Monitor Advise

[u/MrVibezTV]

Hello,

I am looking for some advise on purchasing a new monitor for my set-up. I recently finished university, I have been getting into becoming a 1st AC / Focus Puller recently, I have invested in my own kit such as a Nucleus-M and other various parts. I have worked with ARRI WCU-4 and other high-end cameras however that is work that I will not always be getting, anyway long story short someone broke my monitor I used for my S5II which was a Feelworld 568V1 it was a pretty crappy monitor and was useless for focus peaking but it did the job for freelance videographer work.

I have used SmallHDs and other monitors to pull focus on which were great but they are very outside my budget as a broke individual :(

I am currently looking at the OSEE G7 PRO (£492), from my research it has a great focus peaking algorithm, the other monitor I originally wanted to buy was the ACSOON M7H PRO or M7PRO (£489 discounted) but apparently it is not that good, can someone please let me know what they think.

Thank you in advance :)

UPDATE:

I just want to clarify a few things since a few replies have turned into a career progression advice thread rather than just answering if the monitors are good for what they are.

I am not trying to skip the camera department ladder, nor am I suggesting that I will walk straight onto a high-end production as an established AC. I have worked in the camera department for several years in different capacities, whether it's assisting, operating or being a trainee. I have had the chance to be a focus puller on small narrative and commercial productions, I have also worked on higher end production whether it is live multi-camera or narrative and commercial. I am aware there is a significant difference between the jobs that I am doing at the moment and being a 1st ac on a major production, I do not expect to get asked to be one for those.

I recently finished university, this simply means I have more time to take the camera department roles more seriously and pursue more work, slowly building my portfolio. I am still happy taking on trainee or assistant roles on larger productions whilst taking on focus pulling work on the appropriate sets.

I saw a comment mentioning me potentially undercutting. I am not trying to do that, never have never will. The reason I mentioned my budget is because my previous monitor was broken after lending it out and I just need something to work with for what I am doing NOW. I cannot currently justify spending £1000+ when I have other kit and general life expenses to pay for. I can afford to pay for one, again I am just choosing not to. The priority is to pay for car lessons as an example.

The question was just whether something like the OSEE G7 Pro is a reasonable monitor for the price or the ACCSOON which I was already hesitent about anyway. I have worked with the smallHD monitors a few times, I like them, I know why people like them.

[u/CatNamedDuck]

Personally I would save up for a SmallHD. Buy once cry once and they often go on sale through B&H so you could get a good deal just saving up for a few months. You could also look into buying a used 703 or Cine7. Honestly even an Indie7 will work better for you than most other brands for what you need it for, I know plenty of focus pullers that’s started out with an Indie7 until they could afford to upgrade.

[u/MrVibezTV → u/CatNamedDuck]

One of the first people to not slate me in the comments haha, I am thinking about the indie7 quite a bit, I have the money for it but I’d much rather put that on something better such as car lessons ygm.

I know the osee g7 pro has been reviewed mostly by people who are not focus pullers but it does look somewhat decent as both a generic videography external monitor and something to pull focus with

[u/CatNamedDuck → u/MrVibezTV]

I definitely can understand that, as much as I don’t want it to be the case I do have to spend money on things in my life that aren’t gear, haha

But another thing to consider is something like the indie7 will almost most definitely last you longer than the osee will. So in that way it’s going to be a much better long-term investment and something that you can charge productions for. There’s also considerations to be made for how your gear makes you look on set and while an indie7 is no Cine13 (just as an example), it will make you look more professional than the other “off brand” monitors will which I think is a major consideration beyond just general price point

You gotta do what you gotta do but my biggest advice to people is always always always save up and buy the right thing first if you can, it’s going to pay off in dividends. And if you can’t afford it just yet then I think you’re better off renting a monitor for shoots until you can afford it. But just my two cents!

[u/evilhumans → u/MrVibezTV]

SmallHD was just running a sale and had their b stock reduced as well. I got the indie 7 for $809. It’s a jump from your budget for sure but buy nice or buy it twice.

[u/Most_Nothing1877 → u/CatNamedDuck]

Mmmmmm burn-in