raindog

It is past time for me to invest in and learn to drive calibration software. I'm dumber than a rock on this subject. So, please offer your opinions and suggestions.

jdubu Loc: San Jose, CA

For me, it's a Colormunki.

With it, I can generate ICC profiles for any photo paper/printer combination I may have if I cannot get the profile from the paper manufacturer. It does a great job calibrating my monitors.

raindog

Thanks. Appreciated.

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

I successfully use the least expensive ColorMunki device & software called Smile: http://xritephoto.com/colormunki-smile
Available for $89 from B&H and other retailers:
http://www.google.com/search?as_q=&as_epq=colormunki+smile&as_oq=&as_eq=&as_nlo=&as_nhi=&lr=&cr=&as_qdr=all&as_sitesearch=&as_occt=any&safe=images&as_filetype=&as_rights=

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

The software/hardware suggested by Nikonian72 is reasonable ($)and sufficient. For those of you who want a zero cost workable calibration, use the monitor and/or software within your graphics card and/or monitor calibration ware. Great discussion:
http://www.pcworld.com/article/241957/how_to_calibrate_your_monitor.html

Have you considered going to the paint department, free multicolored sample, photographing using 5200K bulb (Walmart dayligt cfl or led is 5000K quite close) setting the monitor to match the paint samples photographed. The camera set to "daylight" white then calibrating the printer so that the total system is WYSIWYG, what you see is what you get. Subject to print is a team. At times the monitor may be offset to coordinate with the printer. Typically the monitors radiated image is perceived to be different from the printed paper's reflected image. Often by nature of our perception too bright.

Printer calibration, consult the manufacturers site and also google and find articles to read and self educate. Remember the subject, lighting, camera, monitor, edit-ware, and printer are all a team that must coordinate.
http://www.pcworld.com/article/181912/article.html

soli Loc: London, UK.

I have used a colormunki for some time with poor results for generating an ICC profile for my printer & paper. At the moment the prints are coming out too dark & no amount of tweaks are helping. Any help would be welcome.

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

Which printer? Which ColorMunki device?
ICC Profiles - Creation and Usage & Troubleshooting and Diagnostics = http://xritephoto.com/ph_product_overview.aspx?ID=1115

jdubu Loc: San Jose, CA

The main problem is usually comparing the backlit screen view with a reflected light print. Everything else being equal, your monitor display is brighter and more vivid than a print based on that display. I am not sure what tweaks you are trying.

Brightness is a bit more subjective than color calibration. If the colors are being faithfully reproduced, albeit darker, you can adjust the brightness of your monitor down or increase the brightness of file in post. I found on my Epson, an increase of brightness in PSCC of 35-40% gets me an equality of print vs. display. The colormunki gives me faithfully produced colors even when I use my own generated ICC profiles. Of course, I always include a Xrite colorchecker in my shooting process for clients because correct color is paramount in interior design.