TFT Monitor setup and calibration

trcooke · 2 April 2009 at 4:23PM

Afternoon all,

I know there's a few photographers on here so am hoping for a good result with this one. (Not suggesting I ever get bad results of course).

Can anyone recommend any tools or just give some tips on how to set up my TFT monitor properly to get the best out of it in terms of viewing photos with the most 'correct' colours and tones etc etc.

Thanks in advance
Tim

isofa · 2 April 2009 at 4:44PM

Hi Tim,

Datacolor's Spyder is a popular tool http://www.datacolor.eu/en/ - UK prices here: http://www.dpsb.co.uk

ColorMunki and Pantone Huey are two other popular ones: http://www.colourstuff.co.uk/index.php?cPath=35

Also http://www.displaymate.com/ is widely used to display test patterns/images - but not as accurate as the above devices as it's not "seeing" the monitor is output, instead relying on you to adjust.

Using a top notch LCD can make a world of difference, colour accurate displays from NEC have far more precise colour mapping than cheaper displays, and if money is no object then colour balanced displays from LaCie are the way to go: http://www.nativedigital.co.uk

aliEnRIK · 2 April 2009 at 4:46PM

If your REALLY serious ~ the Spyder calibration set is the best you can get

http://www.northlight-images.co.uk/article_pages/spyder2pro.html

aliEnRIK · 2 April 2009 at 4:47PM

Nice one isofa. Didnt realise we were on spyder 3

trcooke · 2 April 2009 at 4:58PM

Thanks very much for those. Unfortunately I'm not serious enough to actually spend money on it. I was hoping for some free test cards to download to be honest.

isofa · 2 April 2009 at 5:21PM

trcooke wrote: »

Thanks very much for those. Unfortunately I'm not serious enough to actually spend money on it. I was hoping for some free test cards to download to be honest.

Some free patterns here: http://www.lagom.nl/lcd-test/

chickmug · 2 April 2009 at 5:33PM

isofa wrote: »

Some free patterns here: http://www.lagom.nl/lcd-test/

Excellent site and I will work my way through it (well some of it) when I have time:beer:

trcooke · 2 April 2009 at 5:38PM

isofa that's just the job. Exactly what I was looking for. Thanks,

isofa · 2 April 2009 at 5:45PM

No problem, I find it impossible to set my PC LCD screen up spot on, (i..e to get all the whites and blacks visible) - not without burning my retinas anyway - yet the same monitor on a Mac performs almost perfectly, I also find the gamma settings, and colour in general more accurate on the Mac, which is why I use it for photography work - just my opinion though!

It's also worth printing a test target sheet to your printer (be it local or whichever photographic service you use) and then comparing, I have a good Kodak target which I had with a Linotype scanner - and these can be had for a few quid - there is also a decent test pattern with all Photoshop installs.

isofa · 2 April 2009 at 5:47PM

PS another good site (although a bit crazy in layout) is: http://www.normankoren.com/makingfineprints1B.html

trcooke · 2 April 2009 at 6:06PM

Once again, thanks. I'm working on a Linux machine here so will have to see how I get on with it. I'd like to think it is better than Windows (that's just my bias coming out there). I did do some similar setup years ago on Windows with a Sony Trinitron CRT and remember still being able to see the test patterns when I closed my eyes it was so bright.

Pennies are being saved towards a new Mac but in the mean time I'll make best with what I have.

TFT Monitor setup and calibration

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