Oh big monitor, where art thou?

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imported_BikeDude

Senior member
May 12, 2004
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My local camera shop has a 30" Apple Cinema monitor on display, and AFAICT it appears to be very useful for photoediting. (atleast for my humble needs)

So, about a month ago I ordered one (even paid for it, due to tax purposes), plus a 7800GTX to drive it. However, my dealer now says that Apple Europe estimates deliver in "the middle of December, possibly some time in January".

That said, I can wait, because my next big batch of photos to process isn't until February. But of course, this gives me more time to rethink my alternatives.

I'd like a monitor that is:
  • Big (I'd say 24" or bigger)
  • Wide (16:10)
  • Good colours (and certainly no less than 8-bit per colour)
  • Decent response time would be nice... (I've already given up on this though)
  • Not much more expensive than the Apple
  • Preferably not Dell (they spam my snailmail even though, or because, I'm not a customer there)

Multiple monitors would be nice, except I believe only the first monitor can be calibrated (and playing movies across two panels would be silly). Ideas, tips and reviews are welcome.
 
phaxmohdem

phaxmohdem

Golden Member
Aug 18, 2004
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www.avxmedia.com
Dell monitors are nothing to scoff at.

Wouldn't piss on most of their consumer grade computers to stop the Preshott form buring up though. Also their tech support is less than quality lately. IMO.

One thing that stood out to me
My local camera shop has a 30" Apple Cinema monitor on display, and AFAICT it appears to be very useful for photoediting. (atleast for my humble needs)
Click to expand...

There is nothing "humble" about a frickin 30" Cinema display. :) I would personally wait on its arrival as that is one gorgeous piece of equipment you have coming. If I couldn't have that bad boy though I would honestly purchase 2 Dell 2405FPW's. as my second choice in the "dream monitor setup" category.
 
Markbnj

Markbnj

Elite Member <br>Moderator Emeritus
Moderator
Sep 16, 2005
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www.markbetz.net
Doesn't sound like a good reason for avoiding the 2405 to me, but then you can have whatever reasons you want :). Fwiw though, the 2405 is probably your next best alternative.
 
I

imported_ST

Senior member
Oct 10, 2004
733
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Originally posted by: BikeDude
My local camera shop has a 30" Apple Cinema monitor on display, and AFAICT it appears to be very useful for photoediting. (atleast for my humble needs)

So, about a month ago I ordered one (even paid for it, due to tax purposes), plus a 7800GTX to drive it. However, my dealer now says that Apple Europe estimates deliver in "the middle of December, possibly some time in January".

That said, I can wait, because my next big batch of photos to process isn't until February. But of course, this gives me more time to rethink my alternatives.

I'd like a monitor that is:
  • Big (I'd say 24" or bigger)
  • Wide (16:10)
  • Good colours (and certainly no less than 8-bit per colour)
  • Decent response time would be nice... (I've already given up on this though)
  • Not much more expensive than the Apple
  • Preferably not Dell (they spam my snailmail even though, or because, I'm not a customer there)

Multiple monitors would be nice, except I believe only the first monitor can be calibrated (and playing movies across two panels would be silly). Ideas, tips and reviews are welcome.
Click to expand...


Kinda, funny - you put up a criteria of "preferably not Dell" then everyone puts up what else DELL! lol

Anyhow, here's a 37" monitor: Westy 37" 1920x1080p LCD Monitor that may fit your criterias:

- BIG! 37" and 1920x1080 res (sorry no crazy 30" Apple resolutions)
- Is widescreen format
- 8bpp /w lots of ways to calibrate
- good response times
- Much less expensive than Apple ($on sale now for $1600s)
- NOT DELL ;)

Best part about this, is that you can do both photoediting and then watch a nice movie on it. Best of luck to you...

 
J

JBT

Lifer
Nov 28, 2001
12,094
1
81
The 2405 is a nice peice of hardware...

But like someone else said why not order the Apple direct from them???
 
B

BillyBobJoel71

Platinum Member
Mar 24, 2005
2,610
0
71
Originally posted by: xtknight
Samsung SyncMaster 244t or Eizo FlexScan S2410W.

Apple is overpriced.
Click to expand...

Their monitors are nearly twice as expensive as other brands of the same size and quality.

