Samsung SyncMaster 305T 30"...?

[daniel_macdonald]

<p>I know this question gets asked over and over, but with small personal variations... Here is mine:</p>

<p>I am planning to upgrade to a new Mac Pro (2.26 8-core w/ 6GB RAM) and I want to choose a good, large monitor for color-correcting photos. I'm a professional wedding photographer, so dependable color rendition is important, but I don't think I am quite as persnickity as some of the other pros who post here... Primarily I am using Lightroom to create jpegs from NEF files that are then uploaded to Pictage.com for proofing and printing, so I need to match my monitor to Pictage test images. Also, I do like it when the prints I make on my Epson 2200 resemble what I see on the monitor.</p>

<p>I recognize that the glossy screen on the new 24" Apple Cinema Display disqualifies it immediately, and I have been looking at the NEC MultiSync 2690 WUXi2 25.5", but it costs a little more than I want to spend (B&H: US$1150).</p>

<p>I was wondering if anyone here as an opinion about the quality and longevity of the Samsung SyncMaster 305T 30"?</p>

<p>I like the idea of getting a 30" monitor, and the price seems good (B&H: US$1000).</p>

<p>Also, what calibration device / software would you recommend? I'm still using my Pantone Spyder to calibrate my 17" Apple display, but reckon I should upgrade that at the same time.</p>

[waltflanagan]

<p>I've had 2 of the Samsungs for about 2 years. I love them. No advice on the other stuff.</p>

[michaelbrochstein]

<p>There are a few 305T's where I work but they are not used for photo editing and have never been calibrated / profiled.  For regular use we are very happy with them and they are a great value.</p>

[philfx]

<p>You will want to upgrade your Spyder, if it s like the first version I had "Spyder Pro". The Spyder you have is not intended for LCD screens (also check if your future screen will be a wide color range screen), but the Spyder 3 has improved on the original in many ways and will be worth the price.<br />I like the i1ds also, and there is a new device called the Colormunki you might want to check out. This will profile your input to screen to print. Samsungs are good screens.</p>

[drasulev]

<p>I use 305T for more than two years and quite happy with it. Great monitor !<br>

As for the calibration, I use these links that help me to re-calibrate monitor from time to time:<br>

<a href="http://www.genesdigest.com/picstemp/test/gamma22.htm">http://www.genesdigest.com/picstemp/test/gamma22.htm</a><br>

<a href="http://www.genesdigest.com/picstemp/test/gamma22_rgb.htm">http://www.genesdigest.com/picstemp/test/gamma22_rgb.htm</a><br>

<a href="http://www.genesdigest.com/picstemp/test/gamma22_rgb2.htm">http://www.genesdigest.com/picstemp/test/gamma22_rgb2.htm</a><br>

Probably this will help to others too.</p>

[drasulev]

<p>Just in case anybody won't understand what to do with the links in my previous post...<br />You should adjust your monitor so that you do see each letter, representing color. I.e. if you can't see 'R' clearly than adjust your monitor (either through on-screen menu or using Windows calibration tools) so that you do see it. When you see all three letters then you can be more or less sure that your monitor shows colors correctly and in a balanced way.</p>