Need a primmer on monitors and calibration methods: Need a primmer on monitors and calibration methods. Sold off some of my antique cameras and have some cash to spend on a good...

DIRTY HARRY Loc: Hartland, Michigan

Need a primmer on monitors and calibration methods. Sold off some of my antique cameras and have some cash to spend on a good monitor and monitor calibration capability. Right now I'm using a flat screen television screen and know nothing about monitor calibration. I know I can count on all of you for some good advice but please keep in mind, this is a hobby. Right now I have about $300.00. Thanks

Balboa Loc: NJ

I went through this a few years ago. After calibrating my monitor I did a test by viewing some of my pix on various other screens. I was a bit disappointed then it occurred to me that if you calibrate your display to spec and your liking you really have no idea what your pix will look like on other people's screens and this is true whether you calibrate or not!

DIRTY HARRY Loc: Hartland, Michigan

Balboa wrote:

I went through this a few years ago. After calibrating my monitor I did a test by viewing some of my pix on various other screens. I was a bit disappointed then it occurred to me that if you calibrate your display to spec and your liking you really have no idea what your pix will look like on other people's screens and this is true whether you calibrate or not!

This is what I've been thinking as well. I have a lap top w/ the TV screen and a desk top with a pretty good monitor, If I PP on the desk top the TV screen looks too dark, if I PP on the laptop the monitor seems to look okay?

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Balboa wrote:

I went through this a few years ago. After calibrating my monitor I did a test by viewing some of my pix on various other screens. I was a bit disappointed then it occurred to me that if you calibrate your display to spec and your liking you really have no idea what your pix will look like on other people's screens and this is true whether you calibrate or not!

Every monitor is different.
Look at the pictures on TVs on display in a store.

One can calibrate their monitor to their liking,
but it will not look the same on probably over 95% on viewers monitors.

jwreed50 Loc: Manassas, VA

Do you do any printing? If so, then calibrating your monitor becomes even more important so that "what you see is what you get." Calibrating your monitor will require the use of a colorimeter. Datacolor and X-rite both offer those devices, and a basic colorimeter will probably run you between $150 - $200. More advanced models will run higher than that. If you are serious about your "digital darkroom," the use of a good colorimeter really is essential.

cameraf4 Loc: Delaware

Longshadow wrote:

Every monitor is different.
Look at the pictures on TVs on display in a store.

One can calibrate their monitor to their liking,
but it will not look the same on probably over 95% on viewers monitors.

Suppose, just suppose, you use a "common" monitor calibrator like from Datacolor or X-Rite and you always "share" sRGB jaypegs? If you are sharing with other "discriminating photo enthusiasts" who also calibrate their monitors, how likely is it that there be some consistency?

Electric Gnome Loc: Norwich UK

If you calibrate your monitor, you will have the correct colour balance and brightness to view your images correctly, and they would look the same if printed. I calibrate my monitor and printer, result is I get exactly what I see on the screen when I print an image, first time every time. This has saved me a small fortune in paper and ink.
In addition, it is nicer if your images are correctly colour balanced and exposed, for professional labs, photo clubs, and if you sell your images.
Don't worry about what other people see, if their monitor is rubbish that is not your problem. We spend lots of money on great cameras and lenses and most would want the final image looking correct and at its best.
You can buy professional screens that are calibrated before leaving the factory and hold up pretty well, though they can be expensive. I have an Asus ProArt series monitor and would highly recommend them. I use x-rites i1 Studio device, which will calibrate screens, printers, projectors, and more if you wanted to. Ditched spider as I found it did not give the results I get from x-rite.
My i1 studio device has paid for itself in paper and ink savings.

DIRTY HARRY Loc: Hartland, Michigan

Electric Gnome wrote:

If you calibrate your monitor, you will have the c... (show quote)

Not that I don't appreciate you advice , but please keep in mind, this is a hobby. Right now I have about $300.00. I also nearly 80 years old and my widow and children wouldn't even know what to do with it...Thanks though.
DIRTY HARRY

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

cameraf4 wrote:

Suppose, just suppose, you use a "common" monitor calibrator like from Datacolor or X-Rite and you always "share" sRGB jaypegs? If you are sharing with other "discriminating photo enthusiasts" who also calibrate their monitors, how likely is it that there be some consistency?

BIG supposition. You should cut it into smaller pieces so you do not choke.

I only share with my friends on Facebook, whomever peruses my web site, and occasionally here, and always in sRBG format. The images are consistent in the fact that they get what I send/post. What happens if I calibrate my monitor and they have a lousy monitor?

Jaypegs, really???

Electric Gnome Loc: Norwich UK

DIRTY HARRY wrote:

Not that I don't appreciate you advice , but please keep in mind, this is a hobby. Right now I have about $300.00. I also nearly 80 years old and my widow and children wouldn't even know what to do with it...Thanks though.
DIRTY HARRY

Sorry I did get a bit carried away. With your situation in mind I would go and look at some in store but if I was to purchase from the net I would be looking at something like the ASUS PB277Q 1440p Monitor which should be around your budget of $300. I don't have any connection to Asus but have found their IT equipment second to none and reliable over years, also had a good experience when a monitor had one sub pixel out and although that's within tolerence and they did not have to replace, they did so quickly.

DIRTY HARRY Loc: Hartland, Michigan

Electric Gnome wrote:

Sorry I did get a bit carried away. With your situ... (show quote)

I just found a HUEY PRO that I bought a number of years , and computers, ago. Right now all I have is a a silver and black stick looking thing on a stand and a wire with a USP plug on the end. I remember using it for some kind of monitor calibration but can't find instructions or software. I sometimes I don't remember or comprehend like I use to. First question ... is it all there? second question , I'm running 64 bit and windows 10, where can I find the software. And thirdly I need instructions (U tube maybe?).
Thanks for your time hope you can help me out.

cameraf4 Loc: Delaware

Longshadow wrote:

BIG supposition. You should cut it into smaller pieces so you do not choke.

I only share with my friends on Facebook, whomever peruses my web site, and occasionally here, and always in sRBG format. The images are consistent in the fact that they get what I send/post. What happens if I calibrate my monitor and they have a lousy monitor?

Jaypegs, really???

Yes, Really. What format do you share on line? And you did read the part where I said that you would be sharing with folks who also calibrate their monitors, right?

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

cameraf4 wrote:

Yes, Really. What format do you share on line? And you did read the part where I said that you would be sharing with folks who also calibrate their monitors, right?

sRGB JPEGs. Everything is sRGB JPEGs. Everything is on-line unless printed on paper- Facebook, UHH, my website...

I did read that. So? They have calibrated monitors. Good for them.
I guess I should ask them so I can keep track of who does and who doesn't? Not.
I have absolutely no idea what kind of monitor, or if it's calibrated, people use to view my images, nor does it matter to me. (Translated: I don't care what monitor setup they use.)

lhardister Loc: Brownsville, TN

Electric Gnome wrote:

If you calibrate your monitor, you will have the correct colour balance and brightness to view your images correctly, and they would look the same if printed. I calibrate my monitor and printer, result is I get exactly what I see on the screen when I print an image, first time every time. ...
.

I know this must be a stupid question, but anyway here goes: I understand about calibrating a monitor, but how does one "calibrate" a printer?

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

Calibrating is only useful if you’re a perfectionist with printing, to get your print to look like your screen view. And even then it can be a bit off because of the difference in light source. One is backlit and the other is front lit.