GOOD LCD MONITOR.....

[Tom Swaman]

Is there such an animal as a good quality, reasonably priced color LCD monitor for use with a PC, PSE 5.0, etc. and XP?

What is a good size range for a monitor?

Which monitors are versatile, easy to calibrate and very stable in their brightness and color temperature, i.e. very low in drrift rate or color shift rate?

Thanks in advance for you advice.
Tom

[jfrancho]

Is there such an animal as a good quality, reasonably priced color LCD monitor for use with a PC, PSE 5.0, etc. and XP?

If $600 - $1200 is reasonable, then yes. Look at Eizo and LaCie.

What is a good size range for a monitor?

The biggest you can fit on your desk.

Which monitors are versatile, easy to calibrate and very stable in their brightness and color temperature, i.e. very low in drrift rate or color shift rate?

LCD are easy to calibrate and stable with little drift and shift.

All that said, I still use a CRT. Once I figure out my budget, I'll be looking at this: Eizo ColorEdge CE210W 21.1" Widescreen LCD Monitor with Dual DVI-I Input (Black)

[Tom Swaman]

Thanks JF.

I do calibrate my monitor. At present I use an Eye-One. It works fine. My monitor drifts badly in the reds and greens. This is just a stock monitor that I bought with a new DELL computer and i do not find it very good for editing. I shall look into the Eizo and others and I welcome any other recommendations. I am told that Apple Cinema, NEC and Lacie are good monitors and that Eizo is the tops, but also very expensive.

Tom

[JDArt]

Originally Posted by Tom Swaman

Is there such an animal as a good quality, reasonably priced color LCD monitor for use with a PC, PSE 5.0, etc. and XP?

Damn right!

In fact, I've really only used one bad LCD out of about 10 or 12. Look at NEC and Samsung. I personally prefer the NEC units, but lots of folks love Samsung.

Which size? BIG!

Don't go less than 24. Honestly I think for photo work the 26 or 27 inchers ought to be better.

If you're on a budget, the good old 21.3-inch models are good deals.

[Max@Home]

...Samsung SyncMaster 226BW gets my vote...





Max@Home

[Tom Swaman]

Dear Helpers,
I am looking and I have followed your advice to date. What I am finding is that the price range of a good 24" monitor ranges from about $500 + to nearly $2,000.
Thus far, it looks like the Eizo, Lacie and NEC monitors are the high end, top-of-the line variety. The Cinema Monitors of Apple appear to be good, but these appear to be overpriced for what these are, in my opinion. The Samsung monitor appears to me to be the hands-down best overall buy, not the best monitor, but an optimum monitor for photo editing. The SynchroMaster 245BW 24" monitor screams out as a value at just over $500 in retail cost.

Like all good things, one needs to be cognizant of not just the screen, but also of the stand. Some of the stands on the market do not appear to be built very rigidly or offer very flexible screen positioning.

The monitor prices seem to take a near-quantum jump in cost above about 24".

My pursuit of excellence continues with the great and greatly apppreciated support you have shared.

Thanks,
Tom

[aam1234]

Originally Posted by Tom Swaman

The monitor prices seem to take a near-quantum jump in cost above about 24".

So true. When ordering a Dell I thought I'd go big with the monitor, but when I saw the price jump over 24 I said "no thanks". The difference to the next size (27 I believe) was about $1,400.

[jfrancho]

I went down to the local computer store to have a gander at these Samsung monitors everyone been talking about, and I have to say, for the money these are pretty nice units with very good color. Make sure you make any adjustments (if possible) to reduce the contrast, and bring a CD with some of your images to see that they display as expected. I think these would be a good choice once they are profiled and calibrated.

[Tom Swaman]

JFranco,
WOW, thanks.

Max@home and JDArt, thank you. I sincerely appreciate the help and the advice. I think we, working together put a little more quality into photography than we take out. it is great to be here.

Tom

[Tom Swaman]

Oh yes, my oversight, not intentional, just because of my mental defugalties, thank you AAM1234 for verifying my observations. "In unity there is strength!"

Tom

[aam1234]

Was surprised that you didn't bow to my wisdom

Let us know what you decide on. Too late for me as the 24 will be here any day/minute.

[Tom Swaman]

aam1234,

I am so sorry it has taken me so long to reply to you. I was still in bowing position when your post crossed the back of my neck.

I will let you know what I order. I am waiting for a reply from Dell to tell me who makes their current 24" wide monitor. The reason is because the positively crappy 19 inch monitor that I bought from them through one of their dealers at the end of April can be exchanged through the dealer. If I can save a few bucks, I would like to do this. Otherwise, my present inclination is to go with the Samsung 245BW. Stay tuned as the bits of the world unfold.....

What are those flaky white things that blew all over me while I bowed to your wisdom??

Have a great day all,
Tom

[jfrancho]

Dandruff.

[Max@Home]

Max@Home

[Max@Home]

Originally Posted by jfrancho

I think these would be a good choice once they are profiled and calibrated.

...just FWIW: the Samsung SyncMaster 226BW just *loves* the Spider2 calibration

...and it makes a killer-monitor from an otherwise already super-decent unit



Max@Home

[Tom Swaman]

Thanks JFrancho. Now I remember the ad,".....only his photographer knows." I think AAM1234 should have ordered a Selsun Blue Monitor.

Max, which one is you, the one-eyed bactrian or the one with two?