Monitor Question

[ldhrads]

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Hi folks, I currently use my macbook pro for all of my editing, but am about to complete a remodel of our basement which will give me some space to spread out.  I would like to start using a 27" or so external monitor for editing and would appreciate any suggestions on what monitor would be a good choice.

 

Thanks in advance

Lawrence

[Jeff S]

Eizo or NEC used to be my standard response, but BenQ has also been favorably reviewed more recently.  My 9 year old NEC, with built-in SpectraView calibration software, is still hanging in there. I’d consider all 3 brands, and seek out multiple reviews, if I needed a replacement.

Jeff

[zeitz]

My Eizo with built-in calibration is now seven years old.  Make sure you get a graphics monitor regardless if NEC, BenQ or Eizo.   Even Eizo makes a bunch of monitors that are not for graphics.  With Eizo you want a Color Guard / Color Edge monitor.

[philipus]

Hi Lawrence

I faced a similar question not long ago and went with a 24" Eizo Color Edge, the CG247X which is a simply wonderful display. Everyone has a different workflow but for me it was important to stick with "full HD" resolution (1920x1080) and not one of the 4K monitors that are touted everywhere these days. I shoot film only and while I can and occasionally do scan my 35mm and 120 film at (considerably more) than 4K resolution, I don't need that for my post-processing. I am since some 10+ years accustomed to editing on a calibrated 23" Apple Cinema Display and I wanted to have my images appear as they have done on that display. I also use Photoshop CS6 which does not play well with higher resolutions. I positively hate it on my retina MacBook Pro because the images look so small (I believe this was finally addressed in one of the more recent CC versions but I have no intention of subscribing to Photoshop).

It is an understatement to say that I am extremely pleased with the Eizo. The colour accuracy is outstanding and its ease-of-use with the built-in hardware calibration is fantastic. I have used Spyder 4 Elite previously but the Eizo calibrator is a lot more accurate.

Happy to answer any questions you have about this monitor and other Eizo monitors. I considered several before pulling the trigger on this one.

If you have very specific monitor questions https://liftgammagain.com/forum/index.php?forums/monitors-projectors.46/ is a great forum. True it focuses mainly on movie colour grading (and the CG247X is actually capable of doing that too) but if you have very technical questions that is a good place to go. https://www.displayspecifications.com/en is another useful site to quickly compare the details of lots and lots of panels.

Best

Philip

 

On 8/19/2020 at 5:42 PM, ldhrads said:

Hi folks, I currently use my macbook pro for all of my editing, but am about to complete a remodel of our basement which will give me some space to spread out.  I would like to start using a 27" or so external monitor for editing and would appreciate any suggestions on what monitor would be a good choice.

 

Thanks in advance

Lawrence

[elmars]

To what color temperature do You calibrate Your monitor? 6500 K is always recommended, but I find it far too cool. So I go for 5700 K. 

[djmay]

1 hour ago, elmars said:

To what color temperature do You calibrate Your monitor? 6500 K is always recommended, but I find it far too cool. So I go for 5700 K. 

The main reason to use 6500 is to make prints, which will be viewed in environments that are not illuminated at 5500. Most indoor environments contain mixed light. If one does not make prints, then 6500 may not be appropriate.

Consequently, I use 6500. 

[elmars]

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I don‘t know if I understand You right. I print my pictures and look at them at 5700 K light or at daylight as it falls in my living room through the windows. Should I set my monitor to 5700 K or 6500 K?

Sorry, it is hard to me to explain my problem in proper English. 

[djmay]

6 hours ago, elmars said:

I don‘t know if I understand You right. I print my pictures and look at them at 5700 K light or at daylight as it falls in my living room through the windows. Should I set my monitor to 5700 K or 6500 K?

Sorry, it is hard to me to explain my problem in proper English. 

Kein Problem. Ihr Englisch ist besser als mein Deutsch. 
 

If you are printing for yourself and know the viewing space is 5700, then calibrate to 5700. 
 

I calibrate to 6500 because I do not know where my prints will be displayed.

[elmars]

Thank You - Danke!

[Gobert]

What size is recommendable? I feel quite attracted to 32” instead of my present 27”. Or would it be an overkill?

Edited August 29, 2020 by Gobert

[zeitz]

Size is personal.  For me 27" is as big as I can conveniently view while editing.  I do use an iPad Sidecar to move some Photoshop panels off the main screen.  You could do the same thing with a small/cheap second display, if you do not use the touchscreen and pen features.

Previously I had two 24" monitors, one set for horizontal and one set for vertical.  I prefer my current set-up.

[Jeff S]

The guys at Leica Miami chatted for 2 hours about editing hardware, including monitors.  In the bottom links, they include a list of recommended monitors.

 

Jeff