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chasg · Apr 14, 2010, 10:52 AM

Hi All,

I've just finally upgraded to Snow Leopard (sitting now at 10.6.3), and I'm having strange colour problems.

I am using an Eizo CG222W monitor and have been calibrating using a Monaco OptixXR and Eizo's Color Navigator software (as of 2010-04-14, I have the latest "Snow Leopard compatible" version).

Under 10.5.x, all was well, but since updating to 10.6.x, I've noticed some strange things:

1) Dock and Finder icons seem desaturated somewhat (they certainly are not showing the same colour that they did under 10.5)
2) when I change display profiles in System Preferences

isplays, there is only a very tiny change (even if I try a profile set to 6500K, and then one set to 5000K). If I were to do this under 10.5, I'd see a very definite change in colour. The only way it seems that I can actually change display profiles is to make the changes in Eizo's Color Navigator. This is a departure from what I'm used to under 10.5.

Until I can understand what's going on, I am very uncomfortable trusting the system (I am a professional photographer, and if I'm sending out wonky colours to my clients, I'm going to be in trouble). What I'm seeing in Photoshop _seems_ to be correct, but I am well aware that the brain does a great job of adjusting to changes in colour, and I can't confirm what I think I'm seeing (that's what my calibrator and wide gamut monitor are for!!).

Can anybody point me to a definitive explanation? (or a fix, if what I'm seeing is an actual problem).

Many thanks in advance,

Chas

OreoCookie · Apr 15, 2010, 03:21 AM

One thing I can think of is that Apple has switched from gamma 1.8 to gamma 2.2. Photoshop to my knowledge overrides the gamma of the system and uses 2.2 regardless. Perhaps that could explain the perceived desaturation of the icons?

Thorzdad · Apr 15, 2010, 09:12 AM

I think Oreo Cookie has the answer. With SL, the default system gamma is now 2.2.
You can override this and re-calibrate your monitor and generate a new ICC profile specifically with a 1.8 gamma. Then, enable this profile under SysPrefs>Monitor>Color. This should, at least, force the monitor to look more like it did in your pre-SL set-up. In theory.

I'm not sure about PShop forcing 2.2 regardless. I think that depends on your Color settings. Probably on what your color conversion setting is...Adobe ACE? Apple ColorSync?

Personally, I think color management (esp. ColorSync) took a big step backwards in OSX, in terms of ease of use. I felt I had a better handle on things, system-wide, with ColorSync in OS9 (Please don't hate. I've been dealing with color for longer than I care to remember. This is just my gut feeling. I otherwise love OSX, k?)

ChrisF · Apr 15, 2010, 01:55 PM

Photoshop uses the gamma set in your display profile. Apple's default profiles are now 2.2 gamma, but it's still very possible to use a custom profiling tool to create a 1.8 gamma display profile. I'm not sure why you would though.
For the OP, you may want to verify your calibration device is still working properly but I suspect the reason you're seeing little change from a default Apple profile to your custom profile is indeed due to the change to 2.2 gamma. Remember that we only see color as relative, so your comparison is going to be different than it was in 10.5.x. What profile are you using as your comparison profile?
Eizo's Color Navigator is robust and shows you what the display adjustments are, so you can be pretty confident that it is working as it should if you don't get any errors. I trust you are using Color Navigator 5.4.2. "The latest version as of ___" isn't really a clear description.

Veltliner · May 13, 2010, 12:21 AM

I have color calibration problems as well.

Since Snow leopard I couldn't get a single working profile with my Eye One Display Two.

I didn't know about the switch to 2.2 gamma. Maybe this is the reason as my custom calibration profile is still from the time I was running Tiger.

Thorzdad · May 13, 2010, 06:40 AM

Originally Posted by ChrisF

...it's still very possible to use a custom profiling tool to create a 1.8 gamma display profile. I'm not sure why you would though.

Print work. 1.8 wasn't a number Apple pulled out of their rear. It's the gamma that's more compatible with offset printing, which was a very important market for Apple.

ChrisF · May 13, 2010, 06:58 AM

Originally Posted by Thorzdad

Print work. 1.8 wasn't a number Apple pulled out of their rear. It's the gamma that's more compatible with offset printing, which was a very important market for Apple.

That's what soft proofing is for.

Thorzdad · May 13, 2010, 07:13 AM

Soft proofing is great if your normal workflow isn't print-specific. Like if you mainly do web work but have an occasional print job. But, for instance, if you're working pre-press in a print shop, you're going to want a pure print-specific color workflow.

chasg · May 18, 2010, 05:35 AM

Oops, didn't realise that this thread had been replied to (full disclosure: I did get the notification email, put it aside to read later, and then forgot, mea culpa). I haven't fully read all the replies yet, I'll be back to read it more carefully. Very sorry to not acknowledge the time you've all put in, and I thank you for it.

Cheers!

Chas

angelmb · May 18, 2010, 01:03 PM

There is a technical note on this move (moving from the print standard to the digital display standard.)

Mac OS X v10.6: About gamma 2.2

Veltliner · May 18, 2010, 01:35 PM

This is probably the most important part.

Originally Posted by Apple

Mac OS X v10.6 uses ColorSync and color space information to correctly display your images on screen regardless of the display's gamma setting. Most photos and images will look the same as they did in earlier Mac OS X versions if they contain ColorSync profiles or color space tags.

In regard to custom calibration with calibration tools it's probably better to set the gamma to 2.2

dward · May 18, 2010, 05:36 PM

Thank you for this post. I am new to the forum,I just googled 0sxv10.6 and came up with this forum. I need help. I am a pro photographer, just purchased a new mac pro, with an eizo, having a night mare still. Color is off. I used a pulse ( xrite) older system. It still works fine on my IMac (2008 purchased) but, my new Mac, everythis is printing out with a hint of blue.
Just tried to change the gama to 1.8 ad yes the screen looks fine. When I printed on my 1900 epson printer , the prints look really dark.
This has been going on for 3 weeks. I spoke with Apple, Eizo , Xrite. Just sent more samples to three labs, hoping for a beautiful pic. After trying out the steps listed in the link Mac OS X v10.6: About gamma 2.2 from angelmb post, now my screen is all off. I've tried to reset everything back to my all calibration by clicking on it , the photos look funny color.
Any one have any suggestions. This has been pretty dissapointing, I thought purchasing a new mac pro with the cinema diplay 27 would be perfect. (I returned the display last week) thinking about getting rid of this mac pro two.

My Imac I purchased was almost a plug and play, I am so disapointed with this new lemon. OMG.. any suggestions. Thanks

dward · 06:45 PM

I've used the Xrite Pulse Calibration system, my monitor looks great. My main issue is , the screen looks great but the operating system is outputing blue .. EVERYTHING is off on both printers. My I Mac printed perfectly with out any issues, beautiful photos .

Can I down grade my operating system to the tiger, that I had for my Imac??? Thanks everyone!

Veltliner · May 19, 2010, 01:38 AM

dward, are you using the right printer profile.

And what paper are you printing on? There are profiles for this as well.

I agree, Snow Leopard is still problematic.