Monitor Recommendations

[asnow]

My 20" monitor is acting up. Works maybe 50% of the time, so I'm in the market for a new one. Thinking of going to a 24" or 27". Does anybody have any suggestions on a monitor that is good for photo editing (ie has good colour and sharpness). I have a PC so a 27" Apple Cinema display doesn't fit (and is a little, well maybe a lot too expensive).

Also I will have to re-calibrate the new monitor. I'm considering the Spyder 4 Express @$129 or the Spyder 4 Pro @$189. Any thoughts on monitor calibrators.

[Runmonty]

I recently went through the same exercise and ended up getting a Dell 27" U2711 UltraSharp IPS Monitor, and am very happy with it. Good balance between quality and price, and some good deals were being done on it here in Australia at the time

I tend to recall that there was a thread here mid last year talking about monitors and if I remember correctly someone else here (MattK???) had the same monitor? I will see if I can find it and post the link


Monitor/Display Size

[Matt K.]

I recently went through the same exercise and ended up getting a Dell 27" U2711 UltraSharp IPS Monitor, and am very happy with it. Good balance between quality and price, and some good deals were being done on it here in Australia at the time

I tend to recall that there was a thread here mid last year talking about monitors and if I remember correctly someone else here (MattK???) had the same monitor? I will see if I can find it and post the link


Monitor/Display Size

You are correct, twas me. And so far I am super happy with the monitor. If you time it right, they do go on sale from time to time. Actually, right now they have the 24" model on a good sale ... if you want to spend more, their 30" monitor is also on sale right now ....

[asnow]

Thanks guys for that feedback. I wasn't sure about getting the Dell as we were purchasing them at work (mind you the cheaper model) for a few years. My current Samsung would blow the doors off any of those monitors, so I was kind of leaning towards a new Samsung. However I haven't seen what the more expensive Dell Ultra Sharps look like. Since you are two very happy customers (and I trust your opinion in its use in photography) I going to get the 24" on sale. Thanks again for your input.

p.s. The ETA for delivery is Jan 30th. I just hope my current monitor hangs in that long. Currently it seems to be OK after it warms up (after maybe half an hour).

[Runmonty]

I wasn't sure about getting the Dell as we were purchasing them at work (mind you the cheaper model) for a few years.

I was the same, I think it depends on the actual model. This one is much better than my previous Dell monitor.

I have BenQ monitors at work and at first glance they look great, but I think this is because they are bright & colourful (maybe designed more for gaming?). I tried calibrating one once and although I didn't realise it just by looking at it, there was significant quality fall off and variability of luminosity and colour accuracy as you moved away from the centre of the screen.

For what is worth I am using the Spyder 3 for calibration. I don't have any strong feelings about it either way. It seems to do the job OK

[asnow]

Just got my new Dell Ultra Sharp 24" and it is pretty nice. Very happy with it so far (1st hour of using it). Thanks Runmonty and Matt for the recommendation.

[Andrew]

I too am looking. Without going too far overboard in $$$ the two I'm looking at are the ASUS PA246Q and the Dell U2410. Whatever you end up getting make sure it's an IPS screen for the best picture to use with photography in that price range. Search the internet for 'best monitors for photography' and average out the test results from multiple sources. Black Friday had some good prices like $150 off of the Dell. Boxing Day not so much. Also look at the on-line warehouses in Ontario like TigerDirect. I personally use Colormunki for calibrating but again you have decisions and choices to be made.

[Matt K.]

Just got my new Dell Ultra Sharp 24" and it is pretty nice. Very happy with it so far (1st hour of using it). Thanks Runmonty and Matt for the recommendation.

I am glad you are enjoying your new monitor ... hope it will serve you well for many years ..

[John Marks]

Ok I know this is sort of a dead thread, but I am getting an apple Macbook Pro 15"
Is the monitor on those of high enough quality with or without the Retina display? Anyone with experience editing on Macbooks?

[frieri]

...Does anybody have any suggestions on a monitor that is good for photo editing (ie has good colour and sharpness)...

Hi,
I would suggest:
- Dell U series;
- NEC P series;
- Eizo S series.
I've recently bought an Eizo S2243W (22"), it's good enough.
I use X-Rite ColorMunki Photo for calibration.