Colorimeter/Spectrometer Calibration Profiling Advice

[beebill]

I'm trying to figure out the most practical way to calibrate my screen and printer without going too far down the rabbit hole. I have a new 4k IPS monitor (ViewSonic VP3256-4K), and an old Canon Pro9000 Mark II. I primarily use Photoshop, and I plan on using OEM inks with Canon paper.

There are so many calibration devices out there, that I'm not sure exactly what to get. If I want to have a single device to calibrate my monitor and profile the printer, is a used Colormunki Photo a good choice? What's to consider in comparison to Calibrite's Display devices and X-Rite's i1D3? Are there other devices worth considering?

I briefly looked at used X-Rite ES-2000 i1Pro Rev E kits, but realized there are software licensing issues to consider which might lose out on the convenience of the commercial software. Would these still be a good option for using with Argyll and DisplayCAL?

Another option I'm seeing is the X-Rite i1Studio. I'm feeling pretty turned around with all these choices, not sure exactly what I should be looking for.

 

[thebestcpu]

Hi @beebill. There are a lot of experts on this site, so I am sure you will get good expert opinions. I am not one of the experts.
However, I would like to put an option out you should consider if you have not already.

With the cost of a photospectrometer to do paper profiling on your printer, etc., you could consider purchasing a brand new Canon printer that has supported ICC profiles for paper from Canon and many other paper manufacturers. Then, all you need is a device to profile your monitor, which is much easier.

I use that approach with my Epson P900. The time I saved in not profiling is spent on image post-processing/restoration and printing instead of profiling.

Yes, you can undoubtedly have more accurate ICC profiles doing your own ICC profiles. Yet, the question would be, can you tell the difference between the prints you make with a custom ICC profile and specific profiles already created for your paper/printer/ink combination? Most cannot tell the difference (that may be blasphemy on this site. )

So, instead of avoiding a big rabbit hole for a small rabbit hole, why not avoid rabbit holes altogether

Another way to think about it is this: If you fall off the boat, you could try to find the easiest way to learn how to swim, or... You could reach for the life preserver.

Just a thought
John Wheeler

 

[x64]

I briefly looked at used X-Rite ES-2000 i1Pro Rev E kits, but realized there are software licensing issues to consider which might lose out on the convenience of the commercial software. Would these still be a good option for using with Argyll and DisplayCAL?

You can check the list for supported instruments on Argyll, recently got a ES-1000 and had no issues calibrating and profiling using GUI DisplayCAL or command line Argyll.
It is not fool proof or intuitive at all, so it requires some reading and getting used to, or past experience to operate. But even with an old instrument like mine it does the job within my requirements.

The certificate that came with my instrument mentions it should have been recalibrated more than 10 years ago so that is something to consider. Depending on your needs that might be insufficient certainty.

 

[beebill]

Hi @beebill. There are a lot of experts on this site, so I am sure you will get good expert opinions. I am not one of the experts.
However, I would like to put an option out you should consider if you have not already.

With the cost of a photospectrometer to do paper profiling on your printer, etc., you could consider purchasing a brand new Canon printer that has supported ICC profiles for paper from Canon and many other paper manufacturers. Then, all you need is a device to profile your monitor, which is much easier.

I use that approach with my Epson P900. The time I saved in not profiling is spent on image post-processing/restoration and printing instead of profiling.

Yes, you can undoubtedly have more accurate ICC profiles doing your own ICC profiles. Yet, the question would be, can you tell the difference between the prints you make with a custom ICC profile and specific profiles already created for your paper/printer/ink combination? Most cannot tell the difference (that may be blasphemy on this site. )

So, instead of avoiding a big rabbit hole for a small rabbit hole, why not avoid rabbit holes altogether

Another way to think about it is this: If you fall off the boat, you could try to find the easiest way to learn how to swim, or... You could reach for the life preserver.

Just a thought
John Wheeler

I already ordered a new print head and ink, so I'm committed to this route for the moment. Thanks for the input though, I'll keep it in mind.

