LCD Monitor calibration?

Q. Does anyone know a really god place or downloadable software i can use to calibrate this new alienware 1080p native resolution monitor?

A. You really need hardware to properly calibrate a monitor. Something like Spyder:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/ColorVision-S3X100-Spyder3Express-PC-MAC/dp/B002OCF57K/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1294076210&sr=8-2
or Pantone Huey:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pantone-MEU101-Huey/dp/B000CR78C4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1294076283&sr=8-2

They'd have you think that recalibration is necessary frequently, but for all but the most demanding uses (e.g. professional photography, in which case you need to consider your room environment and ambient lighting too), you probably just need a profile (.icm or .icc file). You could just borrow such a device if you can find someone who has one.

Having said that, Widows 7 does have some built-in calibration capabilities: see Control Panel, Appearance and Personalization, Display, Calibrate color.

Windows (all versions) comes with a variety of colour profiles, one of which may well improve your monitor display. Some LCD monitors have very strong saturation. Profiles are in C:\Windows\System32\spool\drivers\color and WideGamutRGB.icc may be helpful for you.

See "To enable or disable calibration loading by Windows" in http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Change-color-management-settings for how to apply colour profiles and calibrate colour in general.

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Monitor for Photography Viewsonic VP2650wb?

Q. I've been researching through high end professional color monitors for photography and this is my first time in this class. The question is: has anybody bought one of these and what are the results?
If not good can you give me other model and brand

A. CRT monitors are still the choice for accurate calibration of image files. There are a few LCD's that have a sRGB mode that can be used with some level of success if you are providing images for prints or posting on the Internet.

There is yet to be an LCD monitor that is calibrated for Adobe RGB for those who shoot for publications.

Here is a link that can help you. http://www.lagom.nl/lcd-test/

You will also find that a calibration device like the EyeOne2 or Spyder will be important if you want to make changes in image file contrast or colour accurately

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How is the Dell studio 17 for photography?

Q. Just need to know about the screen. I currently use a Dell monitor 17'' nothing really special and it's fine, I will still use it with my laptop but I'm wondering how much difference there is between the two.

A. Until the monitor is calibrated and profiled, NO monitor will provide you with the information you need if you are attempting to retouch image files or adjust colour. This applies to notebook computers as well.

Since the only LCD monitors that be used professionally by retouchers cost from $2,500 and up, most of us poor photographers still use CRT monitors that have been calibrated and profiled. We do this each week to assure colour accuracy.

Do you have a calibration tool like the Pantone huey, I1Display 2 or ColorMunki?

http://www.northlight-images.co.uk/reviews/pantone_huey.html

http://www.xrite.com/product_overview.aspx?ID=788

http://www.xrite.com/product_overview.aspx?ID=1114

The huge plus for the Studio 17 are as follows:

* Intel® Core™ i5 CPU
* 64-bit operating system
* 4-pin IEEE 1394 port
* 54 mm ExpressCard slot
* 8-in-1 Media Card Reader

I would add 6 gb of RAM if you intend to do any video or RAW file processing

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Where can I get a reasonably priced small computer monitor?

Q. I do basic troubleshooting for friends and family and sometimes come into the issue of their monitor doesn't work. Connectors and firmware aside, does anyone know where I could purchase a small lightweight computer monitor with VGA and/or DVI and/or HDMI inputs for testing purposes? The only lightweight monitors I can seem to find are USB-connected and powered and I would like to test the actual input device that people are currently using. Links to products are helpful and welcome!

A. 7 and 10 inch portable (12vDC) monitors for photography pros have HDMI inputs. They are less than $200 http://www.amazon.com/Lilliput-interface-dedicated-high-definition-Koolertron/dp/B0041I8UAO
http://www.lilliputuk.com/monitors/hdmi/fa1011/ price?
http://www.amazon.com/Coby-TFTV1923-19-Inch-Widescreen-Monitor/dp/B001R0MLCM I have this one, every input you can think of except DVI, but mine has audio amplifier not responding to controls, almost silent. It is a bit heavy.
http://www.amazon.com/Coby-TF-TV1925-19-Inch-720p-LCD/dp/B0037KLEKA/ref=dp_ob_title_ce newer model, less $ because no internal DVD player, no USB stick port, no SD card port.

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I need to ask a question about the Canon EOS 350D?

Q. Hi, I am new the world on cameras, and I bought this one as my second camera, and I have a very strong feeling that the only screen is the small one about the LCD monitor. Am I correct? Or is there a setting I can change to make the LCD monitor the screen like almost every other camera?

A. "screen"? "about the monitor"? Your question is very strange.

However, I will take a guess, anyway.

I would say you are asking about the viewfinder, and about something called "live view".
Your camera is rather old and basic (but that doesn't make it a bad camera), and it doesn't have that feature.
However, you are not missing out on anything.

