I'm trying to find a color chart / target to calibrate my XL1s. I don't know the name of these, nor who makes them.

I've seen these in camera tests, where you can see how 'off' a camera is on color, line sharpness, etc.

I've seen tv camera crews (sporting events) use one to adjust exposure, color, etc.

Actually, I think the real buggers neding adjustment are my monitors and switcher display...a color chart like this would help.

Where do I get one, what brands are there, and what do you call this thing?

from ablecinetech, a site sponsor (http://www.abelcine.com/store/product.php?productid=10224&cat=0&page=1)
From B & H Photo and Video (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?shs=color+chart&ci=0&sb=ps&pn=1&sq=desc&InitialSearch=yes&O=RootPage.jsp&A=search&Q=*&bhs=t)

They're pretty expensive, you could also use paint samples from a paint store...they're free. You'll have to shop around a bit to get the right combination of colors to match the chart, but it'll do. Most important is white and black, the rest are for lining up on a vector graph (correct me if I'm wrong), so have to be the right colors, but a little experimentation should get you the right colors without too much hassle.

<right down here is where someone disagrees with me ;)>

Out of curiosity, would a Macbeth Color checker that is traditionally used for color film work for video? I never thought of it until I saw this post, and I got one at a used camera store for $5. Any thoughts? I know it wouldn't have anything for focus, but for color?

Thanks,
Kevin

I would think it would work just fine. :) Could calibrate your camera and workflow to it! :)

Our sponsor DSC Labs makes a variety of charts like these: http://www.dsclabs.com/chromadumonde.htm

If you need to match up multiple brands of cameras (in color), then the charts would be a fast way of doing it (along with a vectorscope or equivalent like DVRack).

However, one big issue with color accuracy is metamerism. And in most situations, you can't get accurate color because of metamerism / there isn't really accurate color. Though you can get into the ballpark. What happens is that the color of something is affected by the spectral power distribution of the lighting, (the object itself), the spectral response of your camera, the spectral power distribution (and color reproduction) of the end viewer's display, and the spectral response of their eyes (which can be different between eyes, and different in the central region versus periphery).

Google should have info on metamerism.

The following article has some great info on color matching.
http://www.filmlight.ltd.uk/documents/FL-TL-TN-0101-StdColourSpaces.pdf