Monitor For , Viewing / Editing Images

[PureKiwi]

I'm Just wondering what you guys think the best monitor is for image editing and viewing and so on

Iv done some searches some people have said a good CRT monitor with a good Calibration and a LCD with a good pixel / MS rate

Have LCD , Plat panels not evolved enough yet ?


FYI , i still use my CRT view-sonic E70 , i think iv calibrated is right but who knows with my sight

[robo git]

First up: For photo work, pixel refresh rate is utterly irrelevant. Forget about anything measured in any time- or frequency- based unit.


LCDs have advanced considerably and there are 3 main types you will encounter: IPS, VA and TN. You want IPS or VA for photowork - TN type panels are cheap, fast, but pathetic colour reproduction, limited field-of-view - which means that the colour changes depending on the angle you're looking at the screen from - and inconsistent brightness, making it hard to judge exposure.

Neither IPS or VA have these issues. If you're choosing between two otherwise excellent monitors though, VA (typically) has slightly better colour reproduction, while IPS has significantly better performance (for the occasional spot of gaming - though I'm using a VA panel for gaming and have no issues)


I'm a fan of Dell flat-panel monitors: Really good, consistent colour that needs very little in the way of adjusting (except a brightness drop) from out of the box.

I've got the 2407WFP HC and REALLY happy with it. Except that's now 2 years ago. Fortunately Dell haven't slackened in quality and the Dell 2408WFP (http://tinyurl.com/DellNZ2408-WFP) is just as good from all the reviews I've seen and the one I've actually seen.

If you want something a little cheaper while still being excellent quality with great colour gamut, the Dell 2209WA (http://tinyurl.com/Dell2209WA) is another excellent choice. This also doubles as a great gaming monitor due to incredibly snappy screen-refresh rate (so less blurring) and it's small enough to be reasonably portable - my 24 is a little annoying hauling to LANs sometimes ;)

The 2407WFP and 2408WFP are both VA panels, while the 2209WA is IPS based.

Do be sure to get one of the ones advertised as "UltraSharp" if going Dell though - they're the good ones.



Another brand that comes to mind is Eizo (http://www.eizo.com/products/graphics/index.asp). Their monitors are designed specifically for professional photo editing in mind - I've seen a few good reviews for the ColourEdge CE240W but no personal experience.

That being said, they also charge a premium price :D


As a general rule though, any IPS- or VA-based monitor should do a reasonable job, just avoid TN monitors. Do be sure to look for a review though ;)

[welly]

+1 for the Dell. I used to have one of those and it was superb, good price too.

[talan]

What about Samsung

2233BW (http://www.samsung.com/my/consumer/detail/detail.do?group=computerperipherals&type=monitor&subtype=lcdmonitor&model_cd=LS22CMKKFV/XM) - http://www.pricespy.co.nz/pno_14485.html

T220 (http://www.samsung.com/my/consumer/detail/detail.do?group=computerperipherals&type=monitor&subtype=lcdmonitor&model_cd=LS22TWHSUV/XM) - http://www.pricespy.co.nz/pno_14751.html

2253BW (http://www.samsung.com/my/consumer/detail/detail.do?group=computerperipherals&type=monitor&subtype=lcdmonitor&model_cd=LS22AQWJFV/XME) - http://www.pricespy.co.nz/pno_12929.html

Which one's you guys suggest? I might get one soon :D

[robo git]

Those Samsung monitors look fine for gaming - nice low pixel-refresh rates.

However the Samsung site doesn't specify panel-type or gamut tests, so no idea if they're any good for photography.

As in they might be fine, but I've got no idea. Suggest the 2ms one is probably a TN panel better suited for twitch-gamers than photographers ;)

[keriboi]

ive got the 2233bw and its fine :)

[Haim]

i've got dual samsungs..... will get another one soon.......... at the moment i'm using the black rose T220 which is awesome colours love it

[Moppie]

I've got a pair of Dell/Sony Trinitrons, one 21inch and one 19 inch.
Cost me a total of $18 from trademe.

If your on a budget you won't get a better monitor, only the really high end Eizo and NEC stuff can match them for performance, but at a much, much higher cost.

[PureKiwi]

Might have to go have a look some nice monitors tho


@ Moppie $18 or $1800 ?

[robo git]

@ Moppie $18 or $1800 ?I think you'll find it's $18.

(Generally) No one wants CRTs anymore, so some awesome monitors are getting discarded for a pittance.

[Moppie]

Yip, one was free and the other was only $18.

Lots of people trying to sell them for $50-100, given that they cost $3-4,000 when new. But if you wait for the $1 reserves you can pick up a good bargin.

Just make sure you calibrate anything youget, espeically if tis second hand. Both look pretty bad with out calibration, one is green, the other red, but if your serious about a good monitor you will be calibrating it anyway.

[PureKiwi]

any hardware / software buyable in nz to calibrate ? , i don't really trust my eyes

[Moppie]

The Spyder system is available from Photowhorehouse and Apix sell the X-Rite system.

Otherwise you need to buy from overseas.

I have a simply Spyder Express which does a fantastic job.

[smurff]

hey guys, i got a new laptop, one with the LCD display, now all my colours on my photos are stuffed when i look at them. tryed the coulor adjust thing but it didnt help. any ideas?

cheers
Smurff

[talan]

Have you got Windows 7 on your new machine? It has built in monitor calibrating software you can calibrate by eye. Better than not calibrating at all!

[smurff]

windows 7 64bit, i tried the calibrating thing, i didn't know what i was doing, but it didn't change anyway :(

-smurff

[Wellzy6]

+1 for Dell. I have a Dell 2209WA monitor. It is a very good monitor for the price (still about $450 direct from Dell). It has an IPS panel and I calibrate it about once a month with Spyder2. I have it plugged into my laptop as the monitor on it even after I calibrated it was not that great, so I don't do any real editing of my photos until I get the computer back home to the Dell.