Monitor Calibration

Hi all, I use a Spyder to calibrate all my monitors. Works fine. Most images turn out quite nice. But especially with the denise seahorses I have noticed a slight reddish hue/saturation. This can be easily verified using slides for comparison. And looking at some other images, for instance with sand in it, I also think it's just ever so slightly reddish.

 

There isnt much you can actually tune with the Spyder. It just tells you "put the colors from your monitor between this bar". The only thing that can significantly influence your results is the target temperature.

 

I leave this on the default, which is 6500K. This may be too warm. What do other people use in this respect?

 

Regards,

 

Cor

 

ps: I use Dell 19" LCD monitors

Hey Cor,

 

I can't help you with your question. But I am curious about it. I have just purchased the Spider2, and after calibrating my monitor...and viewing the before and afters screens, I couldn't tell a damn thing had changed! Maybe my monitor was already calibrated correctly? I feel like I wasted $200.

 

I was on the splashdowndivers site and this is what it reads:

 

When using ColorVision there are two options you need to select. Per the manual and on screen prompts;

 

Choose the Gamma to which you would like to calibrate. 1.8 is the standard for Mac and 2.2 is the standard for a PC. If you are not sure which to choose, select 2.2."

 

"Select the Color Temperature to which you would like to calibrate. 5000 is the traditional standard for print. 6500 is the preferred standard for PCs and digital imaging. If you are not sure which to choose, select 6500."

I use 2.2 and 6500 since most of what I publish is on the Internet and most of my audience is using PCs.

 

I was bummed about the lack of info that came along with my spider...not sure what I was expecting...but I can tell you it was more than what I got.

 

Respectfully,

 

Al Nelson

I have heard the same thing from others who use calibration tools. You are correect when you suggest that your system may already be calibrated. I used a calibration software on my ViewSonic 21" flatscreen, and did not see one iota of difference.

 

Joe

Hey Cor,

 

I can't help you with your question.  But I am curious about it.  I have just purchased the Spider2, and after calibrating my monitor...and viewing the before and afters screens, I couldn't tell a damn thing had changed!    Maybe my monitor was already calibrated correctly?  I feel like I wasted $200.

I think monitor calibration is a must. At home I have 5 monitors, and they were all different before calibration. For me calibration makes a big difference. Especially my Apple Powerbook was way off. But even my 19" dell LCD was quite bad. I talked to the Colorvision helpdesk, and they say that with LCD screens you should not use any manual changes. Just let the spider do all the work.

 

For me your reply did help me though. Especially this part "..5000 is the traditional standard for print. 6500 is the preferred standard for PCs and digital imaging..." This could well be my original issue. My prints may come out a little less warm if I make a 5000K calibration target. I'll give it a go.

 

Cor

Sometimes, a monitor doesn't need much adjustment at calibration. However, your money isn't wasted on the Spyder. You should re-calibrate your monitor or LCD about every 30 days or so. As monitors age, they tend to slip a bit, and re-calibration keeps them on target. Also, from my experience, be sure to allow at least 30 minutes for your monitor to stabilize after you first turn it on ... before calibration. Also a good idea to let it warm up well before doing digital image editing.

Comparing your image to a slide doesn't really prove anything, either. All films have their own color characteristics ... some are warmer, some are cooler. What you want to see is an accurate print, that looks like what is displayed on your monitor. There are factors involved here, too. Make sure you're using the correct printer profile. Epson, for example, usually provides specific printer profiles for various Epson papers. Make sure that Photoshop print seittings are correct, and before printing, proof the image in Photoshop using the correct printer profile.

From my own experience, it takes awhile to get all these factors properly aligned, but eventually it will be worth it.

I likewise use a spyder and see a noticable difference. This shows up boot time as the monitor profile load quite late with XP. Looking at the screen then the spyder slash shows as the corrected prifile loads and the color and density has a noticable difference.

 

With regards to the printer profiles, I have customised adjustments. Could'nt afford desitometer for the printer. I have high quaity reference print in the adobe1998 color space which I use to compare the screen image to the printed image, and via a series of tests have saved various different color/density settings depending upon the paper in use. I was very surprised at the difference paper makes to the perceived reference print.

 

Having had years as a custom photo printer I have a pretty good eye for color and density that somewhat negates the need to a reflective densitometer, but would like one if I could afford it.

 

Tony