I have a late 2012 27” iMac but I find the display shows my Photos much darker and more contrasty than my MBP 15” retina. I have tried calibrating the iMac display by Apple's method and using a Spyder 3 colorimator but these actually make the problem worse. An Aperture modified photo looks that fine on the MBP looks darker on the iMac as much of the shadow detail is lost. I spoke with Apple Support but they had no suggestions.
I have tried to set the White point and gamma indentically to the MBP but no help.
Anyone tried to use an iMac for photo processing?
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iMac monitor calibration
#1
Good news ( and somewhat less good news). My 27” iMac monitor is fine. I checked the display models at the Apple Store and they looked ok. They suggested I log in to a fresh “test” account on my 27 and the display looked fine.
It turns out when I imported my info from my old macpro, I included “settings”. I reinstalled 10.8 and reimported my apps and userdata but not “settings” and my display problems resolved!!!
I never would have guessed that could screwup the display.
Any question on how to set up a test account, I can help
With regard to moving photos back and forth; it’s supposed to be easy but I am still working on a workflow
Ron
This is a known issue with the new imacs.
I have a new 27inch at work with the same problem. I’ve heard from others that calibrating it works and I hope the spyder 4 we just ordered will solve the issue. I’m now concerned to hear that your spyder didn’t fix it.
I’m going to the apple store later today and looking at a number of machines in the store using this test to see how widespread the issue is:
http://www.lagom.nl/lcd-test/black.php
I need a new computer at home and as much as I want the new 27inch imac, I may have look at other options.
I, personally, am disappointed that apple is moving their focus towards the consumer market with their products, and leaving the professionals that rely on these machines to look for other options. Bright shiny screens with colors that pop look good to the consumer but not good for professionals that need accurate color.
Appreciate your response. I looked at the above link an it is clear there are no appreciable shades of gray. On the iMac there are no good ways to individually adjust the display. Let me know how it goes with the Spyder4.
Next day i am off I suppose I’ll schlepp the computer into the Apple store.
Ron
Does anyone know if this problem exists with the current 27” cinema displays ~ LED or thunderbolt?
Ron: So did you use any type of calibration device?
I’ve also recently purchased a 15” MBP with Reina display. The color differences with my iMac 27” display are obvious and I’m also looking for solutions. I’ve also been looking closely at the Spyder 4 colorimeter. Nancy, I’d very very interested to hear your impressions once you’ve tried it. Thanks
Ron, I hate to hijack this thread but since you have both devices, can you direct me to a quick reference on merging my iMac aperture library to my MBP. I have a USB to thunderbolt connector. Many thanks.
The spyder 4 pro helped a lot. It brought the dark grays in line with my previous 27inch imac and took care of the slightly yellow cast to the light grays. It is still a little contrasty compared to my 23 inch cinema display at home. But it definitely worked and I would recommend it.
I went to the apple store and pulled up that test website on 2 different new imacs and the thunderbolt display and all had the same issue with contrast and no shadow detail.
I really want the new imac for home but am thinking my current monitor is fine, and if i want a new monitor in the future I have more options if I buy a mac mini. It’s a bit of a compromise in gpu, but doesn’t look like there is a better option, and I can save quite a bit of cash this way.
Thanks, My main objective is to have the prints I order from my photo lab (Photopipe) to be more exactly like to image I see on my monitor. The mac mini joined a more photography friendly monitor is a great idea. I’ll keep that in mind for the future.