Monitor Calibrator Returns: Ethical Or Not?

It is unethical to buy a monitor calibrator, use it, and then return it. However, calibrating a monitor is essential for anyone working in photography or videography. Regular calibration ensures that you always see the true colours of your work. While some expensive monitors designed for creative professionals come with their own monitor calibrator tools, in most cases, you will need to buy a separate monitor calibrator.

Is it ethical to buy and return a calibrator?

The ethics of buying and returning a calibrator is a complex issue that depends on several factors. Firstly, let's consider the intent of the buyer. If a buyer purchases a calibrator, uses it for its intended purpose, and then returns it within the retailer's specified timeframe, it could be argued that they are taking advantage of the retailer's return policy. In this case, the buyer's intent is to use and benefit from the product without committing to the purchase, which may be considered unethical.

On the other hand, if the buyer discovers a legitimate issue with the calibrator or is dissatisfied with its performance, returning it could be seen as a reasonable course of action. For example, if the calibrator fails to produce accurate results or does not meet their specific needs, returning it could be justified as long as they are honest about the reason for the return.

Additionally, the condition of the calibrator after use is also a factor in determining the ethics of the return. If the calibrator is returned in its original condition with minimal signs of use, it could be argued that the buyer is acting responsibly by not causing unnecessary harm to the product. However, if the calibrator is returned in a heavily used or damaged state, it becomes unethical as the buyer is essentially taking advantage of the retailer by returning a used product that cannot be resold as new.

Furthermore, the return policy of the retailer also plays a role in this ethical debate. Some retailers have strict return policies that only allow returns for defective items or within a specific timeframe. In such cases, returning a calibrator that was used and found to be unsatisfactory could be considered unethical if it violates the retailer's stated policy.

Lastly, it is essential to consider the impact of such returns on the industry and other consumers. Frequent returns of calibrators could lead to increased prices for consumers as manufacturers and retailers try to recoup losses. Additionally, the practice of buying and returning products for non-essential reasons contributes to a culture of wastefulness and may deprive another consumer of the opportunity to purchase that specific item, especially if it is in high demand.

In conclusion, the ethics of buying and returning a calibrator is a nuanced issue that depends on the buyer's intent, the condition of the returned item, the retailer's return policy, and the potential impact on the industry and other consumers. While returning a calibrator in certain circumstances may be reasonable, doing so without a valid reason or with the intention of exploiting the retailer's return policy is likely to be considered unethical.

What are the best calibrators in the market?

Monitor calibrators are essential for anyone working in photography, graphic design, or other visual arts and design fields. They help ensure that the colours on your screen are displayed accurately, which is crucial when editing photos or creating visual content. Here are some of the best calibrators currently on the market:

Datacolor SpyderX Pro

Ranked as the best overall monitor calibration tool by multiple sources, the SpyderX Pro is an affordable option that offers advanced features like multi-monitor support and ambient light monitoring. It uses a lens-based sensor system, resulting in increased calibration accuracy, especially in the lightest and darkest image regions. It also has a fast calibration time, taking less than two minutes to calibrate a monitor.

Calibrite ColorChecker Studio

The Calibrite ColorChecker Studio is an all-in-one device that combines monitor and printer calibration functions into a single tool. This makes it a convenient option for those who need to calibrate both their monitor and printer. While it is larger than typical monitor calibrators, it comes with a case for easy placement on your screen during operation. It offers quick and easy monitor and printer profiling, and you can save custom profiles for future use.

Datacolor SpyderX Elite

The SpyderX Elite is an advanced monitor calibrator that builds upon the features of the SpyderX Pro. It offers additional capabilities, such as the ability to calibrate your monitor to colour space standards like sRGB, Adobe RGB, NTSC, and Rec 709. It has a similar fast calibration time as the SpyderX Pro, taking less than two minutes. This option is ideal for those who need more control over the calibration process and for video editing work.

Datacolor Spyder X2 Ultra

The Spyder X2 Ultra is an upgraded version of the Spyder X, offering excellent calibration accuracy and a slick calibration process. Its primary improvement is its support for very high brightness monitors, making it suitable for users with super-bright displays. However, there are only incremental upgrades over the Spyder X, so users of the previous model may not find significant differences.

Calibrite ColorChecker Display Pro

The Calibrite ColorChecker Display Pro is designed for image quality purists who require top-notch calibration as quickly as possible. It is a comprehensive monitor calibration tool with extensive options for setting desired brightness, gamma, and white point values. It has two modes: Basic, which is fairly easy to use, and Advanced, which offers more technical options that may be daunting for some users.

Datacolor SpyderX Studio

The SpyderX Studio is an all-encompassing monitor calibration kit that includes the SpyderX Elite monitor colorimeter, a SpyderPrint spectrocolorimeter for print output assessment, and a SpyderCube for setting white balance and RAW image calibration. This kit ensures accuracy in exposure, colour, and print output, making it a valuable investment for professionals.

Calibrite ColorChecker Display Plus

The Calibrite ColorChecker Display Plus is Calibrite's top-of-the-line model, specifically designed for professional filmmakers, editors, colourists, and photographers using super-bright HD and HDR monitors. It can accurately measure luminance/brightness levels up to 2000 nits and offers higher accuracy in dark colours thanks to its black current subtraction technology. It is ideal for those working with HDR video and the latest super-bright screens.

