As a videographer, there’s nothing more frustrating than trying to nail focus and exposure on a tiny camera screen, especially when shooting outdoors or in dynamic lighting. I often found myself squinting, guessing, and hoping for the best, which inevitably led to reshoots and compromises in my final footage. This critical problem – the inability to accurately monitor my image while shooting – needed a definitive solution. Not solving it meant risking countless hours of wasted effort and potentially losing important shots due to technical errors I couldn’t see in the moment.
- Luma and RGB Waveform: Equipped with three types of high precision oscilloscope functions.Luma Waveform, RGB Waveform and Luma Histogram. The scope's position and transparency can be adjusted. The...
- 3D LUT Advanced Features: Functions: 3D LUT, Anamorphic, New Peaking, Menu Transparency Adjustment, Color Temperature, Zebra, Contrast, Osd Flip, Histogram, RGB & Luma Waveform, Backlight, Zooming,...
- Power Options: Compatible with Sony NP-F970/F960/F750/F550 or Canon LP-E6
What to Look for in a Camera Field Monitor
Before committing to a specific model, anyone serious about improving their video production workflow should consider adding a camera field monitor to their kit. It’s essential for anyone shooting video with a DSLR, mirrorless camera, or even some smaller cinema cameras who needs a larger, clearer view than their camera’s built-in screen provides. The ideal customer is someone moving beyond casual shooting, needing reliable focus, exposure, and framing tools on set. If you only ever shoot static, perfectly controlled indoor shots where you can tether to a computer, you might not need one. For everyone else, a monitor offers invaluable assistance. When looking for a monitor, key factors include screen size and resolution (bigger and sharper is generally better for critical focus), brightness (crucial for outdoor visibility), input/output options (matching your camera’s capabilities, like HDMI or SDI, and resolution support), advanced monitoring tools (waveforms, LUTs, peaking, false color), power options (battery types, DC input), build quality, and of course, price. Understanding your specific shooting needs will guide your choice.
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Meet the Portkeys PT5 II
The Portkeys PT5 II Touchscreen Camera Field Monitor presents itself as a feature-packed, affordable solution for filmmakers needing a better view of their footage on set. It promises a bright, clear 5-inch display with professional monitoring tools packed into a lightweight body. When you purchase the PT5 II, you typically get the monitor itself, likely a mount or cold shoe adapter, and potentially a cable, though power supplies and batteries are usually separate purchases. While I can’t directly compare it to every market leader or previous versions without hands-on experience with all of them, the PT5 II appears designed for indie filmmakers, videographers, and content creators using smaller camera setups who need professional features without breaking the bank. It’s likely less suited for high-end cinema productions requiring SDI connections or significantly larger, brighter displays.
Here’s a quick rundown of its pros and cons based on its specifications and common user feedback:
Pros:
* Lightweight and compact design makes it easy to mount and carry.
* Touchscreen interface simplifies navigation and access to tools.
* Wide array of professional monitoring functions included (waveforms, LUTs, peaking, false color, etc.).
* Full HD 1920×1080 resolution on a 5-inch screen provides a sharp image.
* Flexible power options supporting common NP-F and LP-E6 batteries.
Cons:
* Screen brightness might be insufficient for bright outdoor shooting conditions.
* Some users have reported potential reliability issues or units dying prematurely.
* Accessory mounting (like the reported issue with the mesh) might be less robust on some units.
* The stated 4K input capability seems limited to certain frame rates or potentially misleading for some users.
* Requires purchasing separate batteries/power supplies and potentially mounts.
A Closer Look: Features and Real-World Benefits
Having spent considerable time working with camera field monitors, I can appreciate the suite of tools packed into a device like the Portkeys PT5 II. These features are not just technical specifications; they are practical aids that directly impact the quality of your video production.
Waveform and Histogram Tools
One of the standout professional features included in the PT5 II is the inclusion of Luma and RGB Waveforms, along with a Luma Histogram. In my experience, these tools are absolutely critical for achieving correct exposure. The Luma Waveform shows the brightness distribution across your image, helping you identify blown-out highlights or crushed shadows more accurately than just looking at the picture. The RGB Waveform breaks this down by colour channel, which is invaluable for checking your white balance and ensuring colours aren’t clipping individually. The Histogram provides a simpler overview of pixel brightness distribution. Being able to adjust the position and transparency of these scopes means you can keep them visible without obscuring the main image entirely. Checking these scopes before applying a 3D LUT (which changes the image’s appearance) helps ensure you’re baking in your look onto a properly exposed image, rather than trying to fix exposure in post-production, which can introduce artifacts. These tools move you away from guesswork and towards precise, data-driven exposure decisions.
3D LUT Support
For anyone shooting in a flat picture profile (like Log) to maximize dynamic range, being able to load and view 3D LUTs on a field monitor is a game-changer. A LUT (Lookup Table) transforms the flat, desaturated Log image into something closer to the final, graded look. This is crucial for both the camera operator and anyone else on set (like a director or client) to visualize the final image quality and make informed decisions about lighting and colour. The Portkeys PT5 II supports this, allowing you to monitor with your desired look applied while still recording the Log footage internally on your camera. This saves countless headaches in post-production because you’re not trying to grade blind.
