color correct monitor

[nudli]

I am looking to buy a good color correct monitor for working with photos and eventually printing them in book. I am working on a G4 powerbook with Mac OS 10.4.11. My tech friend recommended Eizo as the best and said that I may not have to get a top of the line one. Does anyone have an opinion about the Eizo ColorEdge CE210W, which is specifically for working with photographs, or the FlexScan S2100, which is a standard model? How about the LaCie 324? I will be printing in Asia and in Japan Standard profile and need a monitor I can trust for color quality, because I can't make proofs here (in Europe).

 

[jaguarskx]

In my non-professional opinion, any of those monitors should do as they include gamma correction to ensure smooth color tones. The obvious difference between the ColorEdge and the Flexscan is the physical size; wide screen vs. full screen.

If I had to choose, I would probably buy the ColorEdge because it comes with 14-bit color processing for smoother grayscale and color rendering. It also allows you adjust the secondary colors (CMY; K is omitted 'cause that's just black) which is used for printing. However, CMY is probably less important for you since you stated you cannot make proofs where you are located.

Since you are reliant on color accuracy, I recommend you buy a colorimeter to properly calibrate the monitor. Eizo recommends X-Rite or ColorVision.

Lastly (just as an FYI), these monitors most likely use a S-PVA panel (I know the Lacie does) which in general are less likely to create "crushed black" when compared to the more higher end IPS variety of panels. "Crushed black" basically means the darker tones of black can be "crushed" down to be even darker than they should be.

For example, the black 0 would be the "darkest black" possible (black 255 would be white for all intents and purposes). If an image depicts black 4 in certain areas; it might actually be displayed as black 0 through black 3. However, color processing and gamma correction generally resolves these types of issues for both S-PVA and IPS panels.

 

[nudli]

Thanks! A very helpful response!