Author Topic: 2k or 4k monitor for photo editing? (Read 15500 times)

mtkang · « **on:** July 10, 2019, 06:22 »

Hi All,

Do you use a 4k monitor for photo editing?

currently using a HD monitor and thinking to get additional monitor so can work on two monitors. 2k(WQHD) and 4k price seems double, for your experience the 4k really worth for the double price?

Thanks.

charged · « **Reply #1 on:** July 10, 2019, 13:33 »

Why not just buy it from a store near you that has an easy return policy. Then try it out and see which one you like better.

steheap · « **Reply #2 on:** July 10, 2019, 14:20 »

I'm not sure, but it seems to me that in programs like LR, it will take longer for the image to appear (as it needs to create and show a 4K size preview and what will you gain? You will still have to look at it at 100% to see the focus, and will the normal editing functions look different when you are seeing a higher resolution preview? I think not.

Better to spend your money on accurate color management and a wider gamut perhaps.

Steve

HalfFull · « **Reply #3 on:** July 10, 2019, 15:54 »

Quote from: mtkang on July 10, 2019, 06:22

Hi All,

Do you use a 4k monitor for photo editing?

currently using a HD monitor and thinking to get additional monitor so can work on two monitors. 2k(WQHD) and 4k price seems double, for your experience the 4k really worth for the double price?

Thanks.

Anything under 32" is best at 2k as the PPI (pixel density) is about right to determine image sharpness. Things like Retina screens make you images look great as they condense the pixels into a smaller area but, makes it harder to spot images that are SoLD.... basically not sharp, oof.

Using a good 4k screen that is less than 32" is ok provided you do have a monitor that offers a PPI of around 109ppi so you can carry out adequate quality control... which in turn saves you time from not polishing a turd

I personally use a 27cintiq for working/drawing etc and then a 27 2k with wide color gamut.

mtkang · « **Reply #4 on:** July 10, 2019, 18:56 »

guess 4k is more for watching movie?

it seems 2k is good enough for editing..thanks.

Chichikov · « **Reply #5 on:** July 19, 2019, 11:35 »

Quote from: steheap on July 10, 2019, 14:20

I'm not sure, but it seems to me that in programs like LR, it will take longer for the image to appear (as it needs to create and show a 4K size preview and what will you gain? You will still have to look at it at 100% to see the focus, and will the normal editing functions look different when you are seeing a higher resolution preview? I think not.

Better to spend your money on accurate color management and a wider gamut perhaps.

Steve

I am not sure Steve, but I think that the standard preview size is 2880 max.

___
Actually I use a BenQ SW 2700 at home.
It is really an excellent monitor.
https://www.benq.com/en/monitor/photographer/sw2700pt.html

mtkang · « **Reply #6 on:** July 23, 2019, 11:38 »

so does it 2k and 4k will make the text on lightroom, or photoshop very tiny to read?

wds · « **Reply #7 on:** July 30, 2019, 13:33 »

Quote from: Chichikov on July 19, 2019, 11:35

Quote from: steheap on July 10, 2019, 14:20
I'm not sure, but it seems to me that in programs like LR, it will take longer for the image to appear (as it needs to create and show a 4K size preview and what will you gain? You will still have to look at it at 100% to see the focus, and will the normal editing functions look different when you are seeing a higher resolution preview? I think not.

Better to spend your money on accurate color management and a wider gamut perhaps.

Steve

I am not sure Steve, but I think that the standard preview size is 2880 max.

___
Actually I use a BenQ SW 2700 at home.
It is really an excellent monitor.
https://www.benq.com/en/monitor/photographer/sw2700pt.html

I believe this new release is the latest version of the BenQ: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1481844-REG/benq_27_sw270c_professional_ips.html

wordplanet · « **Reply #8 on:** July 05, 2022, 14:06 »

Rather than start a nearly identical thread - here are my related questions -

I'm considering the BenQ SW270C (when they are back in stock which BenQ and B&H say should be in about 3 weeks). I have 3 questions before I make the purchase:

1. I am shooting with a 61MP Sony a7riv so my files are 9501 pixels on the long side. I have heard the same advice given here, that a 2K monitor is best for photo editing, but with such a high resolution camera, would a 4K monitor make more sense?

2. I was also looking at the Eizo ColorEdge CS2731 27" but it's about $500 more than the BenQ and also about $200 more than the same machine is selling for in the UK (the BenQ's price is $20 less than in the UK) - given all that, is Eizo worth the difference?

3. With such huge files (my backup to the 61MP Sony is a 42MP), should I consider a 32" monitor - I the was looking at the ASUS ProArt PA329C 32" - does anyone have experience with that monitor?

