Monitor Calibration Tools

[CrazyCresties]

Now that I have my lovely big shiney new monitor, I think I should get it calibrated :)

Has any one used the X-Rite i1Display Pro? It seems to have pretty good reviews.

http://www.xrite.com/product_overview.aspx?ID=1454

Or any other recommended calibrators, this is a for a PLS monitor (newer version of IPS I believe).

TIA :D

[Are You Serious Jo]

I did hear something about it that wasn't encouraging, but I've heard the same as spyders. I need to get one soon so I'll be watching as well.

[tlc]

I know nothing about calibrating monitors, I have a mac and didn't do anything to it. Shouldnt they come set up right out of the box? I am also wondering about what setting to have the camera on and does this make a difference to the computer screen. Should the camera be set to RGB or adobe? Sorry don't mean to hijack but thought it was a related question?

[CrazyCresties]

np tlc, hijack away :D

[Are You Serious Jo]

The default settings on the old CRT monitors were very accurate, but the new monitors aren't and need adjusting. All your colour profiles are best in sRGB (I've learned lately) because most print shops use it as do most browsers. AdobeRGB is better but unless you have a pro print place that can use that profile then stick with sRGB. I think that was why I have been having colour issues, I was using adobeRGB.

[tlc]

Jo that makes perfect sense, I had read something recently that said similar. So I'm guessing the cameras would be the same.

[Are You Serious Jo]

I've read that some people don't think it matters whether you have your camera set as sRGB or adobe but I think it must or they wouldn't bother with the settings. So I'd go through and check everything, don't forget to change adobe camera raw if you use that too.

[tlc]

Good idea, I must look at Lightroom too. To change it is it under settings somewhere in the bar at the top of the screen? I'll have a search for it.

[huga]

I use sRGB. I have never calibrated, but iMacs are pretty good right out of the box. I did send some test prints off to my labs, they came back spot on, so I didn't adjust anything. I do have my brightness right down to one bar though.

[kja]

I use spyder products.

Yes, macs will also benefit from calibration - they aren't magic ;)

Best thing to do is send off a few test prints to your chosen lab and make them tricky prints with lots of dynamic range and lots of black/white tones. If they are spot on, don't mess with things and keep the prints handy for reference. If they are off at all, calibrate.

To some extent you can pop stuff up on the net and ask people what they are seeing - really only works if other monitors are spot on, though!

I have one monitor (Asus) that was great right out of the box and one that has a temperament and needs to be calibrated now and again. I admit to being lazy and just using the Asus for colour work instead of recalibrating the other one, too LOL Works for me.

[CrazyCresties]

Ok thanks for the replies and advise everyone :D I'll send a few test prints off, see how they come back and take it from there. I think I remember a fairly recent thread about recommended print labs, so I'l choose one from there :)

[CrazyCresties]

So I ended up getting the X-Rite i1Display Pro and calibrated my screen last night. It was quick and fairly simple to use and the difference was obvious. The below image was one of the first I did on my new screen and it just didn't look 'right' when viewing elsewhere, now I'm a lot happier with how it looks. My screen was too bright and too 'colourful'. I still need to get some prints done to finish the process :)

Before

After

[Juddabug Whippets]

Perfect! It really has made a big difference!