Best LCD Monitor???

exactexposureexactexposure Registered Users Posts: 59 Big grins
edited February 28, 2008 in Accessories
I have been researching LCD monitors for accurate image adjustments with Photoshop CS3. I would like to find a 21-24” widescreen LCD monitor (S-PVA or S-IPS type (not TN)) for connecting to my laptop as well as a 24-30” widescreen LCD (S-PVA or S-IPS again) as my primary display for my main Windows based PC.

Currently I have the Dell 24” 2405WFP LCD monitor, however after color calibrating the monitor with the Eye One Photo LT and Match 3 software I find it is still too bright (luminance is 160 at a brightness setting of zero on the Dell monitor! The contrast is not adjustable and set at 50%. This makes my blacks look overly bright (lighter) than what prints out on my Epson 7800 printer.

I have even read information about the negatives of “wide gamut” LCD monitors (some say that until the hardware/software supports a wider gamut these monitors actually make image adjustments harder?). This only continues to confuse me as to which monitor(s) I should purchase. Within reason (around $2000 each) I am willing to spend money on the best equipment.

Long story short, if you can give some recommendations (or direct me to an accurate website) on LCD computer monitors for accurate Photoshop CS3 adjustments I would greatly appreciate such information.

Thank You,
David
www.eXacteXposure.com

Comments

  • ian408ian408 Administrators Posts: 21,939 moderator
    edited February 24, 2008
    Try searching through the threads here. There are several dealing with monitors.
    Moderator Journeys/Sports/Big Picture :: Need some help with dgrin?
  • colourboxcolourbox Registered Users Posts: 2,095 Major grins
    edited February 24, 2008
    exactexposure wrote:
    Within reason (around $2000 each) I am willing to spend money on the best equipment.

    If that's your budget then you should look at the Eizo monitors since they're supposed to be some of the best for color correction. I don't have anywhere near that budget so I have an Apple Cinema Display, which I calibrate at a luminance of around 100 which is reached a brightness level hardware setting of about 15% or so. But I would be wary of buying an Apple LCD at this time because the specs and prices have not budged and are not as good a value as it was back when I bought it. Those things are way overdue for an upgrade or price drop.

    The NEC XX90 series seems to get good reviews from color types.
  • Manfr3dManfr3d Registered Users Posts: 2,008 Major grins
    edited February 24, 2008
    Hey there,

    if you've looked around you probably figured out that high
    end tfts start to ship at around 1200€. These are almost
    always Eizo displays with 19 or 20" or NEC displays.

    In this category the NEC LCD2690WUXi 26" seems to be one
    super monitor. Not only does it have 26", it also has the most
    even elumination (with ColorComp enabled) and covers the
    full AdobeRGB color space (and a bit more). This would be my
    recommendation if you're serious enough about your work to
    put down this much cash on a monitor.

    If you're looking for a cheaper alternative there is the league
    of 400-600€ monitors in which your Dell 24" falls. Here I
    would recommend the NEC LCD2470WNX 24" for around 600€.
    Its like a small brother of the 26" I mentioned above. The color
    space is 95% of AdobeRGB which is the largest color space of
    any LCD monitor below 1200€.

    Google will help you find a review or two.
    “To consult the rules of composition before making a picture is a little like consulting the law of gravitation before going for a walk.”
    ― Edward Weston
  • exactexposureexactexposure Registered Users Posts: 59 Big grins
    edited February 28, 2008
    Manfr3d wrote:
    Hey there,

    if you've looked around you probably figured out that high
    end tfts start to ship at around 1200€. These are almost
    always Eizo displays with 19 or 20" or NEC displays.

    In this category the NEC LCD2690WUXi 26" seems to be one
    super monitor. Not only does it have 26", it also has the most
    even elumination (with ColorComp enabled) and covers the
    full AdobeRGB color space (and a bit more). This would be my
    recommendation if you're serious enough about your work to
    put down this much cash on a monitor.

