Aputure VS-2 FineHD Kit 7″ Monitor First Look. This Kit Is Loaded!
Aputure sent me a VS-2 FineHD to test out and my first impressions are this is a pretty nice HDMI 7″ monitor, and it only cost $279. I believe this might be the least expensive feature rich monitor in it’s class and it comes with some goodies.
Taking pictures of a monitor never really works very well but you get the idea.
The VS-2 FineHD 7-inch is a Full HD LCD Screen (1920 x 1200 pixels) and packs in some nice features for it’s price point.
- Monoccrome
- Focus Zoom
- False Color
- Zebra with multiple value settings
- Co-Peaking
- Peaking Color Options
- Histogram
- Volume Bar
- Color Bars
- HDSLR Mode
- Color Setting – Color Temperatures of 6500K, 9300K or a User preset value can be selected.
- Headphone Jack
Aputure recommends the following Sony NP-F Series batteries: NP-F550/F570/F770/ F960/F970
NP-FM/QM Series: FM50/FM51/FM55H/ FM500H/QM50/QM51/QM71D/QM91D
My Watson versions didn’t work for some reason.
I noticed the blue channel was a little over so I did a simple adjustment by bring it down and it looks better. I will go into calibrating later. This is a first look.
Peaking works well and you have color options so if you prefer Yellow like me you can change it.
False Color is one of those love it or hate tools. I like it for the tough shots. The more tools the better. The VS-2 FineHD False Color has a scale on the bottom so you know what the values are. Zebra Strips is very handy and it has that too.
The kit includes several pieces of kit to get you going. In fact you really don’t need anything else accept a spare battery. Open the box and hook it up!
- Sunhood
- Battery
- Charger
- Cleaning Cloth
- Case
- HDMI Cable A to C Type
- HDMI Cable A to D Type
- Power adapter cable
- Power Cable
- Firmware Update Cable
- Aputure Articulating Arm with 1/4 and cold shoe adapter
VS-2 FineHD monitor software is constantly under development, which means Aputure may release firmware to enhance it’s usability.
1) Website: http://www.aputure.com/V-Screen-VS-2-FineHD/Update/.
2) Please update firmware following the instructions on our official website.
3) Please download the firmware to USB disk and connect it to V-Screen by the firmware update cable.
My first impressions are positive. The monitor is so light it will make adding it to a gimbal setup really nice. Also no worries of breaking the hotshot on a mirrorless camera. I need to check how well I can calibrate it by eye using a color chart. Just by lowering the blue channel a little I got a more accurate picture. It’s really great that it can be adjusted. It does have “blue only” mode that will help with saturation settings.
Aputure is coming out with some impressive low cost production tools and the VS-2 FineHD looks very promising. At $279 it’s a bargain. I can see using this as a directors monitor or a focusing tool. Now I need to run it through it’s paces. it’s not color accurate perfect it sure
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UPDATE:
I was having issues getting the monitor working when using it with the Sony FS7. For some reason the VS-2 Super Fine doesn’t like the 1080P (Progressive) signal. In order to get it working I had to switch the FS7 HDMI output to 1080i (interlaced) Then it works.
VS-2-FineHD SPECIFICATIONS
|
Model |
VS-2 FineHD |
|
|
Display |
Panel |
7.02” |
|
Resolution |
1920×1200 |
|
|
Brightness |
||
|
Contrast |
1200:1 |
|
|
Viewing Angle (CR>10) |
160/160(H/V) |
|
|
Pixel Pitch |
0.07875(mm)X 0.07875(mm) |
|
|
Input |
HDMI |
Yes |
|
YPbPr |
Yes |
|
|
AV |
Yes |
|
|
Audio |
Earphone Jack |
Φ3.5mm |
|
Power |
Current |
≤950mA |
|
Input Voltage |
DC 7-18V |
|
|
Power Consumption |
≤7W |
|
|
Batteries |
Sony NP-F Series: NP-F550/F570/F770/ F960/F970 |
|
|
Operation Environment |
Operation Temperature |
0°C~55°C |
|
Storage Temperature |
0°C~70°C |
|
|
Humidity |
30%~70% |
|
|
Physical Property |
Dimension |
182X138X23mm |
Filed in: Aputure • Featured Post • Production
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Hy Erik, looks like a really good deal for the price. How would you compare the image to a smallhd 501? Color quality and sharpness? From what I see the brightness is pretty good. Tx a lot. Cheers. Rene
It just came in and I haven’t done any side by side testing yet. More coming soon! Thanks for visiting.
