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What monitor to buy

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Mestari View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Mestari Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: What monitor to buy
    Posted: 19 October 2023 at 21:49
I need to buy new monitor and I have no clue which is good.
I was wondering if you have any suggestions I could use.

I used to use Eizo Flexscan 24", from some "cheap" (for an Eizo) line. It was good while it had good colours. Now, after 10+ years it is a pain to use anymore. I also bought new computer to use with A7RV and that needed monitor too.
So to start with something I bought new 27" Dell U2520D to try it out in case it is good enough for photo. Not only it is not (blacks are terrible and can't set it up so colours are not oversaturated), but it... died. Just like that. It is still on warranty so I will try to either replace it (and use with another computer) or get my money back (I am not too lucky with gear, remember that new broken 24-70GM mk2?). But either way I need new monitor for photo editing.

So, 27" 1440p preferably (2560x1440), but can be 4K as well. If 24" then 1440p as well. That 1920x1200 of old Eizo is a bit too little resolution for such big screen.
Or maybe you have some better ideas :)

Thanks for all the input. The budget is kinda around 1000 euro but can be more if it is worth it.
 



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Brandy View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Brandy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 October 2023 at 01:15

When my 30" Dell gave up the ghost some years ago I splurged and bought a BenQ 32" PD3220U which then was a new release. After the initial financial shock to the system I've had no regrets at all. They're already calibrated straight out of the box although I have a i1 Display pro by xrite which I hardly use as colours remain remarkably constant. I like plenty of real estate for my video and slide show work but without that and if I were to buy again I like what I'm reading about the new BenQ 27" series which I note you prefer size wise. I tend to believe 'you get what you pay for' but whatever good luck in your hunting, half the thrill is in the chase!!
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MichelvA View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote MichelvA Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 October 2023 at 06:01
In these days, i'd go for 4k. But also important is to calibrate your monitor, for example with a device like this.
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Brandy View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Brandy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 October 2023 at 06:24
Originally posted by MichelvA MichelvA wrote:

In these days, i'd go for 4k. But also important is to calibrate your monitor, for example with a device like this.


I totally agree, I forgot to say my recommended display setting is 3840x2160.
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Mestari View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Mestari Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 October 2023 at 08:28
Thank you! It may mean I need to go a bit bigger in terms of size too, I will look into 30" as well. But you are right, last monitor lasted me for more than 10 years, I'm sure this one will as well. If I don't go into 4K I might regret it later.
This means I probably need to increase budget or have a good look at this BenQ, fits the budget already :) It it apparently keeps the colours consistent and is calibrated out of the box...

Or maybe some Eizo would be better? I don't know any other brands that compete with them. It used to be them or Nec's in the early 2000's. I tend to not read about gear when I don't need it and then I am lost when I do
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Post Options Post Options   Quote addy landzaat Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 October 2023 at 09:51
A good 4k screen these days probably is cheaper then a 1440p screen.

I bought a new screen a couple of years ago. I decided on the BenQ SW271 from their photography series. At the time it was the cheapest really good 27" screen for the things we do. It is not available anymore I think.

Read reviews! Whatever you do, before you buy make sure it really is a good screen. Do not think BenQ is good because Brandy and I had good experience. In the past both HP and Dell had the best photography screen at the time, but now...

Having said that, I feel the BenQ photography line and EIZO's in general are a good choice if the price is right. But still read the reviews

Some more remarks:
Calibrate! Like the others said calibration is key for the best results. Calibrated out of the box will drift over time and get out of calibration. So, you still need to calibrate in some time.

Screen size doesn't need to go up because you increase resolution. It can if you want, but is not necessary.

A good review of one size screen doesn't necessary mean other sizes are good as well. Sometimes one size has a markedly better (or worse) then the other sizes.

