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Posts Tagged ‘XRite’

X-Rite releases i1Display Studio and Pro Plus color calibration systems for professionals

13 Sep

Color management company X-Rite has introduced i1Display Studio and i1Display Pro Plus, two new display color calibration products for photographers and other imaging professionals. The products offer advanced display calibration, the Pro Plus building upon the Studio’s features to include capabilities for professionals who use ‘super-bright, HD, and HDR’ displays.

The i1Display Studio features the i1 colorimeter for use with the i1Studio software, offering display calibration to ensure a consistent color profile over time. The product features Flare Correct, Intelligent Iterative Profiling, and X-Rite Ambient Light Measurement.

In addition to support for NTSC, PAL, DCI-P3, SECAM, Rec. 709, and Rec. 2020 video standards support, i1Display Studio allows users to control the color adjustment, color match up to four displays, validate results, and get reminders when it is time to re-profile a display.

i1Display Pro Plus builds upon these features, offering the i1Display Pro Plus colorimeter and i1Profiler software. This product adds support for accurately measuring brightness and luminance levels up to 2,000 nits, BT.1886 default gamma curve, and a new Black Current Subtraction tech that X-Rite says is particularly useful for displays offering close to zero black point, including OLED. The company includes a USB-C to USB-A adapter for USB-C compatibility.

Both products can be used to calibrate monitors, projectors, and mobile devices like tablets. The i1Display Studio is available now for $ 179 USD and the https://xritephoto.com/ph_product_overview.aspx?id=2640&catid=156&utm_source=Adestra&utm_medium=email&utm_content=i1Display%20Pro%20Plus%2C&utm_campaign=xrite_i1DisplayPro_pressrelease is available now for $ 299 USD.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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X-Rite announces new ColorChecker sizes

21 Jun

Color calibration specialist X-Rite has announced a range of new sizes in its line of ColorChecker reference targets for photographers and videographers, including Nano, Mini, XL and MEGA.

With the expansion of the line-up X-Rite is now aiming to target a much larger spectrum of photographic applications than previously. Here is an overview of the new options:

  • ColorChecker Classic Nano: 24mm x 40mm (1 x 1.75″) – for macro or close up photography.
  • ColorChecker Classic Mini: 6.4 x 11cm (2.5 x 4.25″) – for archival photography
  • ColorChecker Classic XL: 37 x 53cm (21 x 14.75″) – for photographers working in large studios, doing long distance photography or camera/lighting testing.
  • ColorChecker Classic Mega: 100 x 152cm (40 x 60″) – for photographers working on large sets and doing extreme distance photography or camera/lighting testing.
  • ColorChecker Video Mega: 100 x 152cm (40 x 60″) – for filmmakers working on large sets and doing extreme distance filmmaking or camera/lighting testing.

All ColorChecker Classic targets show an array of 24 natural object, chromatic, primary and greyscale colors, arranged in four rows. During capture or when editing it can be used to create custom DNG or ICC camera profiles, color grade video footage or visually compare, measure and analyze differences in color reproduction.

The ColorChecker Video was developed specifically for the filmmaker and includes chromatic color chips, skin tone chips and grey reference chips, allowing filmmakers to adjust exposure, match multiple cameras and speed up color grading. More information is available on the X-Rite website.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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X-Rite launches beta version of its custom ICC profiling tool with Capture One support

10 Jan

Color management and measurement technology company X-Rite has announced a new public beta release of ColorChecker Camera Calibration software version 1.2. This pre-release update includes support for Phase One’s Capture One software with TIFF file support, a first for X-Rite’s custom profiling tool.

X-Rite has been working on adding Capture One support to its custom camera profiling software for some time now and it’s finally here — at least in beta form. As is currently possible in the Adobe Lightroom and Adobe Camera Raw version of the ColorChecker Camera Calibration software, v1.2 adds the ability to create custom ICC profiles in Capture One with various camera, lens and lighting combinations.

X-Rite has created a helpful how-to video, embedded below, that runs through the process of creating a custom ICC profile using Camera Calibration software v1.2. There’s also a PDF version available.

