>I took a
4x5 transparent IT8 target and measured it
(yes, patch by tiny patch!) using
Measure Tool in conjunction with the
transparency function of Gretag
Macbeth's SpectroScan-T x/y table
device.>
That's quite an
accomplishment. I've got a Spetroscan T, but I've never has the patience to go
through with manually measuring a scanner target...my heads hurts just thinking
about it. ;-)
<a less
grueling route is to purchase one of Don Hutcheson's HutchColor HCT
scanner
targets (<http://www.hutchcolor.com/hct.htm>), each of which comes with its
own certified
individual measurements. They are available in 35mm,
medium-format, 4x5 and
5x7 sizes, and on a variety of film substrates (Kodak
Ektachrome, Fuji
Velvia, etc.). Prices range from $150 to $490. I have not
used them myself,
but I have read good reports from others.>
I've also got a few HCT scanner targets. For
a lot of images, an IT8 works fairly decent, but I certainly would recommend
Don's target for those who want to go the extra mile. Of course, this target is
just as suseptable to light exposure, ect, as an IT8 and may eventually need
remeasured if neglected.
Michael Eddington
North American Color, Inc.
ww.nac-mi.com
In a message dated Wed, 25 May 2005 12:15:48, Mike Eddington
wrote:
>> What's the expiring dates on Kodak Targets Kodak
IT8.7/1 and Kodak
>> IT8.7/2 have an expiring
date?
>>
>> I was wondering because I just received a new
target (reflective)
>> which seems to be batched measured in
2000/6 and it's acting a litlle
>> bit weird.>
>
> They
don't really have expiration dates as such, but the usable life of
> the
target is a "function of its exposure to light, handling and the
> storage
conditions used". Kodak recommends storing the targets (at least
> the
transparent ones) in a light tight, air tight container in a
> temperature
controlled environment...preferably a freezer (don't set the
> fish sticks
on top of it). If you think the target has been compromised,
> you could
have it remeasured. Anyone know how much it costs to get this
>
done?
When using these reflective or transparency targets to profile
scanners, I
personally don't trust that the specific individual target I have
in my hand
reflects the actual values listed in the reference
file.
Once, a few years back, I had an hour or so to burn, and perhaps
was also a
more patient fellow than the passing of time has made me now. So I
took a
4x5 transparent IT8 target and measured it (yes, patch by tiny patch!)
using
Measure Tool in conjunction with the transparency function of
Gretag
Macbeth's SpectroScan-T x/y table device.
(This is not for the
faint of heart: you need a steady hand, no
distractions, and unwavering
concentration, and I'm not kidding...)
I saved the measurements as a
reference file, which I then used to create
the profile for the FlexTight
Imacon scanner I was using at the time. The
results were quite good, so my
hard work paid off in the end.
That solution, though, only makes sense if
you already own the $5000-plus
SpectroScan T, or have access to one, like I
used to. If you do not, a less
grueling route is to purchase one of Don
Hutcheson's HutchColor HCT scanner
targets (<http://www.hutchcolor.com/hct.htm>),
each of which comes with its
own certified individual measurements. They are
available in 35mm,
medium-format, 4x5 and 5x7 sizes, and on a variety of film
substrates (Kodak
Ektachrome, Fuji Velvia, etc.). Prices range from $150 to
$490. I have not
used them myself, but I have read good reports from
others.
--------------
Marco Ugolini
Mill Valley,
CA