For example, look at this comparison:

Dell 2405 FPW = D, Apple 23 inch cinema display = A

Display colors (maximum) ........A and D = 16.7 million (24-bit)
Viewing angle (typical) ............A = 170° H; 170° V, D = 189 h, 189 V
Brightness (typical) ......................A = 250 cd/m2, D = 500cd/m2
Contrast ratio (typical) ..............A = 400:1, D = 1000:1
Response time (typical) ...........A = 16 ms, D = 12 ms
Pixel pitch ..................................A = 0.258 mm, D = .27 mm (higher because of larger screen size)
Inputs............................................A = DVI, D = DVI, VGA, Composite, S-Video, Component Video
Adjustments...................................A = Tilt, D = tilt, height, direction, 90 degrees pivot from Landscape to Portrait mode.
Blacks...........................................A = dark grey, D = much blacker (from what i have read)
Viewing angle color change.............A = remains fairly the same, D = changes more when viewing from side or top
Price.............................................A = as low as 1200, D = as low as 900

Winner.........................................Dell

Get the 2405fpw. Screw Apple. The monitor, from what i have heard, is the best monitor that people have seen. EVERYONE loves it, and it sure is worth it's inexpensive 900 dollar price tag.
 
K

KristopherKubicki

Golden Member
Jul 31, 2002
1,636
0
0
Yeah the Dell is the best thing you'll ever see for under $1000 right now. That EIZO is good too, but its almost identical to the 2450FPW anyway (same panel, similiar DSP).

Kristopher
 
X

xtknight

Elite Member
Oct 15, 2004
12,974
0
71
I'd unquestionably get the Eizo then if they are similar. The Eizos are tailored directly for photo-editors, and may have different/more OSD color controls (these may only be available in the Dell's service menu) even though they have the same base electronics.
 
K

Keeir

Member
Jun 7, 2005
138
0
0
My local camera shop has a 30" Apple Cinema monitor on display, and AFAICT it appears to be very useful for photoediting. (atleast for my humble needs)
Click to expand...

"Humble Needs" = More than $2000 US? <blink>

I don't believe there is another monitor with such a high resolution as the Apple in commerical space.

The problem with the Apple 30" is that it is not better, just bigger.

Its got the size and resolution, but other monitors such as the Dell and Eizo have much better contrast ratios and lower minimum black levels. Both are valuable for editing photos. Furthermore, the connectivity on the Apple is fairly lame since it requires a Dual-Link Dvi only found on newer graphics cards while most other monitors at least allow you to connect a DVI and VGA source for quick swaps. The lack of Veritical Adjustment or Pivot Mode is also a bummer. Lastly, the more than 1 month delay in shipping is just silly. In the US, I can get the monitor in 24 hours. The only good things about the Apple are a high level of QA (Eizo is pretty good too) and the Firewire port....

Personally, I'd get the Eizo as I like to be able to actually adjust my monitor.
 
I

imported_BikeDude

Senior member
May 12, 2004
357
1
0
First off, thanks for the pointers guys. I hadn't even realised that EIZO have released a widescreen unit.

Originally posted by: ST
Kinda, funny - you put up a criteria of "preferably not Dell" then everyone puts up what else DELL! lol
Click to expand...

Only to be expected. Dell strike gold from time to time, there's no denying that.

And it was only stated as a preference, not an absolute. I think I too have recommended the 2405 to others.

Anyhow, here's a 37" monitor:
Click to expand...

Mea culpa. I should've specified TCO '03 compliance! :) (I often advocate much higher DPIs than 96 or 120 despite that some of my own apps are likely to disappear onscreen ;) )

Originally posted by: Keeir
"Humble Needs" = More than $2000 US? <blink>
Click to expand...

I should perhaps explain that. The money isn't an issue. You see, my tax rate is roughly 50%, so I never see half of my salary. In Norway we used to have (prior to Oct 14th) a program where you could purchase PC equipment through your employer and take a cut in salary (_before_ taxes) over a three year period. In essence, I only pay half the price, and that's spread over three years... (and happens to be reason #2 why Dell is out of the question, as it is too late in the process to change dealer now -- I ordered a lot of stash, including the monitor, before Oct 14th... ;) ) The downside is that the equipment is technically owned by my employer, but I'll worry about that later.

So the "humble needs" comment referred to my needs colourwise. I don't think I'll need 10-bit or 14-bit colour (much, but I could be wrong). That would be icing on the cake. Plenty of pixels OTOH, now that would be useful all the time. Good latency would also help, but I'm willing to sacrifice that if I get more pixels to stare at. Time to play with a measuring tape I guess.
 
K

KristopherKubicki

Golden Member
Jul 31, 2002
1,636
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purchase PC equipment through your employer and take a cut in salary (_before_ taxes) ..
Click to expand...

In the US this is called a write off.

[/quote].. over a three year period[/quote]

And it only takes one year! :)

Kristopher
 
A

Addle

Member
Aug 19, 2005
63
0
0
If you are looking to get the monitor immediatly you can pick them up at CompUSA the day after you order them. Also, I hope you bought it after the price drop. They recently went from $3000 to $2500.
 
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