 

[beebill]

You can check the list for supported instruments on Argyll, recently got a ES-1000 and had no issues calibrating and profiling using GUI DisplayCAL or command line Argyll.
It is not fool proof or intuitive at all, so it requires some reading and getting used to, or past experience to operate. But even with an old instrument like mine it does the job within my requirements.

The certificate that came with my instrument mentions it should have been recalibrated more than 10 years ago so that is something to consider. Depending on your needs that might be insufficient certainty.

Would it be better to get an i1Studio and use the old ccStudio off Calibrite's website?
https://calibrite.com/us/software-downloads/

I'm seeing them go for ~$400.

On the otherhand, I'm seeing i1Pro2 (EO2-XR-ULZW) for ~$350 with the case, scanning board, holders, etc. But I'm worried Argyll would be getting in over my head.

I also discovered there's ViewSonic calibration software (Colorbration+) for my monitor that's compatible with these devices:
X-Rite:
- i1 Display Pro
- i1 Pro 2
- i1 Pro 3
- ColorMunki Photo
- ColorMunki Design
- i1Studio
Datacolor:
- Spyder X

 

[beebill]

I found this page on the Argyll website about compatible devices which I found helpful:https://www.argyllcms.com/doc/instruments.html#i1p2

And also this walkthrough of the different workflows on the LittleArgyllGUI website:
https://www.russellcottrell.com/photo/LinuxWorkflow.htm

 

[beebill]

For some reason my posts seem to be stuck in moderation, but I went ahead and installed ArgyllCMS, DisplayCAL, and ccStudio. I skimmed through some of the documentation for Argyll, and even found this PDF by Graeme for a symposium back in 2010:
https://www.argyllcms.com/doc2/FCMS2010_ArgyllTute.pdf

For some reason the document gets scrambled with my version of Chrome, but when I opened it with Microsoft Edge it displayed correctly. There's a flow chart in there that I think might be helpful in the future.

I went ahead and purchased an i1Studio with original packaging on eBay. It should give me a good amount of options. If I find Argyll too challenging, I'll be able to try it with ccStudio.

I'll also have my pick between DisplayCAL and Colorbration+ for my displays. Between the ColorMunki and i1Pro 2, the i1Studio was the most expensive at $400 total, but I think it'll be worth it if it arrives in good condition.

 

[thebestcpu]

For some reason my posts seem to be stuck in moderation, but I went ahead and installed ArgyllCMS, DisplayCAL, and ccStudio. I skimmed through some of the documentation for Argyll, and even found this PDF by Graeme for a symposium back in 2010:
https://www.argyllcms.com/doc2/FCMS2010_ArgyllTute.pdf

For some reason the document gets scrambled with my version of Chrome, but when I opened it with Microsoft Edge it displayed correctly. There's a flow chart in there that I think might be helpful in the future.

I went ahead and purchased an i1Studio with original packaging on eBay. It should give me a good amount of options. If I find Argyll too challenging, I'll be able to try it with ccStudio.

I'll also have my pick between DisplayCAL and Colorbration+ for my displays. Between the ColorMunki and i1Pro 2, the i1Studio was the most expensive at $400 total, but I think it'll be worth it if it arrives in good condition.

Here is another link quoted by many in prior posts on this site. An article by Anders Torger. It s a good read as well:
https://torger.se/anders/photography/argyll-print.html

John Wheeler

 

[beebill]

Here is another link quoted by many in prior posts on this site. An article by Anders Torger. It s a good read as well:
https://torger.se/anders/photography/argyll-print.html

John Wheeler

Thanks, I was wondering if there was a straight forward list of commands for an Argyll workflow. Very helpful.

The discussion on rendering intent was interesting. I ran across the Adobe paper on black point compensation at one point, and this puts it in context.

Lots of good info, appreciate it.

 

[thebestcpu]

Thanks, I was wondering if there was a straight forward list of commands for an Argyll workflow. Very helpful.

The discussion on rendering intent was interesting. I ran across the Adobe paper on black point compensation at one point, and this puts it in context.

Lots of good info, appreciate it.

Your welcome @beebill
I am leveraging the link from a prior post by @Ink stained Fingers so he deserves the kudos for previously providing the link.
John Wheeler