"Live View" on a DSLR is not the same as the screen on a P&S.
You can hold a P&S at arm's length in the typical snapshooter's position (and that is such a bad technique), but thankfully you can't do that for very long with a heavy DSLR & lens combo.
Live view has its uses occasionally , for instance for macro shots, but it isn't instant like the display on a P&S, it sort of lags, and just doesn't feel right.
Live View is not meant to replace the view finder, a serious photographer uses the view finder because it is vastly superior, full stop.
I was excited about my first DSLR with live view, but very quickly gave up on it again - the view finder is so much better.

Your camera may be basic, but you have a perfectly wonderful learning tool - use it to your advantage.

Learn about your camera !!!!

Read your manual !!!! Read it several times, and practice in between. If you don't have a book, download a new one from the manufacturer's website.

Attend a class, read some books, read/watch online tutorials.

The major camera manufacturers (like Canon, Nikon, Olympus etc) all have very useful sections on their website for learning about photography.

http://www.nikonusa.com/Learn-And-Explore/Nikon-School/index.page

http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/oima_learn_center.asp

http://www.usa.canon.com/dlc/controller?act=HomePageAct

http://photographycourse.net/

Understanding at least the basic principles of photography (as well as being familiar with your camera) will enable you to make the most of your gear, and will make a HUGE difference to your images.

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is there a store where i can get a new screen for my digital camera?

Q. something happened to my digital camera and now the screen is cracked. my boyfriend got the camera for me for christmas and now i want it fixed because it doesn't have a lens that i can look through. it's a Vivitar vivicam 4100 with 4.0 mega pixels and a digital macro lens and TFT LCD monitor.

A. It can be replaced, but will likely cost as much as a new camera. Look in the phone book for a local Photography Repair Shop or at least a full service Photography Shop. These places are the best choice.

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what are some good tips for photography?

Q. I am doing a project for photography class and I need some tips to put in my presentation. Anything helps. The presentation is for people who have experience with photography but would like to improve their skills.

A. Hello Sarah Elizabeth:

As with most skills, photography starts with the fundamentals. A good photographer starts with the basics, practices and masters those basics, and then continually practices those basics while looking to improve.

Off the top of my head, here's what every photographer needs to learn first:

1) How to use their camera by studying their camera's manual (what a concept) to learn what every control does...
2) Learn composition--how to arrange your subject and other elements within your viewvinder before pressing you shutter release...
3) The nature of light, and how to work with it....
4) How to use flash--either the built in one that comes with most cameras these days, or a "shoe mounted" flash; if the camera can use one....

Now, as for your presentation... It's best to followed the "K.I.S.S." principle, which stands for "keep it siimple stupid."

Depending on how long your presentation has to be, I would take pictures that illustrate each of these four photography basics, and then mount them (via spray mount or other adhesive) onto either sheets of paper, or colored board for your presentation.

If you want to get a little more fancy and "modern" with your presentation... If you have Microsoft PowerPoint, or access to in; AND a computer connected to a video monitor or--better yet--an LCD projector, you can created a really simple (but effective) using that.

Hope this helps, and good luck with your project.

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What kind of camera should I look at buying?

Q. Hi everyone, I'm getting quite a bit into photography and I'm really wanting to upgrade to a better quality camera. At the moment I just have a small digital camera by Canon, which does the job but I am a bit limited as to what I can do with it because it's a camera more for somebody who just wanted something to snap some shots for memory's sake. So anyway I wanted to know which is better - Nikon or Canon, and generally what kind of a camera would be versatile, good quality, reasonable price and suitable for a beginner.

A. I will choose Canon.
Canon EOS Rebel T4i Digital SLR Camera Kits. From Amazon http://tinyurl.com/c3ad8dx

Kit includes:
� 1) Canon EOS Rebel T4i Digital SLR Camera Body & EF-S 18-55mm IS II Lens
� 2) Canon EF 75-300mm III Zoom Lens
� 3) Samyang 500mm f/8.0 Telephoto Lens (T Mount)
� 4) Transcend 32GB SecureDigital Class 10 (SDHC) Card
� 5) Spare LP-E8 Battery for Canon
� 6) Vivitar 58mm UV Glass Filter
� 7) Additional Vivitar 58mm UV Glass Filter
� 8) Vivitar RC-6 Wireless Shutter Release Remote Control
� 9) Rokinon M67 67" Pro Monopod
� 10) PD DSLR Camera Backpack Case
� 11) PD 2.5x Telephoto & .45x Wide-Angle Lenses
� 12) PD EW-60C Lens Hood
� 13) PD 6-Piece Camera & Lens Cleaning Kit
� 14) PD Memory Card Storage Wallet
� 15) LCD Monitor Screen Protectors

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