Choosing Monitor

[Einst_Stein]

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I am upgrading my old Apple IMAC (27" Intel CPU) to Apple Mac Studio. 

I can keep both and network them to use the old Imac monitor, or get a better monitor, Apple or other brand. 

When choosing monitor, what should I look for? I think I want to stay with 27” and the common resolution, but color specs?

 

Edited November 13, 2023 by Einst_Stein

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[Jeff S]

I just bought the EIZO CG2700X 4K monitor (replacing my 14 year old NEC) to pair with a new Mac Studio M2 Ultra (replacing my 14 year old Mac tower). This should serve me well for the rest of my photo life.

Jeff

[irenedp]

I have two Eizos. Wonderful performance but not cheap. If you want a different price level, Benq is an option.  But I would go for an Eizo if I could. 

[jaapv]

The. monitor should be able to render Adobe RGB. 

[Stephen.s1]

Another vote for Eizo.

[jplomley]

On 11/14/2023 at 12:23 AM, Jeff S said:

I just bought the EIZO CG2700X 4K monitor (replacing my 14 year old NEC) to pair with a new Mac Studio M2 Ultra (replacing my 14 year old Mac tower). This should serve me well for the rest of my photo life.

Jeff

Interested in your feedback on the Eizo monitor Jeff. I was considering the 2.5K version myself. I’m currently using an Apple Studio Display (5K) and it’s okay-ish. Mainly used for work, so want to add a more photo-centric color corrected monitor where I can control contrast/black point to better represent the final print. It’s a bit tricky on the Studio Display and the gamut is also P3. 

[Jeff S]

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27 minutes ago, jplomley said:

Interested in your feedback on the Eizo monitor Jeff. I was considering the 2.5K version myself. I’m currently using an Apple Studio Display (5K) and it’s okay-ish. Mainly used for work, so want to add a more photo-centric color corrected monitor where I can control contrast/black point to better represent the final print. It’s a bit tricky on the Studio Display and the gamut is also P3. 

Won’t set up mine until mid-December, but a good friend loves his same Eizo (except CS… no built in hardware calibration) with M1 Ultra Mac Studio, and he’s very picky and a good photographer/printer. He gave me reason to splurge on 4K. 🙂

Jeff

Edited November 17, 2023 by Jeff S

[zeitz]

44 minutes ago, Jeff S said:

no built in hardware calibration

I wouldn't buy a monitor without built in hardware calibration.  Eizo also has excellent customer support.  Monitors and Apple silicon seem to be very picky about the cable that is used.  Don't even try to use an adapter.

[Jeff S]

1 hour ago, zeitz said:

I wouldn't buy a monitor without built in hardware calibration.  Eizo also has excellent customer support.  Monitors and Apple silicon seem to be very picky about the cable that is used.  Don't even try to use an adapter.

Yup, I went with built-in. My bud is much more tech savvy (CEO of tech company), and can deal with lots of situations and quirks that I’m too lazy, and too old, to bother with.  And I’m tired of dealing with NEC and SpectraView software.

Jeff

[zeitz]

6 minutes ago, Jeff S said:

I’m tired of dealing with NEC and SpectraView software

Eizo's ColorNavigator isn't the most brilliant piece of software either.  But it is updated frequently and does the job.  And Eizo support quickly responds to issues.

[jaapv]

I solved that by using a Datacolor Color Spyder calibration tool which has quite decent software. I haven’t used Color Navigator since I can remember   I have the impression that the calibration is more precise as well.

[jaapv]

On 11/17/2023 at 11:34 PM, Jeff S said:

Won’t set up mine until mid-December, but a good friend loves his same Eizo (except CS… no built in hardware calibration) with M1 Ultra Mac Studio, and he’s very picky and a good photographer/printer. He gave me reason to splurge on 4K. 🙂

Jeff

I find that using 4K causes  me sharpening problems. I solved it by making my second monitor a 4K one and checking the sharpening there and moving back again to my main Eizo    I  find 4K tends to push my images to undersharpening in print. Maybe because I am not used to the ultra-sharp rendering of 4K. 

[Jeff S]

5 hours ago, jaapv said:

I find that using 4K causes  me sharpening problems. I solved it by making my second monitor a 4K one and checking the sharpening there and moving back again to my main Eizo    I  find 4K tends to push my images to undersharpening in print. Maybe because I am not used to the ultra-sharp rendering of 4K. 

I remember your mentioning this. I use a single monitor, so I think I’ll learn to adjust over time by looking at prints, which are my consistent output. In general, I’d rather deal with under than over- sharpening, which grates on me.  I’ll discuss with my friend to see if he has similar issue.

Jeff

Edited November 19, 2023 by Jeff S

[jaapv]

It pays to have a second not too expensive monitor. I have all my Photoshop tools on the second screen giving me more space for the image on the primary one. I use a Samsung which is pretty good albeit only sRGB. 

[Jeff S]

My workflow was fine with 24” NEC. I think a 27” EIZO will more than suffice.  As an amateur enthusiast, making smallish prints, it’s all about my own standards and enjoyment levels.  So far, so good.  Wish I had less gear, not more!

Jeff

[Marc B-C]

Eizo ColourEdge CS2740 user here and am very satisfied. The use of an external SpiderX Pro every so often rather than inbuilt is really not an issue.

Edited November 19, 2023 by Marc B-C

[Einst_Stein]

To Jeff and Jaspv, sounds you all have a printer ( small print? ) at home to check display-print consistency. 
Do you mostly print at home? Or then send to print shop?

[Jeff S]

5 hours ago, Einst_Stein said:

To Jeff and Jaspv, sounds you all have a printer ( small print? ) at home to check display-print consistency. 
Do you mostly print at home? Or then send to print shop?

All at home… darkrooms from the 80’s; digital since 2009… including custom matting and framing. Currently use Epson P800.  There are loads of related discussions in this forum section.

Jeff

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[Einst_Stein]

22 minutes ago, Jeff S said:

All at home… darkrooms from the 80’s; digital since 2009… including custom matting and framing. Currently use Epson P800.  There are loads of related discussions in this forum section.

Jeff

I used to run Ilfochrime at home, I have the two pieces desktop printer, dry to dry.  I never get enough volume to run it constantly, but it is far less demanding than digital printer. I collect enough volume for a batch, then take a long break. During the break the machine is idle without trouble. Inkjet printer is different, it always want to be fed. I am more and ore reluctant to set up an inkjet printer. 
 

[Jeff S]

25 minutes ago, Einst_Stein said:

I used to run Ilfochrime at home, I have the two pieces desktop printer, dry to dry.  I never get enough volume to run it constantly, but it is far less demanding than digital printer. I collect enough volume for a batch, then take a long break. During the break the machine is idle without trouble. Inkjet printer is different, it always want to be fed. I am more and ore reluctant to set up an inkjet printer. 
 

Again, common topic here. Inkjet printers generally function best when used.  But I haven’t had clogging issues with either Epson I’ve owned (each for 7 years), even when idle for weeks. I merely run a test print once a month or so if idle, and run a nozzle check before any printing session. 
 

Epsons (cold fire heads) function differently than hot firing Canon machines, which build residue and therefore run automatic cleaning cycles periodically, whether wanted or or not. So, one should especially print regularly with Canon Pro machines, as they will use ink regardless, either for printing or for automatically generated head cleaning.  One merely needs to understand their gear, much like any digital camera/battery, etc.

Jeff