Monitor Calibration Tool
Aug 6, 2020 11:57:07 #
Although I'm a pure hobbiest, I've had requests for prints of my work. With that in mind, I would like to invest in a color calibration tool. I use a Benq SW24 and have the Palette Master software installed. It's compatible with tools from several manufacturers.
Prices are across the board. My question is what's the difference? What does everyone recommend for a non-professional that just wants some assurance the prints won't come back weird because my monitor is slightly whacked?
Prices are across the board. My question is what's the difference? What does everyone recommend for a non-professional that just wants some assurance the prints won't come back weird because my monitor is slightly whacked?
Aug 6, 2020 12:02:59 #
Aug 6, 2020 12:21:49 #
I have used both the Datacolor Spyder and the X-Rite i1 Display colorimeters. Both will get the job done, although I prefer the X-Rite i1Display. The X-Rite software seems a bit more user friendly, and the X-Rite i1 is a bit less finnicky than the Spyder.
Aug 6, 2020 13:02:06 #
jwreed50 wrote:
I have used both the Datacolor Spyder and the X-Rite i1 Display colorimeters. Both will get the job done, although I prefer the X-Rite i1Display. The X-Rite software seems a bit more user friendly, and the X-Rite i1 is a bit less finnicky than the Spyder.
Which Spyder? There is Express, Pro, and Elite.
Aug 6, 2020 16:08:56 #
larbear360 wrote:
Which Spyder? There is Express, Pro, and Elite.
I used to Spyder 3 Elite before I switched over to the X-Rite i1 Studio.
Aug 6, 2020 19:19:42 #
Check with BenQ to see which tools are recommended and compatible. I have a BenQ and use the X-rite i1, but I remember not all calibration tools work with it.
Aug 7, 2020 05:20:29 #
Money money money.. gadgets gadgets gadgets... why? The supplied software and also calibration charts do all that is needed and they are free. There is a limit to human perception and gadgets are not needed, especially considering that larbear360 said: " I'm a pure hobbyist" [yes, well, I am impure, more fun that way!]
If your prints are a bit off, one must compensate to get the "backlit" monitor image to be close to the "reflected" printed image. The printed image is also affected by the light in the room where it is being viewed. Come to a reasonable compromise. Also, like food, we often add spice to our prints by kicking the color and/or contrast. We live in real world, if you do not believe me, then ask your cell phone.
If your cell phone says "I am sorry Larbear, I can not tell you, that information is classified by Barr" then you know that the 2001 Hal Space Odyssey virus has infected your world.
https://medium.com/datadriveninvestor/123-e32aa90ba472
If your prints are a bit off, one must compensate to get the "backlit" monitor image to be close to the "reflected" printed image. The printed image is also affected by the light in the room where it is being viewed. Come to a reasonable compromise. Also, like food, we often add spice to our prints by kicking the color and/or contrast. We live in real world, if you do not believe me, then ask your cell phone.
If your cell phone says "I am sorry Larbear, I can not tell you, that information is classified by Barr" then you know that the 2001 Hal Space Odyssey virus has infected your world.
https://medium.com/datadriveninvestor/123-e32aa90ba472
Aug 7, 2020 06:54:41 #
BenQ monitors have pre-calibrated Adobe RGB and sRGB selections. Chose the Adobe RGB mode and adjust brightness to match your printout and see if that will satisfy your needs.
Aug 7, 2020 07:05:15 #
larbear360 wrote:
Although I'm a pure hobbiest, I've had requests for prints of my work. With that in mind, I would like to invest in a color calibration tool. I use a Benq SW24 and have the Palette Master software installed. It's compatible with tools from several manufacturers.
Prices are across the board. My question is what's the difference? What does everyone recommend for a non-professional that just wants some assurance the prints won't come back weird because my monitor is slightly whacked?
Prices are across the board. My question is what's the difference? What does everyone recommend for a non-professional that just wants some assurance the prints won't come back weird because my monitor is slightly whacked?
Being a pure hobbyist tells me little about your desire for color accuracy. You could be a pure but discriminating hobbyist, in which case your standard for color accuracy exceeds that of PHRubin.
Your display has an internal programmable 14bit LUT - the least costly option for proper calibration would be the Xrite i1 Display Pro. You can dismiss Datacolor (Spyder) as well as the Xrite ColorMunki products since they lack the capability to work with displays that have programmable LUTs.
Adorama and B&H currently has the best price - $250 and it includes a ColorChecker Passport to develop color accurate camera profiles. Normally the i1 costs around $260 and the CCP is $120.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1506569-REG/x_rite_eodisstuccpp_b_i1_colorchecker_photo_kit.html/?ap=y&ap=y&smp=y&smp=y&lsft=BI%3A514&gclid=CjwKCAjw97P5BRBQEiwAGflV6UCCFxfnWvCluBSlrbN6y__wUhVbr2g7ddu2NFlQ8qXhuRuaIjGUWBoCDRwQAvD_BwE
https://www.adorama.com/ghisstuccppb.html?gclid=CjwKCAjw97P5BRBQEiwAGflV6RzfViv6ckbqV-NQYBWHQ4ZvkSQZBm7QZgrtK0_JkiTGdR0qjdKHDhoC9qcQAvD_BwE&utm_source=adl-gbase
Aug 7, 2020 07:43:33 #
Jrhoffman75 wrote:
BenQ monitors have pre-calibrated Adobe RGB and sRGB selections. Chose the Adobe RGB mode and adjust brightness to match your printout and see if that will satisfy your needs.
Display settings drift over time, sometimes in as little as 3-4 weeks. The factory presets are for color spaces - they do not address individual color responses. I purchased a pair of Dell displays, with serial numbers that were only a few numbers apart - "factory calibrated" complete with calibration chart for each - and not only were they off from true calibration but they were off from each other. Testing for color accuracy against a printed sample is really only valid if the printer/paper/ink is properly profiled (more accurate), or if you use the printer's OEM driver, paper and ink (less accurate, but adequate for less critical color results).
Aug 7, 2020 08:40:08 #
I use the Datacolor SpyderX Pro with Palette Master software to calibrate my BenQSW240 monitor, and it works fine.
Aug 7, 2020 09:20:31 #
I use the Datacolor SpyderX Photo Kit.
See the cube? It allows you to calibrate all of your lenses to put out the same color profile.
Yes, lenses will differentiate from each other...this helps with your workflow...
See the cube? It allows you to calibrate all of your lenses to put out the same color profile.
Yes, lenses will differentiate from each other...this helps with your workflow...
Aug 7, 2020 10:50:25 #
Jrhoffman75 wrote:
BenQ monitors have pre-calibrated Adobe RGB and sRGB selections. Chose the Adobe RGB mode and adjugo on from there.st brightness to match your printout and see if that will satisfy your needs.
I have played around with the color space on both the monitor and camera. I just ordered a few prints from some recent photos I think look just fine. We'll see how they look and go from there.
Aug 7, 2020 10:54:45 #
Gene51 wrote:
Being a pure hobbyist tells me little about your d... (show quote)
Wow. Thank you very much for that insight!
Aug 7, 2020 10:55:53 #
Gene51 wrote:
Display settings drift over time, sometimes in as ... (show quote)
Ya, it didn't take long before the monitor started to display "Calibration Needed" upon start up.
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