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2011Monitors forum

Performance evaluation of Steadicam Zephyr SD monitor compared to older Flyer monitor and third-party alternatives

15 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.

What the thread found

  • The Zephyr monitor is approximately one full stop dimmer than the Flyer monitor it replaces, measuring around 250-300 nits in practical brightness compared to the Flyer's 500 nits.
  • The Zephyr monitor has the same 640x234 resolution as the Flyer but appears to have inferior scaling, resulting in softer-looking camera viewfinder readouts.
  • The Zephyr monitor crops more severely at the top of the image than the Flyer, obscuring timecode readouts and TV safe areas.
  • The Zephyr monitor shows worse off-axis viewing angles than both the Flyer and competitive third-party monitors, particularly in the vertical axis.
  • Inexpensive third-party LCD monitors like the Lilliput can match or exceed the Zephyr's brightness and resolution at a fraction of the cost.
  • It is more cost-effective to purchase the Zephyr rig with SD monitor and add a separate aftermarket monitor like the Marshall 7-inch model than to buy the advertised HD monitor option.
  • Aftermarket monitors can be mounted to the Zephyr using standard 1/4-20 threaded holes with simple mechanical adapters, though the mounting may be less stable than the original bracket.

Depends on

  • Brightness was measured using a Sekonic light meter in a dark room, not calibrated nits measurement.
  • Testing was conducted in 2011 when this was the newest equipment.
  • The manufacturer's stated brightness specification of 500 nits for the Zephyr was not verified.
  • HD monitor options were not yet released or specified at the time of testing.
  • The Zephyr monitor had no published specifications available during the review period.
  • Off-axis viewing angle assessment was subjective rather than quantitatively measured.

Gear in this thread

Zephyrcatalog

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