Finally I have left the world of crappy laptop monitors!
I have been calibrating my monitor, but I am not sure what luminosity range I am supposed to use, and what value I am supposed to use for my black point. Should these values be different when I edit for web presentation rather than for print?
As far as printing is concerned, I have an Epson R1800 Inkjet printer and I have assumed a ratio of 500:1 white to black - this is what inkjet printers apparently can do (according to "Color Management for photographers"). I use high brightness Hahenmuehle paper - so I should be able to achieve that.
My current values are 0.25 cd/m^2 for black and 130 for white ( a little more than 500:1).
Does this sound about right to you? Should I change for web?
Thanks,
Christoph
Posted by John Mumaw on August 30, 2008 at 8:07 PM
Congratulations on your new monitor!
When you say you moved up, you really moved up!
I just purchased the 2490 (didn't need an Adobe RGB match), so I've been researching the calibration issues myself.
Are you using the SpectraView II calibration software?
I am going to buy the Spectra View II software - I wish one could just buy the download - looks like the CD's are out of stock - except perhaps from NEC themselves.
Posted by John Mumaw on August 30, 2008 at 8:44 PM
This reply is only for when you receive SpectraView II. It comes right from NEC's Professional Display Support Chief (who provided outstanding tech. support on a Saturday!) regarding optimum settings:
John,
You asked how to create a target with:
A black level of .50-.60 cd/m2 An Intensity 115-120 cd/m2
I'm going to choose 0.50 and 115. The contrast ratio with these values is 115/0.50 = 230:1.
So in the SpectraView application:
1. Click the "Edit Target Settings" button. 2. Choose whatever gamma and white point you want. E.g. 2.2 and D65. 3. Select "Specific Level" in the Intensity group. 4. Enter 115. 5. Select 250:1 in the Contrast Ratio (closest to 230:1). 6. Click OK and save the Target under a new name. 7. Calibrate the monitor.
Your contrast ratio of 500:1 sounds way, way high to me, especially if soft proofing the image. Of course, the proof is in the printing, so I'll be curious to hear your results in the future.
Thanks for that John - looks like they have good customer service!
Hmmmmmm..... I am confused about the ratio, because a well respected book mentions that 500:1 can be achieved in inkjet printing. Well, I will see as things progress.
Posted by Mark Stahlke on August 30, 2008 at 9:38 PM
Regarding print matching and the tonal range of your printer, I recommend downloading Tim Grey's printer tonal range target. You can use this to find your printer/ink/paper/profile combination's true white and black points.
On my printer, I can see the difference between 255,255,255 and 254,254,254. At the black end I don't see any difference between 0,0,0 and 34,34,34.
Discussion
6 repliesFinally I have left the world of crappy laptop monitors!
I have been calibrating my monitor, but I am not sure what luminosity range I am supposed to use, and what value I am supposed to use for my black point. Should these values be different when I edit for web presentation rather than for print?
As far as printing is concerned, I have an Epson R1800 Inkjet printer and I have assumed a ratio of 500:1 white to black - this is what inkjet printers apparently can do (according to "Color Management for photographers"). I use high brightness Hahenmuehle paper - so I should be able to achieve that.
My current values are 0.25 cd/m^2 for black and 130 for white ( a little more than 500:1).
Does this sound about right to you? Should I change for web?
Thanks,
Christoph
When you say you moved up, you really moved up!
I just purchased the 2490 (didn't need an Adobe RGB match), so I've been researching the calibration issues myself.
Are you using the SpectraView II calibration software?
Congrats on your monitor too!
I am going to buy the Spectra View II software - I wish one could just buy the download - looks like the CD's are out of stock - except perhaps from NEC themselves.
John,
You asked how to create a target with:
A black level of .50-.60 cd/m2 An Intensity 115-120 cd/m2
I'm going to choose 0.50 and 115. The contrast ratio with these values is 115/0.50 = 230:1.
So in the SpectraView application:
1. Click the "Edit Target Settings" button. 2. Choose whatever gamma and white point you want. E.g. 2.2 and D65. 3. Select "Specific Level" in the Intensity group. 4. Enter 115. 5. Select 250:1 in the Contrast Ratio (closest to 230:1). 6. Click OK and save the Target under a new name. 7. Calibrate the monitor.
Your contrast ratio of 500:1 sounds way, way high to me, especially if soft proofing the image. Of course, the proof is in the printing, so I'll be curious to hear your results in the future.
Hmmmmmm..... I am confused about the ratio, because a well respected book mentions that 500:1 can be achieved in inkjet printing. Well, I will see as things progress.
On my printer, I can see the difference between 255,255,255 and 254,254,254. At the black end I don't see any difference between 0,0,0 and 34,34,34.