articles/Monitors/eizocolouredge-page4
by Mike McNamee Published 01/06/2010
Examining the patch report (see screen grab) indicates that it was mainly the very dark colours which failed to reach the 2.0 error value, the vast bulk of the gamut was easily within that value. The yellow borders flag >2.00; no red flags (>7.0) are lit up. The IT8/4 swatch set is intended for CMYK proofing and fills in the absent cyan data points from the Color Navigator validation but extends nowhere near as far into the outer reaches of the monitor's RGB gamut. Although the difference looks huge on the graph, it is barely detectable to the eye when viewing the monitors. When we set up deep cyans during our gamut testing we had a really difficult time differentiating the patches.
As a matter of interest another benefit of using a lower luminance is that the monitor should last longer; they fade faster at brighter settings, indeed the warranty of the Eizo is tied into the hours of usage and the luminance settings (yes it is watching you!). This poses an amusing question for Mac monkies, the latest cinema display is boasting about a luminance of 400cd/m2 - eye-searing, man!
Overall
We are at peace with our inner viewing-selves! Having passed the relevant certifications we have accepted the minor residual differences between proofs and monitors and we will see how we get on by experience over the next year or so. The Eizos are certainly a joy to work at (both of the authors came from LaCie CRT Electron Blues of eight-year vintage!). Perfect they are not, there is colour fringing of small text in dialogue boxes for example. One issue that has gone away is that of losing colour management settings and profiles by Vista, when the machines fire up they find and deploy the correct profile without any bother - whoopee! Knowing Microsoft there will be an update just around the corner that will scupper us!
There are 0 days to get ready for The Society of Photographers Convention and Trade Show at The Novotel London West, Hammersmith ...
which starts on Thursday 1st January 1970