I've been selling very large prints of my work, hence the need to upgrade my monitor.

Thanks for any advice!

nahlik · « **Reply #9 on:** July 05, 2022, 14:25 »

Quote from: mtkang on July 23, 2019, 11:38

so does it 2k and 4k will make the text on lightroom, or photoshop very tiny to read?

It’s not a problem. I use Dell 32” 4K monitor. In Windows settings you can set the size of interface elements including text size for e.g. 150 %. The in menus etc. in PS is OK, but it is much easier and more comfortable to edit and evaluate your photos or videos

Just_to_inform_people2 · « **Reply #10 on:** July 05, 2022, 15:20 »

Quote from: charged on July 10, 2019, 13:33

Why not just buy it from a store near you that has an easy return policy. Then try it out and see which one you like better.

That is so lame. What do you think the retailer should do with your monitor out of the box and returned. Also these people work for their money and you think you just try it out and then return if you don't like it. You probably also order a lot of clothes and then return 90% of it, right? They all go into the dumpster and you cause a loss. But at least you get what you want.
So bloody selfish and no idea what happens to returned goods.

Just_to_inform_people2 · « **Reply #11 on:** July 05, 2022, 15:32 »

Quote from: mtkang on July 10, 2019, 06:22

Hi All,

Do you use a 4k monitor for photo editing?

currently using a HD monitor and thinking to get additional monitor so can work on two monitors. 2k(WQHD) and 4k price seems double, for your experience the 4k really worth for the double price?

Thanks.

And then on topic. Yes I would buy 4K. Not sure if this model is the correct one but the more detail you see on your photo the better it is. It will also help you correct the finest details with your software you are using. But maybe for Microstock it's also enough to use your phone app to enhance your photo like most people here do. But if you want your good photo to get the special OD it will help you to get it perfect as the clients wants. But all your choice if you want to spend the money on it.

Zero Talent · « **Reply #12 on:** July 05, 2022, 16:09 »

Quote from: nahlik on July 05, 2022, 14:25

Quote from: mtkang on July 23, 2019, 11:38
so does it 2k and 4k will make the text on lightroom, or photoshop very tiny to read?
It’s not a problem. I use Dell 32” 4K monitor. In Windows settings you can set the size of interface elements including text size for e.g. 150 %. The in menus etc. in PS is OK, but it is much easier and more comfortable to edit and evaluate your photos or videos

With a small caveat: some older versions of editing software like One1, Nik... may have very small fonts indeed, with no way to make them bigger. It shouldn't be a problem for those having the latest versions.

HalfFull · « **Reply #13 on:** July 06, 2022, 10:22 »

I have a 27" 2k Eizo ColorEdge monitor and before that a BenQ. The BenQ was a great monitor but not really a patch on the Eizo. I never have to worry about calibration, it does it automatically for you with it's own built in calibration tool. The screen is very clear and even. Good selection of ports etc. If I had to buy another monitor now, Eizo would be my first point of call.

As I mentioned earlier in the thread, the pixel ratio of a 2k monitor at 27" is about perfect for assessing picture sharpness.

wordplanet · « **Reply #14 on:** July 08, 2022, 10:04 »

Quote from: HalfFull on July 06, 2022, 10:22

I have a 27" 2k Eizo ColorEdge monitor and before that a BenQ. The BenQ was a great monitor but not really a patch on the Eizo. I never have to worry about calibration, it does it automatically for you with it's own built in calibration tool. The screen is very clear and even. Good selection of ports etc. If I had to buy another monitor now, Eizo would be my first point of call.

As I mentioned earlier in the thread, the pixel ratio of a 2k monitor at 27" is about perfect for assessing picture sharpness.

Thanks - I was debating between the Eizo and BenQ - both 27" similar stats - but the BenQ is $500 cheaper (though not available anywhere in the US right now - BenQ and B&H both say they're expected end of July - but you can't order until they come in). In the UK, the Eizo is nearly $300 cheaper than here in the US - exact same monitor I double-checked - so I'm not sure that paying such a premium for the Eizo is worth it. BenQ is just under $800, Eizo is $1,300.

I'll be using it to color calibrate large prints that I sell to hospitals. Most of the time, they are sent to a lab that requests srgb, but when I print smaller images myself I use AdobeRGB. And since hospitals often go for soothing greens and blues, correct color is essential - easy to over saturate greens especially and matching blues is tricky so again important when I'm doing a series.

