What flat screens are good for photoshopping?

[vfilby]

I have heard that LaCie is good but they are not in stock locally. I am helping a friend put together a machine for digital photography only.

If you could suggest some makes (or ones to avoid) it would be appreciated.

He would like to be able to set the colours individually so that he can calibrate it to his current gear.

Thanks,

Vince

[J Rabin]

I have the LaCie 22 Blue CRT and very much respect it's performance, and ability to set RGB guns individually. I suppose any GOOD Aperture Grill (NOT Shadow Mask) technology CRT from Mitsubishi Diamond or Sony, with individually adjustable RGB CRT guns would be equal to LaCie. This likely the "last" good CRTs we'll see.
J

[Jesper]

Here's an interesting article: A Guide to Choosing the Right 19" LCD Monitor - 7 Models Reviewed (http://www.anandtech.com/displays/showdoc.aspx?i=2289)

I read a lot of positive reviews of Samsung LCD screens, such as the 213T (http://www.anandtech.com/displays/showdoc.aspx?i=1974) and 193P (http://www.anandtech.com/displays/showdoc.aspx?i=2024).

The Apple Cinema (http://www.apple.com/displays/) displays are great, but expensive. The 30-inch version has an incredible resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels (4 megapixels!) but because of that needs a special video card which is only available for the Mac.

Sony also has some great LCD screens (http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_BrowseCatalog-Start?CategoryName=cpu_Displays_FlatPanelLCDs_20%2 2&Dept=cpu_Displays), the SDM-S204 and SDM-P234.

But those are all expensive toys...... :rolleyes:

One important aspect is that you must make sure that it is a 24-bit (3 x 8 ) display, and not an 18-bit (3 x 6) display. The latter can only display 2^18 = 262,144 different colours, and other colours are simulated. That's definitely NOT what you want for working with digital photography.

- Edit: I assumed you were looking for an LCD screen, but I see you didn't mention LCD or CRT..... :oops:

[J Rabin]

Jesper. On re-reading, you're right. Poster did not specify CRT or LCD. I assumed when poster wrote "individual colors," that meant flat screen CRT guns. I have calibrated both CRTs and LCDs with Monaco Optix, and only CRTs with individually adjustable RGB gun outputs get "accurate." I get "close" with good LCDs, that's it. Nothing beats LCDs for ease on the eyes. Nothing beats CRTs for high contrast accurate color. No LCD I've tried, and the Apple are in a class by themselves, compare to calibrated CRT with individual guns. I just wish they were easier on the eyes like LCDs. Since the future is LCDs, I'm hoping that next generation LCDs in 2008 +/- will get there.
J