Monitor recommendations in the $500-$600 range?

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED

11/13/2005 04:21:55 PM · #1

I'm in the market for a new monitor and really don't know where to begin. I've been reading a bit and have found conflicting information about, for example, CRT versus LCD monitors. I want to replace my current monitor (a ViewSonic A70f CRT) because it does not display gradations in the darkest 25 percent of the grayscale. I've read that many LCD monitors have a similar problem in the lightest end of the grayscale. It seems that some LCD monitors also have a brightness problem (too bright), color fidelity problems, and are difficult to calibrate.

Any help/advice/recommendations will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

kearock

Nikon D90

11/13/2005 04:35:12 PM · #2

I have a Samsung SyncMaster 910t LCD that I think I paid roughly $500 for (don't remember the exact figure) at zipzoomfly.com. For the most part I'm very pleased with it. It's so much sharper and more vibrant than my old CRT (which as far as I know was a really good one). It's true, the definition at the white end of the spectrum is a little lacking, but by adjusting it away from the default settings, I've been able to get it so it's pretty good. If I look at the bar at the bottom of a DPC challenge entry I see each square well, except the lightest one, which I can make out if I look closely. I'm hoping to get one of those spyder things to improve it further. I haven't had any problems with the color and the calibration controls are easy to use. I've found that the that low definition in the very brightest end of the spectrum is a small price to pay for the smooth clean lines and excellent color of the LCD. I also like not having to worry about convergence...that was always a pain to calibrate on the CRT. Another cool feature of the LCD is that you can rotate it, so like if you were working on a photo in portrait orientation and wanted to maximize your viewing space, you can pivit the moniter 90 degrees (it comes with software that rotates the pictures too) and view it that way.

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

11/13/2005 05:11:25 PM · #3

Thanks, Kendall! I'm going to go read some reviews of the Samsung right now. :) I appreciate your help!

DanSig

11/13/2005 05:25:17 PM · #4

HERE is a very good monitor for $629

you can get the 19" Dell for only $300+

Spork99

OM System OM-1

11/13/2005 06:34:21 PM · #5

I just got a Dell 2005FPW. It's awesome. It has the same screen as the highly regarded Apple cinema display.

Anyway, I found a deal and got it at Dell.com for quite a bit less than list price.

orussell

Canon EOS Rebel T6s

Canon EF 55-200mm f/4.5-5.6 II USM

11/13/2005 06:44:12 PM · #6

Originally posted by Spazmo99:

I just got a Dell 2005FPW. It's awesome. It has the same screen as the highly regarded Apple cinema display.

Anyway, I found a deal and got it at Dell.com for quite a bit less than list price.

I got mine a couple of weeks ago for $613 CAD taxes in. I love it but I have had to order a ColorVision calibrator because it's way too bright and I can't seem to get it right with Adobe Gamma (I read somewhere it doesn't work well with LCD).

dahkota

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

11/13/2005 06:49:03 PM · #7

I just got the Sony SDM-HS95P/S. Colors are vibrant when calibrated, I can see all the blocks at the bottom of a DP challenge entry, and its contrast and sharpness is MUCH better than the Sony trinitron 20" I was using.

orussell

Canon EOS Rebel T6s

Canon EF 55-200mm f/4.5-5.6 II USM

11/13/2005 06:50:46 PM · #8

Originally posted by dahkota:

What did you use to calibrate?

LindaLee

Canon EOS-40D

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

11/13/2005 06:55:43 PM · #9

I'll put in a "vote" for the ViewSonic VP191b.

I love it! Paid around $480.00 including shipping. Can't say enough good about it - the thing I love most (aside from all the desk space I have now!) is that photos print out VERY close to what they look like on the monitor.

Linda

jbsmithana

Nikon D300

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 12-24mm f/4.0G IF-ED

11/13/2005 06:58:25 PM · #10

The two 20" Dell Ultrasharps, 2005 and 2001, are tops in this price range. I picked up a 2001 on sale a month or so ago for just under $600. My bet is they are likley to go onsale again before Christmas.

See this thread. EddyG offered up some great advice.

CRT v LCD

Edit: bad link

Message edited by author 2005-11-13 19:00:35.

dahkota

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

11/13/2005 07:01:23 PM · #11

Originally posted by orussell:

Originally posted by dahkota:
I just got the Sony SDM-HS95P/S. Colors are vibrant when calibrated, I can see all the blocks at the bottom of a DP challenge entry, and its contrast and sharpness is MUCH better than the Sony trinitron 20" I was using.

What did you use to calibrate?

My eyes, actually. I cross matched this monitor to another monitor to prints I had to colors I knew to be true. And used a pure black and a pure white digital card I had. No, its not spyder but I don't think you can get it much closer to true...

I did have a scare when I first started it up and looked at my current challenge entry. The contrast/brightness was set a little too high out of the box.

