Jennifer Posted October 17, 2014 Share #1 Posted October 17, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) I'm looking at the new 27" Retina display iMac announced yesterday to replace the previous version that I currently own and which I use for PP with LR and PS. Given I'd have normally hung on to my current iMac for at least another year, do people here think that the advantages of a much higher definition display particularly in relation to PP work justifies a somewhat premature upgrade? 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted October 17, 2014 Posted October 17, 2014 Hi Jennifer, Take a look here New Retina Display iMac. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
pedaes Posted October 17, 2014 Share #2 Posted October 17, 2014 As an iMac user ,imho probably no. Do you print and is your screen calibrated to your printer? Are you happy with printed results? I have no problem producing A3+ prints that are placed in national competitions from a 27" iMac, but we will no doubt get the "experts" tell us a iMac screen is not suitable for such output! If you just want your own work to look nice on a screen and do no more, than you may enjoy the upgrade. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted October 17, 2014 Share #3 Posted October 17, 2014 I recently added a 27" monitor to my Mac mini that runs at 2560 x 1440. That by itself was a worthwhile upgrade. The other monitor used on the system is a 23" monitor running at standard HD resolution of 1920 x 1080. The larger monitor is much more pleasurable to use. I would imagine the 27" 5k monitor on the new Mac is even better. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
baci Posted October 18, 2014 Share #4 Posted October 18, 2014 I guess it depends on the extent to which the monitor is able to be calibrated. YMMV but I think I personally would appreciate the higher resolution but not at the expense of less control over the way the image rendered on the screen. I wonder of there's also an issue with bit depth or gamut? I imagine someone will be past soon to give us their more informed opinion! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dougg Posted October 20, 2014 Share #5 Posted October 20, 2014 Jennifer, I don't know about "justifying" the Retina iMac upgrade from a recent similar model that is working well. In my case, I'm using one of the earliest of the 27" iMacs, from late 2009, so it's 5 years old now. Some LR operations with large files from M240 and S2 Leicas are showing some slowness. But worst is the screen smudging, a problem others have encountered too, and which Apple seems not to be able to fix. I had the screen on mine replaced last year, and now smudges are growing ever darker on this replacement screen too. Apple will not replace it on repair-warranty and seems not to know the cause. So, for me, assuming the new screen layering and such will not grow smudges, this adds more reason to upgrade. And the higher resolution is delicious to consider! Lighter weight will be nice but I'm not a fan of "thinness" just for the sake of being thinner. Good luck to you in shopping... mine is already in the Apple Shopping Cart! Doug Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulsydaus Posted October 20, 2014 Share #6 Posted October 20, 2014 When I first bought my retina MacBook Pro 15", I took a high resolution finished TIFF at both retina and normal resolutions and switched between the two. The difference is not as obvious as you would think. The retina screens are amazing for text, reading, programming etc, and some images do look slightly better if you are a PP, but as others have said, there are more important things like brightness uniformity where you would be better served with an Eizo. Lastly, I would not buy into a first generation of a new technology from Apple. I'd wait it out if I were you... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sanyasi Posted October 21, 2014 Share #7 Posted October 21, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) I'd be inclined to go with a Mac mini and I'd buy a separate monitor that has a good reputation with photographers. I had an iMac, but I don't like all in ones. Moreover, I found the screen hard to calibrate, although some claim not to have a problem. Whatever you do, make sure the computer is speced for growth. Others will know, but I have been reading that some aspects can't be easily be expanded. I think that the new Mac mini, for example has a 1T limit on internal storage. Last Friday, I ordered a Mac mini for my wife. I took a quick look at the IMac. Looks like you are paying a big premium for the screen. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer Posted October 21, 2014 Author Share #8 Posted October 21, 2014 I'd be inclined to go with a Mac mini and I'd buy a separate monitor that has a good reputation with photographers. I had an iMac, but I don't like all in ones. Moreover, I found the screen hard to calibrate, although some claim not to have a problem. Whatever you do, make sure the computer is speced for growth. Others will know, but I have been reading that some aspects can't be easily be expanded. I think that the new Mac mini, for example has a 1T limit on internal storage. Last Friday, I ordered a Mac mini for my wife. I took a quick look at the IMac. Looks like you are paying a big premium for the screen. I have a Mac Mini too. A great little machine, though quite old now, which I use principally as a server but also as a sometime desktop. I was disappointed to see that the Mini in its latest iteration has been rendered pretty much future upgrade proof with soldered in memory sims and a 1TB max HD. The iMac is expensive and, accepted, its all-in-one box design is a compromise, however IMO it has a nice screen (even pre retina) and a conveniently small footprint on my already cluttered desk but most importantly it's very pretty. Vive, 'form over function'. I think, when Apple get the new Retina iMac in to their stores later this week, I'll go take a look at one and decide from there. I have little doubt that, if I decide to upgrade, one of my sons will have snaffled 'Mum's old iMac' before I've even had a chance to switch the new one on. