Beginner Monitor Settings Advice

[Dipper]

Hello,

I'm completely new to home printing and would appreciate any guidance or recommendations for good resources to help me get started.

I've spent years taking photos, doing some basic editing, and viewing the results on my laptop. Recently, a new neighbour showed me what they could do with Photoshop, and it opened my eyes to how photos can look—though it also sparked some expensive upgrades!

While I was content using my 17" laptop, seeing my photos on their 27" monitor was a game changer. My neighbour also printed and framed several of their photos, which looked fantastic and made me realise how much I was missing out by not printing my own photos.

I was hooked, so I purchased a Mac Mini M4 and a 27" monitor, preparing myself for proper photo editing. Although I can't afford a printer yet, I'm saving up for something like an Epson P900 (my neighbour used a P600).

My first 27" Dell monitor looked decent, but I noticed uneven colour casts across the screen, so I returned it and tried another Dell from the same range. It had similar issues plus an annoying buzzing sound, so that went back too.

Eventually, I invested in a BenQ SW272U monitor, which has excellent image consistency and no buzzing. Now, I have a question about Delta E values. BenQ advertised it as less than 1.5, but the calibration certificate specifies an average Delta E of 0.54 and a maximum of 2.5. While I understand that 0.54 is quite good, I'm curious if a max value of 2.5 is acceptable for this type of monitor. BenQ assured me it's within spec (their max spec is <4) and shouldn't be noticeable, but they couldn't provide Delta E information for specific colours.

Will the colour(s) that is E 2.5 not look different from what I see on screen when sent to the printer?

I also have questions about photo editing settings when planning to print images later. Do most people create separate edits for screen and print, or edit everything with printing in mind? I've read that lowering your screen's brightness is recommended when editing for print.

On the SW272U, the default brightness was set to 100% for black and white and 54% for AdobeRGB. Why are these levels different?

Unfortunately, I can't ask my neighbour since they've moved away. Sorry for such a lengthy message, but any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Gav.]

recommendations for good resources to help me get started.

Hi, welcome to TP.

Take a look at Keiths work, covers all you need

Keith Cooper

Keith's photography, cameras, lenses, printing, reviews and how-to videos Hi, I'm Keith Cooper, an architectural and industrial photographer (Northlight Images) I also provide training in photography and modern photographic techniques to individuals and companies. Bespoke one-to-one training...

www.youtube.com

 

[BillN_33]

Maybe a few more knowledgeable members with post info to help

I have the same BENQ display and use an Epson ET 8550 printer ........... I started printing a few weeks ago

Just some info on "the puck" as I have been able to understand it

with the BENQ SW272U you can set up 3 different settings, (colour spaces) using what BENQ call the "puck" - that round thing that comes with the screen

the 3 DEFAULT settings that the puck comes with are Adobe RGB, sRGB, and Black and White - corresponding to the buttons 1, 2 and 3 on the RHS of the "puck" ......... these "buttons" are programable and can be changed if you wish by calibrating your screen and saving the (new) calibrations to the puck , (these [new] calibrations are basically saved to the hardware in the display)

the sRGB colour space is what you would use for viewing images on the internet . It has a fewer range of colours than other "colour spaces" - if you like this is the "lowest common denominator" that can be viewed on all, (most) types of displays .......

BUT - when you decide to print images you may/will find that you will need to adjust the "colour space" that you see on your screen in order to produce prints that are good........ normally by reducing the brightness, (luminance) of the display quite considerable ...... the best way to get the settings that produce the prints that you want would be by re-calibrating your screen and when you have done this you could save it to say Button 3 on the puck .... so that when you want to print an image you press 3 and the screen goes to the print setting that you want, you can then edit if needed and export the image through say Lightroom (I export the images I want to print using the biggest image size possible, [I us TIFF] and Adobe RGB - I do not use Lightroom to print the image) and bring them into the print application that you prefer, (I use the Epson print software provided) then printing the image using the "paper profile" for the paper I am using

(I'm still working on soft proofing in LR or PS, using the paper profile etc., - but so far I find PS easier)

That's what I have done ............it works for me ............but maybe others can comment if there is another way

To use your BENQ SW272U to it's fullest you will need to get into screen calibration!!

(I don't find the way the puck operates logical and it has taken me some time to understand it)

 

[russellsnr]

Hello,

I'm completely new to home printing and would appreciate any guidance or recommendations for good resources to help me get started.

I've spent years taking photos, doing some basic editing, and viewing the results on my laptop. Recently, a new neighbour showed me what they could do with Photoshop, and it opened my eyes to how photos can look—though it also sparked some expensive upgrades!

While I was content using my 17" laptop, seeing my photos on their 27" monitor was a game changer. My neighbour also printed and framed several of their photos, which looked fantastic and made me realise how much I was missing out by not printing my own photos.

I was hooked, so I purchased a Mac Mini M4 and a 27" monitor, preparing myself for proper photo editing. Although I can't afford a printer yet, I'm saving up for something like an Epson P900 (my neighbour used a P600).

My first 27" Dell monitor looked decent, but I noticed uneven colour casts across the screen, so I returned it and tried another Dell from the same range. It had similar issues plus an annoying buzzing sound, so that went back too.

Eventually, I invested in a BenQ SW272U monitor, which has excellent image consistency and no buzzing. Now, I have a question about Delta E values. BenQ advertised it as less than 1.5, but the calibration certificate specifies an average Delta E of 0.54 and a maximum of 2.5. While I understand that 0.54 is quite good, I'm curious if a max value of 2.5 is acceptable for this type of monitor. BenQ assured me it's within spec (their max spec is <4) and shouldn't be noticeable, but they couldn't provide Delta E information for specific colours.

Will the colour(s) that is E 2.5 not look different from what I see on screen when sent to the printer?

I also have questions about photo editing settings when planning to print images later. Do most people create separate edits for screen and print, or edit everything with printing in mind? I've read that lowering your screen's brightness is recommended when editing for print.

On the SW272U, the default brightness was set to 100% for black and white and 54% for AdobeRGB. Why are these levels different?

Unfortunately, I can't ask my neighbour since they've moved away. Sorry for such a lengthy message, but any advice would be greatly appreciated!

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIdT72QfV5I&t=1s

 

[Dipper]

I watched the Glyn Dewis video. Thanks.
As my monitor is fresh out of the box and factory calibrated, I'm assuming that, forgetting the minor tweaks he applies, that is as good/accurate as it gets as the factory calibration will be more accurate than any kit it looks like I will need to buy to recalibrate in the future.
(This will eat into my printer fund )

His monitor Delta E max was roughly half of mine (1.28 vs 2.5). Is this a worry, as he said this will only get higher as the monitor ages?

Any other SW272U users out there? What is/was your max Delta E, and is it an issue when editing for printing.

Have I got a 'poor' unit?

I will start to work my way through the Keith Cooper videos.

Thanks for the replies so far.