Best monitor for photo editing

Hi guys - thanks for all the input. It sure is a jungle out there.

Matus - that link to S-IPS monitors sure looks good.

I might have to accept 16:9 - probably just a matter of getting used to; at least I can see the idea of having room for the toolbox.
 
I think you'll benefit from the following site as they have database for panel used in many monitors. http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/

The reviews are quite detailed. I've learned many thing about various types of panel from reading their reviews.

Quick answer: get one that has an IPS panel - but make sure it's not an e-IPS panel.

Ashfaque

update: various IPS panels explained.
 
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all im going to say is that the pre-press house I worked at went from sony artisan CRT monitors, to the apple displays, then quickly switched to NEC monitors.

at home, i really don't need <1% color accuracy, and I have an LG LED monitor that I got on sale at fry's.
 
I've been using an Eizo CE210W (currently discontinued) for a couple of years. When I bought it, the CE210W was on the low end of their pricing scale, but was still fairly expensive in my opinion (they were around $1,200.00 in 2008). Though the initial cost was a bit hard to take, being amateur and all, the monitor is of wonderful quality and is still under warranty (it came with a 5 year warranty). In a few years, I would not hesitate to buy another one of their products because I see it as an investment in quality.
 
The Apple LCDs I have worked with were nowhere near the NEC self-calibrating spectraview LCDs like the 2190uxi that I bought 4 yrs ago. Nowhere near, except in the inflated prices. Even calibrated with a 'spyder' they're too bright and the color is not as accurate to the prints.
I also use the 2190UXi. Great monitor. I replaced a 23 inch Samsung LCD with two slightly used NECs. Now I need to get busy and finish my computer desk which will eliminate the large backlight behind the monitors.

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I have a Dell U2410 which was calibrated with a spyder3 elite which is set up for the end result being printing into CMYK. Fantastic and a good price as Eizo monitors are about 3-4000 dollars here. My friends have a lot of problems with Apple monitors fogging up inside the glass, might want to think about that if you are in a humid area. Another good one to look out for is the Dell U2312HM which low level techs use at my friends design studio, good price, calibrate well too.
 
...I might have to accept 16:9 ......

Like you, I am looking at changing monitor. Unfortunately I too will be forced to settle for a format that is too panoramic for my tastes. You suggested 19" - 21" for your needs, and I'm looking at larger, but don't presume all monitors in a manufacturer's range are the same format. For example Eizo CG246 is 16 : 10 and Eizo CG276 is 16 : 9, and NEC Spectraview Reference 241, and 301 are 16 : 10, but the [27 inch] 271 is 16 : 9.

In the 24" choices above, both Eizo and NEC monitors give screen heights similar to their respective, more expensive, 27" variants. With either Eizo or Nec Spectraview Reference, I'd choose their 24" models over 27", [but I'd much prefer my money to go into a fatter ratio than 16 : 10.

Good luck.

............. Chris

EDIT : One day later : Silly silly me, I didn't notice how old this thread is. Oh dear ........
 
However much fun it was reading the older posts in this thread, my question is very present-day: anyone have any new suggestions on how to get a well-calibrated screen on a Mac Mini I'm planning to buy?
 
In my mind, there are so many variables. After the monitor; this is what, and tell me where I'm wrong, is bouncing around in my cranium.

I'm thinking; where/how will the final print be viewed, the size of print(s), matted, color & type of matting material, temp of viewing light, framed, what type of frame, unframed, my eyes, your eyes, do you wear glasses oops left them at home, type of paper used for printing. And many others such as viewing with an LCD projector as an example.

When I was in the thick of people photography, all I used was a MacBook and calibrated the screen to the printers with the lab I used (WHCC).

When I read a magazine or brochures I look for things like posing, lighting, composition, I see a lot of broad lighting used where short lighting, to me, reveals a more beautiful human face, too much PS with the eyes, especially the white.

At any rate, I need to get to an appointment.

Thanks for reading this.
 
Quality of my primary display is top priority, and I have used Eizo/Nanao for two decades. Switched to their higher-end flat panel last year: 27" IPS, 30-bit color, aRGB, Mac compatible (mDP input), zero bad pixels. The highest models with this panel (CG line) have inbuilt automatic color calbrator. Not cheap, but you get an incredible image, and the 24" size is commensurately lower cost.
 
Looking for a not too expensive monitor for photos, using a Windows 8.1 system.

i'm not sure what too expensive is for you -- but I've used both Eizo monitors -- and a few others ---

Recently, I picked up a nice NEC Multisync PA241W -- with spectraview II -- crazy good monitor -- very true colors -- great calibration tools -- you can find them for less than a grand --
 
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