how to calibrate monitor?

gameover · 1 Apr 2009 at 13:49

hi,
what is the proper way to calibrate a monitor? i always do it by eye, just to what looks best, but i am sure i am not doing it right. is there some software to help out?

tahnks

vcl_X1 · 1 Apr 2009 at 14:07

You can't really do it just with software, you need to measure the output from the monitor and so the answer depends on your budget.

I use a Spyder 2 pro.

Some of the purely photographic forums have a loan scheme but the wait might be a long one.

ecat · 1 Apr 2009 at 14:18

Unless you are doing colour critical work, or just fancy a play with a calibrator, the 'what looks best to you' method is as good as any other.

I have an i1 display 2 calibrator, mostly because I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. The temptation remains to twiddle and tweak so at the end of the day I still end up with what looks best to me

ViRuS2k · 1 Apr 2009 at 14:50

http://www.lagom.nl/lcd-test/

for the free minded

this test has great saturation and grey and black and white level calibration tests.

Baddass · 1 Apr 2009 at 14:56

also might be useful: http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/articles/calibrating.htm

ecat · 1 Apr 2009 at 14:58

ViRuS2k said:
http://www.lagom.nl/lcd-test/

for the free minded this test has great saturation and grey and black and white level calibration tests.

Very good site but beware of the grey scale test, last I looked some of the 'bands' were wider than others i.e. you may see some banding even if your monitor is spot on.

I forget the name of the other site I used in tandem with lagom, I'll dig it out from home later.

Edit:
IMO a better grey scale test, the black level test is a good one too

http://www.drycreekphoto.com/Learn/Calibration/monitor_gradient.htm

Jimbo Mahoney · 2 Apr 2009 at 15:29

ViRuS2k said:
http://www.lagom.nl/lcd-test/

for the free minded this test has great saturation and grey and black and white level calibration tests.

+1

Perfect for getting the monitor into the right ballpark for non-critical use.