Monitor Calibration Question

[xandy]

I'm trying to understand proper monitor calibration (in my case under OS X). I don't think I'm concerned enough to get a hardware calibrator, but just to get fairly accurate colors on my monitor. My big question is, how do I ensure proper color temperature when I have a monitor that allows me to set it AS WELL AS the software calibration in OS X? In otherwords, if I calibrate my monitor using ColorSync using D65, AND set my monitor's built in controls to 6500ºK, then am I not over compensating and getting an extra yellowish image? Any clarification would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[Mickey]

The only 'real' way to calibrate a monitor is to use a monitor spyder and software. You can use the build in software to calibrate but it will not even be close to true calibration. I think your on the right track though, set your monitor to 6500 and use the D65 in the calibration software. Your new profile will look way different then what your used to seeing on screen but after a few days your eyes will adjust to the color shift and it will fine.

At least your doing something to calibrate, most people don't do anything!

I bought a monitor spyder (CRT version) with calabration software on ebay for $40, (it was a awsome deal)
It is a http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/colorvisionmonitorspyder/ with OptiCAL software. That is what you want to look for!

http://home.wi.rr.com/mygraphics/konceptcreative.jpg

[casedsgn]

I think you're on the right track. Setting the monitor to the same tempurature as your target tempurature is probably the thing to do. Check out this tutorial for a breakdown of the entire process. www.computer-darkroom.com/colorsync-display/colorsync_1.htm (http://www.computer-darkroom.com/colorsync-display/colorsync_1.htm)

But if you want to get much closer to actual printed results, get a spectrophotometer like the pantone spyder. It's worth it!

[PrintDriver]

Large format lambda/inkjet guy asking question here...
This may be a stupid set of observations...

I think I understand pretty much about calibrating your monitor, but doesn't that just make it calibrated for one print process? I know what you see with a Spyder is pretty close to what the PMS colors and photo images are supposed to look like but you still can't expect the print to look like your monitor? Even if your printer is using the same calibration and an intense color management system?

When I have designers using my color charts instead of their PMS books to make color come out right on the lambda or inkjet printer, they freak out because the applied colors look so weird and different from the actual PMS colors they will get (that's why I'd rather have them pay me to do it.). It really takes a huge leap of faith on their part. And there are some PMS colors I just cannot hit. At all. The ones I can't hit vary with the different printers and the different media. Images are a completely different story. Sometimes the best option is to just proof em all. Someday though, someone will come up with a universal color management system. Until then we printers will suffer the monitor comparison in whimpering silence.

And if your monitor is calibrated but your hard copy printer isn't, what's the point? It really gets weird when people calibrate their monitor to their desktop printer then ask me to match the print. AAAAaaaagh!

Granted some calibration is better than none at all and at least xandy is on the right track. I've got one monitor that is a tiny bit too magenta no matter what I do to it so we use it to cut vinyl. No color calibration there. Either I have the color or I don't. LOL.

But for some reason, I can't see spending alot of money to do it just yet. A little maybe, but not a lot. Maybe this is just the way my side of the industry is at the moment.

Specialization is for insects...

R.H.

Post Edited (PrintDriver) : 3/16/2004 12:20:48 AM GMT