ColorChecker vs Built-in Camera Color Profiles in Lightroom

[dandaluzphotography]

Hey Guys,

How much better is the Colorchecker passport at calibrating different camera bodies than the built in calibration for the different bodies in Lightroom? Anyone have any experience with this?

Thanks,
Danny

 

[clanthar]

Color checker passport will allow you to build and edit custom camera profiles. It works well and is worth the effort if: big IF, BIGGER IF: IF you're working with a consistent and repeatable light source -- like studio strobes.

Otherwise you're going to have to make and edit a separate camera profile for: sun, shade, overcast, mixed sun and shade, morning, afternoon, evening, incandescent, fluorescent, the other fluorescent, and the fluorescent you missed, camera flash, etc..

Camera profiles are only as good as the consistency of an unchanging light source.

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I use the X-Rite i1 Pro system which allows me to do what you're considering. I ran a couple camera profiles. Before that I experimented with some other options, notably Adobe's DNG camera profile editor -- free download, but you need a target. I had the target (original color checker). It's a fun exercise for a rainy Sunday afternoon.

IF most of your work is in studio with your trusty (fill in brand) strobes, by all means do it -- well worth the effort.

IF you shoot under constantly changing light sources, I'd say it's not worth the effort.

Joe