Digital BW, The Print

In a message dated 4/28/08 8:46:06 AM, tfielder@... writes:


> I have a new 13" MacBook and a new 20" iMac desktop.   Can both
> monitors be adjusted and will both benefit from the Spyder3?
> 
Yes, and no. A calibration system can't make a graphics quality screen out of 
a consumer quality screen. The new 20" iMac is a consumer screen. It cannot 
be dimmed enough to offer full range of tones at appropriate color managed 
lighting levels. I describe it this way: Apple's Cinema Displays are the threshold 
of quality graphics displays, I recommend them to anyone who does not want to 
spend more on advanced graphics displays. The New 24" iMac is an intermediate 
grade display; not ideal for serious graphics work, but certainly usable. The 
new 20" iMac is a consumer quality display, not a smaller version of the 
screen i the 24" iMac. It is visibly variable from corner to corner, has minimal 
dimmability, and should really not be used for serious photo editing of 
graphics work. This is all assuming that the latest iMacs have faster processors, but 
the same screens they've had for the last year. I'd love to hear otherwise, 
but I can't imagine that Apple silently moved to a more expensive screen type 
for either model, they would note it in their improvements if they did.
> 
> I also understand that I should be able to add an external monitor to
> the iMac.  Do you have an opinion on the best monitor to add for
> photo-editing?
> 
I would certainly recommend an external display for photo editing, yes (see 
above!). As for what one, the answer is the most expensive (not the largest; 
thats inverse!) graphics display you can afford. Again, if you aren't going to 
spend more, then a Cinema Display would be a good starting point. Beware that 
having that bright iMac screen next to your dimmable graphics display will be a 
problem as well... the iMac will capture your eye's white balance and set 
your pupil's diameter, and otherwise interfere with seeing the right thing on the 
good screen.

C. David Tobie
WW Product Technology Manager
Digital Imaging & Home Theater
Datacolor
CDTobie@...
www.datacolor.com/Spyder3


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