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sanyasi Posted October 21, 2014 Share #9 Posted October 21, 2014 You are right. But my wife is a writer, so we don't need to make changes to her computer in terms of storage and RAM. Apple already is getting criticism over eliminating the server capabilities. I assume they are trying to push those folks to the Pro desktop. Best Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer Posted October 21, 2014 Author Share #10 Posted October 21, 2014 You are right. But my wife is a writer, so we don't need to make changes to her computer in terms of storage and RAM. Apple already is getting criticism over eliminating the server capabilities. I assume they are trying to push those folks to the Pro desktop. Best Maybe, but the Pro desktop is an entirely different machine at a far, far higher price point and would be total overkill in relation to my needs. The Mac Mini (server edition) was, IMO, the perfect piece of kit for a non power user, small network requiring little by way of bells and whistles. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
k-hawinkler Posted October 21, 2014 Share #11 Posted October 21, 2014 I have the nMP. Its main benefit is that one can connect more cables. While waiting for the nMP I used the late 2013 15" Retina MacBook Pro. A wonderful machine and computing wise fast enough for my needs. Both computers are maxed out with RAM/Flash memory/storage. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
uhoh7 Posted October 24, 2014 Share #12 Posted October 24, 2014 Hi Jennifer As to PP I'm not sure the 5K will be way better than what you have. However for display, i.e. viewing a shot, there is no comparision. No other monitor today can show shots even close to this detail. It's a giant leap, I think. Anyone who looks at photos on a screen would enjoy this device For those who need precise calibration, the 5K retina can easily drive a second NEC etc. This is to our current monitors (excepting 4k) what HD was to SD TV. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
snooper Posted October 25, 2014 Share #13 Posted October 25, 2014 Hello, I understand from (this thread) that the new retina 5K screen is a 24 bits (8 bits for each 3 color channel) panel while the 4 and 5K standard is now 30 bits (10 x3). I also understand that OSX is not supporting 10 bits graphics, nor does the 1.2 version of DisplayPort... Do we have experts able to explain if this is an issue ? Can the human eye make a difference between 8 and 10 bits panels ? Thanks ! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkP Posted October 25, 2014 Share #14 Posted October 25, 2014 (edited) Hi Jennifer, I had a MacMini server and two 24 inch NEC MultiSync screens dedicated to my photography. I found that over time the Mini (about 4 years old) became frustratingly slow, especially in Photoshop and recently upgraded to a new MacPro. Yes expensive but well worth the upgrade. My understanding is, and I'm happy to be corrected, is that the properly calibrated professional panels such as those from NEC and EIZO will still outperform the new Apple displays for accuracy and consistency in photographic workflow from file to monitor to print. Edited October 25, 2014 by MarkP 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
snooper Posted October 25, 2014 Share #15 Posted October 25, 2014 Not sure that the new mini graphic card (basic Iris in i5) is able to handle a NEC MultiSync with max performance... 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJH Posted October 25, 2014 Share #16 Posted October 25, 2014 Dell do a 24" 4K monitor that can be driven at 60hz if you have the latest graphics cards, its 99% AdobeRGB and has a user settable hardware LUT and can be bought bundled with the X-rite kit. I could buy it today for £509 from one of the UKs oldest names in retailing. I intend to buy one in the new year for my win 7 desktop machine which flies compared to my comparatively sluggish Macbook Retina 13". 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IWC Doppel Posted October 29, 2014 Share #17 Posted October 29, 2014 (edited) I did have a look at an iPhoto picture on both screens the std 27" iMac and the new 5k screen No idea on relative settings or how well the picture was processed. But interesting all the same the 5k was noticeably better with considerably better detail it still appeared to look more analogue than some of these oversharpened 4k TV's with demo discs. It wasn't a demo I just hunted around until I found two copies of the same picture It also appeared to have a greater dynamic range and better contrast, it's still shiny and reflective. I look forward to the reviews, hopefully LuLa will torture it for us. My gut is hopefully calibrated it will be great. Printing mostly on matt paper I see more graduation in the low ire blacks on screen than on paper (just) so staying with the stock mac and do more B&W anyway so colour accuracy is for me good enough with the mac, if this is as good or better I suspect it will go on my want list ! Edited October 29, 2014 by IWC Doppel Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
otto.f Posted October 29, 2014 Share #18 Posted October 29, 2014 No I don't think so when it comes to quality printing and for PP I doubt it. It's an indulgence for enjoying and showing your travel photoos for friends and family and probably better than Apple TV icw iPhoto which does whatever it wants with your pictures Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IWC Doppel Posted October 29, 2014 Share #19 Posted October 29, 2014 No I don't think so when it comes to quality printing and for PP I doubt it. It's an indulgence for enjoying and showing your travel photoos for friends and family and probably better than Apple TV icw iPhoto which does whatever it wants with your pictures Is this your view of the 5k or any mac ? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
otto.f Posted October 29, 2014 Share #20 Posted October 29, 2014 Any Mac I think. I own an iMac 24" btw, but for printing there are better screens Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.