Mac Studio and Eizo, OR iMac and Eizo?

[Dutch60]

At the moment I' m using a 2019 27" iMac (full specs / Intel). Works fine/fast. Specifically for photo editing (and printing), I' m considering a new 27" 1440p Eizo screen.
My dilemma :
1. Should I buy that Eizo and work with dual monitor setup (together with my current iMac), or
2. Should I sell my iMac and get a Mac Studio + that Eizo screen.

At least 80%/90% of my computer work is photography (rest is surfing internet/definitely no video)

Any experiences here? Advice/tips maybe? What would you do, and why?

Thank you!

 

[galad]

If the Eizo is 1440p it will have 4x less pixels than your iMac display.

 

[Dutch60]

Correct. And for a 27” screen that could me perfect (for photo editing); noise and possible sharpening will be better visible when working on photos.
Thnxs

 

[F-Train]

My Mac Studio (specs in signature) arrived on Friday and I set it up yesterday with an Eizo ColorEdge CS2740. I use an inexpensive second screen for palettes, although I may change it out for the next iPad Pro.

I edit photographs with Photo Mechanic and CaptureOne, and video with Final Cut Pro X (timeline editing) and DaVinci Resolve Studio (colour grading).

I'm extremely happy with the monitor, which I've had for about a year, and the change to the Mac Studio was seamless.

It sounds like you're in a position to try out your first option before making a decision about the second. I assume that you're satisfied that you can make good use of a Retina display and an Eizo monitor together.

As you probably know, Eizo has two new monitors coming.

Eizo U.S. did several Zoom webinars with photographers and filmmakers over the last year or so. Some of these are pretty interesting. If you haven't seen any of them, I think that they're on Eizo U.S.'s YouTube channel.

 

[Dutch60]

My Mac Studio (specs in signature) arrived on Friday and I set it up yesterday with an Eizo ColorEdge CS2740. I use an inexpensive second screen for palettes, although I may change it out for the next iPad Pro.

Good to read. I’m using DXO PL5. Not sure if I can use iMac for palettes only...would be great ofcourse.

I edit photographs with Photo Mechanic and CaptureOne, and video with Final Cut Pro X (timeline editing) and DaVinci Resolve Studio (colour grading).

I don’t do anything with video, but very nice that colour grading seems to work well with the CS2740! How does scaling work with this 4k Eizo? No problems here? If I may ask, why did you decide for a 4k monitor?

I'm extremely happy with the monitor, which I've had for about a year, and the change to the Mac Studio was seamless.


It sounds like you're in a position to try out your first option before making a decision about the second. I assume that you're satisfied that you can make good use of a Retina display and an Eizo monitor together.

Well I hope this works as advertised. It should, according to Eizo. I never worked with a dual monitor set up. But my iMac still works fine ofcourse (not yet 3 years old). It’s still an Intel machine, so I think prices will probably drop pretty fast. At the moment I still can get a pretty good price for it.

As you probably know, Eizo has two new monitors coming.

Correct. CG2700S (the one I’m interested in) and the CG2700X (4K version later this year....price yet unknown)

Eizo U.S. did several Zoom webinars with photographers and filmmakers over the last year or so. Some of these are pretty interesting. If you haven't seen any of them, I think that they're on Eizo U.S.'s YouTube channel.

Thank you very much!

 

[F-Train]

I don’t do anything with video, but very nice that colour grading seems to work well with the CS2740! How does scaling work with this 4k Eizo? No problems here? If I may ask, why did you decide for a 4k monitor?... Correct. CG2700S (the one I’m interested in) and the CG2700X (4K version later this year....price yet unknown)

I went with 4K because I make 4K videos and we're starting to see films, which I often watch on my computer monitor, released in 4K. I might have gone with WQHD had I wanted the monitor strictly for editing photographs, although once you've used one a 4K monitor gets sort of addictive

I'm using the monitor at the Mac Studio default resolution. I haven't had to do any scaling from there.

For those who are interested, Eizo has a page on the new CG2700S monitor: https://www.eizoglobal.com/products/coloredge/cg2700s/

 

[Dutch60]

Thank you F-Train!
I use this 5k retina 27” iMac…..addictive it certainly is!

