Monitor problems?

[ThomasL]

Hi,

I just wanted to ask if some of you know a site where you can test your monitor. I post-process my pix on different computers, and often am surprized when seeing it on another monitor. It's like each monitor gives me its own version of my pic. The contrast and saturation are different, sometimes even the sharpness. It's really not practical, as (obviously) I want other people to see my pictures like I see them on my screen. Can someone help me here? :(

Thanks in advance for your replies!

Regards,
ThomasL

[mossphoto]

Thomas-

There are so many variables...

<a href="
http://www.zonezero.com/calibration/english.html">Here is a good test pattern page.</a> Adjusting your actual monitor is another question all together. At least here, you can see just how off your is, if it is at all.

I use a professional system to keep mine calibrated, but unless you are a pro, where color is very critical, it probably isn't worth it.

If I were you, I'd Google "monitor adjusting (insert your brand and/or model number)" and see what you can find.

I'm sure you'll get other suggestions in this forum as well.

Good luck!

~Vic~

[rgarrigus]

Hi Thomas,

I use a monitor calibration software application called Spyder2Express. Depending on the type monitor you use it probably doesn't warrant spending much more than that. Some high end monitors like those made by LaCie come with their own calibration software. Realize though that you can have the best output possible on your own monitor but others viewing on uncalibrated monitors (like most people viewing the Internet) will not necessarily get the same result. There's not much you can do about that. Monitor calibration is important though especially if you send your images to have them printed. Its not a panacea but it can certainly help ensure that what you get in your print is as close as possible as what you see on your monitor.

Cheers!

Bob G.

[ThomasL]

Thanks for your quick reply! The link is not working so I post it again: <A HREF"http://www.zonezero.com/calibration/english.html">The link</A>.

I'm not a pro, but I do care about color and contrast. Otherwise I'll be over-contrasting/sharpening/... my pix. I'm searching for some software, I will continue googling ;)

Greetings,
ThomasL

[mossphoto]

Not quite sure what I did, but here is the link again: http://www.zonezero.com/calibration/english.html

[rgarrigus]

Hi Thomas,

Check out this review:

http://www.northlight-images.co.uk/reviews/spyder2express.html

Cheers!

Bob G.

[AdrianW]

As the others have already covered, the best solution is to use calibration hardware and software. Like most here I use a Spyder, in my case a Spyder 2PRO.

I suggest you use SaveForWeb and don't save an ICC profile, that way every browser will assume sRGB. Unfortunately most browsers aren't profile aware yet, so embedding a profile will only confuse things.

Sharpening is a problem, but not because of calibration. Sharpening is subjective. So what I see as being perfectly sharp, others might see as oversharpened, and a few may see as undersharpened. CRT monitors tend to prefer higher levels of sharpening than pixel based displays like LCD/Plasma.

[erdna]

Here is another one contributed by another member sometime ago, http://www.photofriday.com/calibrate.php

Andre'

[oochappan]

and another one:
http://www.eizo.nl/pool/files/nl/Eizo_Monitortest.zip