Need Advice: Image Processing Display

[kitjv]

This is tough for me to ask since I suspect (from all the threads) that I might be beating a dead horse. But please bear with me.

I need a 22' - 24" external IPS display for photo image processing exclusively. I consider myself to be an intermediate-level photog with average image processing skills. I am looking for a quality display to accurately reproduce colors for printing image exclusively for my enjoyment. I don't need the biggest & the best. But, I want a display that my growing abilities won't outrun in the new few years.

Within the price range of about $300 - $600, I have been looking at the Dell 2209WA & the Dell U2410. I know these units have been discussed here ad nauseum. However, personal biases & expectations tend to cloud peoples' opinions.

With my criteria in mind, I would appreciate your candid thoughts & especially your recommendations.

Thank you kindly.

 

[daveswantek]

Either of those will be good, but you really need a good colorometer too. So I am going to suggest the Dell 2209WA and a iOne Display 2. Should run you arround $450 for both. The U2410 is wide gamut and worse calibration out of the box, or so I have read. I have a 2209WA and the only bad thing I can say about it is that it is too bright out of the box. Turn it down to between 10 and 20 and it is fine. Color quality is very good.

My 2 cents

Dave

 

[kitjv]

Thanks, Dave. Interestingly, I had planned to buy the i1Display2 at the same time I decided on a display.

I have read several reviews regarding the brightness. Also, a couple of folks were disappointed with the black levels. Do you find that to be an issue?

Kit

 

[evilsofa]

The U2410 is wide gamut and worse calibration out of the box, or so I have read.

1. He's going to use it exclusively for print matching. Isn't wide gamut preferred for print matching, while standard gamut is preferred for screen matching?

2. Calibration out of the box is not an issue if he's getting such a good calibrator, right?

The Anandtech LCD thread lists the U2410 as the third best choice for Print-Target Media Processing, after the NEC 2690 and 3090 (both of which are waaaay out of the OP's budget).

 

[daveswantek]

Thanks, Dave. Interestingly, I had planned to buy the i1Display2 at the same time I decided on a display.

I have read several reviews regarding the brightness. Also, a couple of folks were disappointed with the black levels. Do you find that to be an issue?

Kit

The blacklevel is ok unless you plan to work very close to the screen where you would be effected by the white glow that ips panals are know for. My Dell 2709W (S-PVA) has better blacklevels, but the color is not as good, it is always a tradeoff.

If you can afford the U2410 and the iOne Display 2 than go for that. The extra screen space and resolution would be worth it. Just don't buy it without a Colorometer and be prepared to return it if you get the dreded pink/green tint issue.

As the poster above said a wide gamut display is better for print work.

Dave