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Color Calibration Delta-E Values

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Advanced Calibration Targets



Calibration Instructions

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When the IT8 Calibration has been finalized, SilverFast will display a Delta-E value. Find out what this value exactly means.

What are Delta-E values?
During IT8 calibration, SilverFast shows a Delta-E value for the measured mean deviation. This deviation is the average deviation of the measured values from the expected values of the reference file for each color field.

SilverFast uses the calculated color values to characterize the way your scanner receives colors. SilverFast creates personalized ICC-Color Profiles for your device. The color management system in use utilizes this profile so that the colors displayed on your output device (printer or monitor) are represented accurately.

pic_deltaE_1_en (Please click to enlarge)


The Delta-E values usually range between 0.8 and 1.8. However, the exact value within this range of measurement is not all too important. This is because these deviations are difficult to notice, even for a trained eye. In any case, these deviations are recognized by the ICC profile and the color of originals is displayed properly. Delta-E values of up to 3.0 are in the normal range and offer no cause for concern. The calibration is there to, despite variations in the input, deliver accurate results.

The IT8 Part-2 targets have significantly more color fields and measuring points compared to the IT8 Part-1 targets and are thus more accurate. When a deviation in a color field is detected more surrounding points have to be adjusted for the ICC profile in order to create as smooth a curve for the measurement points as possible. Through such a deviation, the Delta-E value can be minimally higher in comparison to the Part-1 targets. The resulting ICC profile is nonetheless significantly more accurate and even more realistic in its reflection of the colors that your scanner sees.

pic_deltaE_2_en (Please click to enlarge)


The outer measuring points of the two curves are identical. The Part-2 curve is formed out of more measuring points than the Part-1 curve and thus reflects reality with more accuracy. Thereby, since more points are taken into account, the deviation is overall minimally higher - while in every case accuracy increases significantly.

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« This new target is a major improvement there compared to the original. »
Andrew Rodney, digitaldog.net
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Jerry_Greer « The full version with IT8 calibration is magnificent! Color is perfect most every time […] The IT8 calibration with the custom targets is by far my favorite tool. Color correction is a very time consuming characteristic of digital imaging and good scans equal less time in the processing of my images for faithful color rendition. »
Jerry Greer, Photographer


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