Products that I use or recommend. These are personal recommendations. I don’t get paid by the manufacturers.
NEC P221W Color Accurate Display
The best value for a color accurate monitor. The color accuracy is superb. Although it may seem small at 22 inches, it compares favorably with 24 inch displays in viewable area.
With SpectraView calibration system
NEC MultiSync P221W-BK-SV
Without calibration system (use your existing calibrator)
NEC MultiSync P221W-BK
Other Color Accurate Monitors
I have been using NEC color accurate monitors in my printmaking for over thirteen years. Here are some other models to consider if you are looking for a display larger than the P221W. Note that model numbers with SV at the end include the SpectraView calibration system. Models without the SV are less expensive because they don’t include the SpectraView calibration system, and you will need to provide your own system to get accurate color.
NEC MultiSync LCD2690W2-BK-SV
NEC MultiSync LCD3090W-BK-SV
Monitor Profiling
Color accurate monitors need to be profiled. I use the pro version of X-Rite’s i1 system that uses a spectrophotometer. It’s the best system I’ve used in the 17 years I’ve been calibrating monitors, and it’s one of the best $1,200 I’ve ever spent on photographic equipment. I bought it for use at West Coast Imaging, and because it allows the creation of printer profiles. If you just need to calibrate your monitor, check out the i1 Display 2 for about $200. It uses a colorimeter instead of the more accurate spectrophotometer, which is a big part of the price difference. I’ve never actually used it, but X-Rite has won me over after trying other brands, so this would be my first choice for a “bargain” profiling package.
Print Viewing
If you want to accurately compare prints to your monitor, you need to use a daylight balanced light. Fortunately the best light is also the least expensive. I use SoLux 4700k bulbs for critical screen to print matching.
For print display, I use standard ~3200K Tungsten-Halogen lighting as sold at home improvement stores.
