Hey Guys, has anyone tried to use Portkeys BM5 as a focus monitor? I usually use SmallHD 703 for focus, but it is quite heavy for handheld "run&gun". So I am wondering if this cheap Chinese piece of technology is worth the $499 price tag?
Any experience?
Hi Patrik! I unfortunately can't answer your full question, but can give you a bit of info on the BM5. I have it myself and have to say that I am quite impressed with the build quality and screen. Definitely would not classify it as 'cheap'. Lots of customisation and very bright screen, like so bright you need to dim it sometimes. Build quality is fully metal and menu's are easy enough to navigate.
Focus peaking looks good to me as a self-shooter, but I am no focus-puller so can't give you explicit information on that. Hope you manage to find an answer for that and this helps a bit.
Hey Sil, thanks for your comment. I know one camera operator, who has one himself and I agree. The build quality looks solid. But I‘m more concerned about the peaking or aperture quality and also overall picture quallity.
That makes sense! Hope you find an answer 👍🏼
Hey Patrik,
I have experience pulling off the BM5 and BM7. Just did a review video for the BM7. Overall my thought on the BM5 is it’s a great operator monitor. But for focus pulling it still works great. I haven’t Had any issues with the peaking or the coloring, though I have a little less experience with the BM5 compared to the BM7.
I have the BM5. The updated version with a 5.2” screen. Works great for pulling on the run attached to my hand unit. The build is great, really solid so it’s definitely not the lightest. I would have a professional build me more DTAP cables just because the ones it came with is trash. I’ve somehow melted 2 of it. So yeah. Brightness is a huge plus. It’s super bright under daylight. It’s my second option next to a SmallHD.
Hi Adrian, thanks for your insight. How do you controll a peaking strenght? Is it similar to the SmallHD? Just to be clear, I'm not talking about the colored peaking. An also, can you power a Teradek Sidekick from 7.4V power out, or maybe from "focus puller" connector? I'm struggling to find a user manual online.