To download the public beta release, head over to X-Rite’s download page. Keep in mind this is a pre-release program, so there will likely be a few bugs here and there. X-Rite requests users submit details when an error occurs to help further development.

X-Rite also notes a known issue with the Windows version of the ColorChecker Camera Calibration software wherein ‘the software cannot process a TIFF file larger than 150 megabytes.’ X-Rite suggests cropping or reducing the resolution if users run into this issue and notes the issue is currently being addressed.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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X-Rite launches the ColorChecker Video XL

12 Sep

X-Rite has announced the ColorChecker Video XL, an oversized color target designed for those shooting situations in which smaller variants won’t quite cut it.

The Video XL uses the same gray and color patches as well as skin tones as the standard ColorChecker Video but is simply twice as large. Features include two rows of six chromatic color chips, both saturated and de-saturated, skin tones ranging from light to dark, patches for even gray balance, including white, 40IRE gray, deep gray and high gloss black, six color chips for linear gray balance, and illumination check chips in the corners.

“The X-Rite ColorChecker Video XL is designed for those longer and wider shots when the space between your camera and subject is too great to capture a smaller target,” X-Rite says. “With ColorChecker Video XL, users can increase capture resolution for post, maintain the same lighting conditions falling on their subject, eliminate the need to move the camera closer or adjust focal length, and minimize color casting from surrounding light.”

X-Rite says the new tool can help video shooters and photographers set exposure, check highlights, shadows and mid-tones, achieve accurate color balance, match multiple cameras and edit for mixed lighting.

The ColorChecker Video XL is available now for $ 399. With a sleeve it is $ 429 and the bundle with a carrying case will set you back $ 495. More information is available on the X-Rite website.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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X-Rite unveils i1Studio: An all-in-one spectrophotometer that can calibrate all your devices

31 Oct

X-Rite has launched the i1Studio, an all-in-one spectrophotometer designed to make it easy to color calibrate a variety of devices—including projectors, scanners, monitors, printers, and mobile devices. The spectrophotometer is joined by new i1Studio software, the ColorTRUE Mobile App for calibrating iOS devices, and the ColorChecker Calibration for Cameras, a standard 24-patch target.

The i1Studio offers dedicated profiling for the aforementioned devices, as well as Black & White prints. Module features include ambient light measurement, Flare Correct, adaptive profiling technology, support for several video standards including NTSC and PAL, multiple monitor profiling, and extended user controls over luminance, gamma, contrast ratio, and white point.

The device’s related software is based on the platform X-Rite used for its 1Profiler software, promising a “perfect balance” between controls and automation alongside what X-Rite describes as a “streamlined user experience.” ColorMunki Photo & Design customers are offered a complimentary i1Studio software update, as well.

The kit is available now from X-Rite for $ 490 USD.

Press Release

X-Rite Announces its New i1Studio for Expert Color Results from Capture-to-Print

All-In-One color control solution with unmatched versatility for cameras, scanners, displays, printers, projectors and iOS mobile devices

X-Rite Incorporated, the world leader in color management and measurement technologies announces the i1Studio, an all new start-to-finish color management solution that delivers expert results from capture through to print.

The i1Studio enables exceptional color accuracy for photographers, filmmakers and designers of all levels to achieve consistent and predictable results across their workflow – saving time and money. The package comprises the i1Studio all-in-one spectrophotometer, i1Studio software, X-Rite’s market leading ColorChecker camera calibration tools and the ColorTRUE mobile app.

“Photographers tell stories with their pictures. Along with light, color plays an essential role in telling these stories. We want to make sure that your story is told as perfectly as possible, whether it’s color or black and white. Managing color should be easy with getting accurate repeatable results every time as the ultimate goal. i1Studio provides an intuitive, start-to-finish color management solution for every device in our users’ workflow so they can easily achieve this goal and get amazing results.”

Liz Quinlisk, Marketing Director Photo & Video, X-Rite.

