I was just wondering if any OS X third party calibration apps existed. I have a Dell E228WFP (22") monitor, and I just realized that some of the colour is a bit more pink than you would expect. I calibrated it, and now the pink is almost a red colour...

The OS X calibrator doesn't seem to do that good of a job, so I'm wondering if any other software existed that could help.

Or some tips or tricks?

It really is a difficult task calibrating your monitor by eye. And there's no such thing as a software based solution that will give any satisfactory results since it still depends largely on the user to fine tune with our perception.

Best result is to get yourself a proper calibrator like The Pantone Huey reviewed by decryption. It's a great investment if your serious about your displays.

Tip 1: if you are calibrating by eye, try to get a truly neutral white or gray background behind the monitor. The colour that is in your peripheral vision will impact on what you perceive as 'correct' colour on the monitor.

Tips 2: beg. borrow or steal a professional monitor calibration device.

tip #3:
don't use the dell 22" its notoriously bad at colour representation... I own one and are admittedly a little disappointed in its colour.

What are you using it for?

Agree with all of the above re using hardware calibrator - it is definitely the way to do it right - but also find that I can get quite accurate and consistent calibration on my DELL 2007WFP just using the built in calibrator. It's not easy, you have to concentrate hard and do it slowly, but it is possible. I calibrate mine every few months and the profiles don't vary much at all.

Perhaps worth noting too that any hardware calibration system is going to cost you more than the monitor. I would just keep trying.

Huh? My eBay sourced 22" CRT was indeed slightly cheaper that my Monaco Optix colorimeter/software bundle, but that doesn't hold for most consumer (or better) 20"+ LCD screens. Let alone Apple displays.

Cheers
Steffen.

Yes but this is the entry level DELL.

Still, the E228 costs $499, a Pantone Huey $159, a Pantone eye-one Dispay LT $319 and a ColorVision Spyder2Express $189. Hardware colorimeters will make a huge difference, in my experience. Plus, using them is a snap and hence can be done frequently (as it should).

Cheers
Steffen.