 

[F-Train]

@Dutch60,

Your might consider whether you need the CS2700S's self-calibration or whether you're content to do it yourself with, e.g. X-Rite's i1 Display Pro. Professionals who work in a team environment are the main market for self-calibration (all the monitors are ready to go when you show up for work in the morning). It will save you some time, but it adds to the price. That said, i1 Display Pro isn't free. I had i1 Display Pro anyway, which was one of the reasons that I purchased Eizo's CS2740. Eizo's Color Navigator calibration software is the same regardless of which method you use.

 

[Dutch60]

@Dutch60,

Your might consider whether you need the CS2700S's self-calibration or whether you're content to do it yourself with, e.g. X-Rite's i1 Display Pro. Professionals who work in a team environment are the main market for self-calibration (all the monitors are ready to go when you show up for work in the morning). It will save you some time, but it adds to the price. That said, i1 Display Pro isn't free. I had i1 Display Pro anyway, which was one of the reasons that I purchased Eizo's CS2740. Eizo's Color Navigator calibration software is the same regardless of which method you use.

Thnxs again.
I use the i1 Display Pro with my iMac. So, I already have it (and if I keep my iMac, or get a CS2740 I'll ofcourse keep using it).
There seem to be a few other (minor) differences between the CG and the CS series. I'm not a professional, but if I'm spending this money, I might as well do it "all the way" (no, no CG319x money here ;-) Most important is this case would be 1440p vs 4k. I find it difficult to make up my mind.

EIZO ColorEdge — ColorEdge CG or CS?

EIZO ColorEdge monitors are the industry's highest quality monitors for professionals with the highest standards. Covering 99% of the Adobe RGB gamut.

www.eizocolour.com

Also interesting short article:

Mac external displays for designers and developers

If you’re considering an external display for your Mac, there’s a few important decisions to make. Apple doesn’t sell external displays any more, so you can’t just default to their wisdom. That’s an issue, because not all displays are well suited for Macs.

bjango.com

 

[FSmertz]

Whether an Eizo makes sense for you really depends on your requirements. Photography is a big tent. If you are primarily showing your images on the web, then it's questionable whether a wide-gamut monitor will serve you well as your presentation space is basically sRGB. So, any well-made sRGB monitor (especially the relatively lower-priced ones from Eizo, but also better Dells and HP (they mostly have the same panel suppliers) and others would meet those requirements.

If print is important to you, then a wide-gamut high quality screen like the CS Eizo would be great. About 18 months ago I purchased a similar NEC and it's superb for fine editing and printing. I sold my 27-inch 2015 P3 iMac shortly thereafter. 4/5K screens like the iMac are great for consuming information, and for images everything looks sharp--but for editing I just cannot get an acceptable bead on sharpening, NR, and lens characteristics using a high PPI screen. iMacs are further handicapped by a basic inability to properly calibrate them as the only control you have is illumination, so getting accurate color is almost a matter of luck. Fortunately, the new MacBook Pros with the Liquid Retina XDR display fixes this problem.

This is further compounded by MacOS color management deficiencies--you are limited to very basic matrix profiles, unlike Windows that supports more complex XYZ-LUT profiles (that's not me talkin', that's the excellent DisplayCal dialog box when you initially calibrate and profile a Mac-based monitor). Fortunately a self-calibrating Eizo or NEC doesn't depend on ColorSync. If you use an Eizo as a primary monitor for image editing and print prep, I'm sure the iMac will be sufficient for secondary,non-color critical tasks such as palette stashing and basic asset management.

Alternatively, you can get a nice Mac Studio (I just received mine) and enjoy the Eizo. I've had second screens for about 15 years and find the efficiency factor to be super high. Based on a post here, I took a flyer on a relatively cheap Lenovo P-27-u20 Adobe RGB (1998) 4K monitor as a second screen. For the money, it's quite acceptable. The colors are surprisingly close to the NEC; like most non-Eizo/NEC screens the big deficiency is that the illumination is very uneven, probably due to a second-rate panel, but for a secondary screen I can live with it. I'm running the 4K at 1920x1080 and it's fine for the job.
Hope this helps.

