Monitor Help

[MOREGONE]

Hello,

Looking into getting a monitor soon-ish and want to know the things I should be looking out for. What features distinguish a quality monitor from a budget clunker. My budget is $250ish and I am hoping to have a 22-24" monitor.

Any suggestions that fit my budget and size? What things do I "Need" in a monitor to make sure I can calibrate it. From what I understand I will need a piece of hardware to properly calibrate my monitor? I may know someone with one so I might be able to use it.

Thanks

 

[Big Mike]

One of the main things that you will probably want to look for, is an IPS (in plane switching) type monitor, rather than a TN (twisted nematic). IPS screens have a wider and much more consistent viewing angle. They have other advantages, but I'll let others chime in.

As for calibration, yes...that is very important. You will want a calibration device & software. I don't know if borrowing is a good option. It needs to be done on a regular basis...once a week, once a month etc. And I doubt the (basic) software is meant for multiple users.

Here are two of the most popular 'entry level' packages for monitor calibration.
Datacolor Spyder4Express Display Calibration System S4X100 B&H
X-Rite ColorMunki Display CMUNDIS B&H Photo Video

So if you figure in a calibration system, you don't have much left for a monitor...probably not an IPS model.

This is the one I'm using. Amazon.com: Viewsonic VP2365-LED 23-Inch Wide e-IPS LED Monitor (Black): Computers & Accessories
It was the most affordable, large IPS screens I could easily find here in Canada. I don't know how well it stacks up to others, but I like it.

 

[MOREGONE]

Wow, had no idea that the calibration needs to be continually updated, thought it was a set-it and forget-it type of thing. I'll go Google what permits them to fall out of calibration. Might learn something about Monitors along the way.

That monitor you linked me to had a lot of great reviews. Might just hold out a little longer to get it right the first time.

Thanks!

 

[shefjr]

I have yet to look into this but, I'm planning on purchasing a Mac mini and a 27-32 tv screen. My thoughts are I'll hook up my pc tower and the Mac mini to the same tv. Obviously I could only use one device at a time. My point being maybe look into a tv that could be used. Unless of course others have reason why to not do this that I'm unaware of.

 

[Big Mike]

Bad Idea. TV screens don't usually have as much resolution as a monitor and they aren't really made for accurate (photographic) calibration.

It wouldn't hurt to have a large TV screen to display your finished photos, watch movies, play games, scroll the forum etc. But for a working display for a photographer....not a good idea.

 

[2WheelPhoto]

iMac FTW

 

[shefjr]

Bad Idea. TV screens don't usually have as much resolution as a monitor and they aren't really made for accurate (photographic) calibration.

It wouldn't hurt to have a large TV screen to display your finished photos, watch movies, play games, scroll the forum etc. But for a working display for a photographer....not a good idea.

Good to know. I stand corrected.
I just assumed this would be a great option.
Thanks Big Mike.

 

[MLeeK]

Wow, had no idea that the calibration needs to be continually updated, thought it was a set-it and forget-it type of thing. I'll go Google what permits them to fall out of calibration. Might learn something about Monitors along the way.

That monitor you linked me to had a lot of great reviews. Might just hold out a little longer to get it right the first time.

Thanks!

Regardless of the drift of the calibration, think about the room you work in. Is there a window in there?
The light that comes in that window has a huge effect on what you see and how you see it.
Have you ever noticed that if you edit something during the day and then look at it at night it doesn't look the same? That's because of the different light you are working in having an effect on your image. Ideally you'd work in a room with no windows and a controlled, balanced light source. Not many of us can do that, so recalibrate often and control every aspect you can of the light you are working in. I work in a room with windows, but the curtains block enough of the light coming in during the day that I have to turn the lights on to light the room. I have placed my monitor where none of the lights are hitting it directly in any way. I have a hood (GHETTO hood) for my monitor to prevent anything from changing what I am seeing.
Then there is the whole drift issue.

 

[Big Mike]

Another thing to consider is the color of the room in general...specifically what is in your field of view as you look at your monitor.
Heck, there is an ISO (International Standards Organization) code/standard specifically for the lighting and color of digital editing rooms.

But back to the window issue, that is rather important. That's why some calibrators, (the colormunki for example) also has an ambient light sensor so that if you leave it plugged in and active, it will adjust the calibration of your monitor every 5 minutes (or whatever you set it to).

 

[MLeeK]

Another thing to consider is the color of the room in general...specifically what is in your field of view as you look at your monitor.
Heck, there is an ISO (International Standards Organization) code/standard specifically for the lighting and color of digital editing rooms.

But back to the window issue, that is rather important. That's why some calibrators, (the colormunki for example) also has an ambient light sensor so that if you leave it plugged in and active, it will adjust the calibration of your monitor every 5 minutes (or whatever you set it to).

YES! I totally forgot that! At one time I had painted my office bright yellow. That was a NIGHTMARE. A total waste of a day painting and moving things around. I had to re-do.

 

[Garbz]

The room won't be much of a consideration providing you keep your lighting under control. If the room is sufficiently dark (say <70lx) then your eyes will adjust to the monitor regardless of the colours of your walls.