LCD Monitor recommendation?

[bono0272]

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I am using PC (not Mac) and would like to buy a LCD monitor for photo processing.

 

Can any members recommend some brand & models which own good quality and reliable? Sorry I cannot afford an Eizo.

 

Thanks in advance.

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[samwells]

Richard - I've been using an NEC SpectraViewfor the past couple of years...it is calibratable, and I use it for both photo-processing and graphic pre-press work. It was recommended to me by the bureau we use, as a cheaper alternative to the Eizo...perhaps not quite as good as the Eizo, but a good close second. The range starts at around 500GBP for a 19-inch...I use the 21-inch. Worth checking out.

cheers:

Sam

[ddp]

Gateway makes some nice monitors - I use one for home. I would easily recommend one of their widescreen LCD's.....

[hdg]

Try to get the Samsung 215 tw (1680 x 1050 px). Excellents colours and brillance.

 

Regards Hans

[bono0272]

Sam,

 

Thanks for the advices but the NEC is still too expensive to me. May be I will take a look at Samsung.

[topoxforddoc]

Richard,

 

 

If your desk is big enough, keep an eye out for a LaCie Electron Blue 22 CRT. OK, they are massive, but the output is unrivalled by any LCD. I bought mine secondhand last year for GBP65.

 

Charlie

[Mark Pope]

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Another vote for LaCie - I've had a photon19vision for a year or two now and I'm delighted with it.

[joachimeh]

I use a Philips 19" 190S since 18 months. Although it is still an analog input only, this LCD's display is excellent in contrast, brilliance, geometry, and colour depth. Original cost was less than 300 € (now it is cheaper). Also models in this family with digital input are now available.

[rsolomon]

whats the easiest way to calibrate the :software to the monitor to the printer

 

.... so they all look identical, if this can be done ... sounds like the calibration is more important then the monitor..or maybe they're all important ?

[fjmcsu]

Check out the NEC Multisync 2690WUxi if you want an impresssive display with size. Handles~ 98% Adobe RGB gamut. The LaCie 's are also nice(321) .They arew rebranded NEC's also.I have all the above & all work well but the 2690 excels

[Venkman]

Check out the NEC Multisync 2690WUxi if you want an impresssive display with size. Handles~ 98% Adobe RGB gamut.

 

I concur - great display for reasonable money.

Don't know about the quality though, I spotted one hotpixel and one dead one (which is easy, because the pixels are slightly larger than on a 24'' model - same resolution of 1920x1600).

Using this display made me like using Lightroom again

[dwmackay]

I use the Apple 20" CinemaDisplay. It is expensive, but nice. It is digital only (DVI) and all adjustments need to be made via the video card except for brightness. For me, I have not required any adjustements. It is spot on right out of the box.

 

My only quibble is that the antiglare glass has a bit of a sandy look. A bit like looking a a fresnel (sp?) screen.

 

Doug M.

[abrewer]

The La Cie 321, costs around $1300-1500; but it does include the good monitor calibration kit from Eye-One or Eye-Two or whatever they're calling themselves these days, so you save a couple of hundred there.

 

Thanks.

 

Allan

[bono0272]

The La Cie 321, costs around $1300-1500; but it does include the good monitor calibration kit from Eye-One or Eye-Two or whatever they're calling themselves these days, so you save a couple of hundred there.

 

I don't know whether there is La Cie selling in Hong Kong, have to check. BTW I own an Eye-One already, so just need a LCD monitor.

[ennjott]

If I bought a screen now, it would probably be the Eizo CE240W (around 1350 EUR here, 24" 1920x1200).

Stay away from cheap LCDs. Better get a CRT instead if you need to save money.

 

The interface to the user is the most important thing and should generally cost as much as the rest of the package. 1000-1500€ has been the price for a proper screen for more than a decade, such facts don't change quickly.

[bono0272]

I have one more question: is 16:9 screen getting more popular now? Should I choose 16:9, or keep on 4:3?

[gareth_c]

I use the Apple 20" CinemaDisplay. It is expensive, but nice. It is digital only (DVI) and all adjustments need to be made via the video card except for brightness. For me, I have not required any adjustements. It is spot on right out of the box.

 

My only quibble is that the antiglare glass has a bit of a sandy look. A bit like looking a a fresnel (sp?) screen.

 

Doug M.

 

The Dell range of monitors are manufactured together with the Apple (they have exactly the same components) but are cheaper. I can vouch for them as we use a mixture of Dell and Apple screens in my studio.

 

The Dell has the advantage over the Apple in having more ports, height adjustment, tiltable on all axis and better controls.

 

I have a 24" and 30" both are superb. They do need calibration though, just like the Apple screens (IMHO). I use the Eye-One which gives incredible results. Of course, if you are really serious about printing then you need to go down the route of blac-out curtains, proper lighting, the list goes on. We output to an A0 plotter and with our basic set-up the screen and Eye-One do very well.

[Venkman]

I have one more question: is 16:9 screen getting more popular now? Should I choose 16:9, or keep on 4:3?

 

Get a widescreen - especially in case you use Lightroom, cause the menues stay the same size, but the photo itself enlargens considerably.

 

I used a 18.5'' before I switched to the 25.5'' NEC widescreen and working on it is just pure pleasure.

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[gareth_c]

Get a widescreen - especially in case you use Lightroom, cause the menues stay the same size, but the photo itself enlargens considerably.

.

 

Seconded

[Stuart Richardson]

whats the easiest way to calibrate the :software to the monitor to the printer

 

.... so they all look identical, if this can be done ... sounds like the calibration is more important then the monitor..or maybe they're all important ?

 

They are all important. Calibration is useless if you monitor fluctuates dramatically or has different performance in different parts of the screen. Your center might be one way, but your corners another...this is extremely common with all but the best LCD monitors. Basically, you don't know what you are missing until you see it. I switched from Apple Cinema displays (which were quite unreliable for me) to an Eizo CG210. The difference is huge. The calibrations (X-rite) last longer, are more accurate, and the monitor itself looks so much better. I am seeing colors I could never get on screen before and the evenness of illumination is now fantastic. The integration with the calibration tool is excellent. All in all I could not recommend it highly enough. After several problems with the Apple displays, the 5 year warranty is really reassuring as well.

 

I understand that the original poster cannot afford one, but those who can should give it very strong consideration. If you can't afford one, then considering buying a high quality used CRT. Their image quality is still fantastic, it is just the bulk and the frequent calibration requirements that can be annoying.