i1Photo Pro 2 vs ColorMunki Photo

[steverap]

I use a ColorMunki Photo to calibrate my gear (late 2015 iMac and Epson P800) but I am thinking of upgrading to the i1Photo Pro 2. Will profiles from the i1Photo Pro 2 be significantly better than those from the ColorMunki?

[Manfred M]

Yes, but unless you are working in a proper editing environment (constant dim lighting, neutral walls and work surfaces, etc.) you have so many other variables that are going to negate the benefits of a slightly more accurate profile.

Unless you have a very specific reason to upgrade, for instance software / hardware specific requirements. Some of the high end calibration / profiling software will not run under the ColorMunki nor will the high end computer screens with internal LUT capabilities, it probably is not worth your while to do so. With your iMac, you definitely don't need to go there as you are working with a decent, but sRGB only capable screen.

As for the printer, I have found that the manufacturer supplied paper profiles are good enough. If I went to a third party ink supplier, then I would have to do so, but I have always stuck with Epson inks on my 3880, so have not seen any reason to do so. If I were so inclined, I would probably go to one of the custom profile shops and have them make them for the two papers I use in my printing. It is far less expensive than doing customer print profiles myself and paying for the additional functionality in the profiling tool. The last time I checked custom profiles were running at between $35 and $50. Custom shops that print many different papers for commercial clients can justify that level of sophistication.

I think you would get better value out of spending the extra money and getting a decent AdobeRGB compliant screen for your system and marry that up with the i1 Display Pro, if required.