state them correctly.

I want to use the tablet two ways; First, as a tablet. To read a book, surf the internet, store some photos on (clearly, only some will fit). Second, to connect to my dslr when on a tripod to use as the screen for live view so I can examine the scene critically, review a photo to see if I need to re-shoot; this type of application. If I can load software or an application for some minor post production tweaking, even better. If I can use it as a controller for the camera, good there also.

So, which tablets seem to work well for these applications?

Go to http://dslrcontroller.​com/. Down near the bottom is "Devices". Go there for current tablets and cameras. I use a Samsung Galaxy Note 10. There are newer tablets with better displays but my tired old eyes couldn't discern the difference when I was shopping lsst January. Not a major issue unless I'm doing some post right on the Galaxy.

I'm still playing around with it, but the Surface Pro 2 runs Lightroom and Photoshop no problem. If you're going to read a book, use live view and edit on the same battery, it might be a problem. Sketchbook and editing, the battery gauge tells me that it'll run about four hours. Granted, it's a full pc and fits in my ONA Brixton, so it doens't get much more flexible than that. Also, if you deal with layer masks a lot, the digitizer is wonderful.

I'm using a rooted (CyanogenMod 7) Kindle Fire as a monitor for my Canon 1ds mkIi with DSLR controller.
Works great.

Al

I am playing with this setup: Nexus 7 (2013), 7D, and the DSLR Controller. Nice for checking focus and exposure. I think the 10" tablet is too big to be mounted on the hotshoe though.

For reading text and viewing photos, the Nexus 1920x1200 display is great too.

Lotto, sweet looking set-up.
Post a picture of the bracket and tell us who makes it.

I have tried several external monitors for dSLR use. My conclusion is that for manual focusing accuracy, the higher resolution of a true HD monitor (1280 X 800 pixels) makes a huge improvement. To get this level of resolution, one needs the HDMI output on the side of the camera. All of the other solutions, such as Cam Ranger, DSLR controller, etc use the USB output, which has a much lower effective resolution. For wireless, remote, or angled view of the LCD for compositional decisions, the lower resolution may be sufficient and fine for that task. However, for critical manual focusing, the added resolution of the HD monitor is really important. In addition, most external monitors have built in software to help with focusing such as focus peaking. 1:1 pixel mapping, and dSLR rescaling. Here is a detailed article I wrote on this topic:

http://www.fredmiranda​.com/smallhd/

SmallHD has replaced the DP6 with the DP7, and there are several other companies which sell external HD resolution monitors, such as Ikan and Marshall.
Mike K

skilsaw wrote in post #16404034
Lotto, sweet looking set-up.
Post a picture of the bracket and tell us who makes it.

Thanks. The holder is off the Arkon windshield mount..

http://www.amazon.com …o01_s00_i00?ie=​UTF8&psc=1

I made a aluminum plate with a 1/4" thread, mounted on the back of the holder in a way that I still can use the windshield mount. Rest of the kid consists of a hotshoe adapter and a small ballhead.

kbar7285 wrote in post #16403570
I'm using a rooted (CyanogenMod 7) Kindle Fire as a monitor for my Canon 1ds mkIi with DSLR controller.
Works great.

Al

Tell me more about this kbar! I have a Kindle Fire HD and would love to use it. A link to instructions on 'rooting' this thing, maybe? Is anyone using the EOS App via wifi with 70D on an Android Tablet?

Shane W wrote in post #16404865
Tell me more about this kbar! I have a Kindle Fire HD and would love to use it. A link to instructions on 'rooting' this thing, maybe? Is anyone using the EOS App via wifi with 70D on an Android Tablet?

Actually rooting a Kindle Fire is a major pain in the ass and only for computer geeks.
Just go to NA2 cards website and download the operating system for the. Kindle fire. It's relatively cheap and you'll end up with a decent tablet.
I personally have 2 iPads, but this works best for an external monitor.

Al

kbar7285 wrote in post #16404938
Actually rooting a Kindle Fire is a major pain in the ass and only for computer geeks.
Just go to NA2 cards website and download the operating system for the. Kindle fire. It's relatively cheap and you'll end up with a decent tablet.
I personally have 2 iPads, but this works best for an external monitor.

Al

Just an update to this.. I did go ahead and buy the N2A software and the install went perfect! 20 minutes and $20.00 later, I had a new Android HD tablet! I then loaded the EOS Remote App and that took some tinkering to get the tablet to connect to my 70D's wifi. Once I got them synched, it works great!

Now I will buy the dSLR Controller App and report back!