As you know, I have been working on various purchase guides for our readers. Previously, I posted the DSLR Camera Purchase Guide and today I am happy to announce that I have just posted the Monitor Purchase Guide. The guide is accessible on the top of the page, under our “Gear Guide“. Each and every purchase guide that I complete is an interactive system based on your preferences, budget, currently owned systems, etc. Here is a screenshot of a 24″ Dell monitor, based on size preference:
So if you have been looking for a good monitor for your photography, check out this guide. Also, don’t forget that I have an article on Best Monitors for Photography, which I highly recommend to read before you start looking at the various options. I will be working on other interactive purchase guides soon, so stay tuned!
About Nasim Mansurov
Nasim,
Thanks for the purchasing guides. Haven’t read them, yet, but I always like looking at such recommendations and will look at them soon. 3 years ago, I did purchase the top of the line Dell 24″ monitor. Can’t remember what model number it is (I’m not home, now), but it received great reviews, and I have been very happy with it.
Anyway, I think another purchasing guide that would be of interest (at least to me!) would be a computer system purchasing guide. Perhaps it could include MAC vs. PC. I’ve always used PCs (except in engineering school, where we did use Apple machines many years ago), but I have also long considered getting a Mac for my own personal photo use. I just haven’t been able to justify the cost, however.
But another thing I think would be very interesting is an actual recommendation of processor types, clock speeds, memory required, hard drive space for storage and backup, etc. I am considering getting a Nikon D800. But in addition to considerations for the camera itself, there are also considerations for a new computer system to process the large files this camera can produce. A Nikon rep told me that he thought the RAW files could be as large as 75 MB! Every time I purchase a new PC, I buy more of the top of the line models (just below a gaming machine level), but I’m wondering if processing files this large in Lightroom might just require a machine that also can function as a gaming machine? My current PC, 3 years old, now seems to slow down a bit with LR, especially after upgrading from LR 3 to LR4. I can well imagine that it will slow down big time if the RAW files are so large.
I did mention backup recommendations. Perhaps that could be another article. I’m always interested in hearing how people backup their photos. I store all of my photos on an internal terabyte drive, by folder (date) and event. Everything I put on that internal drive is automatically backed up to an external terabyte drive. I also put my original files on CDs or DVDs, and I keep these at a different location.
But, my current system is getting close to capacity, so I’ve been looking at other solutions. I’ll probably get some sort of NAS setup using RAID of sorts.
I’ll want to get these sorts of issues straightened out, I think, before I make a decision on whether or not go upgrade to a D800 (which I would love to have!)
Just some more ideas for articles!
Thanks
Nasim…..
I just found your article about storage and the cloud. Good article….I’ll read it a few more times to better understand your backup techniques. I’ve thought about doing what you do…..exporting all RAW files as 80% JPEGs. Maybe that’s something I can add to what I currently do.
Thanks again.
I’ve got three HP ZR24w’s and I absolutely love them! :-) I’d probably get a Dell U2410 today since it is hard to find the HP ZR24w now.
I bought the exact model (U2410) one year ago and it cost a bit more, but no regrets. It’s one of the better monitors that has 16:10 aspect ratio, cheaper ones all have 16:9 and the 1920 x 1200 resolution is really stunning!
Hi Nasim,
A very useful guide! An often encountered problem for beginner photographers is lack of monitor calibration. If you can run a small article on calibration techniques it would be very useful, couldn’t find many easy to understand calibration guides.
Thanks,
Raghav
Nasim
Love your articles. Thank you for the information.
I am contemplating the D 800 but concerned about the large files. I currently have a 27″ IMac and am thinking of getting the quad core version with 2T memory.
Would like to hear your opinion.
Thanks
Ibis
Sorry, but here we have the saying: “shoemaker, stay with…….”
There are a lot pro sites with reviews about this matter…..
Nasim,
Good review, I especially like the fact that the monitor that you are recommending is very similar to what I have: DELL UltraSharp U2412M 24″ Monitor. The colors and pictures are great.