BenQ SW271C -- THE monitor EVERY photographer MUST have!

[@saamsadeghi]

I just pulled the plug and bought the 27" version of the BenQ SW271C after narrowing things down. Currently I own a Fujifilm GFX 50R and a Canon 5d Mark III so it is going to be an interesting experience. Actually I am more excited to see the colors on this monitor form the Fuiji!!!!

[@cris_photography]

Nice! Am sure you’ll love it 😉 cheers

[@elempiree]

wow this review is amazing, i usually dont comment but this was one of the best, most detailed, and easy to understand! just gained a new subscriber!

[@cris_photography]

Thanks a lot - means a lot ☺️ tale care!

[@tombic6373]

Most comprehensive and interesting review of the BenQ SW model monitors that I have found--and I have watched about a dozen different reviews of this series of monitors. This video is well organized, concise, and useful--particularly with respect to the monitor's B&W capabilities and hood features. Well done!

[@cris_photography]

Thanks a lot for your feedback Tom - MUCH appreciated and glad it could be helpful to you! Take care

[@leecy1268]

You have done one of the best reviews I have seen. It has also caused me some embarrassment as years ago I had a BenQ monitor where I could not understand why my image looked so different on my Macbook compared to the monitor you then gave me the answer. I thought the image looked dull on the BenQ I actually sent it back and used my laptop instead.

[@cris_photography]

Hello! Thank you for stopping by and for the kind words - much appreciated! Glad this review could help you out and answer some questions for you - take care!

[@hesun2273]

You should change the color mode to P3.

[@jakaufma1933]

very good review!!! Sizewise: Do you think 27" inch better compared to 32" for photography - maybe in the future video.? The PPI is better on a smaller monitor? what do you think?

[@cris_photography]

Thanks Jan, glad it was helpful. Honestly I like my 27” a lot and I like 24” a lot too. I would say 32 is almost too big for my personal taste. PPI wise, don’t think you’ll notice much of a difference honestly but I’d still go with 27” Take care

[@mikedavis1110]

A great short review on the strengths of the SW271C and the reasons to have a quality monitor. What are your thoughts on going with SW32C1 or is the 27” a good size for regular standup type of desk? Does this monitor have the Eye Care feature from BenQ for Blue Light protection?

[@cris_photography]

Hey Mike, thanks a lot. I personally haven't tested the SW321C but imho 32" is too big. Funny story, when I reached out to BenQ to send me a monitor to test, I originally asked for a 24" 2K monitor and they didn't have those for promotion anymore so they sent me this 27" 4K one. I don't have anything to complain about since I made this video and boy have I used it (literally THOUSANDS of hours and all my editing videos, photos, etc. were made on this monitor). I thinks at this point 27" or 32" won't make a huge difference. Yes, it does have Eye Care Cheers

[@mikedavis1110]

@@cris_photography I think I am leaning towards the SW271C for the $500 extra for the SW321C, I can justify for a flatter finish on the monitor and the extra space. Are you sure about the eye care option, for I thought I would have to use Blue Blocking glasses, screen filter to counter the negative effects of Blue Light. Edit with glasses, then remove glasses to see the difference in my colors, prior to printing.

[@cris_photography]

@@mikedavis1110 I could not find any specific information on that, thought benQ sais on their website "BenQ monitors are designed with exclusive eye-care technology to help eliminate the stress that traditional monitors put on your eyes" so I presume it does. But again, I presume. Cheers

[@mikedavis1110]

@@cris_photography I had a talked with the BenQ Ambassador/Customer Service and on the SW line it doesn’t appear to have the Blue Light protection is on this monitor. I mentioned I would wear Glasses or use a BL filter. He suggested it affect one’s editing perception of the final product.

[@cris_photography]

Thanks for letting me (us) know Mike - good to know!

[@torbjornlagerwall]

Nice review, Cris! Thank You!

[@mirkoema]

What's the best way to connect it to a graphic card? Display port or usb-c? Also for calibration etc...in the old times I used only dual dvi as I understood hdmi was not able to be calibrated...thanks!

[@cris_photography]

Hello there, thanks. I use it with USB-C but you can use it with HDMI and it’s totally fine for calibration (also because it has an internal LUT so doesn’t depend on the connection anymore really)

[@mirkoema]

@@cris_photography ah ok thanks! ;)))

[@sriramachandran]

Great info. Thanks Chris. Would you be able to share the work flow for editing the picture in a calibrated monitor and how to use the ICC profile of a particular online printing vendor and how to save that edited picture to be uploaded for printing ?... There is something likw soft-proofile but it is only for preview in Photoshop and not to really save etc.. It is getting complicated!!

