Which Gamma for monitor calibration?

[qveda]

I am ready to calibrate my monitor using the Display LT I just received.

I've read tutorials and articles, but I'm still unclear about which Gamma setting to select for my Mac. -- 1.8 (Mac default) or 2.2 (PC default). My goal is to print reliably on printing services that I send images to, for which I have ICC's.

Is it just personal preference? seems that the printing service will simply send my image to their printer , and so it shouldn't matter which Gamma their PC's or Macs are using -- correct?

-Qua

 

[toxic]

i believe it is 2.2. it doesn't affect the printed image, it just helps you see the image as it would appear when printed.

 

[qveda]

i believe it is 2.2. it doesn't affect the printed image, it just helps you see the image as it would appear when printed.

That what I would have thought, but I'm not 100% sure.

1) Lets say you have a calibrated computer/monitor set up with Gamma 1.8 and you optimize your image for a particular printer profile. It should print out very close to what you see on the monitor.

Now, if you change re-calibrate the computer/monitor using Gamma 2.2, and optimize the same image for the same printer profile. It should also print out very close to what you see on the monitor - Correct? or Not Correct?

2) I don't expect to change Gamma's once I've got everything calibrated. But if I did, and wanted to print the same image to the same printer as stated above, I suppose I would need to re-optimize the image , because after re-calibrating to the new Gamma, the image might not look exactly the same as it did before. So it might need re-optimizing for the same printer profile. Correct?

May sound like I'm nit-picking, but I've seen quite dramatic differences in the appearance of an image depending on the printer profile. So I want to be sure to 'get this right'.

thanks!

 

[Phrasikleia]

That what I would have thought, but I'm not 100% sure.

1) Lets say you have a calibrated computer/monitor set up with Gamma 1.8 and you optimize your image for a particular printer profile. It should print out very close to what you see on the monitor.

Now, if you change re-calibrate the computer/monitor using Gamma 2.2, and optimize the same image for the same printer profile. It should also print out very close to what you see on the monitor - Correct? or Not Correct?

2) I don't expect to change Gamma's once I've got everything calibrated. But if I did, and wanted to print the same image to the same printer as stated above, I suppose I would need to re-optimize the image , because after re-calibrating to the new Gamma, the image might not look exactly the same as it did before. So it might need re-optimizing for the same printer profile. Correct?

May sound like I'm nit-picking, but I've seen quite dramatic differences in the appearance of an image depending on the printer profile. So I want to be sure to 'get this right'.

thanks!

These are very good questions, and I hope someone can answer them. Presumably, the gamma and the printer profile should work together so that WYSIWYG, regardless of which gamma you choose. But I'd like to hear someone who knows this to be true explain it.

 

[qveda]

The answer ....

I may have finally found the answer !
I called X-rite (makers of my Display LT). They explained that the 1.8 Gamma , often quoted as the Mac standard, is actually not recommended anymore. It was originally aimed at using with the Apple Laserwriters.

Now, only Gamma of 2.2 , and whitepoint of 6500 is recommended for calibrating your display.

 

[Phrasikleia]

I may have finally found the answer !
I called X-rite (makers of my Display LT). They explained that the 1.8 Gamma , often quoted as the Mac standard, is actually not recommended anymore. It was originally aimed at using with the Apple Laserwriters.

Now, only Gamma of 2.2 , and whitepoint of 6500 is recommended for calibrating your display.

They are so helpful. I am a big fan of X-Rite. They recently sent me a replacement dust cover for my colorimeter free of charge because the person I was speaking with happened to have one lying on her desk. Gotta love that kind of service.

 

[qveda]

They are so helpful. I am a big fan of X-Rite. They recently sent me a replacement dust cover for my colorimeter free of charge because the person I was speaking with happened to have one lying on her desk. Gotta love that kind of service.

Yes, I was also very impressed when I spoke with them, and plan to upgrade from Display LT --> Display2 right away. The s/w upgrade allows me to callibrate Luminance which the LT s/w does not. I feel that Luminance (brightness of the monitor) is really important for predicting how the output will look.