The i1Studio package comes with:

  • i1Studio Device: The all-in-one i1Studio spectrophotometer is the only device creatives will need to profile their monitors, projectors, scanners, mobile devices and printers.
  • NEW i1Studio software for Displays, Projectors, Scanners and Printers: The i1Studio software, based on X-Rite’s award winning i1Profiler software, provides an easy to navigate interface that delivers expertly calibrated and profiled monitors (including video pre-sets), projectors, scanners and printers, including a new dedicated Black & White print module for creating custom profiles for five unique B&W looks.
  • ColorChecker Calibration for Cameras: The included industry standard 24 patch target allows creatives to create custom camera profiles, set a custom white balance and have a neutral starting point no matter what light photographers are shooting in for a more streamlined editing process. (Also includes Adobe® Lightroom® Plug-In)
  • ColorTRUE Mobile App for iOS Devices: A simple way to calibrate Apple® iOS mobile devices for a true mobile to desktop color match of all images. (Downloadable from Apple App Store)

X-Rite’s i1 brand has long been the choice for color perfectionists around the world and is now extended to the i1Studio.

Amongst its wide array of features, i1Studio includes dedicated profiling for Black & White prints, scanners, mobile devices and video monitors. The new i1Studio software is engineered on the same platform as X-Rite’s i1Profiler, offering a streamlined user experience with the perfect balance of automation and creative controls. This gives users more options and more control, while delivering prints perfectly matched to their creative vision.

X-Rite’s i1Studio is now available through our global reseller network and on xritephoto.com, xritephoto.eu and xrite.com.

Existing ColorMunki Photo & Design customers can obtain a complimentary upgrade to i1Studio software at xrite.com/geti1Studio.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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How to Use the X-Rite ColorChecker Passport to Obtain Perfect Color

11 Feb

There are two ways you can approach color reproduction in photography. The first is to try and reproduce the colors of the subject as accurately as you can. If you take a photo of someone wearing a red sweater, then you want the photo of that sweater to have exactly the same shade of red as the real thing. The other way is to produce colors that are pleasing to the eye, rather than accurate.

The key point to understand here is that your camera isn’t designed to produce accurate colors, it is biased towards the second approach. The reason behind this is probably quite simple. Camera manufacturers want you to be happy with the photos that your camera produces, and that means tweaking colors so that they look more attractive.

ColorChecker Passport & Lightroom

The way your camera records color is determined by the color and white balance settings selected when you take the photo. This is especially true for JPEG files – if you use the Raw format you have the freedom to change those color settings when you process the file.

Each manufacturer has a different name for the setting used to control color. Canon calls it Picture Styles, Nikon – Picture Control, Sony – Creative Style, Pentax – Custom Image, Olympus – Picture Mode and Fujifilm – Film Simulation.

Let’s look at Canon’s Picture Styles as an example (I’m familiar with these as a long time Canon user). Their neutral and faithful Picture Styles are designed to give reasonably accurate colors, but the others aren’t. Portrait is designed to give good skin tones, landscape for strong greens and blues, and standard to make good reds. You will not achieve accurate color with the portrait, landscape or standard Picture Styles, but you may well end up with pleasing colors.

But what if you simply want accurate color? There are a number of reasons why you might want to do this.

  • When photographing something that needs to be recorded accurately, such as product shots for a commercial client.
  • When photographing flowers, where it is very difficult to tell if the colors are accurate.
  • To make sure that photos taken with two different cameras match as closely as possible.
  • To simply start with a photo that has accurate colors as the first step in post-processing, so you can decide in which direction to go, from a neutral starting point.

The X-Rite ColorChecker Passport

The truth is that if you want accurate color, then for the reasons mentioned above, you can’t rely on your camera’s settings – you need some outside assistance. That’s where the X-Rite ColorChecker Passport comes in. This relatively inexpensive device is simple to use, and just as importantly from the point of view of a Lightroom user, integrates neatly with Lightroom.

The X-Rite ColorChecker Passport itself is made of grey plastic, and opens up to display the color patches shown here.

ColorChecker Passport & Lightroom

The ColorChecker Passport is easy to use. Simply take a photo of the Passport in daylight (using the Raw format), convert it to DNG (use the Export option in Lightroom to do so) and drag the DNG file to the ColorChecker Passport software.

