Best photo editing monitor

I have looked at many monitors but none of them claim to be good for photo editing. the only answer i get is that i need a monitor calibration device. I currently have a 22" samsung and cannot get the color right for portrait editing. please help

There are many monitors that are appropriate for photo editing, however it also depends on how much money you want to spend. Generally speaking, monitors appropriate for photo editing should be capable of having good color accuracy when properly calibrated. This is important if it is work related where color accuracy is very important.

For personal or hobbist photo editing, color accuracy is important as you want it to be. If color accuracy is not that important then you can basically use any type of monitor.

A colorimeter will help improve color accuracy. Generally speaking, the more expensive model you buy the better the color accuracy can be. The same can be said of the monitor.

What is the current monitor you are using? What is your budget for a new monitor and colorimeter?

In the past I've calibrated a complete production process for commercial print, from the drum scanner, film setter, soft and hard proofing, to final print so I have an idea of what is required.I have a Samsung SyncMaster T240 calibrated with Eye-One Display 2, the results are very good. The problem with a LCD display over a CRT display is the viewing angle. I sometimes need to look at my monitor at a weird angle when cleaning up whites otherwise bits may be missed. You pay your money and takes your choice. However, I would suggest that you set up your monitor, calibrate it using something like the eye-one, save the profile, bring up a nice photograph that has good tonal and colour range, save it to disc and take it to a good quality lab and ask them to produce at least a 10x8 print from the disk. Take the print and compare it to whats on screen. There is also a problem with viewing the print, you will need to view it under a daylight controlled light source otherwise colour/tone will look totally wrong.
So you see, it's not just about having a reasonable monitor, it's about the full workflow circle and correct viewing conditions.