Field monitor recommendation

First things first, I'm fairly new to the video, so please excuse basic errors I may make

I'm looking for a field monitor for my 1DXII that would help me with focusing on fast moving subjects - aka birds in flight.
At the moment, I manually focus my lens but the camera screen is to small to judge if the subject is in focus. I believe that focus peaking would solve this issue for me. Correct?

Can anyone recommend a good monitor that has focus peaking and would work with a 1DXII? Monitor with a touch screen that would work with 1DXII's autofocus would be even better
I'm looking for something below $500 but can stretch it a little if needed.

Also, is there an option of using an iPhone as a field camera with a DSLR? Quick google search found that there is an app but it requires a jailbroken iPad. Anything for an iPhone without JB?

I'm new to video as well, but I have looked into the Blackmagic Video Assist and the Atomos Ninja 2. Both are external recorders with other features, not just monitors.

Larry Johnson wrote in post #18201555
I'm new to video as well, but I have looked into the Blackmagic Video Assist and the Atomos Ninja 2. Both are external recorders with other features, not just monitors.

Originally, I was looking into SmallHD monitors but for that price I wonder if Atomos wouldn't be a better choice. I wonder what others have to say...

I was doing the same, but others turned me on to the recorders. You get a little better image quality recording externally vs record internally to the dslr.
I had determined that the Video Assist would work best for me, but I've forgotten why, ha! Won't be getting either for a while.

Larry Johnson wrote in post #18201874
I was doing the same, but others turned me on to the recorders. You get a little better image quality recording externally vs record internally to the dslr.
I had determined that the Video Assist would work best for me, but I've forgotten why, ha! Won't be getting either for a while.

After more thinking, I should add that I'm more interested in recording 4K at 60fps and 1080p at 120fps - I believe neither can be recorded on the external recorder. Therefore why pay extra for something I won't be using...

Greg, I don't really know what those two recorders can capture. I haven't looked at them in a few weeks. They list their capabilities on their respective websites. Generally, from what I recall, the two external devices can capture slightly higher chroma sampling; e.g. It will capture 4-2-2 from my 7Dii which would capture 4-2-0 internally, if I recall correctly.

Regarding focusing, I thought I'd be doing manual focus too, but others suggested using AF and it works very well. Give it a try.

Here's one of my first attempts. https://vimeo.com/1920​60233

Your 1DX2 has dual pixel autofocus and very good subject tracking. Just touch the screen on the object you want in-focus and the camera should do a good job on its own. Has this not been your experience?

I'm not aware of any field monitor or recorder that has a touch-screen interface to the camera's controls. The ones that do have touchscreens use them only to control the field monitor/recorder settings, not the camera's.

bumpintheroad wrote in post #18202768
Your 1DX2 has dual pixel autofocus and very good subject tracking. Just touch the screen on the object you want in-focus and the camera should do a good job on its own. Has this not been your experience?

I'm not aware of any field monitor or recorder that has a touch-screen interface to the camera's controls. The ones that do have touchscreens use them only to control the field monitor/recorder settings, not the camera's.

1DXII's dual pixel AF is no match for the birds I'm recording Foreground and background are just to busy and birds are just to quick. Even when photographing, it is easy to loose focus in this situation. I'm getting better results with manual focus but I think I could do better with a little bit of help from the field monitor and focus peaking. I'm just not sure which one to get...

If AF isn't working for you (have you exhausted all the options?) and you just need a monitor, not a recorder, I've been very happy with my smallHD. I have an older model (DP-6) and would love to move up to one of their newer issues- I believe the 701 (2?) Lite was the one that caught my eye. Their newer interface with the joystick looks to be an improvement. One drawback for me, with the older model at least, is the response lag when you're changing any camera setting. Once you're dialed in I guess it's not an issue and hopefully that's been improved with newer software. They're pricey all right, but mine's been invaluable- I use it for stills and video so my old eyes with bifocals can see what I'm doing, and I love the improved ergonomics of not being stuck trying to view the lcd screen, which might be a foot off the ground or over my head.

I'd recommend renting a couple of monitors/recorders prior to purchasing. Its so easy with the online rental houses not to go that route and like all things photography/art related I believe it really comes down to your personal preference and working style.

I've rented that very expensive brand you mentioned, the one Hollywood ACs rave about and found it absolutely unusable for my workflow. I just don't have the time between shots to fiddle fattle around with it like a crew who each have separate jobs might. You also have to consider if a five inch will work or if you can swing packing a 7 inch around. (not even going to dignify that sentence)

Everyone is really raving about the Atomos screen brightness for outside work so test that out as well. Aputure is also a brand to look at for a straight monitor. For me the big feature would be usb power so I can use a usb power brick. A recorder is going to have resale value I don't believe that's true with monitors they seem to be advancing to quickly. Personally I'm renting when needed and waiting until the price & bugs lower.

Again I would strongly recommend renting if your only need is focus peeking that might not work as well as you expect or it might or you might find the Zacuto viewfinder to be more useable


p.s. the other aspect is set up and carry between locations: right now you have camera & lens nice and simple, quick. putting an articulating arm mounting a monitor, plugging in the htmi takes time and elements that fall off if you want to do a quick move. Murphy's Law