Monitor "darks" too black after callibration

After repeated calibration with a Spyder Elite I can no longer distinguish between the last two sections of the Test Strip with the 15 shades of grey (from pure black to pure white). The lighter end is fine. I never had this problem when I used the older Spyder2.

The more I read the more confused I get - what setting is it that I need to adjust during calibration to correct the too-dark darks?


Monitor - Lacie 320
I set the Gamma to 2.0 to match the profile supplied by the online printing service I plan to use - could this have caused the problem?

Any advice would sure be appreciated, I'm pulling my hair out trying to get my display straightened out. Thank you!

plbb wrote in post #11354767
I set the Gamma to 2.0 to match the profile supplied by the online printing service I plan to use - could this have caused the problem?

Yes. 2.2 is the standard now. This printing service directed you to change to 2.0?

What settings did you enter in the Expert Panel in Spyder3 Elite?

Chas,

Yes, they supplied a profile which I was able to match pretty closely. In a conversation with the tech he said their printers are set to 5500K and gamma 2.0 which I might want to do as well.

If this has made things darker then I'll change it back to 2.2.

Edit: Adding Settings showing in the Spyder Expert Panel
WP - 5500K
G - 2.0
White luminance - 105.0 (measured mode)
Black luminance - 0.21 (measured mode) I was trying to leave the Lacie luminance settings in their original settings as I used to with better display results

I decreased the monitor brightness to 96.4% from 100% manually on the display itself
Contrast and black level on the monitor manual controls are both at 50%, the factory settings.


Thanks / Pat

What I can't understand is why you're using the Spyder3 Elite instead of LaCie's own Blue Eye Pro calibration software and hardware. Aren't you aware that your monitor has a 12 bit internal LUT and can be hardware calibrated directly using the LaCie kit?

Using the Spyder3 Elite, you are only calibrating at the video card level. This is like using less than half of your monitor's performance potential. The Spyder3 Elite is the wrong tool for calibrating such a high end monitor.

http://www.shutterbug.​net …ware_computers/​0307lacie/

http://www.lacie.com …cts/product.htm​?pid=10900

Did 96% Brightness give you 105cd/m2 luminance when you were using the Spyder2? I would think this is far too high to hit 105cd/m2. According the specs, 100% is 280cd/m2.

No I sure didn't know I should be using Lacie's Blue Eyes calibration software. That will also tell you my level of understanding across the board.

I purchased the Lacie after researching it on this forum but never thought to ask about calibration. I was aware of their software post-purchase of course but just went along my merry way with the Spyder I already had.

I'll be selling the Spyder and buying the Blue Eye.

Thanks Chas, even tho I feel like an idiot, the easier I can get quality calibration the better; I don't think I'll ever fully understand colour management.

Unfortunately I can't remember and can't find that piece of info listed in my last calibration results.

I looked at this more and I think what you are asking about is the White Luminance. If so, it is indeed listed in the calibration info and the calibrated result was 104.7 .

I don't want to waste your time with my lack of understanding Chas so I am going to make the changes you suggested and go from there until I can get the better calibrator delivered here in Canada. I'll just keep studying and hope it all clicks for me one day. Appreciated the links you included as well.

Thanks so much for your help!!

Pat