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Author Topic: Moderately Priced Monitors for Photo Editing  (Read 52865 times)

David Eichler

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Moderately Priced Monitors for Photo Editing
« on: May 17, 2013, 08:22:30 pm »

I am seeking suggestions for a moderately priced monitor to be used primarily for photo editing. Most of my photos get used for web viewing or cmyk printing, which does not require wide-gamut viewing. I occasionally do some printing on an Epson 3800, but I don't think it is enough to warrant spending the money on a really wide-gamut monitor when I am on a budget and could make better use of my resources for other hardware. The price range I am thinking of is about $400 to $600 for the monitor.

I currently use a 2009 model iMac and would be getting current model Mac Mini to use with the new monitor.

One monitor I am considering is the Asus PA246Q. Any other suggestions in the $400 to $600 range?
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Vladimirovich

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Re: Moderately Priced Monitors for Photo Editing
« Reply #1 on: May 17, 2013, 08:37:54 pm »

sufficiently decent review sites for LCD monitors :

http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/
http://www.prad.de/en/index.html
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Sheldon N

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Re: Moderately Priced Monitors for Photo Editing
« Reply #2 on: May 18, 2013, 12:23:17 pm »

I paid about $650 for my Dell U2711 monitor, caught it on sale/refurb from the Dell store. Wide gamut, 27" size, capable of 10 bit display with the right card, IPS panel. Really a great value for the price. I think they're listed at $750 right now for a refurb, but you could keep your eyes peeled for a coupon code or a sale.
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Sheldon Nalos
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Vladimirovich

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Re: Moderately Priced Monitors for Photo Editing
« Reply #3 on: May 18, 2013, 12:42:39 pm »

I paid about $650 for my Dell U2711 monitor, caught it on sale/refurb from the Dell store. Wide gamut, 27" size, capable of 10 bit display with the right card, IPS panel. Really a great value for the price. I think they're listed at $750 right now for a refurb, but you could keep your eyes peeled for a coupon code or a sale.
you need to monitor sites like slickdeals... just couple of day ago it was (new) USD $599 ( http://slickdeals.net/permadeal/95182/dell-small-business-27-dell-ultrasharp-u2711-sips-2560x1440-lcd-monitor-w-premiercolor )
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David Eichler

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Re: Moderately Priced Monitors for Photo Editing
« Reply #4 on: May 18, 2013, 12:46:31 pm »

you need to monitor sites like slickdeals... just couple of day ago it was (new) USD $599 ( http://slickdeals.net/permadeal/95182/dell-small-business-27-dell-ultrasharp-u2711-sips-2560x1440-lcd-monitor-w-premiercolor )


I think a 24" monitor is adequate for my needs at this point. And, if spending more money, I would rather put that into the quality of the monitor. At +$750 to $1,000, wouldn't an NEC monitor be a better choice for a 24" monitor than a Dell of whatever size?
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Vladimirovich

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Re: Moderately Priced Monitors for Photo Editing
« Reply #5 on: May 18, 2013, 01:38:36 pm »


I think a 24" monitor is adequate for my needs at this point. And, if spending more money, I would rather put that into the quality of the monitor. At +$750 to $1,000, wouldn't an NEC monitor be a better choice for a 24" monitor than a Dell of whatever size?

2711 is a good monitor ( http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/reviews/dell_u2711.htm )

sure, there were  (and will be) deals for 24" Dell monitors there as well

http://slickdeals.net/f/6028328-24-Dell-U2412M-UltraSharp-IPS-1920x1200-LED-Monitor-275-Free-Shipping   =   http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/reviews/dell_u2412m.htm

PS: and you are not spending more money - you posted " The price range I am thinking of is about $400 to $600 for the monitor.", deal was $599
« Last Edit: May 18, 2013, 01:43:44 pm by Vladimirovich »
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jeffreybehr

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David, I believe you really should read this...
« Reply #6 on: May 18, 2013, 05:35:11 pm »

...http://www.imagescience.com.au/kb/questions/120/Monitors+For+High+Quality+Imaging+Work#BestOfTheBest
before you buy any foto-processing monitor.  I had no idea inexpensive monitors performed so poorly. 

I bought a 27" NEC PA271W...
http://www.colorhq.com/NEC-MultiSync-PA271W-Monitor-p/pa271w-bk.htm
...and NEC's calibration/profiling system...
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/613707-REG/NEC_SVII_PRO_KIT_Color_Sensor_and_SpectraView.html

Getting the colors right, too, is important.   :)

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Tony Jay

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Re: Moderately Priced Monitors for Photo Editing
« Reply #7 on: May 18, 2013, 06:20:33 pm »

David, I would second the suggestion from Jeffrey Behr to check out the info on the Image Science website.
Absolutely top-notch.
Interestingly I bought my NEC through them and I was determined to give them my business because of the stellar calibre of their customer service.
Price-wise they are very competitive too but the information and advice they offer cannot be beat.
Obviously, living in California, you won't be dealing with them when you buy but do yourself a favour and peruse their site.

