Monitor Calibration

[Michael Notar]

Do I need to calibrate third party onboard and production monitors?

I have computer monitoring software for my computer. is the process the same? Didn't know if the source would make a difference. Also I would have to connect to my computer over HDMI only, which I don't use in the field.

 

[Blair S. Paulsen]

Suggest you check out SpectraCal. They have a variety of tools at different price levels. Our very own Stacey Spears is a color scientist there, very well versed in what comes out of the monitor taps on REDs and even lives in Washington.

Bear in mind that even the most well calibrated field monitor is of limited value for judging color/contrast if you don't control the viewing environment.

Cheers - #19

 

[Marc Wielage]

Blair is a very wise man.

 

[Sergei Franklin]

If you are the original owner www.flandersscientific.com provides lifetime free calibration.

 

[Hrvoje Simic]

Do I need to calibrate third party onboard and production monitors?

That depends what they are used for, checking focus, framing, performance or overall image for DoP & clients and which of those cares to see an accurate image.

I have computer monitoring software for my computer. is the process the same?

No.

Didn't know if the source would make a difference. Also I would have to connect to my computer over HDMI only, which I don't use in the field.

For monitor calibration it doesn't matter. HDMI is more fragile
with reduced range and not designed or suited for the field.

 

[Mike Nagel]

Do I need to calibrate third party onboard and production monitors?

I have computer monitoring software for my computer. is the process the same? Didn't know if the source would make a difference. Also I would have to connect to my computer over HDMI only, which I don't use in the field.

U cannot fully calibrate the signal chain coming from a camera, as u cannot run patches originating on the cam for a display profile. (This is the culprit)

But u can calibrate on-board screens if they accept 3D Luts and u acknowledge that the SDI/HDMI out from the cam is NOT accounted for. If it was perfectly clean then that calibration is as good as it gets.

Lots of on-board screens are limited in their specs and performance.

Re necessity of it: it's nice to have but I don't judge color in a low spec /limited on-board screen on set...and color will be controlled in post anyways. Luminance is another story but u got scopes for that so the preview of a low spec screen is just that: a rough preview.

Re cal, especially 3D LUT cal: Lightspace, nothing else.