Hi. My main monitor is tragically dark/out of whack, and I'd like to get it up to spec ASAP. It's an oldish ViewSonic G790 hooked up to a nVidia GeForce4 Ti 4600 running under XP Home SP2. Ideally I'd like to be able to calibrate my iBook as well, but I'm less worried about it.
I've been meaning to get a calibration dongle for a while and was hoping there were some people here who've had experience with them.
Any brands/packages I should stay away from? I'd like to spend as little as possible, but I don't want to skimp. Do I need to worry about the Adobe Gamma utility from PS CS?
Any common calibration pitfalls you can help me avoid?
Adobe Gamma is a good utility to use if you do not have a color calibration kit.
Personally, I recommend the Pantone Colorvision Spyder Pro 2 Calibration system. Its easy to use and does a great job.
I calibrate monthly as a minumum to ensure that I am on target and delivering consistent color. The Spyder Pro can calibrate both LCD and CRT displays, so you can do both your viewsonic monitor and the ibook.
If you are going to use a color calibration system, make sure that you set your monitor back to defaults and disable any software gamma correction before you start the calibration (this includes the adobe gamma software)
Looks like the prices range from $99 up to $899. I went with the Spyder Pro Studio Suite that includes the printFIX patch reader. It allows you to calibrate both the display and the printer by making custom color profiles.
Admittedly, I did not read the specs of every item listed on the B&H page, but it seems you will find the biggest differences in prices are a result of what software you are getting with the colorimeter and consequently, how much control you will have over your color profiles.
Personally, I would get the best one you can afford depending on your needs as a photographer and photo editor. I think that no matter which one you choose, you'll be stepping into the right direction.
Dont forget to check out the prices on Monaco Systems' EZcolor kits as well. I believe you'll find many similarities.
Finally, I would like to stress three more points in regards to starting on color calibration:
1. Setup your work area so that you have a consistent environment to work in - i.e., make sure that each time you view your display, your room lighting is the same. I would strive to avoid direct sunlight, bright florescent lighting and bright incandescent lighting directly around your workspace. The point is to be consistent.
2. Use AdobeRBG 1998 as your standard color space and set all your hardware -including the camera - to match this profile. If you are not already doing so, the color calibration kits will usually define this as a first step.
3. Lastly - I have seen some people calibrate their displays and then be startled by the results. If you have gotten used to a display that is not calibrated and you suddenly sit in front of one that IS - you will see the shift in tones and color. Some people I know did not like this "NEW" shift and immediately set their display BACK to the incorrect settings. ugh. Obviously if you ever adjust the brightness/contrast/RGB settings on a calibrated display, then you need to recalibrate to bring it back in line.
I hope this info helps. Please let me know if I can answer any questions.
3. Lastly - I have seen some people calibrate their displays and then be startled by the results. If you have gotten used to a display that is not calibrated and you suddenly sit in front of one that IS - you will see the shift in tones and color. Some people I know did not like this "NEW" shift and immediately set their display BACK to the incorrect settings. ugh. Obviously if you ever adjust the brightness/contrast/RGB settings on a calibrated display, then you need to recalibrate to bring it back in line.
Exactly. a display calibrated for print isn't going to look as good as one calibrated to make video games or movies look good. Just be prepared.
ah, bikeracer. i found dpc by following your link from flickr...the toy truck picture i think.
Adobe Gamma is a good utility to use if you do not have a color calibration kit.
Personally, I recommend the Pantone Colorvision Spyder Pro 2 Calibration system. Its easy to use and does a great job.
I calibrate monthly as a minumum to ensure that I am on target and delivering consistent color. The Spyder Pro can calibrate both LCD and CRT displays, so you can do both your viewsonic monitor and the ibook.
If you are going to use a color calibration system, make sure that you set your monitor back to defaults and disable any software gamma correction before you start the calibration (this includes the adobe gamma software)
This is the same product that I use. I have successfully calibrated both my Epson R300 and R1800 Printers with this kit. Granted it lists at near $400, but to me, it was a one time investment that has shown great returns in better production control and accuracy.
If you calibrate you monitor with Spider2 Pro, it will make things better with your printer by closing the gap between them.
I tryied the Colorvision PrintFix to check if I could get even better results and it did a resoanable job making more precise color prints with my Epson R300, but the default Epson ICC looks better even if not so close to the monitor colors.
If you really want something good to calibrate your printer go for something more expensive than PrintFix.
Some models from Gretag Macbeth have monitor and printer calibration in one product and they usually get good reviews.
But colorvision has now a new printer calibration system that seems to be a lot better than the simple and fragile Printfix.
