Dear All,
I am trying to get to grips with Colour Management, as I keep getting prints that don't match what I see on the screen.

I must admit that I find the whole area extremely mystifing, and the more I read, the more confused I get. And I'm reasonably competent with digital imaging and IT. But I have a few questions:

1. I've got a 19" Samsung LCD, using it in subdued fluorescent light.

2. I've set up my Default Monitor Profile (Windows 2K under Display Properties/Settings/Advanced/Colour Managment) to the one supplied by Samsung sm193T.icm. I've tried creating my own using Adobe Gamma, Colorific, QuickGamma, but I cannot make sense of the various contrast/brightness settings - I just can't see the various shadings/lines they refer to)

3. I'm using I-Match image managmenet software. In I-Match/Program Preferences/Display, I've set the Monitor Gamma to 1.01 (can't actuall get it to 1.00). I assume this is what I-Match means when, on the Color Management tab, the yellow exclamation note says "Note: When using a monitor profile, you should set the gamma correction for your monitor to the neutral value 1.0 to avoid unwanted side effects." Or does it mean setting the value to 1.00 somewhere else?

4. In I-Match/Program Preferences/Color Management, I've ticked the Monitor color profile enabled.

Question 1. In I-Match, do I have to select the default profile (which in my case, would be sm193T.icm) from the text-box field below the "Monitor color profile enabled" checkbox? Or is this to be used when the "Monitor color profile enabled" checkbox is unticked?

Question 2. If yes, why? Can't I-Match just use the default set up through windows?

Question 3. I use a Pentax *ist-D. I've selected the Adobe RGB colour space, rather than the Adobe sRGB (only because this has been recommended in various places - not that I can see any difference). And now the file names start with an _Underscore. But when I load the files into Photoshop Elements via I-Match, there is no profile - I have to assign Adobe RGB using Elements? Is this normal, or is I-Match discarding the information from the camera when it loads the picture?

Question 4. What is the difference between .icc and .icm files? Are they the same? Why are they in so many different folders?

Question 5. Will all of this make my prints look like what I see on the screen?? I'm using a shop (Jessops) to do my printing - will their machinery recognise embedded profiles? Do I have to tell them I've got embedded profiles (they might think it's some strange desease!). Or is this whole Colour management thing only for someone doing their own printing?

Sorry for the long post.
Any answers will be greatfully received.

Many thanks, Dave

Hi everyone,
I have a nice *ist-D and wanted a nice case for it.
I have various camera bags but prefer, for everyday carrying, a normal soft case to cover just the camera + medium zoom (the "old-fashioned" type).
I was pleased to see that Pentax did do one - the O-CC10, so I ordered one.
I was most dissapointed when it arrived.
It just didn't fit. I can't explain why not, but it was so bad, I sent it back.
My questions are...
Did I have a one-off dud? Has anyone else experienced this?
I see that there is another case, CF-12 - is this any better?
Or will a Pentax case from another SLRT fit?

Regards,
Dave

An excellent set of photos.
I love the light - we don't seem to get that here in London!
Thanks, Dave

Great shame that the price drop was an error.
Long-term, with the competition from the Nikon D70 and recent poor reviews in the photographic (mainly due to it being overpriced), the high price of the ist-D must harm Pentax.
But who am I to question the marketing might of Pentax?

Anyhow, that's not why I posted.

I'm just looking on e-bay, and there are 3 ist-D packages going for £1099 (camera, 2 lenses, bag, card, etc.) - good value.

Worth a peep:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=30020&item=3815...

Dave

It's a competitive world.
With the Canon EOS 300D and the Nikon D70, and then the big drop of the Olympus E1...No choice for Pentax.
All the better for us.
Still, it gives you a sinking feeling in the pit of the stomach after having paid so much...
But wait 2 years and the ist-D2 (2nd-D? 2st-D? - ist-D isn't exactly a name for moving forward with) will be out at £500.
Best not to look at the prices.
Dave

Please can someone clarify something for me. What I state below is my understanding - please enlighten me if any of it is tosh.

I have a 15" 1024x768 TFT monitor.
I understand that these monitors (because they are not scanning like CRT screens) can only show their native mode accurately. This is because they are literally made up of 1024 x 768 pixels.

So any picture made up of more than 1024x768 will be compressed into 1024x768.

For displaying pics on a 1024x768 screen, would not the best results come from using the best resolution (*** in ist-D talk), and a size set to just within the size of the screen (960x640)?

I know that, for printing, L*** is best. So I shall probably take most of my shots at this setting in case I need to print. But sometimes, If I'm experimenting, I know I'll only be looking at the pics via the screen. Should I be using the 960x640*** for the best results?

Many thanks, Dave

Hi Matt,
Did you ever get to test the I-match software?
How did you find it?
I'm using Picasa and Paint Shop Photo album at the moment, but want something a little more extensive.
Does it have ist-D RAW support (website doesn't mention it)?
Regards, Dave

Jules,
Body only I'm afraid - I bought a lens (Sigma 18-50mm) here in the Uk. The 22.5% breaks down into about 4.8% duty + 17.5% VAT on the camera AND duty.
Customs don't stop everyone. You are taking a risk by doing it yourself.
And if you know someone in the US who can buy it for you via the internet and get it delivered to his/her house, then you'll save another $200 or so - it then starts to become more worthwhile.
Also, the GBP/USD rate has fallen in the last week or so - so it's about another £40 more expensive.
Anyway, best of luck in what you decide.
Dave

Dear Matt,
I immediately went out and bought one of the Sigma 18-50mm digital lenses. It had excellent reviews and was cheap.

I'm pleased with it, although I need to spend a good few weeks experimenting to see what causes the good/bad pics - me, the camera, the settings or the lens. I suspect the lens will be less to blame than me for the bad ones!

I had not considered SMC lenses - I don't know Pentax lenses (I was an Olympus man in pre-digital days), but from checking on Ebay, they seem to be the standard glass lenses of manual focus Pentaxes (comparable with my old zuiko lenses which were excellent). They are available cheaply, so I will take your comments on board - thanks.

I must say that I am pulled to the super zooms because of their convenience - "1 lens does (nearly) all". I can take a single, light camera bag with the camera+super zoom anywhere, and be ready to shoot at an instant. I'm not one to spend hours waiting for the right moment (which probably explains why I have so few great shots). Besides, my wife keeps nagging if I hang about!

Thanks for your help.
Dave

Jules,

To buy it in the US over the interent is the cheapest. But I didn't have anyone there who could order and pay for it. So I gave my friend the money and the address of a Ritz shop I found from the internet. (like Jessops, I think - ubiquitous, but not very cheap). The site is:

http://www.ritzcamera.com/

Click on the "Store Locator" in the top left hand corner.

He bought it from a Boston branch - it cost him (me) £1399 without the lens - about £770.

Be prepared to possibly pay another 22.5% approx for tax and duties.

Pentax UK will honour the US guarantee.

Hope all goes well.
Dave