Computer monitors for image editing

[Dave Humphries]

First let me say I haven't researched the UK monitors market, but £186 for a good/recommended 24 incher sounds OK to me, especially if that's including the VAT at 15% (until the New Year).

But maybe I'm out of touch,

[Donald]

First let me say I haven't researched the UK monitors market, but £186 for a good/recommended 24 incher sounds OK to me, especially if that's including the VAT at 15% (until the New Year)

Since seeing Colin's comment (above) re price, have spent the evening searching. Looks like Amazon is competitive so far as the UK market is concerned.

As an aside, it's an interesting fact that all reviews are focused on suitability for video games. Just shows what mis-spent and sad lives people have - when they could be up half the night trying to work out what that option in GIMP's G'MIC really does!

However, I think I can rely on Southern Recommendations being better than anything else I might read online.

[Colin Southern]

Originally Posted by Donald

However, I think I can rely on Southern Recoemmendations being better than anything else I might read online.

Awww man - talk about pressure! I can see the headlines now - "Dip in Viewsonic stock traced to massive return of 2433 monitor following mass discontent - traced to one Colin Southern at CiC!"

[Howard]

Hi Colin,
Have just spoken to one of our suppliers and trying to score a VX2433wm demo unit to look at for a few days.
The local lotto shop sold div 1 this weekend but it wasn't to me! Otherwise I would have got an Eizo. and, and, and.
Howard

[Donald]

Have just spoken to one of our suppliers and trying to score a VX2433wm demo unit to look at for a few days.

Much to my eternal regret and shame, I seem to be more of an impulse buyer than you, Howard, who clearly takes a much more measured approach to purchase. 'Fraid the credit card did get pulled out last night and it's on its way from Amazon (I hope). Will air initial reactions once it's up and running.

To paraphrase what others have previously said, this forum presents a signifcant threat to the bank balance.

ps: Re the above discussion on price, I should have pointed out that the £186 from Amazon includes UK VAT at 15% (which is due to go back up to 17.5% at the end of the year, the temporary reduction having been a 'carrot' introduced by Government in response to the recession).

[Howard]

Originally Posted by Donald

Much to my eternal regret and shame, I seem to be more of an impulse buyer than you, Howard, who clearly takes a much more measured approach to purchase. .

I used to be more of an impulse buyer but since my income took a dive a few years back I try to be a little bit more analytical - maybe too much so. In the past I've spent a fortune on scuba diving on equipment and training , now givn up and sold a lot of equipment for a pittance, some still here gathering dust.
Even though the VX2433 is only a few hunnert ( trying to get my wifes wee company to pay for it and give her my cheap CMV 17" to replace her old Philips 15".

Howard

[KentDub]

Originally Posted by Donald

To paraphrase what others have previously said, this forum presents a signifcant threat to the bank balance.

That's an understatement

[Donald]

Right ... here come the questions!!

The VX2433wm arrived from those nice folk at Amazon 36 hours after order. It's in and, would you believe, I managed to get something to appear on the screen. Techical ability - Score 5.

However....... settings.

The Spyder 3 hasn't arrived yet. That's going to come from next month's savings from having stopped smoking (8 days in and all's well).

But can you advise on the basic settings?

Colour adjust - Should I be putting that at 6500k? If so,what settings would you then have for contrast and brightness? I'm trying to get it as good as possible, pending the arrival of Spyder 3, using what's in Sean's tutorial. But it's nowhere near good enough yet.

Any advice from those using it (Colin) would be appreciated.

[KentDub]

Originally Posted by Donald

Colour adjust - Should I be putting that at 6500k? If so,what settings would you then have for contrast and brightness? I'm trying to get it as good as possible, pending the arrival of Spyder 3, using what's in Sean's tutorial. But it's nowhere near good enough yet.

If you are inside, use 6500k. If you are outside, I think it is 9300k (whatever the upper preset of the monitor is). If you are in a room during the day and have lots of daylight comming in... Well that's why you are buying the Spyder! (I recommend though you get 'daylight' lightbulbs to try to make the color temp of all of your lightsources the same. You want the temp of the monitor to match the lighting environment you are in. Using higher temps is very tempting, lots of people like cool whites, but in reality you are giving a blue tint to everything.

With LCD monitors they come factory set fairly well. Brightness and contrast, start with them both 50% and work from there. Learn how to use a standard color bars calibration image. This will get you most of the way there until you can dial it in perfectly with a calibration tool like the Spyder. Make sure you set any color options on the monitor to 'Standard' or 'Default' -- do not use 'Vivid' or any such settings. If there is an option for anything related to dynamic contrast ratio - turn it off.

[Colin Southern]

Originally Posted by Donald

Colour adjust - Should I be putting that at 6500k?

The official standard is D50 (5000 Kelvin), but most people (myself included) find that it's too yellow, and opt to go with 6500K.

Congrats on the new arrival!

[Alis]

Originally Posted by KentDub

That's an understatement

At least in the case of Colin, I did not realize what was going on until I bought the whole B&H's warehouse. Then I realized that he is building a mirror "base/office" for himself in Boston in case he comes this way.

[Colin Southern]

Originally Posted by Alis

At least in the case of Colin, I did not realize what was going on until I bought the whole B&H's warehouse. Then I realized that he is building a mirror "base/office" for himself in Boston in case he comes this way.

Boston is just the start (Mauhahahahaha)

[Howard]

aaaah. Still trying to decide as I now have a subtle variation.

the LG Flatron W2442PA pivots through 90deg so you can get a true full length portrait.

Oh great Southern Man,and others, : is this an advantage or just a gimmick.
In NZ PC World http://pcworld.co.nz/pcworld/pcw.nsf...25765B007A264F the LG scored better than the Viewsonic VG2427wm which one assumes has a similar performance to the aforementioned ZX2433wm. But then the report was a bit light on photo editing.
I now have some cash burning a hole in my pocket ( actually a drawer

There are too many bleedin choices and variations

Howard

[Colin Southern]

Hi Howard - I use a pivoting screen at work - if you're doing BIG brints then it really is an advantage - but even on a 24" wide screen it's still fairly tall (probably bigger than you'd print). I've got no idea what the persormance of the other one you mention is. Probably either will be better than what you've got

[Howard]

Iv'e finally done it!
I've now got the LG Flatron W2442PA. Sorry Colin - looked at it in the store today had a play with, discussion with the rep. and decided to take the plunge.
All set up and hopefully claibrtaed with the Monaco Optis xr Pro. Haven't done any prints yet to check that everything looks the same, and not likely to happen ubtil Sunday night at the earliest as tomorrow the boat comes out for a bottom clean and hull polish etc, so that's my weekend shot.
It certainly looks nice and BIG and the test print I was sent and also downloaded looks as near as.
I'll update once I've done a few prints to check the calibration ( and no, I've not had the printer calibrated yet but I guess as long as the print matches the monitor it's ok??)

Howard

[Colin Southern]

Hi Howard,

Congratulations on the new "baby"