New Monitor for Photoshop use...£250ish

Martin SH · 22 May 2008 at 23:12

I am currently putting together a computer for Photoshop and Lightroom use. I am a photographer.

I posted a similar request a few months ago but have held off..... unfortunately my current machine is on its last legs

My budget for just the Monitor is £250ish. I want the best quality I can get for around this price...but not get into a lottery with different types of panels....

22 inch would be nice.

Thanks

Martin

Dark_Angel · 22 May 2008 at 23:17

This question was asked just a few threads down -

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=17878068

I and a few others recommended a 24" monitor - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MO-026-OK&utm_source=forums&utm_medium=banner

It can be had for around 250 including delivery from this very site

(i am using it BTW, and it is a very nice monitor for Photoshop work).

TriedandTested · 23 May 2008 at 00:23

You're a photographer? Professional or as a hobby? If it's the former I would suggest upping your budget and getting something more appropriate to your needs.

Martin SH · 23 May 2008 at 07:56

Dark Angel, thanks for that but after reading the forum it seems like here is quite a lottery going on with the actual panel you get. That was something I was trying to avoid.

TriedandTested. The answer is professional, what would you suggest? Up until recently I have stuck with Dual CRTs but these are now reaching the end of their life.

I am willing to spend what the job requires, but I don't want to waste money.

Thanks

Martin

Martin SH · 23 May 2008 at 17:50

Any other photographers with ideas?

Thanks

Martin

glitch · 23 May 2008 at 17:57

I'd be keeping hold of my CRTs and spending the £250 on a hardware calibration device like the LaCie Blue Eye Pro if I were you. Unless you've already got something suitable?

boy_lah · 24 May 2008 at 09:20

I'm no pro but take my photography quiet seriously and decided to invest in something decent. Ended up buying the Hazro for the IPS panel i keep reading about. To be honest, I now realise I'm not bothered by the shift in colours side to side since i look head on. The Hazro does seem to provide more graduation on tones which is definately a plus (after calibration).

So my view is that contrary to many internet comments out there, IPS is not a must have for a photographer unless you regularly have clients that sit next to you. Otherwise, good *VA is probably as good/better + more choice/better value for money.

I did stay clear of the wide gamut screens given i use PC and work heavily on web and don't have the time/energy to soft proof everything for normal gamut as an extra step.

For £250 you may want to consider a 19" Lacie or Eizo if you can cope with the smaller real estate that is. They are pricier but you get the QA and none of that panel lottery problems.

my pix: http://www.flickr.com/photos/glass_and_tubes/sets/72157600079668633/