Having used the BenQ and the Eizo would you say it's worth the difference? I'm going for the entry level Eizo and have seen mixed reviews. These are the two I'm considering:
BenQ: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1481844-REG/benq_27_sw270c_professional_ips.html
Eizo: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1566863-REG/eizo_cs2731_bk_cnx_coloredge_cs2731_27_hardware.html (This doesn't have a built in sensor - you can buy it with one or use one you have) so this probably isn't as good as what you have.

Should I go for something better than these? I've just started a new business model (selling to hospitals) which is going okay and I got a grant in January so I have the money to buy something better, though my income from print sales is still lower than I'd like as business model is still very new but it is growing monthly and I should be in the black this year. What model do you have?

HalfFull · « **Reply #15 on:** July 08, 2022, 10:30 »

I'd say the Eizo is worth the extra provided you have the built in calibration tool. The monitor is still better than the BenQ without it but one of the biggest perks is not having to worry about calibration. It just does it itself when X amount of time has elapsed when you're not working.

I used a BenQ monitor for years and the monitor was really good. Not as many features and possibly not as even as the Eizo but still very good.

Now, is that very good quality calibration tool and software worth it. We all need to use one in order to make sure what we see is what the clients see so, if you bought a monitor without it you still need to buy one.

Sadly my 27" Cintiq doesn't have a built in calibration tool and I've bought a number of Xrite calibration tools over time and they have an annoying habit of stopping support at the earliest opportunity. I use an older one now thats no longer supported but use it with an app called DisplayCal. Free to use and if you like, donate. It's worth a donation.

I'd imagine I've spent a good £300-£400 on calibration tools so you have to take that into account when buying an Eizo with it built in. The software naturally is updated and I'm not aware of them just pulling support.

It's also very easy to flick between a different profiles Adobe1998 etc and it has a whole host of other things that I probably don't make use of. So, for me the ability to avoid all the hassle of using separate calibration tools (and remembering to use them) I personally think it's worth it. I just get on with my work and let it sort itself out!

Hope this helps a little.

wordplanet · « **Reply #16 on:** July 08, 2022, 11:37 »

Quote from: HalfFull on July 08, 2022, 10:30

I'd say the Eizo is worth the extra provided you have the built in calibration tool. The monitor is still better than the BenQ without it but one of the biggest perks is not having to worry about calibration. It just does it itself when X amount of time has elapsed when you're not working......

Hope this helps a little.

Thanks. It sounds like you have a higher level Eizo than I'm looking at - the Eizo ColorEdge CS2731 27"https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1566862-REG/eizo_cs2731_bk_coloredge_cs2731_27_hardware.html It doesn't have built-in calibration - you need to buy a calibration tool I just bought the SpyderX (which I can return if I get one with the built in calibration). The BenQ ($500 cheaper) had hardware calibration - like the Eizo - but again, you need to buy a calibration tool with either of the monitors I'm looking at.

Which Eizo model do you have?

HalfFull · « **Reply #17 on:** July 08, 2022, 16:34 »

I'm quite sure its a Eizo ColorEdge CG2730. It was around £1350 mark. If the Benq has hardware calibration as well don't discount it. As I said, I was very happy with mine and used it for years!

wordplanet · « **Reply #18 on:** July 11, 2022, 16:27 »

Quote from: HalfFull on July 08, 2022, 16:34

I'm quite sure its a Eizo ColorEdge CG2730. It was around £1350 mark. If the Benq has hardware calibration as well don't discount it. As I said, I was very happy with mine and used it for years!

Thanks. That one is discontinued, unfortunately - the new one with the closest specs is $2,500 - and not yet available but should be shortly. I like the idea of built in color calibration - especially since the BenQ reviews say that the hardware calibration can be fiddly. But the difference between paying less than $800 and paying $2,500 is huge.

Like cars, prices for monitors - especially at the higher end - have really shot up due to shortages. I wish that I had bought one 6 months ago - I could have gotten a lot more for my money.

On the one hand, if a monitor will last me 6-10 years, it makes sense to get the best I can afford. On the other hand, is the Eizo really worth 3x as much as the BenQ? I wish I could see them side by side but even if I risked hoping on a train to NYC to go to B&H, neither are available right now, so that's not an option. And they expect both to sell out quickly when they come in.

I'm glad you had a positive experience with BenQ - I'll probably be happy with either one. Thanks for your input.

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Author Topic: 2k or 4k monitor for photo editing? (Read 15500 times)

mtkang

charged

steheap

HalfFull

mtkang

Chichikov

mtkang

wds

wordplanet

nahlik

Just_to_inform_people2

Just_to_inform_people2

Zero Talent

HalfFull

wordplanet

HalfFull

wordplanet

HalfFull

wordplanet

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