What monitor do you use?

[Todd.Hanz]

After reading alot of posts here and elsewhere I have come to the conclusion that most people don't print thier images as much as they used too, opting instead to view them on thier monitors, kind of like a digital photo album. We also tend to send more images over email to family and friends. Forums like this one allow us to post them for everyone else to view as well as recieve feedback on.
With all this in mind, I wonder what type of monitor everyone is using? I have a Mac with thier LCD monitor (calibrated) very bright, crisp and sharp, I have also viewed images on other LCD screens that have similar results. At work I use a PC with a typical (pc kit) CRT monitor which is dull and lifeless when compared to the one at home. I post all my images from my house, adjusting them so everything looks "stunning" (IMHO) and upload here, when I get to work the next morning I look at them and they look horrible. They are muddy and lifeless, lacking in the brightness and tonal ranges I had at home. I have PS7 loaded here at work and so I used Adobe Gamma to adjust my monitor settings with some success but still not the great results I have at home.
I see all the hard work everyone puts into thier images between choosing the right film, composing, developing and uploading here, I think you sell yourself short if you view that work on a crappy monitor.
I am not suggesting that everyone go out and buy a top of the line "La Cie" monitor or even switch to a Mac, but if this is our medium, then maybe instead of another lens or body we should look at our monitors first, the difference is amazing!
Just curious about what everyone uses and thier opinions.

Todd

[RML]

I use my laptop for browsing the photos and photo folders.

Shots are more brilliant on the laptop I have yet to be disappointed when printing my monochrome shots; colour accuracy is more than adequate for me.

My monitor at work is set to my liking. The shots look at least a little different than on my laptop but I'm there to work, right? Not to admire my own work. :)

[back alley]

i have a dell 19inch monitor.

when i visit a site that has the greyscale on it i can see a clear difference from each step, so i'm assuming i'm ok.

having a greyscale here on the forum site might be a good idea.

joe

[chenick]

Originally posted by backalley photo

having a greyscale here on the forum site might be a good idea.


I think this is a great idea.

My Gateway Trinitron in work is OK, but my old Imac at home has much better colour.

-Nick

[Doug]

I use a Mac too; up to last January it was a laptop. Since then, a desktop machine with separate LCD monitor that's noticeably brighter than the laptop was. Both have been calibrated.

I don't see any difference in the look of previously edited photos vs currently editied photos, a relief. Or maybe blindness. :-)

[AndColor]

what calibration method do you use? there seems to be a lot of choices.

lh

[Todd.Hanz]

Here is a greyscale step wedge:
If you can see all shades from white to black (21 steps) you should be close to a proper gamma setting (not perfect) if not adjust your contrast and/or brightness on ypur monitor. This is not foolproof but will give a point of reference.
(feel free to use it or make your own)

Todd

[bmattock]

I'm color-blind - non of that fancy stuff will help me. Can't calibrate a monitor when you can't see the difference in shades or tones or whatever.

I just have yer basic 17" monitor at home - or my laptop. It's all the same to me.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

[rover]

I am a Dell PC guy too with a big 19"er. (did i just say that?)

And I can see Todd's 21 steps too without a problem. I really am not a technical computer guy though. I thought about calibrating my monitor, but figured I was happy and not fixing what might not be broken is better than breaking what I have.

[taffer]

Originally posted by rover
I thought about calibrating my monitor, but figured I was happy and not fixing what might not be broken is better than breaking what I have.

More or less my same story. I have a normal CRT 17" at home and a Dell LCD 15" at work, nothing extraordinary.

Imagine my pain seeing everyday 2 almost new Dell/Trinitron 19" getting dust at my office/workshop. Everybody is getting TFTs and nobody wants them !

Aaaargh ! :bang:

PS: Thanks for the scale Todd, hope you don't mind I use it on my own website :)

[Marc Jutras]

I have a Samsung SyncMaster 957MB (19" CRT) on my PC. I calibrate it with TGLC's PerfX (similar to Spyder) and it's pretty much perfect. It matches the prints I get from any lab in town (if the lab knows what it's doing!).

Here's a link for those who would like a way to calibrate manually: http://epaperpress.com/monitorcal/

Here's another link on calibration: http://www.normankoren.com/makingfineprints1A.html#Calibration

[back alley]

according to the first link my monitor is right on the money. cool!

thanks,
joe

[Todd.Hanz]

Marc Jutras, Thats a nice monitor, I have looked at the syncmaster line. Calibration is important as well, I use the Spyder along with thier printer calibration software, I waste far less paper and get excellent results.

Todd

[wierdcollector]

SyncMaster 753DF 17" but I have never calibrated it. Cameras I know, 'Puters I aren't too gud with.

[Doug]

Originally posted by AndColor
what calibration method do you use? there seems to be a lot of choices. I just use the calibration process offered in the Displays section of the System Preferences, in OSX.

Monitor is Apple's 20" LCD.

[rover]

I have bookmarked 4 web pages this morning for future use. This is turning out to be quite a good day of learning here at the RFF.

[Kris]

I still use a 14" monitor which is 7 years old made by NEC. :(

According to both links provided by Marc, my gamma/brightness calibration is spot on and I can distinguish all the grey shades. *phew* How do my photos appear on your monitor? Too dark or too light or do they have any colour cast?

[rover]

They look fine to me Kris.

[Kris]

Glad to hear that Rover, thanks. I was afraid of my photos are too dark/light that they become useless and I need to buy a new monitor and rescan my films. Pheww.

[rover]

I have noticed something though in all of your images. I am not sure if it is a scanning or monitor problem though.

In everyone of your posted shots, somewhere in the frame, there always is a lovely young lady. Hmmm, a problem?

[Kris]

Rover you're only joking right?

-----Edit------

I just counted 10 out of 32 photos where there's a beautiful young woman in them. That's less than 1/3.

[Laika]

I'm using a Samsung SyncMaster 765MB (17" CRT) that’s two or three years old. I checked Marc's calibration link and it’s right on. Nice monitor except that its beige :D

[rover]

Originally posted by Kris
Rover you're only joking right?

-----Edit------

I just counted 10 out of 32 photos where there's a beautiful young woman in them. That's less than 1/3.

Why does it seem that everyone I click on is so graced? Maybe I have the problem.

[That Guy]

I use an older (Mitsubishi) NEC MultiSync FE700. It's a flatscreen CRT calibrated at factory defaults and everything checks out at Marc's calibration links. I've always thought that a quality CRT has a much better image than any LCD I've ever seen.

[ZeissFan]

17-inch Sony Trinitron. Very nice screen. This replaced a six-year-old 17-inch Mag.

[GeneW]

19-inch Sony Trinitron, branded by Dell

I'd get an even larger monitor if I could afford one, and also fit it on my desk ...

Gene