Focus Assist: New Peaking
Achieving sharp focus, especially with shallow depth of field, is paramount in video. The “New Peaking” feature in the PT5 II is a vital focus assist tool. Peaking overlays a coloured highlight onto the parts of the image that are in sharpest focus. A good peaking implementation is adjustable in terms of colour and sensitivity, allowing you to fine-tune it for different shooting scenarios and lenses. On a small camera screen, judging focus can be incredibly difficult, but on a 5-inch monitor with peaking, you get a much clearer indication of what is sharp. This translates directly into more keepers and less frustration in the edit suite, ensuring your subject is precisely in focus.
Anamorphic Desqueeze
For filmmakers using anamorphic lenses, the monitor’s ability to desqueeze the image is non-negotiable. Anamorphic lenses capture a wider field of view onto a standard sensor by horizontally compressing the image; it looks stretched and distorted without correction. Anamorphic desqueeze on the monitor stretches the image vertically to display it correctly, allowing you to frame your shots accurately and judge composition as intended. The PT5 II includes this feature, which is essential functionality for anyone working with anamorphic glass on compatible cameras.
Touchscreen Interface and Menu System
The touchscreen functionality of the Portkeys PT5 II significantly speeds up access to its many features. Instead of navigating complex menus with buttons, you can tap and swipe to change settings, load LUTs, or toggle assist functions. The menu transparency adjustment is a thoughtful touch, allowing you to see through the menu interface to some extent while making adjustments. While touchscreens can sometimes be less reliable in wet conditions or with gloves, for typical use on set, they offer a much more intuitive and faster workflow than traditional button-based interfaces.
Display Quality and Design
The physical design and screen specifications are fundamental to a monitor’s usability. The PT5 II boasts a 5-inch OCR Full-Fit Screen with a Full HD 1920×1080 resolution and 400 PPI. This resolution on a 5-inch screen results in a very sharp image, making critical focus checks much easier. The wide viewing angle of 178° means the image doesn’t significantly degrade in colour or contrast when viewed from off-angles, which is useful when multiple people are looking at the screen. The light (0.28lb or 150g) and slim design are definite advantages, as adding weight to a camera rig can quickly become cumbersome. A lightweight monitor is easier to mount securely and puts less strain on camera arms, gimbals, or cages.
Power Options
Flexibility in powering your gear on set is crucial. The PT5 II is compatible with readily available Sony NP-F series batteries (like NP-F970, F750, F550) or Canon LP-E6 batteries. This is a significant advantage as many filmmakers already own these battery types for lights or cameras. It avoids the need for proprietary batteries, simplifying your battery management on location. Having reliable power is essential for long shooting days, and supporting common battery standards is a practical benefit. While the monitor doesn’t come with batteries or a power supply, its compatibility with standard types means you can easily source them.
Other Assist Functions
Beyond the core features, the Portkeys PT5 II includes a comprehensive list of other assist functions like Zebra (exposure warning), False Color (exposing specific luminance values), Grids and Guides (composition aids), Zooming (for critical focus checks), Cross Hair, Check Field, Audio Meters (monitoring audio levels), and Image Flip (necessary if the monitor is mounted upside down). While perhaps not as headline-grabbing as LUTs or waveforms, these tools collectively contribute to a professional monitoring experience, helping you ensure every technical aspect of your shot is correct before you hit record. The inclusion of Custom RGB allows for fine-tuning the monitor’s display calibration if needed.
4K Input/Output Claim
The specification mentioning 4K30P Input/Output is potentially one area where users have reported issues, as highlighted in some feedback. While the monitor’s native resolution is Full HD 1080p, accepting a 4K signal allows it to downscale and display the higher-resolution feed from capable cameras. If this downscaling function is not reliable or only works intermittently, it could be a significant drawback for users specifically buying it to pair with 4K cameras. My experience has shown that interpreting “4K input” on a 1080p monitor requires understanding whether it successfully downscales or simply fails to display the signal if it’s not precisely what the monitor expects. It’s a feature that sounds good on paper but needs careful verification based on your specific camera setup.
What Users Are Saying
Looking online, I found that users generally see the Portkeys PT5 II as a good value for its price, appreciating the range of features it offers. Many highlighted its lightweight build and responsive touchscreen as positives. However, there were recurring mentions of potential quality control issues, with some users experiencing units that failed quickly or had screen problems. The brightness was also noted as potentially insufficient for bright outdoor conditions by some, while others were satisfied with its performance, especially when paired with specific cameras like the Sony E10. The issue with the stated 4K input capability not working for some was also a point of concern among buyers.
Concluding Thoughts and Recommendation
The problem of inaccurate on-camera monitoring is a significant barrier to producing high-quality video, leading to potential exposure errors, missed focus, and ultimately, compromised footage. Solving this problem with a reliable field monitor is essential for anyone wanting to take their videography seriously. The Portkeys PT5 II Touchscreen Camera Field Monitor offers a compelling package to address this need. It provides a sharp, clear display, a host of professional monitoring tools like waveforms and LUTs that genuinely help on set, and its lightweight design makes it practical to use. While some user reports raise questions about long-term reliability and the brightness isn’t top-tier for sunny days, for many filmmakers on a budget, the features offered represent significant value. If you need professional monitoring tools in a portable, affordable package and are willing to consider potential brightness limitations or ensure your specific 4K signal is compatible, the Portkeys PT5 II could be a great fit. To learn more and Click here to check the product out yourself.
Last update on 2025-06-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API