Photography monitors: Folks, I am shopping for a good monitor to work with Lightroom and other photo editing software. I have been using my laptop so far and would like to move to a...

photoac

Folks, I am shopping for a good monitor to work with Lightroom and other photo editing software. I have been using my laptop so far and would like to move to a larger screen. Reading through what is available on the net, I have been advised to look for screen size (27" minimum), 4K, Adobe RGB coverage, IPS, Nits Brightness, Contrast ratio, ports, ... One concern I have come across is that the combination of larger screen sizes and 4K renders menus and popup menus in photo editing software (like Lightroom) in very small text. Anyone come across this issue and how bad is it and is there a workaround? Thx.

Earnest Botello Loc: Hockley, Texas

Welcome to the Forum, Photoac, enjoy. As for me, I use a BenQ 32" IPS 4K monitor, it has performed great for me.

BigDaddy Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

photoac wrote:

Folks, I am shopping for a good monitor to work wi... (show quote)

You can always adjust the text size regardless. I used small monitors for 40 years or so and when I went to 28" it took a bit of learning how to set it up before I really, really liked it. I agree not to get <27", I reckon there is a size thats too big, but my 28" is terrific. It's not 4k either, the resolution is 1920x1080 which is exactly the same size as all my photo display devices (HDTV's) 4k is exactly the same ratio, 3840x2160 (1.77:1)

Before the bigger screen, I looked at everything in full screen. Now, everything is in a window sized to what I like. You will not be disappointed in the bigger format, so just go for it.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

When I was shopping for a new monitor in 2016, I googled "best monitors for photography editing". You can get the updated 2023 list with the same search. You'll find you can spend as much as you want / have. I landed on a mid-point Dell UltraSharp I could order online and pick up at BestBuy. When considering screen size, make sure your intended work area can hold the size you're considering. The corner of my office desk is sized for 24", where 27" wouldn't fit.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

If you have the room, consider two monitors instead of one very large one. Many/most that have tried multi monitors will never go back to a single large screen.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Welcome to the forum.

Obviously it depends on one's desires/requirements/expectations.
I don't edit down to the pixel level.
I just use a 23 and 24" on my desktop (dual monitors).
Both monitors are OTS (Off The Shelf) and work fine for my needs.
My <new> laptop is 15.6", but I do 70% of the editing on the desktop.
(I don't need to be in the "Big Boy" group.)

photoac

Thank you for your tips and suggestions.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Earnest Botello wrote:

Welcome to the Forum, Photoac, enjoy. As for me, I use a BenQ 32" IPS 4K monitor, it has performed great for me.

BenQ PD3200U for a few years, love it.

Orphoto Loc: Oregon

Advice so far is solid. No matter what you get, will be a huge step up from the laptop screen. My suggestions is to ditch Nits as a criteria. Virtually any screen you buy will be too bright and a calibration (you do know about calibration don't you?) will dim it down anyway. Basing a decision on surplus brightness is falling prey to merchandising rhetoric.

tcthome Loc: NJ

photoac wrote:

Folks, I am shopping for a good monitor to work wi... (show quote)

Go 2k with 100% Adobe RGB. BenQ is a pretty good choice for the $$ & can be calibrated. You have a monitor/display calibrator?

Jimmy T Loc: Virginia

CHG_CANON wrote:

When I was shopping for a new monitor in 2016, I googled "best monitors for photography editing". You can get the updated 2023 list with the same search. You'll find you can spend as much as you want / have. I landed on a mid-point Dell UltraSharp I could order online and pick up at BestBuy. When considering screen size, make sure your intended work area can hold the size you're considering. The corner of my office desk is sized for 24", where 27" wouldn't fit.

I Googled "proper height for computer monitor" and came up with some really good info. Thanks, Paul. https://www.google.com/search?q=best+monitors+for+photography+editing&oq=best+monitors+for+photography+editing&aqs=chrome..69i57j69i59j0i22i30l8.5456j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

I also Googled "proper height for computer monitor" and came up with some good recommendations at https://www.google.com/search?q=proper+height+for+computer+monitor&oq=proper+height+for+&aqs=chrome.1.69i57j0i512l9.10053j1j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#imgrc=DplazoGNJAjw0M

There is also a lot of good info regarding "use curved monitor for photo editing" at https://www.google.com/search?q=use+curved+monitor+for+photo+editing&oq=use+curved+monitor+for+&aqs=chrome.4.69i57j33i160l4j33i22i29i30l5.13989j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

Best Wishes,
JimmyT Sends

rck281 Loc: Overland Park, KS

I use an Asus 4k Pro Art 27." I like it but did have to send it back for warranty repair.

yssirk123 Loc: New Jersey

Check out the line-up of BenQ monitors and look for one that is capable of hardware calibration and displays 99% of the Adobe RGB color space.

neco Loc: Western Colorado Mountains

Earnest Botello wrote:

Welcome to the Forum, Photoac, enjoy. As for me, I use a BenQ 32" IPS 4K monitor, it has performed great for me.

Me too

James May

photoac wrote:

Folks, I am shopping for a good monitor to work wi... (show quote)