ColorChecker Passport & Lightroom

The software creates a profile, calibrated for your camera, and stores it along with the other profiles found in Lightroom’s Camera Calibration panel. You’ll need to restart Lightroom to see it, but once you have done so, you can apply that profile to any photo taken in daylight with that camera. The profile is also available in Photoshop’s ACR if you need it.

Note: The software also installs a Lightroom plug-in that you can use to create the profile by selecting the photo containing the ColorChecker Passport, going to File > Export and selecting the ColorChecker Passport preset.

ColorChecker Passport & Lightroom

The next two photos show the difference that using the calibrated profile can make. Both were created from the same Raw file. The first uses the Velvia camera profile specific to Fujifilm cameras. The second uses the Camera profile that I created using the ColorChecker Passport. This photo has the most accurate color, although it may not be as pleasing to the eye as the first, which uses a profile designed to make the photo look good.

ColorChecker Passport & Lightroom

ColorChecker Passport & Lightroom

Dual Illuminant Profile

You can also create a different type of profile called a Dual Illuminant Profile. To do so, you need two photos of the ColorChecker Passport taken with the same camera at the same ISO setting, but under different light sources. One should be daylight, and the best light source for the second one is probably tungsten. A Dual Illuminant Profile is more accurate as it takes into account the way sensors record light differently, under different light sources.

Using the ColorChecker Passport for White Balance

The final part of the color accuracy equation is white balance. You really shouldn’t rely on your camera’s auto white balance setting, as it can be misled by scenes that have more than average amounts of colors like red or blue in them.

The ColorChecker Passport is small enough to carry around with you just about everywhere. That means you can use it on location, to record colors accurately, and set white balance. The Passport also has another panel that you can use to take a white balance reading, and create a custom white balance setting on location.

ColorChecker Passport & Lightroom

Alternatively, you can take a photo of the Passport’s color swatches in the same light as the subject, and use it to create a new profile. Then, in Lightroom’s Develop module, you can use the White Balance Selector to click on the 18% grey swatch second from left on the bottom row (indicated below). This method ensures both accurate color (from the profile) and accurate white balance (from the 18% grey swatch).

ColorChecker Passport & Lightroom

Have you use a Coler Checker before? Please share your experiences and comments below.


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The post How to Use the X-Rite ColorChecker Passport to Obtain Perfect Color by Andrew S. Gibson appeared first on Digital Photography School.


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Sekonic bundles L-478D/DR with X-Rite ColorChecker Passport in US

07 Mar

401-479CCPP.png

Sekonic’s Lightmaster Pro L-478D and L-478DR touch-enabled lightmeters are now available as part a $ 512 special edition bundle that also includes X-Rite’s ColorChecker Passport and White Balance Target. This offer is currently only available for US customers, who will save $ 50 compared to buying everything individually. The bundle also includes software to calibrate the meters and create exposure profiles for cameras. Current L-478D/DR owners can purchase the ColorChecker Passport and gray card for $ 49.

News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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X-Rite i1Profiler v1.4 features scanner profiling

26 Jan

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X-Rite has released i1Profiler v1.4, an update of its color management software for Mac and Windows to include scanner profiling. The update also extends support Mac 10.8x and Windows 8 as well as includes other improvements. Version 1.4 is available for immediate download from the company’s website.

News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Focus on Rick Sammon, HDR photography and X-Rite ColorMunki

18 Dec

Professional photographer and X-Rite Coloratti Rick Sammon talks about his HDR process, including how he uses the X-Rite ColorMunki

Chris Weeks has been sharing a whole lot of stuff with us, and mainly what he uses for assignments and now, video integration. In this segment, he shows a very simple, but potent street photography bag, and what he takes when capturing the human condition as he finds it. More photo goodness at photoinduced.com

 

X-Rite announces latest round of ‘webinar’ free online teaching sessions

19 Oct

X-Ritelogo.png

Color management company X-Rite has announced its latest round of online education sessions. The forthcoming ‘webinars’ cover a series of topics from monitor calibration to landscape photo editing in Photoshop. The courses tend to be around an hour long and are free (though it seems reasonable to expect some focus on X-Rite’s products), but with a limited number of registered places available. Previous events, including those conducted in French, German and Italian, are available in an archive on the X-Rite website.

News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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