    If you're looking for a cheaper alternative there is the league
    of 400-600€ monitors in which your Dell 24" falls. Here I
    would recommend the NEC LCD2470WNX 24" for around 600€.
    Its like a small brother of the 26" I mentioned above. The color
    space is 95% of AdobeRGB which is the largest color space of
    any LCD monitor below 1200€.

    Google will help you find a review or two.

    So far my research is agreeing with what you are saying about Eizo or NEC and the models... the Eizo CG241W for the money is a top choice along with the NEC LCD2690WUXi that you mentioned. I have gotten good reviews/comments about the LaCie 526 as well.

    I figure I sit in front of my computer (and Photoshop) many many hours and it will be a good investment... I don't play golf and a good set of clubs would set me back way more than the price of a monitor... plus you have those green fees. It's all in what make you happy I suppose.
    www.eXacteXposure.com
  • ShizamShizam Registered Users Posts: 418 Major grins
    edited February 28, 2008
    Also look at the Dell 3007WFP-HC. 30" with high-gamut (note the -HC, don't look at the non-HC ones), they're $1300-1500 each depending on what deals are going on. Pretty much everybody here at the office sits in front of a pair :)

    Sam
    Ever hear of Optimus Zoom? Me either.
    SmugMug iOS Sorcerer
  • Manfr3dManfr3d Registered Users Posts: 2,008 Major grins
    edited February 28, 2008
    exactexposure wrote:
    So far my research is agreeing with what you are saying about Eizo or NEC and the models... the Eizo CG241W for the money is a top choice along with the NEC LCD2690WUXi that you mentioned. I have gotten good reviews/comments about the LaCie 526 as well.

    I figure I sit in front of my computer (and Photoshop) many many hours and it will be a good investment... I don't play golf and a good set of clubs would set me back way more than the price of a monitor... plus you have those green fees. It's all in what make you happy I suppose.

    The monitors you mention sound very good too. If I was you I would
    not rely so much on peoples opinions only. If you want to make the
    best decision read online reviews from computer magazines where
    they measure the colorprofile, how well the calibration works, luminosity,
    homogenity and all this scientific stuff. They usualy give an objective
    rating for the monitors based on industry standards for color critical
    workflows. It's hard to tell how good a monitor is by looking at it,
    they're all colorful and subjectively great looking nowadys. You're
    in a win-win situation if you can find a Monitor 1 vs. Monitor 2 comparison.
    I'm shure you will find the best monitor for your needs thumb.gif
    “To consult the rules of composition before making a picture is a little like consulting the law of gravitation before going for a walk.”
    ― Edward Weston
  • Manfr3dManfr3d Registered Users Posts: 2,008 Major grins
    edited February 28, 2008
    Shizam wrote:
    Also look at the Dell 3007WFP-HC. 30" with high-gamut (note the -HC, don't look at the non-HC ones), they're $1300-1500 each depending on what deals are going on. Pretty much everybody here at the office sits in front of a pair :)

    Sam

    Is it the one that sucks 250 Watt/h ? mwink.gif
    “To consult the rules of composition before making a picture is a little like consulting the law of gravitation before going for a walk.”
    ― Edward Weston
  • ShizamShizam Registered Users Posts: 418 Major grins
    edited February 28, 2008
    I'd believe it, my friggn cube is quite warm and I rest my hands on the screen in the winter to warm them up when I arrive at work :)

    sam
    Ever hear of Optimus Zoom? Me either.
    SmugMug iOS Sorcerer
  • ian408ian408 Administrators Posts: 21,939 moderator
    edited February 28, 2008
    Shizam wrote:
    I'd believe it, my friggn cube is quite warm and I rest my hands on the screen in the winter to warm them up when I arrive at work :)

    sam
    You should see the warm glow SmugMug employees have :D
    Moderator Journeys/Sports/Big Picture :: Need some help with dgrin?
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