LaserSoft Imaging

I have two IT8 targets, a C-ROES from 1999 and a Kodak from 2000.

Should I be using the newer IT8 target or does the date not matter?

Regards,

Eric Lawrie

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<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: EricLawrie on 2001-12-29 20:40 ]</font>

Eric,

IT8 targets tend to fade (at least that's what they say) so I'd use the newer one. If you're like me, and you religiously guard your targets, they should last you a couple of years.

Because of inks fading when exposed to light and chemicals in the air, they recommend that you get new targets each year, just as a you should get new Pantone swatches after a year. If you store them carefully, and like me only use them a few times a year, they should last you longer.

It also depends on how accurate you want your profile to be. I've heard of people that insist on a new target each time they calibrate. I think this is an overkill, because the calibration process already contains a small amount of error from the following:

IT8 target data is based on the average of a batch of targets, not YOUR target (unless you pay a few hunred dollars for a custom on) and the Analog to Digital conversion inside your scanner, as well as other minute things mess with the calibration. None of these things makes a very big difference, though, and either would a well-cared for target that is a few years old.

-Ian A.

Ian A.,

Many thanks for the clarification. A further question - is there a case for saying that newer IT8 targets more accurately represent newer film emulsions (such as Provia 100F and Provia 400F and the new Ektachromes such as 100V and 100SV etc...)?

Best regards,

Eric Lawrie

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<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: EricLawrie on 2001-12-29 21:01 ]</font>

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: EricLawrie on 2001-12-29 21:06 ]</font>

On 2001-12-29 20:58, EricLawrie wrote:
Ian A.,

Many thanks for the clarification. A further question - is there a case for saying that newer IT8 targets more accurately represent newer film emulsions (such as Provia 100F and Provia 400F and the new Ektachromes such as 100V and 100SV etc...)?

Eric,

There will those who tell you yes and those who tell you not really. If you REALLY want accurate calibration for these films - then contact Fuji they will sell you hand measured targets for Provia, etc at just over $500 per slide. Are they better? Yes! do you really need them - Hmm you decide if you have $500 to spend on one for each film.

When profiling the scanner most of us are "trying" to get close - perfection comes at a price!

BTW; use the Kodak target slide it IS a LOT better than the CROES version.

Ian L

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: ilyons on 2001-12-29 22:39 ]</font>

Ian L,

Thank you. Excellent reply and advice as ever.

Which brings me to a query regarding IT8 calibration with SF HDR. To IT8 calibrate the HDR version of SilverFast, I scanned the target slide using 48 bit mode in the Ai version of SF (HDR version of SF not having prescan) and saved the file. I then opened the file using the HDR version of SF and followed the IT8 calibration instructions in the SF manual from there.

Does this seem right?

Regards,

Eric Lawrie

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: EricLawrie on 2001-12-30 00:08 ]</font>

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: ericlawrie on 2002-01-01 23:34 ]</font>

I have been doing the same thing (Calibration in 48-bit mode). What you're doing makes sense to me. My further question is this: are the calibration profiles supplied by the manufacturer written using a particular gamma, and does this matter?

I use Silverfast Ai 5.5.1r03 for Nikon LS-2000 on a Mac as a Photoshop Plug-in, with my system set up for Gamma 1.8. I've calibrated my monitor with PhotoCal 2.3.

I just want to make sure that I'm using the right gamma for calibration and scanning. Should I export 2 ICC profiles, one for 48-bit scans and one for 36>24-bit scanning? HELP!

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: munchello on 2002-01-06 19:05 ]</font>