Dell 1905FP 19" LCD monitor: good enough?

I need a new graphics monitor, and am considering the Dell 1905FP. My

work is mainly editorial stock photography and newspaper

photojournalism, so I need reasonably accurate color, but not the

extreme accuracy studio and advertising photographers require. Will

the 1905FP do the job? My old CRT (LaCie electron19blueIII) got to the

point where the only way to get the color levels properly calibrated

ended up bringing brightness (and to a lesser degree contrast) down to

the point where it was unusable. I'd love to get a LaCie LCD, or an

Apple Cinema Display (even though I'm a Windows user), or an Eizo, but

I can't lay out that kind of cash at the moment (just bought a new

house). Any feedback on the Dell? Other recommendations under $500?

Thanks.

 

David Arnold

You didn't mention what your work flow is. If you aren't having to adjust the white balance and can live without the Adobe gamut the 1905FP (and the 20xxFP and 21xxFP ) are usable for middle tones. Highlights and shadows in some hues are off and you will soon learn when not to trust WYSIWYG but these are problems for most high volume color printing processes as well.

Hi David

 

I just ordered one of Dell's super deals on computers.... and it comes with the 1905 (can't order it w/o monitor). So, I'll give you my impressions. I asked a very similar question a couple days ago...

 

http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00DSNp

 

Since I'm forced to get the LCD, I'll use it for menus and get a 19" CRT for images.... I'm looking at a Viewsonic for $300. Seems to be good... no more Trinitrons or Diamondtrons are being made any more....

My company upgraded all our engineering desktops to these monitors. They are very well designed, with a slim bezel and an adjustable stand, and have decent color. Lighting at my desk is a horrendous mix of fluorescent and daylight, so I didn't even try to calibrate mine with a Spyder, but the color is fairly good out of the box (FWIV, I have a calibrated Apple 23" Cinema HD at home).

I have the Dell 1905FP 19 inch and yes it is suitable. The clarity is good. and one of the

better LCD monitors I have seen. However I also have the apple cinema display 20 inch, bit

more pricey attached to my G5 Powermac but better than the Dell 1905FP because the clarity

is better.

If it's down to the price at the end of the day then you will not be disappointed in the Dell, I'm

certainly not and I use it for editing videos and photos using Adobe Premiere Pro and Adobe

Photoshop CS2.

There was a review (somewhere in the depths of early August PN) of some TFT monitors - and a link where the Apple Cinema Display was compared to the 2105 Dell. They came out as both the same as they used the same LCD panel. The Apple was pure DVI - the Dell had DVI + VGA + Card Reader.. but a lot of money.... :<

David, I have been using Dell LCD monitors (most recently the 19" Ultrasharp) for a few years. I am a serious amateur photographer and use PS CS2 to process medium format and original digital images for printing on an Epson 2200. I have been favorably impressed with the Dell monitors which I have calibrated with an Eye One device. My print product is generally very close to the screen image, and when it is not, it is because of bad printer settings. The colors are sharp and accurate. I have learned to periodically angle the monitor horizontally and vertically (45 degrees or so) to get different views of an image. Sometimes I pick things up that I do not see head on. This is particularly true of shadow detail. I do not know whether this is unique to the Dell or typical of LCD monitors in general. In my opinion, the Dell is a wise and economical purchase. I have read that the Apple displays are superior, but at a considerable price premium. If I were in your shoes, I would consider the 21 wide screen. I find that the 19" real estate is a bit cramped for image process with the tool/progress windows in PS. You may want to check Ebay for favorable prices as well. Hope this helps.

Thanks everyone (especially George--your thread was very helpful. I ordered the 1905FP this morning. After I've used it a bit I'll post here again.

 

David