Best LCD monitor for photography

[michael_ghourdjian]

<p>I've been using an Eizo CG and Apple Cinema Displays for the last 6 years for professional photo and graphic design. I can say that the Eizo's are much better than the Apple Cinema. Eizo warranty is 5 years, Apple is one. The color gamut and clarity on the Eizo appear to be similar to the apple at first but after a year you will really notice the difference. Eizo backlighting is the most even I've ever seen, never a hot or dark spot. Calibration is a breeze. The inputs and stand that come with the Eizo are far more versatile than the Apple. It costs more because it is better.</p>

[tbgold]

<p>I bought a Samsung F2380 a week ago but brought it back today. Beautiful monitor but not great for Photoshop. It doesn't display the blacks very well. Has anyone tried a NEC LCD2490WUXi2?</p>

 

[geoffrey_barnes]

<p>Just bought a NEC 2690WUXi2 from BH. Looks great. I have not calibrated color yet but what is bothering me is the glittery screen. I am used to a flat panel with a glossy screen. This monitor has a matte screen and the matte texture gives it kind of a hazy or glittery appearance that is driving me a little nuts. To me it seems to dull my images and almost makes it difficult to look at. Am I alone on this one? Has anyone else ever noticed this?</p>

[joe_sobel]

<p>I've had my NEC 2690WUXi2 for over a month now and am very happy with it. Colors in PhotoShop and Lightroom look great. Only two drawbacks I've noticed. There's blooming when the screen is all black, as in sleep mode, and the monitor runs quite hot. I saw comments on other threads about the blooming or glow before buying the monitor but it's only noticable when the screen in black and blank and it's due to the technology. Make sure your monitor is reset to factory defaults (it may be overly bright then) and then calibrate it to see if that works. Also, make sure you don't have room light shining directly on it. If you didn't buy the version with the calibration software and colorimeter make sure you get a wide gamit colorimeter to calibrate it with. Spyder 3 units, etc. aren't capable of calibrating the wide gamut of this monitor.<br>

Here are a couple of links to discussions I looked at before purchasing the NEC<br>

<a href="http://douglaslevere.com/blog/?p=159">http://douglaslevere.com/blog/?p=159</a><br>

<a href="http://exactexposure.blogspot.com/2008/12/boys-and-their-toys.html">http://exactexposure.blogspot.com/2008/12/boys-and-their-toys.html</a><br>

I don't recall if these were the ones with the blooming discussions but they'll give you some info.<br>

Joe</p>

 

[joe_sobel]

<p>I've had my NEC 2690WUXi2 for over a month now and am very happy with it. Colors in PhotoShop and Lightroom look great. Only two drawbacks I've noticed. There's blooming when the screen is all black, as in sleep mode, and the monitor runs quite hot. I saw comments on other threads about the blooming or glow before buying the monitor but it's only noticable when the screen in black and blank and it's due to the technology. Make sure your monitor is reset to factory defaults (it may be overly bright then) and then calibrate it to see if that works. Also, make sure you don't have room light shining directly on it. If you didn't buy the version with the calibration software and colorimeter make sure you get a wide gamit colorimeter to calibrate it with. Spyder 3 units, etc. aren't capable of calibrating the wide gamut of this monitor.<br>

Here are a couple of links to discussions I looked at before purchasing the NEC<br>

<a href="http://douglaslevere.com/blog/?p=159">http://douglaslevere.com/blog/?p=159</a><br>

<a href="http://exactexposure.blogspot.com/2008/12/boys-and-their-toys.html">http://exactexposure.blogspot.com/2008/12/boys-and-their-toys.html</a><br>

I don't recall if these were the ones with the blooming discussions but they'll give you some info.<br>

Joe</p>

 

[mark_oplatka1]

<p>Do you have an opinion on the NEC Multisync P221-BK @22" widescreen with calibrator. It sells for about $640 at B&H? Most of the reviews have been very favorable. About the only disadvantage I read is that it does not contain USB ports. I too am looking for a new monitor for under $1,000. Any other suggestions for a fellow Photoshop user?<br>

Thanks.</p>

<p>Mark</p>

[drasulev]

<p>I am amateur photographer and use Samsung SyncMaster 305T for about three years already. Fantastic display, I am completely satisfied with its performance, colors and huge working area. I use profile downloaded from manufacturer's site and it works better than those I've created using Spyder 2 calibrator. Very convenient for processing photos. It is also ok for HD movies and action games.</p>

[roger_smith4]

<p>I have the P221 and think it's a decent monitor. I don't see why I would need USB ports on a monitor. One annoyance is that it takes a while (15 min) to warm up to full brightness, much longer than other LCDs I've used.</p>

[timm_douglas]

<p>The monitor is probably the least discussed element in digital photography. With most attention paid to cameras, it is also the most limiting factor right now in terms of getting the most from your digital photos. <br>

The unfortunate reality is that OLED represents the only hope to maximize screen quality. The bad news: Sony isn't producing currently and it will probably be a year or more before anything new is out. <br>

Instead of blowing thousands on a new digital camera, consider how little of the output you're actually seeing of the pictures it produces due to the state of LCD monitors.<br>

I'm not recommending what you do or buy. Just realize that for all the talk around cameras and other expensive gear being sold by camera companies, you aren't seeing the full depth of your pictures on screen because of the LCD display. Realizing that renders most digital camera and accessory discussions moot for those of us on limited budgets who don't print our photos and take pictures for enjoyment.</p>

<p> </p>