24" iMAC and calibration

[Terri French]

I am considering purchasing the 24" iMAC. The display is of utmost importance to me as I want to use this computer for photo editing. I currently own an Eye One Display One. I see that there is a mac version of the software to run it.

Have you had luck calibrating your 24" iMAC? I've been reading that the display is bright and some have had trouble calibrating it. Just want to know if I will be able to get it to work.

 

[Gamey]

First thing I did with my 24" was to calibrate the screen using Monaco Optrix.
The Monaco profile is hardly any different from the Imac generic one.
The monitor is bright, but brightness does not mean that the colours are wrong. The monitor is just as bright as my Dell 24" one.
You will have no problems using it for photos, either in an amateur capacity or a professional one.

John

 

[atari1356]

The monitor is bright, but brightness does not mean that the colours are wrong. The monitor is just as bright as my Dell 24" one.
You will have no problems using it for photos, either in an amateur capacity or a professional one.

The colors may be accurate - but the screen brightness may be too much, even at the lowest setting for matching what you'll get out of a printer. You may end up with prints that are much darker than what you're seeing on the overly bright screen. (at least that's what I've gathered from reading this forum, and the Mac forum on dpreview.com)

I'm considering a few different options for a new Mac - the 24" iMac is at the top of my list.... but if getting accurate photo prints is a problem due to the screen brightness, then I'll have to go with something else.

At least one person has reported success with getting the brightness down to a level acceptable for print matching (by calibrating it with a colorimeter and the Color Eyes software):
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1017&message=20202902

It's kind of expensive though...
http://www.integrated-color.com/Mer...t_Code=CEDB&Category_Code=Display+Calibration

 

[cartel1]

I am using a little app. called Gamma Control, it's free from http://www.michelf.com/projects/gamma-control/.
I found this in another thread on the forums, I calibrated my 24" imac through the 'displays' preference pane and then you can use Gamma Control to dim the display down further and I've managed to get a really good match from screen to my Epson Stylus photo R1800.
The good thing is that you can turn Gamma Control on and off when it's running by clicking it's icon in the dock.
Also I have the screen brightness turned right down via the f14 function key. This all sounds a bit rough and ready but it works a treat for me when I'm using Photoshop for proofing, the rest of the time I use the imac with Gamma Control off.

 

[Kiscokid]

I havent even bothered/felt the need to calibrate - the screen is so good and the picture practically perfect compared to what I have had before. But I might check out one or two of these tips.

 

[atari1356]

I havent even bothered/felt the need to calibrate - the screen is so good and the picture practically perfect compared to what I have had before. But I might check out one or two of these tips.

Oh, I agree... a co-worker of mine uses a 24" iMac and the screen does look great. In most situations the bright screen is quite nice - it's really only a problem when it comes to print matching. Working with photos is my main reason for buying a new computer, so that's a big consideration for me.

One thing I did with the 24" iMac here is set it to use 2.2 gamma instead of 1.8 (using the Displays preference pane) - and I think it looks better that way.

I am using a little app. called Gamma Control, it's free from http://www.michelf.com/projects/gamma-control/.
I found this in another thread on the forums, I calibrated my 24" imac through the 'displays' preference pane and then you can use Gamma Control to dim the display down further and I've managed to get a really good match from screen to my Epson Stylus photo R1800.
The good thing is that you can turn Gamma Control on and off when it's running by clicking it's icon in the dock.

I'll have to look into that, thanks for the tip.

 

[Terri French]

Some great advice here

I am still concerned whether I can calibrate it properly if I get one, but sounds like it is possible. I am going to an Apple Store next week to check one out.