 

[Dutch60]

Whether an Eizo makes sense for you really depends on your requirements. Photography is a big tent. If you are primarily showing your images on the web, then it's questionable whether a wide-gamut monitor will serve you well as your presentation space is basically sRGB. So, any well-made sRGB monitor (especially the relatively lower-priced ones from Eizo, but also better Dells and HP (they mostly have the same panel suppliers) and others would meet those requirements.

I print. Canon prograf1000/ Hahnemühle fine art papers

If print is important to you, then a wide-gamut high quality screen like the CS Eizo would be great. About 18 months ago I purchased a similar NEC and it's superb for fine editing and printing. I sold my 27-inch 2015 P3 iMac shortly thereafter. 4/5K screens like the iMac are great for consuming information, and for images everything looks sharp--but for editing I just cannot get an acceptable bead on sharpening, NR, and lens characteristics using a high PPI screen. iMacs are further handicapped by a basic inability to properly calibrate them as the only control you have is illumination, so getting accurate color is almost a matter of luck. Fortunately, the new MacBook Pros with the Liquid Retina XDR display fixes this problem.

I use a X-rite i1 display pro colorimeter and I do get nice prints (A2), but almost never the same look as on my iMac. I expect more (maybe perfect) accuracy when working with an Eizo monitor.

This is further compounded by MacOS color management deficiencies--you are limited to very basic matrix profiles, unlike Windows that supports more complex XYZ-LUT profiles (that's not me talkin', that's the excellent DisplayCal dialog box when you initially calibrate and profile a Mac-based monitor). Fortunately a self-calibrating Eizo or NEC doesn't depend on ColorSync. If you use an Eizo as a primary monitor for image editing and print prep, I'm sure the iMac will be sufficient for secondary,non-color critical tasks such as palette stashing and basic asset management.

That’s my idea as well; using iMac for palettes/viewing images and internet in general. Don’t know yet if DXO PL lends itself well for 2 monitor usage. I will find out ofcourse.

Alternatively, you can get a nice Mac Studio (I just received mine) and enjoy the Eizo. I've had second screens for about 15 years and find the efficiency factor to be super high.

So, you really like a 2 monitor setup. Good to read. I never used 2 monitors. My desk is 120cm wide. 2 27” monitors next to each other are around 130cm wide. Have to think about this (and find a solution). I don’t want to buy a new computer desk.

Based on a post here, I took a flyer on a relatively cheap Lenovo P-27-u20 Adobe RGB (1998) 4K monitor as a second screen. For the money, it's quite acceptable. The colors are surprisingly close to the NEC; like most non-Eizo/NEC screens the big deficiency is that the illumination is very uneven, probably due to a second-rate panel, but for a secondary screen I can live with it. I'm running the 4K at 1920x1080 and it's fine for the job.

I could ofcourse also sell my 2019 27” iMac and get a somewhat cheaper 24” 4k screen for palettes and general internet. Will also fit my desk better. A lot to think about!
this helps.

This sure helps!
Thank you!

 

[Dutch60]

Buying a cheaper second 4K screen just for palettes and general internet does look like a very nice option. I have to think about that, but I think this could be a very good idea indeed. Could sell my 2019 iMac as well and go Mac Studio. Thank you again!

 

[Mr Screech]

Go for the extra screen if you don't find yourself waiting a lot on processing.
Going back to a much lower ppi takes a large chunk of enjoyment from your new mac.

When things start to slow down or you find yourself needing extra power, get yourself a Studio with an ASD or LG 5k.

 

[Dutch60]

Thank you for your advice. Sounds sensible to keep my iMac and buy a second screen (Eizo). Resell price of my iMac will ofcourse drop dramatically after some time/few years. But that’s life.

 

[unclegit]

Check out the NEC PA311D instead of the Eizo - it's a little more but it's a 31" display with similar gamut and performance, internal 3D LUT etc etc.

The high end NEC's are competitive with Eizo's performance wise and typically at a more attractive price point.

Just hooked it up to my studio and I'm very happy with the performance. Similar use cases to you.

 

[Dutch60]

Check out the NEC PA311D instead of the Eizo - it's a little more but it's a 31" display with similar gamut and performance, internal 3D LUT etc etc.

The high end NEC's are competitive with Eizo's performance wise and typically at a more attractive price point.

Just hooked it up to my studio and I'm very happy with the performance. Similar use cases to you.

