BjarniM Posted December 20, 2015 Share #1 Posted December 20, 2015 (edited) Advertisement (gone after registration) I'm gonna need a new monitor for my PC, since my old Dell monitor doesn't do justice to the excellent files from my Typ 246 Monochrom. I don't shoot color pictures at all, so there's no need to spend extra money on a monitor with great color reproduction - it must be good to replicate B&W from a Typ 246, nothing else. A good monitor size for my workspace is around 24 inches, plus/minus an inch is also ok for me. I don't care how it looks or which brand it is, as long as it does a great job as a B&W monitor for my editing. Any suggestion(s)? Edited December 20, 2015 by BjarniM Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted December 20, 2015 Posted December 20, 2015 Hi BjarniM, Take a look here Which good B&W PC-monitor would you suggest?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
jpk Posted December 20, 2015 Share #2 Posted December 20, 2015 Usually the screens which do color really well are also good for B+W. Take a loot at the Eizos. If you don't need color calibration you can save some money if you chose a model without inbuilt colorimeter. Than again it's better to have it calibrated even for B+W work! I can recommend the Eizo ColorGraphic range of monitors, see here. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke_Miller Posted December 20, 2015 Share #3 Posted December 20, 2015 I use an NEC MultiSync monitor. I find B&W image processing even more demanding of monitor performance than color work. Some monitors that are fine for colors can't display the subtle differences in tones produced by the Monochrom. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted December 20, 2015 Share #4 Posted December 20, 2015 NEC or Eizo offer some of the best monitors....same basic issues whether color or b/w. Your M246 isn't cheap or dumbed down just because it only does b/w, right? Jeff 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Albertson Posted December 20, 2015 Share #5 Posted December 20, 2015 I'm with Luke. I use a NEC MultiSync 27" monitor for both MM and color files. If you're in the US, B&H has them for around $800. I re-calibrate it once a week with a Spyder device, as the colors can drift towards the warmish end. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted December 21, 2015 Share #6 Posted December 21, 2015 The main consideration is that the screen is calibrated even for B&W work because B&W images should be done in RGB anyway. The idea of Greyscale and zero colour is a dumbed down travesty of B&W photography, so just try calibrating the monitor you have to Adobe RGB. Steve 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BjarniM Posted December 21, 2015 Author Share #7 Posted December 21, 2015 Advertisement (gone after registration) Thanks for your input.Do you have any specific Eizo and NEC models in mind? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted December 21, 2015 Share #8 Posted December 21, 2015 Suggest you begin with your budget and the screen size you prefer.....there aren't any duds for either brand that I'm aware. As with every part of the workflow, gear doesn't ensure great results; it's more about your skill and abilities in using the gear to best effect. But especially if you print a lot, and have a disciplined workflow from camera to printer (to print display), then a good monitor is an important link in the chain. A good monitor will give you greater control if you understand how to set it up and use it to your advantage...and the best brands should be reliable and maintain specs over a long period of time. The higher priced machines within each brand will not only offer higher specs (gamut, resolution, low glare, screen consistency and reliability, etc), but will generally incorporate calibration software/hardware tools. I generally recommend that folks buying NEC get a machine with built-in Spectraview software. As a Mac desktop user, however, I've come to learn that Apple doesn't always keep up with Spectraview when releasing O/S upgrades....again, it's all a chain. Eizo has some models that have hardware calibration fully built in, but they are pricey. It all comes down to your needs and preferences....and budget. I print regularly, and invest a lot in printing materials and supplies, so a few extra dollars in a good monitor is worth it over the long run. My 7 year old NEC MultiSync LCD2690WUXi is still going strong. When it dies, I may choose an Eizo, but it depends what's offered at the time. I haven't kept up with all the current model numbers, but there are a lot of online reviews and discussion groups that should help. Jeff 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted December 22, 2015 Share #9 Posted December 22, 2015 Thanks for your input. Do you have any specific Eizo and NEC models in mind? My suggestion is that you could buy a newer Dell monitor. Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeitz Posted December 24, 2015 Share #10 Posted December 24, 2015 Apple wouldn't keep up with Spectraview. NEC needs to work to the OS betas. You can be sure Apple does not have NEC source code. Or any other company's source code. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted December 24, 2015 Share #11 Posted December 24, 2015 The point is that NEC needs to coordinate with Apple, and Apple no longer is quick to coordinate on such matters....too busy these days focusing on mobile devices and applications. Jeff Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
asiafish Posted December 26, 2015 Share #12 Posted December 26, 2015 I bought an Eizo CG223W a few years ago and love it. It uses hardware calibration and the blacks are luscious. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted December 26, 2015 Share #13 Posted December 26, 2015 My suggestion is that you could buy a newer Dell monitor. Steve Not sure about that, Steve. Those Dell monitors are not even across the screen. Some parts have different contrast. On a colour image you might get away with it, for black and white it is a real problem. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted December 26, 2015 Share #14 Posted December 26, 2015 Not sure about that, Steve. Those Dell monitors are not even across the screen. Some parts have different contrast. On a colour image you might get away with it, for black and white it is a real problem. I don't find it a problem and I don't feel I am 'getting away' with anything with a colour image. If you have a monitor in this day and age that isn't even across the screen it is a fault, not a characteristic. Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlesL Posted January 11, 2016 Share #15 Posted January 11, 2016 ...any specific Eizo and NEC models in mind? Multisync is a broad name covering several product lines. The monitors in the PA series are excellent, available at several sizes.When I display a test image of 256 gray squares bounded by absolute black borders, the separate squares are distinct all the way through, although my eyes cannot really tell the difference in darkness between adjacent squares. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sanyasi Posted January 12, 2016 Share #16 Posted January 12, 2016 I use Eizo, but I have read good reviews of the NEC. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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