Field Monitor for Camera - Sept 29, 2026
When it comes to photography technology, I’m always looking for new and innovative ideas that can make photography easier and more accessible for people with physical challenges. I’m also constantly exploring better solutions for myself—finding new equipment, tools, and ideas that can make taking pictures easier and allow me to enjoy photography to the fullest.
Let me tell you a little bit about how I take pictures with my camera so you can better understand why I need to use assistive technology.
Because I have short upper limbs, I need to hold my camera higher with my arms. This causes me to arch my back backward, which puts strain on my back and makes it more difficult to maintain my balance. It also makes it challenging to keep the camera steady while taking pictures.
These challenges are why I’m always looking for new and improved photography technology that can make taking pictures easier and more comfortable—not only for me, but also for others with disabilities.
Right now, I use a tripod, but it can be a bit of a pain to set up and take down, especially when I have to attach my camera to it. I also use a grip that is kind of like a stick, with two grips connected together. I hold the bottom of the grip, which raises the camera higher and brings it closer to eye level. This makes it easier for me to take pictures without having to hold the camera directly in front of me.
But recently, I discovered something new—something that I think will make taking pictures easier for me and, depending on their abilities, potentially for other people as well.
I’ve added an external monitor to the top of my camera. It connects to the cold shoe on top of the camera, which is the same place where you would normally attach a camera flash.
Monitor from Amazon
The field monitor doesn’t allow me to actually take the picture, but it makes it much easier for me to see what I’m about to photograph. This means I don’t have to rely as much on trying to look through the camera’s viewfinder while holding the camera in a higher position.
There are many different field monitors available for cameras. For myself, I chose the Portkeys PT6 5.2-inch field monitor, which I purchased from Amazon. I’ll leave a link below if you’re interested in getting one.
There was one part of the setup that I decided to change: the cold shoe, which attaches to the top of the camera and holds the monitor in place.
Old Cold Shoe
New Cold Shoe from Amazon
I had a difficult time turning the tightening knob on the original cold shoe. So I replaced it with one that has wings on the sides. The wings give me something easier to grip, making it much easier for me to tighten and loosen the cold shoe.
For me, it’s a simple change, but it makes a big difference. And that’s what I’m always looking for—small changes and new technology that can make photography easier, more comfortable, and more accessible.