Flanders Scientific DM241 Monitor Review: Best Color Grading Monitor?

After 10 years of squinting at laptop screens and color grading in programs you probably shouldn’t be color grading in (hey we all start somewhere right?) It’s time we go more in-depth about color grading monitors. If you are new to this, be sure to check out my other article on the 3 best color grading monitors for film colorists. But today I am going to be doing a Flanders Scientific DM241 monitor review! Read on for the nerdy details.

Overview of The Flanders Scientific DM241 

The Flanders Scientific DM241 is the upgrade to the discontinued (this is sad) DM240 monitor. With a bunch of features already built-in, it is ready to go from production to post-production with ease. Coming in at $4095.00, this 24” monitor can handle all of your production needs. 

Here’s a quick video overview of the Flanders Scientific DM241:

Flanders Scientific DM241 Features 

While we look at a monitor just for color grading, this can do so much more than that. It has equal features for on-set and post-production. Some of those features range from focus assist, audio level meters, to a record status tally.

While the post-production features range from Luma coloring, pixel mapping, and so much more. There is a lot to unpack with this monitor however, I respect your time and energy, so I will only discuss a few of my favorite features. After this, you will understand why this monitor is absolutely exceptional.

Feature 1: Look/DIT LUTS

This monitor is an absolute BEAST as a field monitor. Many of us in the industry are multi-hyphenates and to get films made you have to do things yourself. That is why I can’t shy away from the incredible features this has as a field monitor.

You can actually upload 16 individual and customized LUTS (look-up tables) to your monitor for easy viewing on set. If you don’t want to program specific LUTS you can also easily switch between different color spaces already baked into the monitor.

It is really nice to have this feature if a director wants to see what the picture could look like color graded without actually having to affect the log footage. It’s incredibly helpful to be able to toggle through different LUTS and then adjust the lighting accordingly.

All in all it can save a ton of time in post and make a lot less work for you or your colorist if you can give them a sample of the look you’re going for. Time is money so as much as you can do on set, the better! 

Feature 2: Zero Delay Fast Mode

This feature does exactly what it says. There is zero delay. While that may not sound like a big deal it absolutely is. It allows you to watch your footage back in real time whether on set or in post. What is really awesome about this feature is that it also works with the different video scopes that you can put directly on your screen. This would make a lot of other monitors lag or be a few seconds behind. But with zero delay fast mode, you can make quick adjustments on the fly for color or exposure if you need to.

There are also a ton of other features that work with fast mode such as 3rd generation focus assist (this is really important! No one wants lag while you are trying to pull focus), chroma/bright/contrast/volume controls, color matching functions and more.

To sum this up, no one wants to be watching their color grade on something that is constantly pinwheeling or trying to pull focus on a monitor that is behind. This feature is absolutely pivotal when you are using this as a field monitor. Can you tell I love multi-functional pieces of film gear? 

Feature 3: Zoom Modes

This feature allows you to get into all of those nitty-gritty details! As a colorist, I would love to be able to zoom in as far as possible to check certain colors and make sure everything is just right. This mode allows you to do that right on the monitor. It has several different zoom features such as pixel zoom, DSLR zoom, full screen, and regular zoom.

What is also amazing about these different zoom modes is you can zoom in far without any artifacting and you can stretch your image to preview it in different aspect ratios. When you are color grading this will also help you decide which parts of the image you would like to focus on while being able to zoom in to your heart’s content. 

Feature 4: Color Reproduction

This is more of a praise in general than a feature. But WOW! The color reproduction on this monitor is on point. From monitor to output, this is the best thing on the market. There is nothing worse than color grading something that you are really proud of and then when you export your film, it looks like trash. This monitor throws out all of that guesswork. With this panel being a 10bit display you can be sure that you are getting the best color out there. 

Feature 5: 179 Degree Viewing Angle

This is a pretty cool feature that not a lot of people think about. This will come in handy if you have two people sitting at a monitor. No matter where you sit, the screen will look exactly the same. You would normally assume this is a given or monitors, but it’s not.

Have you ever tilted your computer screen and the light will warp the picture or the color will change? The 179-degree viewing angle will keep that from happening. It is really nice when you are showing off all of your hard work! This feature helps retain image accuracy.

About The Flanders Scientific Brand

Flanders Scientific was founded in 2008 and has since been the industry leader when it comes to radio, broadcasting, and film equipment. Since then they have provided a plethora of products that help creatives bring their filmmaking to the next level at an affordable price. Their support team is dedicated to providing the best assistance when it comes to their products and it definitely shows.

Across many platforms, their products have been rated the highest for filmmakers, and for their price they are the closest to industry standard. 

My Flanders Scientific DM241 Monitor Review

I really do enjoy this monitor a lot. The biggest thing I look for when it comes to purchasing gear (especially if it’s going to be expensive) is its versatility. When budgets are tight you really want to get the best bang for your buck.

The Flanders company is creating monitors that will make your production to post-production journey absolutely seamless. Aside from the versatility, the 10bit panel, color reproduction, and color gamut are reasons enough to get this.

They are always updating their features as well but it already comes jampacked with all of the color-grading goodness. But as always, nothing is perfect. So let’s get into the pros and cons. 

Pros and Cons

On top of the features I listed above, which are all pros, in my opinion, there are a few more as well as some cons. 

Pros: 

• All of these features for this price point is a huge win
• To be able to have a monitor that can go from set to post-production saves you so much time and energy on the back end
• Best color accuracy you can find at this price point
• Free calibration for life
• If there is any problem with your monitor there is a 2-year parts and labor warranty. Their support team will help you fix your issue as soon as possible

Cons:

• 24” is the smallest screen I would recommend for a monitor
• The contrast ratio is less than what it was with the DM240 which can be a bummer since the higher the contrast ratio, the better. 
• While the price point is a pro it’s also a con. This monitor is really expensive for us filmmakers on a budget. 

Is The Flanders Scientific DM241 Monitor Worth it? 

All in all, this is the monitor to get. If there is ever any doubt about which monitor from Flanders is right for you, their support team is more than happy to help you. They also have sales as well so if you want to wait it is absolutely worth it.

When it comes to color grading, you really need to put your best foot forward. That is going to be the first thing that the audience sees. Yes of course you can make due, but when there is a product that is there to help you achieve your best work, why not? I definitely recommend this monitor to anyone who is looking.

What are your thoughts? Have you used a Flanders monitor before? Let us know what your favorite features are, and happy filmmaking!