You can find good reviews here: https://tftcentral.co.uk
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Mestari View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Mestari Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 October 2023 at 12:10
Thanks! I'll have a read. It seems it is going to take some time to have ne screen at home, lots of info to digest.
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Premek View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Premek Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 November 2023 at 10:46
Hello, having the same problem as user Mestari from Poland. Just looking for monitor mainly for photo editing but could be as well partially for gaming. I have spent lot of time by reading of the reviews but I am still not decided about balancing between price and monitor parameters. Photography is only my hobby, most of the photos are not printed so the monitor could be in category "entry level".
My expectations are: IPS screen type, screen size 27” - 32”, screen resolution 4K, colour depth 10bit, colour space minimally 100% sRGB (more is better), Adobe RGB more is better and colour accuracy. Frequency min 60Hz. Screen height adjustment. Good connectivity, I am not decided if USB-C is necessary. Price about 300-400USD.
If possible screen calibrated from production.
I found the monitor BenQ PD2700U as a suitable compromise, but colour space is calibrated only colour space 100% sRGB, nothing more. Adobe RGB is only 75%. Other functions are for CAD/CAM, creators, … are not my case. And as well due to frequency 60Hz it is not for gaming.
There is some review: https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/benq-pd2700u-4k-hdr-monitor,5975-6.html.
Could you please give me an advice if this screen is fine or if you have any other solution. Maybe some good gaming monitor with good colour accurancy, ag. Samsung’s ultimate 28” gaming monitor, the G70A?
Thank you.
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Post Options Post Options   Quote QuietOC Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 November 2023 at 11:19
Display P3 seems like a better colorspace target than sRGB, but if you mainly share images on social media, sRGB may be the limit--and not even very good sRGB.

Both of my current 4k monitors have some issues, but they work. The smaller one I bought used from a local photographer.   Monitors are still so far behind televisions.
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Premek View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Premek Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 November 2023 at 12:05
to QuietOC: Thank you for your advice. DCI-P3 is the colour space between sRGB and Adobe RGB and I think it is used mainly for digital theatrical motion picture distribution. Not for photography.

But my camera Sony SLT A99 has only sRGB and Adobe RGB, nothing more. So the question is if it is necessary to or not. I thing it is not.

Basically I am looking for monitor with color space sRGB and Adobe RGB. Although Sony A99 can make a video, it uses only these two color spaces.

Thank you for your advices.

Edited by Premek - 16 November 2023 at 08:56
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Post Options Post Options   Quote happyjack Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 December 2023 at 10:42
I just caught this discussion so I'll dip my oar in.
I have been using an HP ZR24W bought new for about 15 years, but having to replace   it early 2015 with a used one when the screen smashed during transport.
It has served me well and I could keep on with it but I feel like doing an upgrade.
As I live on the road in a caravan I'm really limited to 27" - and a pensioners budget.
I've settled on the Dell Ultrasharp U2723QE but my nearest stockist and best price does not have it in yet, hopefully before I have an appointment in Bendigo on 16 Dec as I'd really like to see it in action - and take my old HP in to compare.
Price is about AU$670
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owenn01 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote owenn01 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 December 2023 at 11:51
Can I just ask a simple question - how far away from some of these screens do you actually sit? The rule of thumb always was that you shouldn't sit closer than 2.5X the diagonal screen size as you will not make any increased use of the screen size vs eye resolution? I wouldn't have the space in the office to sit that far away with a 27 inch screen. though I am aware that a lot of the 'combined' pc's (and iMacs) have 27 inch screens these days?

Thanks and best regards, Neil.
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Post Options Post Options   Quote addy landzaat Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 December 2023 at 13:50
The 2x (or 2.5x) distance is for television/games. BenQ advises 1.5x for photography - that is 1m viewing distance for a 27" screen. Also be aware that the picture will only be a part of the screen when you do pp - with menus taking up a large part of the screen. So, you will sit closer to see the picture you're working on. That you have to move your eyes (and head) to go to the menus is no biggie.

Here is BenQ's take on it:
https://www.benq.com/en-us/knowledge-center/knowledge/best-monitor-panel-for-photographer.html
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Post Options Post Options   Quote owenn01 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 December 2023 at 14:11
Thanks, Addy! Useful link.

Best regards, Neil.
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