Please help! Matching LCD display to printer to real life

[Adam Hicks]

Semi off-topic, but I need help printing accurately from my Digital Rebel.

I just ordered a Canon i9900 wide format printer ( http://consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/controller?act=ModelDetailAct&fcategoryid=117&mode lid=9870 ) and I want to calibrate my LCD panel (Samsung 191n 19" display) with the printer so that I get as accurate as possible colors. In the past I've had weird problems with Photoshop and the image's embedded profiles.

What's the most economical way to calibrate the display and printer for true-to-life colors?

I've heard people say to shoot RAW, then convert to AdobeRGB in Photoshop and you'll get great results.

Any recommendations are greatly appreciated!

Adam

[ohenry]

The color space you chose to use is pretty much a meaningless choice if you haven't calibrated your monitor to properly display the images.

I have a Samsung 171P LCD monitor that I calibrate using a ColorVision Spyder with Photocal. I do shoot RAW with the camera set to Adobe RGB, I use Adobe RGB as my color space in Photoshop (convert to jpg in sRGB to display web images or email). I print using a Canon !960 on Red River Paper using their supplied printer profiles in Photoshop. The output of my printed images is REALLY close to the image that I see on my screen.

If you're serious about getting some decent output without a lot of trial and error, you really need to consider some sort of monitor hardware calibration system. As I said, I use ColorVision and am happy with it. I've heard positive things about Monaco's system. Additionally, if you're going to print your own prints with your inkjet printer, you should get a profile for your printer and the paper that you normally use.

[Adam Hicks]

That's where I think I'm headed, it's just frustrating to go by the calibration systems when they're something that I assume you only use once or twice? Wish I knew someone in DFW with a Spyder :)

How much are they anyways? Maybe I'll make the plunge and let others borrow it if they need it.

Thanks,
Adam

[cmM]

it's just frustrating to go by the calibration systems when they're something that I assume you only use once or twice? Wish I knew someone in DFW with a Spyder :)

How much are they anyways? Maybe I'll make the plunge and let others borrow it if they need it.

You will use it more than once or twice (it's good to calibrate a couple times a yyear depending on what kind of monitor).

I have a friend who owns a Eye One. It's great, but expensive as hell.