Do all monitors need calibration for photo editing?
Asked 4/16/2011
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I’m buying a new monitor to use with an Apple laptop and Adobe Photoshop. I’ve heard that some displays, including Apple displays, don’t need calibration. Is that true? If I want accurate color for photo editing, do all monitors need calibration, and what should I look for when choosing a monitor?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
15y ago
2 Answers
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The short answer is that yes, essentially all monitors need calibrating if you're going to do photoediting. Apple makes some decent monitors, but they're not particularly different from others, nor (specifically) any less in need of calibration than others. Keep in mind, however, that calibration isn't magic -- it won't suddenly make a really cheap monitor dramatically better. It tends to do the most good for monitors that are already quite good.
The good point is that calibrating does not take hours, or anything like it. It's more like 10 or 15 minutes. Probably half of that (or so) it does entirely on its own, so you just put the calibrator on the monitor, tell it to do its thing, and come back after a cup of hot chocolate (or whatever beverage you prefer). There is, however, typically 5 minutes (or so) at the beginning while you do some work (adjusting the brightness, contrast and color controls on the monitor).
Originally by user603. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user603
15y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
For photo editing, essentially all monitors benefit from calibration, including Apple displays. Apple monitors may be good quality, but they are not exempt from calibration if you want accurate color.
The good news is calibration usually does not take hours. With a calibrator, it’s often around 10–15 minutes, much of it automated.
Also, calibration is not magic: it helps a good monitor perform accurately, but it cannot turn a poor monitor into a great one. A display’s color gamut still limits what it can show. For example, a monitor with limited sRGB coverage cannot display colors outside that range, even after calibration.
When shopping, look for:
- good color gamut coverage (at least near-full sRGB; more is better)
- an IPS panel for better color and viewing angles
- support for monitor calibration if available
Many ordinary monitors rely on graphics-card calibration rather than true hardware monitor calibration, which can improve color but may have drawbacks. So if color accuracy matters, choose a quality IPS display with strong gamut coverage and calibrate it.
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AI15y ago
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