Posted by Mark Seaver on February 26, 2012 at 6:54 PM
I have a new iMac 27 running Lion (OS 10.7). When I calibrate it, the software (Spyder3Elite v4.0.5) indicates that the recommended brightness is 120 footcandles/sq. meter under calibration settings, yet it then recommends 180 as the target setting after it measures the ambient light. I'm confused. Should I use 120 or 180 as the brightness setting or does this depend on the ambient light?
Posted by John Mumaw on February 26, 2012 at 7:49 PM
180 sounds too bright.
I have my brightness set at 115cd/m2 and I get a good monitor/print match.
I suspect that others here have close to the same and will be interested in seeing their replies.
I calibrate my monitor in a totally dark room so no light interferes with the process. I may be the rare bird that does this, but it works for me.
Posted by Michael Elenko on February 26, 2012 at 11:36 PM
120cd/m2 is within the generally recommended range for LCD monitors. 180cd/m2 sounds too bright. If your puck and software combo is accurate, it seems like your ambient light is too invasive. I calibrate my monitors at 120cd/m2 in the same lighting that I use when processing images: indirect and on the dim side, but not totally dark.
I would try 120cd/m2 and see how it serves you.
There should be a way to turn off the ambient light sensor. You don't want the screen brightness to change, if the ambient light changes. Next, calibrate your monitor in the ambient light that is present when you work with images, including when you print.
180 cd/m^2 is too bright, in my opinion. 110-120 cd/m^2 is a good range, as John and Michael have indicated. The other things that have an effect are contrast ratio and color temperature. My monitor is calibrated to 110 cd/m^2, 270:1 contrast ratio, 6500K at gamma 2.2.
You may have to experiment with different calibration target values to get the best match between screen and print. There is no 'one size fits all' scenario, unfortunately.
Mark, I had a similar result a long time ago with my Spyder3 Pro. I found that on the second step of the calibration process a setting had changed. In the calibration settings where the choices are offered up for ReCal - CheckCal - FullCal, there are Target Settings listed. If they do not indicate Gama 2.2 - White Point 6500k - Brightness 120 then you can change those just below that listing. Mine had changed to Brightness 180. All settings in that change area should be at the "Recommended" settings. Later in the process where it shows setting the Monitor Brightness it should show a scale of Target 120 instead of the Target 180.....
Mark, here is some more information with regard to settings and depending upon YOUR ambient light reading measurements. This is the listing for Spyder3 Pro. If your reading is Medium, then you could be setting the Brightness as high as 180 as stated below.
The recommended responses to respective ambient light levels 1 through 5 are as follows:
Very Low: appropriate for prepress image editing. Calibrate the display to a White Luminance level of 85-100 cd/m^2* and a White Point of 5000K (warm white) to compensate for the eye's cooler response at low light levels. LCD monitors (including laptops) can be used in this situation as well as CRT displays.
Moderately Low: dim, but appropriate for photo image editing. Calibrate the display to a White Luminance level of 125-150 cd/m^2 and a White Point of 5800K (slightly warm white) to compensate for the eye's slightly cooler response at moderately low light levels. LCD monitors (including laptops) can be used in this situation as well as very bright CRT displays.
Medium: appropriate for typical photo editing. Calibrate the display to a White Luminance level of 175-200 cd/m^2 and a White Point of 6500K (medium white) to compensate for the eye's moderate color response at medium light levels. Only LCD monitors (including laptops) can be used in this situation.
High: uncontrolled, not recommended for color critical work. Lower the ambient light if possible, otherwise use a monitor hood and calibrate the display to the maximum White Luminance it can produce and a White Point of 6500K or higher.
Very High: uncontrolled, not recommended for any color managed work. If you must work in these conditions use a monitor hood, umbrella or photographer's cloak and calibrate the display to the maximum White Luminance it can produce and a White Point of 6500K or higher.
Posted by Mark Seaver on February 28, 2012 at 4:46 PM
Paul, that's a lot of interesting info. Where'd you find that? It also seems that the settings at higher ambient light levels vary considerable from what is often recommended...120 cd/m^2 for photo editing. So more info, less clarity...typical.
Mark, that information was cut & pasted directly out of the "Help" menu on the Spyder3 Pro. Its located in the upper right hand corner of the main screen after you click on the Spyder3 Icon.