I’ve had some time to play with it now and I like the image a a lot. Color is pretty good but I’m having some issues calibrating it. Aputure told me a new firmware will help with this do I’m looking forward to getting it. the SmallHD 500 series is a better monitor but then it should be since its three times more expensive. If you can’t afford them the VS-2 FineHD is a good choice but I want to see this new firmware in action first.
great, tx for the info!
yea, the smallHd500 series is a bit out of my price range. so I hope the fineHD is a near good monitor..
looking forward to the firmware then. cheers.
Have you tested it on your FS7? I’ve had some issues with a couple different HDMI monitors not reading the signal properly. If it works, it could possibly be a no-brainer for my FS7.
I’m having issues with the FS7. I can’t get it to work right now. I know the camera is setup right since the SmallHD 502 is getting the signal snd I can loop the HD signal out of the 502 into the HDMI of the VS-2 FineHD. I let Aputure know so hopefully they will be able to find a solution. Sure would like to use the monitor with the FS7.
Looks good. Now if it could only record to prores…
is there the magnification function for accurate focusing?
Yes it does and it works well
UPDATE:
I was having issues getting the monitor working when using it with the Sony FS7. For some reason the VS-2 Super Fine doesn’t like the 1080P (Progressive) signal. In order to get it working I had to switch the FS7 HDMI output to 1080i (interlaced) Then it works.
Hi Erik – Still have a GH4 that you can test this monitor with? I’m in the market for a new monitor, and this looks like a great option.
thanks,
David
I don’t but it should work just fine as long as the camera is set to send HD from the HDMI. I was having issues with the FS7 sending progressive. Had to switch it to interlaced and it worked. I think it’s a fine monitor but the colors are a little off. Aputure said they are working on this with a new firmware. For focusing and exposer it’s very good at a amazing price. I suppose we cant expect it to be compete with models four times it’s cost but it sure is the best at it’s price point.
Thanks Erik. How close can you calibrate the monitor to your camera’s live view? In the reviews I’ve seen, the monitor seems to crush the blacks compared to the camera’s display. This looks like a great monitor for the money.
I think color and dynamic range is a challenge in the current firmware. Namely skin tone, but I think it’s still a great deal just don’t expect it to be perform like a $1K monitor.
Does it have any type of punch in focus so I can still record with my GH4?
Yes
No waveform? Didn’t see any mention of it.
Hi Erik,
I’ve got the VS-2 FineHD as well. Works ok but I’ve got big issue with contrast. The image has very heavy contrast and all the blacks and highlights are just crushed or blown out. Very little detail comes out from the image. we cannot manual focus well because of this, and the color is indeed quite off. I think this monitor can’t really do serious work if they don’t fix this.
Other than that, it can be an amazing monitor if they fix the problems.
Yes the colors are very saturated but bringing them down to 30% seems to work for my nex cameras
I’m sad to said I purchased the monitor based off this review. Sadly this review claims FS7 issues were fixed by switching the camera’s output to 1080i. This is not an option in all resolutions and frame rates on the FS7. There is no way to output to this monitor when recording at 23.98 in 4k. I purchased the monitor from B&H, whom have oddly decided to not accept any returns on this particular item. If you have an FS7 do not purchase this monitor the issues are not fixed.
Other than it not working the monitor is a stellar deal for only $280 :/