Need monitor recommendations

I think I need to break down and buy a new computer. I've been trying to build a new system on Dell, and most of them come with Dell monitors. I currently own a Dell system/monitor that's about 6 yrs. old. The monitor has very few controls and I can't seem to get it calibrated correctly with my Huey Pantone calibrator. I don't know if it's a problem with the monitor or the calibrator though.

Do the new Dell consumer monitors also have this problem? Or do I have to plunk down serious bucks to get a monitor that can be properly calibrated? At this point, my budget doesn't allow a huge amount for a monitor.

It is almost certain I will purchase a Dell computer as I've been very happy with their performance and reliability.

Any advice or suggestions on monitors and what to look for are appreciated.

Hi, Angele - My Dell ultra brite 2404 was recommended here, and It's excellent. Got it used on Amazon "like new" - and it was - for $450 or so.

Also, use the search engine at the top of this page to find past threads on this that might help.

Good luck!

Sandy

Sandy r

If you really want a good monitor look at some of the NEC as well. Something like the NEC P221W 22 Inch Widescreen Colour Critical Monitor.
* Extensive calibration controls - so that you can adjust your monitor for highly accurate image display
* Of course you need a matching monitor calibrator to do this properly
* 10 bit gamma and colour adjustments - including six axis colour correction - this makes for smooth gradients and accurate calibration
* Fantastic quality panel and surrounding electronics
* Excellent design - an ultra thin bezel, and easy to use, sensibly laid out controls with an excellent on screen display system
* Height adjustable stand
* Pivot function - rotate your screen 90 degrees for portrait work
* Cable management built into the stand - keep your office looking slick and tidy
* Wide viewing angles - so you can show your work to clients and friends and be sure it is looking great
* Black Bezel

And also shows 96% Adobe RGB gamut.

These are not badly priced and no I dont work for NEC

Angela, you're right, monitors can get expensive, but there is a point where super expensive doesn't gain THAT much. I say skip right over the $169 specials but avoid the $1999 mega-monitors unless you have the specific need. My suggestion is the same as Sandy's. She has the Dell 2404 (24" monitors are a dream when dealing with 97 windows in Photoshop), and I bought the 2405, basically one year newer than hers. Even though it was made in 2005 I am still amazed every time I turn it on. I actually bought it on eBay in 2007 still "new" in box for $438 which was a steal since it was $1200 when new. ANYWAY, good news: prices in that technology have plummeted just like RAM. The current model from Dell is the 2408, and brand new it's $449 on sale right now (here's the link).
Keith will probably bop me on the head for saying this, but you like Dell, stay with it. Before I built my current Intel i7 PC this summer I used all Dells, and they all still work (five in our house, two of them laptops). Sure, there's several models out there, but you like Dell, and this monitor is no slouch. It may be a bit higher in price than you originally planned to spend, but squeeze the wallet now and you'll be much happier in the long run.

Many Dell monitors have a great reputation, and they've certainly come a long way in the many years since you've owned yours..
Unfortunately, most monitors come with the brightness set way to high for photographers trying to match a monitor image with a print, while most consumers like 'em bright. There are plenty of threads here complaining about prints that are too dark to tell that this is what's happening.
Your current calibration hardware should suffice, but you will probably have to turn the monitor brightness down yourself after experimenting with producing prints.

I have a Dell Ultrafine 2007 WFP (20"). Like John mentions, I've turned the brightness down considerably. If I recall when I bought it, the Ultrafine monitors were a step above the standard Dell consumer monitors. I calibrate with gretag eye-one and it still often seems too contrasty. Like you, my full confidence in the calibration with the RBG presets is less than 100%, but I've been happy with it and think it was a good value for the price. I get a good match comparing my monitor images to my home printer and the two print services I use.

So I'm sure there are more accurate monitors out there, but it gets the job done. I'd like to upgrade to a 24" someday and Dell would be a strong consideration for me. I've also read recommendations for some of the HP monitors that seem to be in the same price range. If I were a professional, did a lot of super color critical work, or was a little more flush, I'd probably buy something nicer.

BTW, I used to have the Huey calibration set up. When I bought my new computer a couple of years ago it didn't like Vista and I could never get it working right. Could just be me.

Angela, when shopping monitors the number one concern should be the type of panel. You do not want a TN panel, (and all low end 22inch monitors are sure to have them), but rather you want at least a S-PVA panel. The panel type is where the worth is in monitors, and a good Dell monitor is hard to beat for the price. I have a 2407, 19, 15, and a 26" Nec.
The thing with Dell is that they run what's called the Dell Lottery, meaning you might get a good panel and you might not. So....to be sure go here and type in whatever monitor you're looking at http://www.flatpanelshd.com/panels.php

A few months ago a bought a LaCie 324 monitor on eBay. This is a pro graphics monitor and I very easily calibrated it using Spyder3 Pro. It's a 24 inch and is full featured. I think I paid about $650 for it, which is a pretty good deal on a pro monitor.
http://tinyurl.com/yb42ffg

The other one I was looking at was the Eizo, http://tinyurl.com/y94c5fz
The reviews for the LaCie looked just as good, so I went with it.


Kent in SD

Unfortunately, most monitors come with the brightness set way to high for photographers

You can say THAT again. Fortunately the 2405 I have does include a Brightness control that actually does something... some of the 22" monitors here at work have Brightness but the movement isn't much.

I've heard about the TN vs S-PVA panel thing... I'm hesitant to check it out because if I see a PVA monitor then I'll probably want to GET it, then I'm out another grand.

Angela, we're not being much help here, are we...

"I've heard about the TN vs S-PVA panel thing... I'm hesitant to check it out because if I see a PVA monitor then I'll probably want to GET it, then I'm out another grand."

Not so, Paul. The Dell 24 wfp's usually have S-PVA.