If you're getting readings of Medium the 180 range is not wrong IMO. You might try turning off all lights and see what reading the Spyder gives you when reading ambient light. That might give an indication as to whether the Spyder is seeing a true variance in the light levels.
As you've stated it's not always a clear cut process all the time. I've run mine at both levels, 120 & 180, I find the 180 works better for me. I do get a reading of Medium with my Spyder and leave it plugged in all the time in the same spot so it's constantly reading that light source from the same spot.
In my humble opinion, calibration settings are not a 'one-size-fits- all' proposition. There are simply too many variables involved. 120 Cd/m^2 may work. In Paul's case, 180 Cd/M^2 works best for him. In my own case, I use 110 Cd/m^2. Also, some folks calibrate their systems for Web (sRGB) and others calibrate for print using a wide-gamut color space and may use several different types of paper.
If you're getting readings of Medium the 180 range is not wrong IMO. You might try turning off all lights and see what reading the Spyder gives you when reading ambient light. That might give an indication as to whether the Spyder is seeing a true variance in the light levels.
Good idea, Paul. Personally, I have ambient light measurement/correction on my MultiSync turned off and calibrate to the settings mentioned in my earlier post. They work for me.
Discussion
9 repliesI have my brightness set at 115cd/m2 and I get a good monitor/print match.
I suspect that others here have close to the same and will be interested in seeing their replies.
I calibrate my monitor in a totally dark room so no light interferes with the process. I may be the rare bird that does this, but it works for me.
I would try 120cd/m2 and see how it serves you.
ME
There should be a way to turn off the ambient light sensor. You don't want the screen brightness to change, if the ambient light changes. Next, calibrate your monitor in the ambient light that is present when you work with images, including when you print.
180 cd/m^2 is too bright, in my opinion. 110-120 cd/m^2 is a good range, as John and Michael have indicated. The other things that have an effect are contrast ratio and color temperature. My monitor is calibrated to 110 cd/m^2, 270:1 contrast ratio, 6500K at gamma 2.2.
You may have to experiment with different calibration target values to get the best match between screen and print. There is no 'one size fits all' scenario, unfortunately.
--P
The recommended responses to respective ambient light levels 1 through 5 are as follows:
Very Low: appropriate for prepress image editing. Calibrate the display to a White Luminance level of 85-100 cd/m^2* and a White Point of 5000K (warm white) to compensate for the eye's cooler response at low light levels. LCD monitors (including laptops) can be used in this situation as well as CRT displays.
Moderately Low: dim, but appropriate for photo image editing. Calibrate the display to a White Luminance level of 125-150 cd/m^2 and a White Point of 5800K (slightly warm white) to compensate for the eye's slightly cooler response at moderately low light levels. LCD monitors (including laptops) can be used in this situation as well as very bright CRT displays.
Medium: appropriate for typical photo editing. Calibrate the display to a White Luminance level of 175-200 cd/m^2 and a White Point of 6500K (medium white) to compensate for the eye's moderate color response at medium light levels. Only LCD monitors (including laptops) can be used in this situation.
High: uncontrolled, not recommended for color critical work. Lower the ambient light if possible, otherwise use a monitor hood and calibrate the display to the maximum White Luminance it can produce and a White Point of 6500K or higher.
Very High: uncontrolled, not recommended for any color managed work. If you must work in these conditions use a monitor hood, umbrella or photographer's cloak and calibrate the display to the maximum White Luminance it can produce and a White Point of 6500K or higher.
If you're getting readings of Medium the 180 range is not wrong IMO. You might try turning off all lights and see what reading the Spyder gives you when reading ambient light. That might give an indication as to whether the Spyder is seeing a true variance in the light levels.
As you've stated it's not always a clear cut process all the time. I've run mine at both levels, 120 & 180, I find the 180 works better for me. I do get a reading of Medium with my Spyder and leave it plugged in all the time in the same spot so it's constantly reading that light source from the same spot.
In my humble opinion, calibration settings are not a 'one-size-fits- all' proposition. There are simply too many variables involved. 120 Cd/m^2 may work. In Paul's case, 180 Cd/M^2 works best for him. In my own case, I use 110 Cd/m^2. Also, some folks calibrate their systems for Web (sRGB) and others calibrate for print using a wide-gamut color space and may use several different types of paper.
Good idea, Paul. Personally, I have ambient light measurement/correction on my MultiSync turned off and calibrate to the settings mentioned in my earlier post. They work for me.
Cheers,
--P