LCD monitor for photography use - DPChallenge Forums

12/06/2004 07:17:00 PM · #1

So I am ready to replace my 17in Samsung 750s with a 19" LCD.

I saw this:
Famous Brand
and this:
Rosewell
and this:
BenQ

I dont know any thing about LCD screens, but I know the Compaq 1720 17" LCD that I have at work kills my Samsung with regards to color range, contrast, and general image quality...

What should i know about LCD monitors before buying... Is the above montors good for the price? Which one would you prefer?

Are there good priced LCDs out there with higher then 1280x1024 resolution? Are they worth it for photography purposes?

I am an amatur photographer, and not planning to go professional, so my purpose is really a better monitor for image editing for fun...

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

12/07/2004 10:44:18 AM · #2

bump for the day crowd.

LindaLee

Canon EOS-40D

12/07/2004 10:52:44 AM · #3

I am really interested in replies to this as well; I have been told not to use an LCD for editing photos, and would like to know others thoughts on this.

Thanks,
Linda

vince31874

12/07/2004 10:52:45 AM · #4

These Links of other postings may help you:

LCD Flat Panel Monitors

LCD VS CRT

Which LCD/CRT?

LCD Monitor

I have a 21 inch LCD for about 6 months now, and I have had no problems with photo editing.

Message edited by author 2004-12-07 10:54:44.

cghubbell

Nikon D300

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED

12/07/2004 10:55:04 AM · #5

Depends on how focused you are on the photography aspect. If you are 100% looking for the best monitor to accurately represent colors, then you should be looking at a CRT instead.

I know, reality is that the LCDs use less power, and take up less desk space, and have more eye pleasing contrast ratios :) But if your goal is a photographic workflow tool, the CRT is still where its at.

I would say one of the biggest things you need to consider is viewing angle. On my Thinkpad's LCD it makes a HUGE difference what angle I view from. You don't want that kind of variation when you're adjusting levels for shadow detail! A wide viewing angle on an LCD will minimize this error.

Also check native resolution. Some of the cheaper "off brand" LCDs have a (much) lower native resolution than the brand name, or high end LCDs. This makes a HUGE difference in how much screen real-estate you have to work with.

When I replace my 20" CRT with dual LCDs, I'll be buying brand name only. Probably a ViewSonic, Mitsubishi, Samsung, or Sony... Going to be a while though as I'm craving glass at the moment :) Good luck!

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

12/07/2004 02:44:45 PM · #6

Desk space is a huge reason for me to go LCD. There is no way I am fitting a 20" CRT on my desk. The question is if you are to pick an 19" LCD for about $300-400, which one would u pick?

Are there are better ones out there besides the three I listed above for the same price?

Right now I am leaning towards the "famous brand" one. it has the highest contrast ratio (700:1), least response time (15ms) (and is cheapest).

LindaLee

Canon EOS-40D

12/07/2004 02:55:03 PM · #7

Well, I guess I'll stick with my CRT, but I agree with cghubbell on the LCD's - ViewSonic would be my first choice, followed by Mitsubishi and Sony.

digitalpins

Canon EOS-60D

Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM

12/07/2004 03:05:31 PM · #8

I use a LCD all the time for my photography work.... also use one at work. I am an art director and designer and I take pictures or I am editing them all the time on LCD's. Also work in a print shop and they have LCD's there. The only problem I find with LCD's is the angle you look at them and thats only when I am standing up and looking down at the monitor. In fact I love the LCD monitors more than over the CDT's. Also whats important (very important) also is the lighting in the room, you will surprised how much of a difference you will see in your pictures on screen if you have the proper lighting and your computer screen is calibrated poperly. Also if you get a cheap LCD the picture will look crappy.

Well there my 2cents hope that helps

goodtempo

Canon EOS-450D Rebel XSi

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

12/07/2004 03:08:02 PM · #9

If you must get an LCD monitor, ViewSonic VX900-2 19" Multimedia TFT Flat Panel Display is selling for $499 at Fry's Electronics online store here. You can get it for $479 in the store if there is one near you. This is a very good price for the monitor you would be getting.

