I need a CRT Monitor.... *blast*

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

08/23/2005 10:04:16 AM · #1

I think I've come to the realization that I need a CRT monitor. Currently I only own a 17" laptop and althought the screen is great it has one major problem - brightness.

My recent nude submission received approx. 20 comments - almost all saying "too dark". When I get to work, I agree...but when I am home submitting my images they look fine.

And no, calibration software is not an option. The problem with LCDs is their variance on viewing angle. A CRT looks the same from basically any angle. But an LCD will look brighter or darker as you elevate or lower the screen.

As such it gets frustrating because everything looks great on my end but too dark on voter's ends. Even when I "over-brighten".

So I guess I have no choice but to get a CRT. (Which sucks cause they take up a lot of space.) But when over 1/2 of the comments in your last dozen challenges all say "too dark" well I guess it's time to get the hint.

jab119

08/23/2005 10:14:26 AM · #2

I have a Sony Trinitron Multiscan E200 that I have had for years. Its a flat screen (not a LCD flat panel). Its a good monitor.

Now you might be able to get an LCD flat panel to save on space. I have heard Viewsonic has a couple of really good models.

James

awpollard

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

08/23/2005 10:22:30 AM · #3

Originally posted by theSaj:

...Currently I only own a 17" laptop and althought the screen is great it has one major problem - brightness.

...

And no, calibration software is not an option. The problem with LCDs is their variance on viewing angle. A CRT looks the same from basically any angle. But an LCD will look brighter or darker as you elevate or lower the screen.

...

So I guess I have no choice but to get a CRT. (Which sucks cause they take up a lot of space.) But when over 1/2 of the comments in your last dozen challenges all say "too dark" well I guess it's time to get the hint.

Software + Spyders work great on LCD's...as for angle of view...well that's a no brainer.

$120 bucks for a cheap Spyder package or $160 > for a monitor. If you are happy with your LCD calibrate it and use the same viewing angle (lighting in room is important with both LCD and Monitor) when editing.

ED: I lied a decent low end spyder calibrator is available at www.buy.com for $72 bucks after rebate.

Message edited by author 2005-08-23 10:26:56.

08/23/2005 10:54:22 AM · #4

Originally posted by awpollard:

Software + Spyders work great on LCD's...as for angle of view...well that's a no brainer. If you are happy with your LCD calibrate it and use the same viewing angle.

THat's the problem, it's a laptop...everytime I open it the angle is different. I use it on a couch...the angle is different.

Perhaps what I should do is "calibrate" it and then use a gray card. Attach it to the monitor. Create a gray patch on the screen of matching ton. And then adjust the angle till they match...

eckoe

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

08/23/2005 11:07:02 AM · #5

I use a laptop for editing and scoring. I have a similar issue, but I typically take my time, and occasionally will move the screen around on dark images if they look too dark, I'll occasionally see something.

I've also found on this Dell 600m, that the screen is brighter when it's plugged into either the docking station at the office or plugged into power at home. This could be related to your issue as well.

My LCD on my desktop at home is excellent, because I've been able to calibrate it (no spyder) but it's bright enough there that I don't have any issues with dark/light images (that I know of) Once my office stops being 200 degrees in the evening, I'll go back up there to work/judge.

08/23/2005 02:24:29 PM · #6

Maybe I should turn it to low-power mode for testing...

I've even "overly brightened" images knowing that they appear dark on other monitors only to get a dozen "too dark" comments.

:|

nephoto

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

08/24/2005 05:39:58 PM · #7

I have Samsung Syncmaster 997DF CRT monitor, and with a lot of the photos that I process look great on my monitor, but often too dark on other CRT monitors. It's a battle that pretty much can't be won, I myself have chosen to make the photos look good on my brand new CRT, instead of over brightening my photos to benefit those who have chosen to let there tubes slowly die rather than replacing their monitor. The way I see it, those who are truly serious about digital photography will dish out the money to keep their equipment up to par, which I know is a harsh statement because this is an expensive lifestyle, so forgive me if I offend anyone, but that's life :)

Now all I have to do is free up some time to enter into some of these challenges...

sabphoto

Samsung Galaxy S8/S8+

08/24/2005 05:48:53 PM · #8

Originally posted by theSaj:

I had this problem with my JXT flat panel monitor too, I traded it with my wife (even thought I don't really have the space for a regular CRT, I had to make it fit). I was constently telling people their image was too bright when they weren't and also ruined a lot of mine when post processing. I hear there are nice LCD ones but at what cost. Good luck on finding a new one, I myself will probably not be able to get a new one for quite a few years.

cvt_

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

08/24/2005 10:55:09 PM · #9

I use a LCD...
i never trusted my old notebook, and honelsty, still don;t trust my new notebooks screen either..

remember, you need a good contrast to see everything properly..
the lcd I use is 1000:1 contrast ratio, 500mcd bright.
my older one was 600:1 and 450mcd, it was also acceptable but not as easy to see flaws as this one I have now. My CRT (lg flatron 17" pro (1600x1200 res one)) before I got the 17" lcd was better than it, but this 1000:1 IMO is better than my CRT I had.

Its got VERY extensive settings for colour/temperature/brightness/curves/contrast.

Samsung 710N = Old (better callibration software)
Dell 2405FPW = New (better screen overall, adequate calibration, replaced my tv :P)

faidoi

Pentax K10D

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

08/24/2005 11:00:25 PM · #10

Just got a new computer with a lcd included so planning to get a switcher box to switch between the lcd and crt to make sure it looks right.

Olyuzi

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7

Panasonic Lumix G 14mm F2.5 ASPH

08/25/2005 01:05:07 AM · #11

I purchased a new CRT monitor last year, but am considering strongly a move to an LCD. They have come a long way, according to EddyG, but for photography, you need to get an LCD with a flat panel technology called S-IPS. (Not sure what it stands for, and even if I did, I wouldn't know what the heck it is.) These are used in the Apple Cinema Displays and in a couple of the Dell LCD ,monitors. They are even surpassing CRTs according to some. Only thing is you got to have the moolah...for the least expensive, it'll cost about $799. I'm saving up for one now as they are much easier on the eyes, sharper, have very accurate color production

EddyG

Canon EOS-1D Mark II

08/25/2005 09:05:55 AM · #12

Originally posted by Olyuzi:

but for photography, you need to get an LCD with a flat panel technology called S-IPS. (Not sure what it stands for, and even if I did, I wouldn't know what the heck it is.)

Super In-Plane Switching. :) In IPS panels, the crystals are always in the same plane and always parallel to the panelâ��s, turning 90Â° when voltage is applied to a cell. That is one reason why the color is so consistent, regardless of angle.

Compare and contrast to TN (Twisted Nematic) panels, which are the most prevalent type of LCDs out there. When voltage is applied to a cell, the crystals curl up into an inconsistently-shaped helix whose axis is perpendicular to the panelâ��s surface. Because the crystals are perpendicular and not consistently oriented, you get weird color shifts as the angle-of-view changes.

Also, in IPS panels, light passes through in the active state, so if a cell crashes, it remains black -- unlike a TN+Film panel, where "dead pixels" shows up as always-on pixels (those annoying always-on red, green, blue pixels.)

Originally posted by Olyuzi:

Only thing is you got to have the moolah...for the least expensive, it'll cost about $799.

Not necessarily!! Dell just had a screamin' deal yesterday (ended today at 7am ET) on their 2005FPW (which uses the exact same LG.Phillips panel that Apple uses in their 20" Apple Cinema Display) for $443 shipped with a couple coupon codes. It pays to watch DealNews regularly... or better yet, just sign up for an email alert on the keyword "2005FPW"...

Message edited by author 2005-08-25 09:19:25.

Panasonic Lumix G 14mm F2.5 ASPH

08/25/2005 10:00:41 AM · #13

So EddyG

Are you saying these IPS LCD screens don't tint change based on viewing angle side-to-side or up/down?

Cause that's my problem with my laptop. Depending on what angle I set the screen it can be brighter or darker. And there is no way to tell what angle it should be at...

:(

This is my concern with desktop units as well. If you sit high it gets darker, more center and it gets lighter. Where is "natural". CRTs are constant at all angles.

totaldis

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

08/25/2005 10:04:10 AM · #14

i have the same problem w/ my nec lcd, my shots are too bright.

Olyuzi

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7

08/25/2005 10:14:40 AM · #15

EddyG,
Thanks very much for the explanation and tip about DealNews. Your posts are always very informative and helpful and I appreciate that.
Olyuzi

EddyG

Canon EOS-1D Mark II