[@cris_photography]

Hello Sriram! Sorry for my unbelievable delay in answering - been pretty busy lately. That is a great idea and I'd gladly make such a video! Stay tuned ;) and take care

[@sriramachandran]

@@cris_photography I am so happy to hear back from you. My request is.. after I have calibrated the monitor with my Mac, If I am editing with either Lr or Ps, what stage does the printing ICC come into play? I have downloaded the online printing vendor’s ICC profile say for paper, canvas, and metal. Should I edit the picture independent of the substrate to print and at last stage do soft proof with specific substrate (say want to print on canvas!) After soft proofing and editing how to export the image as jpeg for the online upload to be sent for printing? All step by step process would help us followers a lot ! Happy Holidays!

[@garypranzo9334]

For davinci resolve with a rtx 3080 TI do I need a Decklink to output 10bit to this monitor?

[@cris_photography]

Hello Gary, thanks and that’s a VERY good question which I unfortunately am not sure about. Maybe someone will know hopefully. Cheers

[@Promoter125]

Can you get a case to carry it about in? I would need it to be portable. :)

[@cris_photography]

Hey there, I don’t know if any sorry (at least not an official one made by BenQ) but am sure something could be found for it. Cheers

[@gabrielestalayo3444]

Great review, very complete...

[@cris_photography]

Thanks 😎

[@allandavies1187]

Hello there, is it best to have the monitor set on RGB or sRGB …

[@cris_photography]

Hello Allan, you’d only see your monitor to Adobe RGB if you are shooting your photos in Adobe RGB (which usually you do when and if you are planning on printing them) otherwise you should keep it on SRGB which is the standard profile used.

[@Zebrajellyfishphoto]

Thanks for a wonderful review. Can you help me understand the modes? If I edit photos (in Photoshop) that are going to be displayed digitally/online, what mode should I edit in? Also, what mode would I work with if again using Photoshop the final images will be printed? Finally if I edit video in Final Cut Pro for KZbin, what mode is that? Thanks!

[@cris_photography]

Hello Richard, thanks for watching! I normally use SRGB when doing online digital work and when using FCPX. When you want to print, you need to set your camera to Adobe RGB and your monitor too, and calibrate your printer as well for it. Does that help you?

[@Zebrajellyfishphoto]

@@cris_photography Thanks Cris. So you shoot in Adobe RGB mode right in camera?

[@cris_photography]

Yea, you can. But I personally don’t normally need to as I only use it for internet and digital media. But for printing, yes you can.

[@firstMillo]

Hey Chris, thanks a lot! Your review comes very handy because I am just on the edge buying the EIZO CG2730 or CS2740. Really makes me think... Cheers :-)

[@cris_photography]

Hello Kamil, thanks for the feedback! Yes, I was truly amazed to see how good this monitor is. Sure, Eizo is the "rolls Royce" of monitor if you will, BUT for my needs and the rendition I get... this is plenty! Hope this review could be helpful in making your choice ;) Take care!

[@firstMillo]

Yep, you are right! No need to spend more money just for the sake of better specs even you do not use them. I have read very positive feedback about the True Black panel on the EIZO but I would love the 4K resolution :-P However the BenQ seems to be a very good choice! Best wishes, Kamil

[@Classical416]

do you find the text and icons too small at 4k? Thanks

[@cris_photography]

Hello, i do not actually! I feared that too but it’s actually perfect 👍🏼 Take care

[@DuncanDimanche-sreview]

nice video ;) I would have liked for you to actually try calibrating it and showing us how accurate it is... at different areas of the monitor too :)

[@cris_photography]

Thanks 😊 Might do a follow up video as this is an overview of the monitor and going in-depth with calibration and testing of different areas takes time for an already long video. But it’s a good point 😅👌🏼

[@faryad_b_3_da480]

very,very good

[@montazownianr1]

I'm getting this baby in 2023 :)

[@cris_photography]

Awesome! Enjoy 😉

[@jean-claudelaurin4180]

The monitor most photographers can't afford. :D

[@cris_photography]

Don’t know if that’s true, but there are less expensive models (like the 2k version for example)