SteveJ

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM

12/07/2004 03:08:30 PM · #10

I use the Samsung SyncMaster 181T digital LCD with DVI output from the graphics card and it is set up with Adobe Gamma correction. Never had any problems and compares better than my 19" CRT Dell, plus there is no glare from the screen.

It's a case you get what you pay for, so don't get a cheap LCD...buy a good quality one.

Message edited by author 2004-12-07 15:09:15.

scottwilson

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

Canon EF 28mm f/2.8

12/07/2004 03:14:38 PM · #11

When my 21 inch CRT started to die I replaced it with a 19 inch LCD. I have a Princeton and it seems to work very well. The viewing angle on this thing is unbelievable.

The black level is a bit off but I can adjust the output from my video card so this is not an issue.

I got mine from Costco for around $600.

drz01

Pentax K50

Pentax SMC DA 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 AL WR

12/07/2004 03:20:53 PM · #12

If you must go with a lcd get the best one you can with the best contrast ratio and the least gosting. check this out.
Monitor

Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM

12/07/2004 03:27:34 PM · #13

Besides the name, why pick the more expensive one?

The "Famous brand" one has: 700:1 contrast, 170 degree viewing angle and 15ms response time, 300 brightness, dvi input and speakers.. Costs: $290 after rebates, $310 shipped.

Why are the vuesonic/samsung ones better? What justifies almost double the price?

SteveJ

Canon EOS-7D

12/07/2004 03:43:46 PM · #14

Originally posted by eugene:

Don't know the asnwer to that one...never considered buying a cheaper one...I had a Samsung 957 CRT and liked it, so went for the 181T. I suppose there are good ones out there...in fact...most probably use the Samsung screen anyway. All I know is, no dead pixels from new...two or three year warranty - screen replaced by next day delivery...no returning to base. I certainly am not a tech freak, nor a name buyer...I want value for my hard earned money. Think that's what I got with my LCD. Get one on a trail basis, for that money it will do as a second monitor if not up to your requirements.

Good Luck with it! Hope you are as pleased with your purchase as I am with mine.

drz01

Pentax K50

Pentax SMC DA 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 AL WR

12/07/2004 03:57:46 PM · #15

Originally posted by eugene:

Samsung makes their own lcd panels. They do not jest get a panel from someone else and build a monitor around it. They also make their own picture tubes. if it was up to me if you have the space a crt (picturetube) still produces the best contrast and colour fedility compared to a lcd monitor. Crt's have a pure black and mor shades of grey compared to a lcd and the whites are more pure. As for games or fast moving graphics (watching dvd's or tv) lcd's still gost.

Read this article.

Message edited by author 2004-12-07 16:08:39.

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

12/13/2004 05:19:58 PM · #16

I ordered the "Famous Brand" monitor. I will let you know how it is when I get it.

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

12/13/2004 05:41:37 PM · #17

LCDs don't last as long as CRTs either.

I can't believe that people are buying $4000 "disposable" TVs.

Message edited by author 2004-12-13 17:42:32.

SDW

Canon EOS-60D

Tamron AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical IF for Canon

12/13/2004 05:49:52 PM · #18

I would love to have a space saving monitor [LCD] but I am sticking with my CRT because I believe that photographs can be viewed more accurately on them. So I am willing to sacrifice the space. I believe some of the voting differences here is due to the difference in how a image is viewed between a CRT and LCD monitor.
Anyone agree or disagree?

dacrazyrn

Nikon D300

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

12/13/2004 06:28:21 PM · #19

I disagree. My 17" Apple Cinema Display is tits on! I have uploaded and then viewed images off it over to a WINDOZE CRT and see no difference at all. But then again I have hardware calibrated monitor also by i1.

TrueGeek

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

12/13/2004 07:39:15 PM · #20

Originally posted by scottwilson:

I have a Princeton and it seems to work very well.

I got mine from Costco for around $600.

I'm also running Princetons. Costco for $400. I'm running 3 17s. Great monitors for the price.

(please escuse the poor image, it was taken with a Treo...)