I would, if NEC wide gamut monitors where easy available where I live; almost impossible to see. Eizo is. Probably much better available in USA/ the Americas?
Beside that, I read that NEC is not continuing its wide gamut monitor production (?).

 

[F-Train]

I would, if NEC wide gamut monitors where easy available where I live; almost impossible to see. Eizo is. Probably much better available in USA/ the Americas?
Beside that, I read that NEC is not continuing its wide gamut monitor production (?).

I gather that you're in Europe. Prices ex-VAT for Eizo monitors are lower there than in the U.S., including for the new CS2700S that you're considering.

 

[Dutch60]

Well the Eizo CG2700S is officially priced at € 2334,- at the moment. That would be around $2500,- . At B&H I see a price of $2519,- (for preorder).

 

[F-Train]

Well the Eizo CG2700S is officially priced at € 2334,- at the moment. That would be around $2500,- . At B&H I see a price of $2519,- (for preorder).

Is the price in Euros with or without VAT? B&H's prices don't include sales tax, which is increasingly difficult for Americans to evade. Sales tax in New York City, where B&H is located, is 9%, making B&H's price about $2750, not $2519. Americans from other states who purchase from B&H pay their state's sales tax.*

The photo shows the price at Teamwork Photo, a good London photography dealer, with and without VAT. The ex-Vat price is £1562. That is about US$1964, which is $555 less than B&H's price before tax.

* Some people have an in-house B&H credit card that credits the tax on purchases. B&H introduced this card when it became apparent that U.S. states were getting serious about collecting tax on purchases from other states.

 

[Dutch60]

Including sales tax here in The Netherlands (€ 2334). Mentioned prices here are (almost) all including sales tax. That pound price (including VAT), would be around € 2200,- and $2357,-. Certainly cheaper than in The Netherlands (EU). What price do you have to pay including VAT?

 

[StudioMacs]

Including sales tax here in The Netherlands (€ 2334). Mentioned prices here are (almost) all including sales tax. That pound price (including VAT), would be around € 2200,- and $2357,-. Certainly cheaper than in The Netherlands (EU). What price do you have to pay including VAT?

Sounds like you already decided, but if the iMac is fast currently fast enough, you will enjoy the benefits of dual screens (one for tool pallets and the other for the image you are working on full screen) more than an incremental performance boost from a new computer.

 

[F-Train]

Including sales tax here in The Netherlands (€ 2334). Mentioned prices here are (almost) all including sales tax. That pound price (including VAT), would be around € 2200,- and $2357,-. Certainly cheaper than in The Netherlands (EU). What price do you have to pay including VAT?

This screen capture of a B&H order cart shows what I would pay, as a New York resident, for an Eizo CG2700S. The sales tax is $223.56, based on my local New York rate of 8.95%. Residents of some states would pay less, some more. There is no national rate.

 

[Dutch60]

Thank you StudioMacs. The idea of only buying a new monitor (Eizo), is indeed very attractive to me.
But.......I never worked with such a dual large monitor setup before. According to Eizo Netherlands, iMac and Eizo presumably go very well together (representative of Eizo even said, that he himself would do it this way). My 2019 iMac : i9 / 64GB RAM / Radean Pro Vega/ 2 TB SSD and is fast enough at the moment.
Then I don' t yet know how well DXO PL5 can be used with 2 screens (tool pallets/etc. on iMac). I' ll have to find out.
And lastly, I can still get good money for my Intel iMac at the moment (and go Apple chips); that price will probably go down significantly.
I think you' re right, that dual screens could be very enjoyable!
Working with my iMac until it dies or slows down significantly ....and then decide what next step to take (Studio with only Eizo screen....dual setup with smaller iMac with Apple chip with Eizo......or maybe even Studio with another (cheaper) 4k monitor and Eizo (also dual screens then)....time will tell. At the moment that new Eizo screen is not yet available....could take a long time. Don' t know yet.

 

[Dutch60]

This screen capture of a B&H order cart shows what I would pay, as a New York City resident, for an Eizo CG2700S. The tax is $223.56, based on my local New York rate of 8.95%.

View attachment 2009843

Oops. You' re definitely right...I think I' m lucky with Eizo prices here in Europe/The Netherlands!

 

[Dutch60]

Ordered the Eizo CG2700S. Now the (probably long) waiting begins.