Tony Jay
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kaelaria

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Re: Moderately Priced Monitors for Photo Editing
« Reply #8 on: May 18, 2013, 07:04:59 pm »

The Dell 2412 is routinely on sale for $260 shipped and is superb for the price.
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gubaguba

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Re: Moderately Priced Monitors for Photo Editing
« Reply #9 on: June 04, 2013, 08:19:26 am »

I am not in disagreement with the fact that NEC and Ezio make excellent tools.  However I do question any website being presented as an authoritative source of information that is also sells the products they promote as the best.  Clearly there is a conflict of interest.  If you don't recognize a thinly veiled sales pitch then I have some real estate you might be interested in, act now and I will throw in a car that an elderly women drove only to church on Sundays. 
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NigelC

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Re: Moderately Priced Monitors for Photo Editing
« Reply #10 on: June 07, 2013, 07:29:11 am »

Also looking to replace 2008 vintage ACD 23" which is a bit awkward to use with a PC and has imperfections appearing in the display. The Dell Ultrasharp 27" looks best bet and is about as much as I'm prepared to pay (primarily for print output to Epson 3800 - 3880 in future).

I'm assuming the Dell will have a wider gamut and be appreciably more acurate than the ACD? Can the Dell be successfully profiled with Color Munki? Any other suggestions at similiar price band?
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NigelC

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Re: Moderately Priced Monitors for Photo Editing
« Reply #11 on: June 07, 2013, 10:05:11 am »

Also looking to replace 2008 vintage ACD 23" which is a bit awkward to use with a PC and has imperfections appearing in the display. The Dell Ultrasharp 27" looks best bet and is about as much as I'm prepared to pay (primarily for print output to Epson 3800 - 3880 in future).

I'm assuming the Dell will have a wider gamut and be appreciably more acurate than the ACD? Can the Dell be successfully profiled with Color Munki? Any other suggestions at similiar price band?

Oh, I see U2711 already replaced by U2713H (not HM)
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Steve House

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Re: Moderately Priced Monitors for Photo Editing
« Reply #12 on: June 07, 2013, 11:03:25 am »

Oh, I see U2711 already replaced by U2713H (not HM)
And one might note, the Dell U2713H uses the same panel as the NEC PA271W
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NigelC

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Re: Moderately Priced Monitors for Photo Editing
« Reply #13 on: June 07, 2013, 11:48:42 am »

And one might note, the Dell U2713H uses the same panel as the NEC PA271W

And significantly cheaper although the panel I would imagine is not the only indicator of merit
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digitaldog

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Re: Moderately Priced Monitors for Photo Editing
« Reply #14 on: June 07, 2013, 12:15:15 pm »

And significantly cheaper although the panel I would imagine is not the only indicator of merit

Indeed! First off, there are only three manufactures of panels and everyone who sells one has to get it from one of these sources. Next, not all panels coming off the line are of the same quality and companies like NEC get pick of the litter. But aside from that, there's a huge difference in creating a reference display system aka PressView, Artisan, SpectraView etc. They are designed from the ground up for calibration processes that are unique in terms of how and where the calibration takes place, communication with the software and instrument etc.

I always wonder what some are thinking when the ask for a moderate priced display and their needs. If soft proofing, consistently in calibration, control over calibration is important, one might wish to adjust the budget accordingly. IOW, a used SpectraView system (note the system here) is IMHO a better approach than a new lesser quality display brand new.
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Vladimirovich

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Re: Moderately Priced Monitors for Photo Editing
« Reply #15 on: June 07, 2013, 12:40:51 pm »

I always wonder what some are thinking when the ask for a moderate priced display and their needs.
probably the same as xrite passport for camera calibration  ;)
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digitaldog

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Re: Moderately Priced Monitors for Photo Editing
« Reply #16 on: June 07, 2013, 12:47:41 pm »

probably the same as xrite passport for camera calibration  ;)

Not even an appropriate analogy. The Passport does exactly what it was designed to do and very well.

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Vladimirovich

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Re: Moderately Priced Monitors for Photo Editing
« Reply #17 on: June 07, 2013, 01:26:12 pm »

Not even an appropriate analogy. The Passport does exactly what it was designed to do and very well.
and those monitors do the same...  fine print " what it was designed to do"  ;D
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digitaldog

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Re: Moderately Priced Monitors for Photo Editing
« Reply #18 on: June 07, 2013, 01:53:53 pm »

and those monitors do the same...  fine print " what it was designed to do"  ;D

Do they? You can conduct the calibration in the panel? Without touching a single control on the unit? These displays can adjust the contrast ratio? They can build a suite of calibration targets, switch on they fly and have the display load the correct ICC profile? They can emulate sRGB, Full gamut or additional or other color spaces? They have PIP? Their Colorimeters are tuned to the panel? They all have 5 year warranties? They are all the best panels off the line?

As I said, your analogy is weak at best. Your understanding of what a reference display system is seems lacking.
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kaelaria

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Re: Moderately Priced Monitors for Photo Editing
« Reply #19 on: June 07, 2013, 04:38:31 pm »

The 2711 was just on sale for $599 shipped again and I couldn't resist, got another one :)  I prefer it over the 2713 for it's wide gamut.  When LED backlights improve I'll switch over but I'll take the better colors in exchange for the thicker panel any day.
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