X-Rite i1 Display PRO

The X-Rite i1 Display PRO is a versatile calibrator that can be used with laptops, desktops, and projector screens. It offers the ability to use the same profile across multiple displays and assess ambient light in your workspace. It also features Flare Correct technology, which adjusts the profile based on the glare on your screen caused by reduced contrast ratios. This calibrator is a good choice for video editors as well.

Wacom Color Manager

The Wacom Color Manager is designed specifically for Wacom Cintiq pen displays. It provides professional-level colour calibration, thanks to technology developed by X-Rite. It offers infinite customisable settings, manual colour controls, and compatibility with Apple and Android mobile devices. It also includes a display quality check feature to maintain accurate colour calibration over time.

X-Rite i1Studio

The X-rite i1Studio is an all-in-one calibration solution that combines monitor and printer calibration into a single package. It includes iOS smart device calibration, allowing you to download the ColorTRUE app and calibrate your mobile devices. It is a portable and compact solution, although the software could use some updates.

These are just a few of the top monitor calibrators available on the market. Each option offers unique features and capabilities, so the best choice for you will depend on your specific needs and requirements.

How does a calibrator work?

Monitor calibrators, also known as monitor calibration tools or colourimeters, are small devices that fasten to your screen. They work with calibration software to optimise display colour for your particular screen and your room's lighting conditions. Devices like the Datacolor Spyder and the X-Rite ColorMunki measure the ambient light in your room and recommend optimal calibration settings.

Before calibrating, it's important to let your monitor warm up for about 30 minutes, and to avoid shining direct light on the screen. The first step of the calibration process is to specify your monitor type and target settings. There is no such thing as pure white light, and the white point is the temperature setting (measured in degrees Kelvin) that determines the warmth or coolness of whites. If you're working with video on an LCD monitor, the recommended white point is 6500K or D65, while for still images, 5000K (D50) is recommended as it looks more like white on paper.

Gamma is the rate at which shades go from black to white, and a higher gamma value will produce greater contrast. The recommended gamma setting depends on the lighting conditions of the room in which the video will be watched. For a screen in a bright room, the recommended display setting is 2.2, while for screens in dark rooms, the recommended setting is 2.4.

Luminance, or brightness, should be kept consistent when doing colour correction. The recommended brightness for a standard LCD screen is 120. Once you've confirmed your monitor settings, the automatic calibration process will begin. The colourimeter will test your monitor's colours against industry colour standards, map the variations, and create a unique colour profile (also known as an ICC profile) for your monitor. With an accurate profile, you can pinpoint exact shades of colour and communicate those across devices.

It's recommended that you calibrate your monitor at least once a month to ensure colour consistency, especially as your monitor degrades and its colours change over time.

How often should you calibrate your monitor?

Calibration is not a one-time thing. To ensure consistently accurate colour accuracy, it is recommended to calibrate your monitor at least once a month or quarterly at least. However, if you are not doing any image editing or other colour-critical work, calibrating once or twice a year is fine.

Monitor output fluctuates, so you will need to recalibrate periodically. Most colourimeters will get the job done in a few minutes and remind you when another checkup is due.

If you are using a display for professional colour grading or print editing, you may need to recalibrate every month. Some high-end monitors have built-in colourimeters that can pop out and recalibrate on a schedule.

What are the benefits of a calibrator?

Monitor calibrators are essential for professionals working in photography, videography, graphic design, and other fields requiring accurate colour readings. They ensure that the colours displayed on your screen are accurate and consistent, enabling you to edit and view images with precision.

• Accurate Colour Representation: Monitor calibrators ensure that the colours displayed on your screen are accurate. Without calibration, your screen may have a warm, cool, reddish, or greenish tint, affecting the colours of the images you view and edit. Calibration removes any colour casts and ensures that you see colours as they truly are.
• Consistency: Calibration adds consistency to your workflow. By employing a common standard, it ensures that an image will look the same across different monitors and devices. This is especially important when collaborating with others or sharing your work with clients.
• Print Accuracy: Monitor calibrators help match what you see on your screen with the final printed output. By calibrating your monitor and using professional printing services that adhere to the same standards, you can trust that your prints will accurately represent the colours and tones you intended.
• Customisation: Monitor calibrators allow you to customise your display settings to suit your specific needs. You can fine-tune the brightness, contrast, gamma, and white point to ensure that your monitor is optimised for your work.
• Versatility: Monitor calibrators can accommodate different monitor types and technologies, including LED backlighting. This versatility ensures that you can achieve accurate colour representation regardless of your monitor's specifications.
• Time Savings: Modern monitor calibrators offer fast calibration processes, with some taking less than two minutes to complete. This efficiency ensures that you can perform calibrations regularly without it becoming a time-consuming chore.

While monitor calibrators are essential tools for professionals, they can also benefit enthusiasts and hobbyists who want to improve the accuracy and consistency of their work. By investing in a monitor calibrator, you'll gain peace of mind, knowing that the colours you see on your screen accurately represent the real world.

Frequently asked questions