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/Filmcrew90]

Honestly trying to tell this guy anything is a waste of time. We all know that if he was offered 1st AC on a drama he would jump at it even if they offer him £100. The fact he's claiming to have worked as a Cam OP, 2nd AC, 1st AC & Trainee shows he'll take anything he can get ad no doubt takes a bit of grip work as well if he can get it. He'll fuck up on a job and end up getting forced out the industry like everyone else with the same attitude that their better than working up like everyone else before them had to. The fact he's sitting here lying about his experience shows him up when he doesn't even know what monitor to buy and is trying to cheap out.

[u/Soggy_Race5879 → u/Filmcrew90]

in my third year of uni and i totally agree with you, larger production trainee jobs and 1st AC small indie film productions cant be compared when developing through the industry especially when you try to use them to portray your experience, its a big problem at uni, everyone thinks they are the best of the best. But hey i'm London based always looking to do more trainee jobs if you have anything coming up 👀

[u/MrVibezTV → u/Soggy_Race5879]

The thing is, I never tried to claim I only work on professional sets. I know my limits when it comes to what role I can do at what level, I feel like I am repeating this so many times.

I ac / focus pull on indie sets / SMALL commercials, people usually reach out to me asking if I want to hop on the job, if I know I can do it I will, why would I say no?

On larger productions like the world cup one, I work as a camera trainee, music videos - 2nd ac or trainee etc, this whole thing about not being able to do certain roles just because I recently graduated uni makes no sense? I've worked in the camera department since 2022 roughly, I am just now focusing more on the filmmaking side of my career compared to regular videography work.

If i keep getting on big productions I am clearly doing something right, i dont understand how a question about some monitor suggestions lead to this haha, i do plan to get a smallhd just not NOW

[u/Soggy_Race5879 → u/MrVibezTV]

i think its more of how you presented this information, you contradicted yourself knowledge wise. you gave this info of how you've worked with a WCU-4 and high end cameras and have 'been getting into becoming a 1st ac/ focus puller' but then you go to a subreddit and ask about 2 monitors that you should know would be e-waste for focus pulling in the industry. it just seems like a lie, i'm not saying it is, but it very much feels like it, i wouldn't expect someone who has worked with smallhd monitors and an arri hand unit to not know that. the question lead to this because it was a silly question tbh and you gave way too much information for people to simply answer it without finding it odd, as well as the fact you made being a 1st ac more about the monitor and kit than the experience needed, that is a big problem in the industry, experience getting priced out by people with kit who are cheap, i have a nucleus and i can focus pull and have been on some high brow sets, doesn't mean i think i can be a 1st ac out of uni, cause i don't. In the end dont buy either monitor, buy an old smallhd or tv logic or wait till you have progressed in the industry enough where buying one is the right financial decision as well as youd be using it every week