What are the most important attributes for a monitor used for photo editing?

onform

onform

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Name
matt
Edit My Images
Yes
As the title states I'm wanting to pick your brains as to what you think are the most important qualities to look for when choosing a monitor to edit on.

So far I'm aware of

-size

-resolution

-brightness

-contrast ratio

-response time in ms

-gamut spectrum..

:thumbs::):thumbs:
 
think you've covered most of it apart from price :)
 
I bought my latest screen on the strength of this review.
It goes into mind numbing detail and puts proper testing and analysis into those factors you are thinking about.
The website also has a wealth of info about display specifications and technologies.
 
what do you think of these figures

* 22" viewable display
* 1920 x 1080 resolution
* 50,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio 1000: 1 typ
* 2ms response rate
* VGA and DVI connections
£190
 
Maybe a numpty question but.....why does response time figure in photo editing needs?

Bob
 
Merovingian said:
Surely the panel technology is a factor!?
Click to expand...

This is by far the biggest factor really.

TN Film is frankly pretty rubbish at colour reproduction (they're only 6-bit and can't display the full colour spectrum) which is generally the most important attribute of any photo editing screen.

IPS based panels are much better, though this is reflected in the price.

Just found this and skim read it - it looks to be a very good explanation though - http://www.pchardwarehelp.com/guides/lcd-panel-types.php

I'd be looking for something on this list - http://www.pchardwarehelp.com/guides/s-ips-lcd-list.php Check out UK prices and reviews first though, obviously. Dell screens are likely a good bet.
 
I know it's not a popular opinion but my advice is to stay clear of wide gamut monitors which, unfortunately is most of the current better spec models.

If you have one and calibrate your display then generally for sRGB work you'll be dumping about 20% of the RGB values available leading to banding in gradients, etc. so the lovely monitor you bought for photo editing actually makes things worse than a cheaper one would.

Of course if you can output to a printer that properly supports the wider gamut and your images are using the extra saturation then these monitors are a sensible choice. It's just a pity that for most of us that's not the case :(
 
divine` said:
This is by far the biggest factor really.

TN Film is frankly pretty rubbish at colour reproduction (they're only 6-bit and can't display the full colour spectrum) which is generally the most important attribute of any photo editing screen.

IPS based panels are much better, though this is reflected in the price.
Click to expand...

It's why i spent £350 on a 20" Widescreen Philips 3 years ago, it's a IPS Panel and it sits next to a TN panel with dual monitor on my windows machine and you can tell clearly which is which.
 
I've just got a Dell 2209WA 22 inch 1680x1050 which is an IPS screen and comparing side by side with my original 20 inch E2007WFP (a TN screen), the difference is very marked. The IPS panel does not significantly change colour or contrast with viewing angle (vertical or horizontal) - the 2007WFP is not good in this respect. A good site to check your own monitor is http://www.lagom.nl/lcd-test/. I only got the monitor today but so far I very pleased with it :thumbs:

One thing to watch for is I think Dell do a 2209W as well as the WA and the W is not an IPS panel as far as I know (viewing angle specs of 160 ish deg suggest this).
 
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