Olyuzi

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7

Panasonic Lumix G 14mm F2.5 ASPH

11/13/2005 07:54:44 PM · #12

I think you have to decide just how much money you are willing to spend for this purchase. If you have the $500-$600 and up for the top of the line LCD technology (S-IPS panel) then I would consider the aforementioned Dell 2001/2005 FPW models and the Apple Cinema Displays. YOu have to figure into the cost a color management system, which can add quite a bit more to the final cost. The monitor calibrating sensor and software alone can cost $250-$300. If you are going to be a stickler for color accuracy with your prints then you will not want to eyeball the monitor calibration with Adobe Gamma as there are just too many variables that can get screwed up using that method.

If you decide that you have the desk space for a CRT monitor then I would recommend a monitor with the NEC Diamondvision aperture grille technology. Wonderful color. LaCie makes their Blue models (19 and 22 inch models) but they are huge size wise and will eat up a lot more energy and cost more over the long run. Plus, these are not cheap, but truly excellent performance wise. I think Bear_Music has one and so I"m sure he'll chime in with some good advice here. The LaCie's will set you back for some pretty big bucks too. $500 or so.

If you aren't willing to spend that much then you can get a cheaper Diamondvision CRT by buying an NEC monitor. I have the 791sb and it's truly excellent.

Hope this was helpful.

Panasonic Lumix G 14mm F2.5 ASPH

11/15/2005 10:21:11 AM · #13

Thanks so much, everyone, for your advice; it's greatly appreciated! I did purchase a top-of-the-line Dell monitor two years ago when I purchased my computer, but after two days of having it burn holes in my retinas and also bring on a monster migraine, I sent it back, and I keep reading that brightness is still a problem with their newer models, so I'm going to avoid Dell altogether but will check out all the other monitors you all have suggested here. Olyuzi, I did look into the LaCie Blue monitors but they have a rather hefty pricetag and, as you said, I do need to reserve something to purchase calibrating software. I couldn't find a LaCie monitor for less than about $900, a bit outside my budget at the moment. Anyway, thanks again, everyone; I'm off to do some shopping now. :)

Olyuzi

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7

11/15/2005 12:01:58 PM · #14

Let us know what you get, Judith.
Also, I just realized that the Sony Artisan series monitors (CRT) come with a calibration sensor and software, so that will save you some money and they are very high quality. Not sure they will be in your price range though. Also, if you're ever in NYC go to B&H as they have all the monitors setup for you to view. I saw the Apple Cinema Displays and they are very impressive, albeit very expensive too.

jbsmithana

Nikon D300

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 12-24mm f/4.0G IF-ED

11/15/2005 01:41:03 PM · #15

Judith - I'm surprised about the "burning holes in your retinas" concering the high end Dells. Are you sure you had one with a S-IPS LCD? From what I have read LCD's in general do have the capacity to be much brighter than a CRT but that is brightness that allows it to function over a longer time period as LCD's suffer from slow fading of illumination over time. With my Dell 2001 set to see the white to black tone bar here on DPC it does not seem overly bright. The old LCD I had needed to be set bright and still did not see all the gradients in the bar so that may be the problem.

In any case her is a quesion and answer that relates in the latest Tim Grey newsletter:

I have a Dell LCD monitor that's about 1 1/2 to 2 years old. As I calibrate it (Color Vision Spyder) I have been getting very close to the extremes of the available adjustment. The last time I did it I was at 15% Red and 100% Blue. Does this indicate that I am at or close to the end of the useful (calibrated) life? If this is so are the commended high end monitors i.e. LaCie, Sony et.al, likely to exhibit the same relatively short life?
==========

The first question would be whether these adjustments were necessary from day one, or whether the required settings to get an accurate display have shifted over time. If they have shifted, that would be a clear indication that the monitor is experiencing a problem. This would frankly be a bit unusual for an LCD display, as the most common source of lost accuracy is a gradual fading of the illumination source behind the LCD display. This illumination source is generally capable of producing twice the brightness of a CRT monitor, and is therefore able to produce adequate brightness for a longer period of time. While CRT monitors tend to fade so much that they can only be counted on for 2 to 3 years of reliable service for photo work, LCD monitors are much more stable in this regard and can easily provide reliable service for about 5 years or more.

If your LCD display is requiring stronger and stronger adjustments with each calibration, then yes, you're very close to the end of the useful life because you're running out of the ability to further adjust the display. Such a severe shift in only 2 years is definitely not typical for an LCD display, so my assumption would be that it was either a very low-end display or that there was something defective about it that caused it to shift much more rapidly than normal. LCD displays tend to be very stable in terms of color, with the luminosity being the only major area of loss.

As for the low-end versus high-end LCD display consideration, there is definitely a difference. As a general rule, I'd say that a top of the line LCD display will get you a couple extra years of usefulness. Of course, such a display should also give you a quality advantage. Both factors are hopefully able to justify the higher cost of these displays (they do justify it in my mind).