Monitor calibration - LCD black point

[mrpink123]

Not sure if this is the right place to post this, but it seems the most relevant...

I'm trying to calibrate my Samsung LCD manually, to avoid the cost of a hardware solution. I'm trying QuickGamma (QuickGamma), but with my contrast at max, and brightness at 0 the black point on that software is nowhere near low enough. Even lowering the contrast doesn't help.

Basically it seems that my monitor is just too bright. Is this a common problem?

[Paulie-W]

Funny you should say that. I have had quite a few comments on my shots being dark, and guess what? I have a sammy monitor too. Model is: 2322BW. So maybe they are bright.

[mrpink123]

Just as an update to this, I have found that by using the brightness control in my ATI graphics card drivers I can lower the brightness enough. It does mean I can't use quick gamma though, so I have had to manually use gamma patterns on the net. I think everything is OK now, but those hardware calibrators look ever more attractive!