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Is there a Better 4K Monitor than the Apple/LG UltraFine?

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F-Train

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Apr 22, 2015
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NYC & Newfoundland
I had a look at this monitor while purchasing a Mac mini today. My use is photo and video editing. My impression is that it would work really well in a two monitor system, where the image is on the UltraFine and palette controls are on a second, cheap monitor. The UltraFine, at 21.5", is also reasonably portable, which for me is an asset, although not a decision point.

Has anything been released in the last couple of years in the way of 4K monitors that is "better", having regard to image quality and price?

I'm only interested in the image. I don't need the monitor to power devices, and I don't need speakers, a microphone or a web camera.

Thanks for comments.

Update: I'm looking for 16:9, 16:10 or 17:9, and not curved.
 
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Well for one thing, the 21.5 Ultrafine is the smallest 4K display (actually > 4K, as it has 4096 x 2304 pixels and most 4K displays have 3840 x 2160) available and hence has the greatest pixel density. Bigger 4K displays are visibly less sharp. In this regard, a 32“ 4K just would‘t work for me after getting used to the sharpness of „Retina“ displays.
 
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Fishrrman said:
There are numerous excellent 4k displays "out there".
Start by browsing this list:
IPS Monitor List: Best AHVA, PLS & IPS LCD Displays
Click to expand...

I realise that you post this list repeatedly. It is out of date, omits obvious candidates and is a mishmash of categories. In my view, it's a waste of time.

I've asked a specific question and I'm looking for thoughtful answers, not a general list of monitors.

Thanks
 
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I have 4K and 5k LGs, and also briefly used 4K 27” monitor while back before returning it, primarily because wasn’t that impressed over upgrade from 1440 at that size.

Could always try going for the inbetween size that is out now, the 4K 24”. Doesn’t have the lower density issue of the 27” (well as low) and is a smidgin bigger than 21” with HDR options too.

Edit:

Or do they have HDR, but at these prices not sure I’d care:

https://www.lg.com/monitors/lg-24UD58-B
https://www.dell.com/en-us/work/sho...15q/apd/210-agnk/monitors-monitor-accessories
 
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"Of course if you need it to be 4K, then not helpful."

Sorry.
I'll post that list whenever I please, thank you very much for your input.
There are -some- 4k displays on it, perhaps not all that are available.
I've not found another source that "aggregates" all of them in one place.
 
Fishrrman said:
"Of course if you need it to be 4K, then not helpful."

Sorry.
I'll post that list whenever I please, thank you very much for your input.
Click to expand...

Having posted the same generic list that you post regularly to monitor discussions, now you're responding to the wrong person.
 
There are many 4k monitors better than the LG, but it depends on your usage and budget what to get. Will you be printing any photos? Will you want to calibrate your monitor (regularly) and if so, hardware calibrated or 'just' software calibrated?
What size would you prefer, assuming text dpi is less of a concern if you get it mainly for photo editing.
 
strawbale said:
There are many 4k monitors better than the LG, but it depends on your usage and budget what to get. Will you be printing any photos? Will you want to calibrate your monitor (regularly) and if so, hardware calibrated or 'just' software calibrated?
What size would you prefer, assuming text dpi is less of a concern if you get it mainly for photo editing.
Click to expand...


Good questions.

I calibrate weekly or more often if required (I'm not religious about ambient light levels and colour temperature). I have an older Eizo with built-in calibration hardware. It's great, but it's a long way geographically from where I need this set-up. With my 27" iMac 5K display, I use X-Rite's system.

I do print photos, from digital camera files and from medium format 6x7 and large format 4x5 scans. But I don't do it professionally.

As for size, I would have said 27", or maybe even 32", based on using the iMac over the last couple of years. However, I liked the 21.5" Apple/LG display that I saw yesterday and think it would work well if I had a second, cheap, monitor for palettes. So I think that 21" and 24" would also work.

I'd just get another Eizo, but their Color Edge models are more money than I'm prepared to spend, as tempting as it is. I plan to check out their FlexScan product, but it's unclear to me at the moment how that line compares.

I believe that NEC has a new monitor coming out imminently, but I have no experience with their products.
 
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F-Train said:
Having posted the same generic list that you post regularly to monitor discussions, now you're responding to the wrong person.
Click to expand...
For photo editing have a look at the BenQ SW271. A good quality 4K monitor.
16:9 aspect ratio.
99% Adobe colour space.
10 bit Panel
3D LUT
Hardware calibration (using a colorimeter like i1 Display Pro).
HDR 10
USB C connectivity.
 
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Apple fanboy said:
For photo editing have a look at the BenQ SW271. A good quality 4K monitor.
16:9 aspect ratio.
99% Adobe colour space.
10 bit Panel
3D LUT
Hardware calibration (using a colorimeter like i1 Display Pro).
HDR 10
USB C connectivity.
Click to expand...
[doublepost=1541872489][/doublepost]+1
BenQ recently launched a 24" 1920x1200 version, well worth a look!
SW240
Otherwise, the least expensive Eizo would be the CS2420 or the older CS240 or 23" CS230
[doublepost=1541872976][/doublepost]BHphotovideo.com is a good source for consumers reviews
[doublepost=1541873035][/doublepost]Prad.de and tftcentral.co.uk good for pro reviews
 
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strawbale said:
Prad.de and tftcentral.co.uk good for pro reviews
Click to expand...

Thanks, those appear to be great sites. I don't speak German, but I do know how to use Google Translate. The UK forum requires registration, which I've done - it helps to read the unusual instructions on inputting the verification code :)
[doublepost=1541875522][/doublepost]
strawbale said:
Otherwise, the least expensive Eizo would be the CS2420 or the older CS240 or 23" CS230
Click to expand...

What's your view on using a 1920x1200 monitor, such as the BenQ and Eizo you refer to, with 3840x2160 video footage? Good idea, bad idea, neutral?

Checking out the Eizo CS2420, I discovered that Abel Cine, an important film equipment sales/rental house, sells it. I'm going to call Abel Monday to ask where it fits in their line-up, which includes monitors that cost tens of thousands of dollars. That Eizo is one of their least expensive.
 
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F-Train said:
Thanks, those appear to be great sites. I don't speak German, but I do know how to use Google Translate. The UK forum requires registration, which I've done - it helps to read the unusual instructions on inputting the verification code :)
[doublepost=1541875522][/doublepost]

What's your view on using a 1920x1200 monitor, such as the BenQ and Eizo you refer to, with 3840x2160 video footage? Good idea, bad idea, neutral?

Checking out the Eizo CS2420, I discovered that Abel Cine, an important film equipment sales/rental house, sells it. I'm going to call Abel tomorrow to ask where it fits in their line-up, which ranges up to monitors that cost tens of thousands of dollars.
Click to expand...
To be honest, I don't know whether 1920x1200 works for video editing as I don't have experience with video editing. Could imagine that a 3840x3160 or better still a 4096x2304 screen is better for that. Also think about which color spaces you'd like to work in, e.g. Adobe RGB for photos and/but P3 for video?
 
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