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pharcazell
Participant
September 22, 2012
Answered

Best Monitor for Photo editing?

  • September 22, 2012
  • 4 replies
  • 51363 views

I about to invest new 24' monitor but still can't decide which monitor should I get. Can anyone recommend that doesnt break the bank? I'm freelance photographer and most of my work more to portrait and wedding and I only do for part time. Here's my shot list

  1. Dell U2412M
  2. HP ZR2440w
  3. Asus PA248Q
  4. Dell U2410
    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer Todd Shaner

    I assume the OP is referring to use of wide gamut monitor with LR, so relevant.

    If you are printing to a wide gamut inkjet printer (6 or more inks) than using a wide gamut display will be helpful. For web, screen, and printing to standard CMYK  4-ink printers it won't provide much better color accuracy than an sRGB gamut display. With LR4's Soft Proof feature you can get a very accurate onscreen rendering of what the final print output will look like using the target printer and paper profile.

    Wide gamut displays will not render color properly with most web browsers and other non-color managed applications. Because of this I would also suggest using a dual display setup with one sRGB gamut standard display and a wide gamut display.

    Also be aware that 10bit/color will provide better rendering of fine gradients on wide gamut displays, but LR currently only supports 8 bit/color display output. Only PS CS4-CS6 support 10bit color display output. You also need to be using a graphics adapter that supports 10/bit color, and one that is compatible with PS.

    If you don't fully understand the differences between a wide gamut and standard gamut (sRGB) display I suggest doing some research. Also search this forum and the Web for reviews on displays you are considering. There have been numerous issues with calibrating certain model wide gamut displays.

    4 replies

    UK-Clipping-Path
    UK-Clipping-Path
    Participant
    April 23, 2021

    I think Asus PA248Q is good for photography.

    J
    Community Expert
    Jao vdLCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    September 23, 2012

    More important even than the monitor is that you get a display calibrator. None of those monitors will be correct if you don't calibrate and profile it.

    C-OW
    C-OW
    Inspiring
    September 25, 2012

    Pharcazell,

    I own the Dell U2410 and I'm happy with it! Had to return the first one cause of the red/green color cast problem (browse the web for that problem). Dell's service was fast and easy even though I purchased from a re-seller.

    I use the monitor together with a spyder 3 and wysiwyg is working with my Epson R2880!

    Oli

    Keith Reeder
    Keith Reeder
    Participating Frequently
    September 22, 2012

    How is this a Lightroom question?

    Todd Shaner
    Todd ShanerCorrect answer
    Legend
    September 22, 2012

    I assume the OP is referring to use of wide gamut monitor with LR, so relevant.

    If you are printing to a wide gamut inkjet printer (6 or more inks) than using a wide gamut display will be helpful. For web, screen, and printing to standard CMYK  4-ink printers it won't provide much better color accuracy than an sRGB gamut display. With LR4's Soft Proof feature you can get a very accurate onscreen rendering of what the final print output will look like using the target printer and paper profile.

    Wide gamut displays will not render color properly with most web browsers and other non-color managed applications. Because of this I would also suggest using a dual display setup with one sRGB gamut standard display and a wide gamut display.

    Also be aware that 10bit/color will provide better rendering of fine gradients on wide gamut displays, but LR currently only supports 8 bit/color display output. Only PS CS4-CS6 support 10bit color display output. You also need to be using a graphics adapter that supports 10/bit color, and one that is compatible with PS.

    If you don't fully understand the differences between a wide gamut and standard gamut (sRGB) display I suggest doing some research. Also search this forum and the Web for reviews on displays you are considering. There have been numerous issues with calibrating certain model wide gamut displays.

    D Fosse
    Community Expert
    D FosseCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    March 11, 2013

    Can't edit above post as on iPad but meant to add the question as to whether it's not possible to do that on a wide gamut monitor.


    Yes, you can soft proof to sRGB on a wide gamut monitor. The point of having a secondary "sRGB" monitor is to check how the images look in a non color managed environment. With Lightroom or Photoshop that point is moot.

    ---

    Although I see this is an old thread revived, I'd like to add something to the original question. In terms of a monitor's usability, the sad state of affairs is that the really important properties of a monitor are never measured, and not part of the official specifications. First among these is panel uniformity. You'd think that was a given, but it's not.

    The Dell U2410 and the infamous red/green issue is already mentioned. I got one of those too, and returned it within 24 hours. It still amazes me that they even thought they could get away with it - the thing was essentially an expensive doorstop right out of the box. Dell got an enormous amount of bad press over this, but it wasn't just the 2410, the whole Ultrasharp line was basically a lottery. When pressed, a Dell representative on their forums admitted that they only measured the central spot of the screen, and if that was within spec, they shipped it. (And of course it isn't just Dell, that's only an example. Apple Cinema displays - and presumably iMacs - are reported affected by this too).

    The thing is that IPS panels (and wide gamut backlights) are pretty expensive compared to ordinary TN panels to begin with, and the target market is pretty small as it is. So to sell a "reasonably priced" IPS monitor like the U2410, some corners have to be cut. Tight tolerances are first to go. Actually, the panel in the U2410 is the same used by Eizo in their 24" Color Edge models at four times the price.

    Which isn't to say that all reasonably priced IPS monitors are bad. Most of them are perfectly fine - it's just that you have to be careful, and if possible try it before you buy. The risk of getting a lemon is definitely there.

    So given all that, I would say that wide gamut or standard gamut is way down on the list of priorities. Get a monitor that is basically healthy, that's the main thing. A good standard gamut monitor beats a wide gamut one that turns out to be practically useless.

    kwdaves
    kwdaves
    Inspiring
    September 22, 2012

    The first two are not wide gamut, if that matters to you.

    The Asus would seem to be the least expensive of the wide gamut monitors.

    The Dell U2410 is a highly respected wide gamut monitor. I like mine and would

    buy it again.

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