Which external monitor works best with the Sigma fp L?

Question

So I have this shoot out in Joshua Tree next Friday and I am legit panicking because I just realized I cant see a single thing on my Sigma fp L screen when I am outdoors in the sun. The screen is just way too reflective and small and I dont have the EVF-11 attachment because honestly it makes the camera too bulky for the gimbal setup I use. I need a solid external monitor like yesterday.

I have been looking at two main options but I am totally stuck. First is the Atomos Ninja V because basically every YouTuber says it is the gold standard but my logic was that the fp L already does internal 12-bit RAW to an SSD so do I even need the recording features? It feels like I am paying for a recorder I wont use much since I already have my SSD mount. Plus the Ninja is kinda heavy and I am worried about the balance on my RS3 Mini especially when I have a heavy lens on there.

Then I saw the PortKeys LH5P II. The 2200 nits brightness sounds like a life saver for the desert and I heard it can actually control the camera settings through a cable which would be huge since the fp L buttons are tiny and annoying to hit when it is rigged up. But then I read some forum posts saying the software is buggy and the fan is loud as hell which might mess up my scratch audio if I am shooting close to the rig.

My budget is capped at around 550 bucks since I spent way too much on lenses lately. Is there a third option I am missing? Maybe a Blackmagic Video Assist? But that is probably over budget and way too big for what I need. I just need something that is bright enough to see in high noon desert sun and wont lag. Does the PortKeys actually talk to the fp L properly or am I gonna regret not just getting the Ninja V and calling it a day? I really need to get this ordered by tomorrow to have it in time for the trip...

SilverStack · Accepted Answer

Re: "I had a really annoying experience with the..." - honestly, buggy software just kills the vibe. I've been very satisfied with the Shimbol M5 5.5 Inch 2000nit Field Monitor lately. My last midday desert shoot was a breeze because the screen actually let me see focus without a hood.

Super light frame works well with the gimbal.

Screen is crisp and colors look good.

Solid build, no complaints so far.

BinarySentinel · Answer

I had a really annoying experience with the PortKeys software recently... the camera control is just way too glitchy with the fp L for me to trust it on a professional shoot. It basically froze my feed twice during a wedding. Since you are on a gimbal and need that desert visibility, here are two other options to consider:

SmallHD Action 5 5-inch 2000 Nit Daylight Viewable Monitor: This is probably your best bet for seeing clearly at noon. Unfortunately, the software is super basic and honestly a bit disappointing if you have used their higher-end PageOS before. It lacks some of the better exposure tools, but it is reliable and light.

FeelWorld LUT5 5.5 Inch 3000nit Ultra Bright Monitor: If you want pure brightness, this hits 3000 nits which is insane. But the build quality is pretty bad and plasticky. Also, that fan is definitely loud enough to ruin your scratch audio if you are close to the mic. Skip the Ninja V for this one. 1000 nits is useless in Joshua Tree. You will just be looking at your own reflection all day.

HyperHarbor · Answer

Look, I have spent plenty of time shooting in harsh light and in my experience, 1000 nits just doesnt cut it for the desert. Youll be squinting at that Ninja V all day. I have used the Atomos Ninja V 5 inch 1000 Nit Monitor Recorder for years, and while it is a tank, it is way too heavy for an DJI RS 3 Mini Gimbal Stabilizer setup once you add a battery and a cage. Plus, as you noted, you are already doing 12-bit RAW to an SSD so the recorder is basically just dead weight for your workflow. I would honestly go with the PortKeys LH5P II 5.5 Inch 2200Nit Camera Control Monitor. The 2200 nits makes a massive difference when the sun is hitting you from every angle in Joshua Tree. I have tested the camera control with the fp L and it is actually pretty solid now after the last couple of firmware updates. It lets you trigger recording and change aperture without fumbling with those tiny buttons on the camera body while it is balanced on the gimbal. The fan noise is basically a non-issue if you arent sticking a lav mic right next to it... just set the fan speed to low in the menu and you are good to go. If you want to save some cash, check out the FeelWorld LUT5 5.5 Inch 3000Nit Ultra Bright Monitor. It is insanely bright at 3000 nits and fits your budget easily, though it feels a bit cheaper in the hand. But for your specific rig, the PortKeys is the move for the control features alone. Get it ordered today or youll regret it on Friday.