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[Douglasco]

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lct

that is the way I envisaged the photo looking when I took it, looks like I am going to have to improve my post processing knowledge a lot more.

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[peterb]

LED? which one did you get - how do you find it? There aren't all that many out just yet afaik... i've been sleeping a little on monitors lately though.

 

 

Got the 20" LED monitor made by LG at BestBuy for $209 (there was also an LG 23" model for $266 and a one from Samsung for $289). It has a mat screen so there's no reflection (the larger monitors had a glossy surface and only a 'tad' brighter). And it's a WONDERFUL 16:9 aspect ratio.

 

The ribbon that connects my Laptop's screen to the computer has worn and needs to be replaced. But I'd been thinking about it for a while since he screen in the laptop is a fluorescent style and, while serviceable, the older laptop screen doesn't quite have the color accuracy I'd like. Besides getting the screen was LOT cheaper than getting a new laptop or 'all-in-one' at this time (I was leaning toward either the Sony Vaio 16" or the HP 17" laptops with the Intel i7 quad core processors or Apple's superb 21" iMAC to really help in zipping through the processing).

 

I had to load a 'driver' into the computer and then plugged it in (with supplied cable) to the laptop.

 

The screen is dazzling.

[h00ligan]

Very nice Peter! Glad you are enjoying it. I have been neglectful in keeping up on it offerings as of late, it's nice to see led monitors down in pricing. What did you use to calibrate it?

 

As an IT guy and former sony laptop owner, I'd leave it to be honest. They have absolutely HORRIBLE customer support and are not very tough machines. The new imacs are great.

 

Thanks for taking the time to post the info~

[peterb]

Hooligan,

 

I actually wasn't planning on repairing it. The laptop was a Compaq presario that cost $430 two years ago and it's been working just fine (except for the hinky screen now).

 

Regarding the monitor, while I'm sure it could probably use some calibration, it seems fine right out the box. Nice whites (perhaps a little toward the cool side due to the LEDs) and rich. sharp images.

 

To be honest, unless you need absolute color accuracy (for example doing product shots, food or architectural work for client accuracy) I don't think these screens need all that much calibration the way a CRT did.

 

Besides, thanks to powerful, incredibly easy to use software like Photoshop, Lightroom, Aperture and even P/S Elements, people seldom settle for what's right out of the camera (even with an X1 LOL) and tweak things like saturation, temperature (K) and other things to their liking like never before so that accuracy doesn't seem all that critical (although having a good accurate place to start you can rely on is certainly helpful).

 

Of course if my prints are miles away from what I see on this screen I may reconsider and have it done.

 

But, to be honest, even with the laptop, I seldom had any major problems This screen is just a much better view and it's making what little PP I do all that much easier, particularly when I do the A/B comparisons of subtle contrast and exposure tweaks.

 

P

[lct]

...that is the way I envisaged the photo looking when I took it, looks like I am going to have to improve my post processing knowledge a lot more.

You might wish to try out a little prog named Silkypix. It is easier to use than Photoshop or Lightroom and gives pretty good results with jpeg pics in black and white: Silkypix - Free Download. I use it quite often to convert my Digilux pics to B&W. Not sure if it supports the X1 yet but it doesn't matter for jpegs anyway. Here your first pic with a couple of clicks in Silkypix 3. Shadows could be better but highlights and well managed i feel.

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