monitor calibration without sensor gadgets

[Deejayry]

i'd like to try and calibrate my monitor so it gives a reasonably accurate colour representation but at the moment i cannot afford one of those automated gadgets like the Spyder.

i used the Nvidia monitor calibration tool, but i found that the displayed image seems to be low on gamma, resulting on my processed images looking a bit too bright and hazy when viewed on other computers.

can anyone suggest a good method for calibrating my display?

[basroil]

Get a Spyder or other calibrator, either borrow from a friend, buy an older one, etc. No other way to properly calibrate a screen

[Deejayry]

ok, i dont know many people who are serious enough about photography to use a spyder type gadget.

at the moment i dont have a job so theres no way i can afford to buy one even second hand, but i'll put it on my wish list!!

[JCH77Yanks]

i used the Nvidia monitor calibration tool, but i found that the displayed image seems to be low on gamma, resulting on my processed images looking a bit too bright and hazy when viewed on other computers.




Images edited on a calibrated monitor will always look too bright and hazy on monitors that are not calibrated.

[lukeap69]

There are cheaper alternatives. Try Pantone Huey...

[Badger49456]

You can try this in the meantime: http://www.calibrize.com/

[René Damkot]

Images edited on a calibrated monitor will always look too bright and hazy on monitors that are not calibrated.

No.
Too bright: Likely. Most screens are too bright out of the box, some ridiculously so.
"Hazy" however? No idea what you are referring to.

The point is there's no saying what an uncalibrated screen will look like.
Is it my grannies ancient CRT, or my nephews bright new and shiny gaming monitor?

First is likely closer sRGB and a whole lot darker then the latter. :p

[basroil]

No.
Too bright: Likely. Most screens are too bright out of the box, some ridiculously so.
"Hazy" however? No idea what you are referring to.

The point is there's no saying what an uncalibrated screen will look like.
Is it my grannies ancient CRT, or my nephews bright new and shiny gaming monitor?

First is likely closer sRGB and a whole lot darker then the latter. :p

Unless you're granny had a b+w CRT projection tv... probably more accurate era right?

[PixelMagic]

Take a look here: http://www.normankoren.com/makingfineprints1A.html


i'd like to try and calibrate my monitor so it gives a reasonably accurate colour representation but at the moment i cannot afford one of those automated gadgets like the Spyder.

i used the Nvidia monitor calibration tool, but i found that the displayed image seems to be low on gamma, resulting on my processed images looking a bit too bright and hazy when viewed on other computers.

can anyone suggest a good method for calibrating my display?

[René Damkot]

Unless you're granny had a b+w CRT projection tv... probably more accurate era right?

Magic lantern (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magic_lantern_(projector)) actually :mrgreen:

[JCH77Yanks]

No.
Too bright: Likely. Most screens are too bright out of the box, some ridiculously so.
"Hazy" however? No idea what you are referring to.

The point is there's no saying what an uncalibrated screen will look like.
Is it my grannies ancient CRT, or my nephews bright new and shiny gaming monitor?

First is likely closer sRGB and a whole lot darker then the latter. :p

Alot of LCD's I've seen have gamma set way too high and the contrast a little low when displayed in stores, or right out of the box. My father-in-law's monitor was really bright and "hazy".

[Deejayry]

Thanks for all of the replies guys, i have tried out loads of different software based calibration tools, but i cannot reach a setting that i am happy with, every time i try the screen looks totally different, although it does normally end up looking too dark, with white (255,255,255) displaying dim and with a yellowish tint.

It looks like i'll have to try and get my hands on one of the gadgets...

So does anyone have any recommendations? its my birthday next week so i might be able to persuade my parents and brother to club in and get me one.

also can anyone recommend a good supplier in the UK? my local camera shop does not stock any of these tools.