Thanks in advance for any help. I shoot with 6d and process with photoshop. I then print onto high end paper via Canon Pixma Pro-10. The prints do not resemble the image on the monitor. I have researched and learned that some monitors (like my surface pro) can not be calibrated. I want to purchase a monitor to view my true photos as they will be printed prior to printing so that I can stop wasting paper and reprinting every time the printed photo is off.
Are you planning to use a windows machine? Normal Laptop/desktop monitors should be able to be calibrated with a spyder or something similar. Calibration is a must... Windows is notorious for having issues with shadows and warm and cool tones on monitors with its native calibration and gama settings.
I should add here that you can quickly drop $1000+ getting a monitor branded as a photo monitor or an art monitor. But i think you can find something like an Asus ProArt display for around 300 like this that is already factory calibrated. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1630911-REG/asus_pa278cv_proart_display_27_wqhd_monitor.html/overview?ap=y&ap=y&smp=y&smp=y&lsft=BI:6879 This should do the trick, personally I would probably use my spyder just to see how close the profile is that it creates to the monitors native calibration.
check out Keith Cooper on youtube he has done quite alot on printing profiles and monitor calibration etc https://www.youtube.com/@KeithCooper BenQ sw series seem to be an industry fav for photo editing and printing, bare in mind though the screen and a print are lit completely differently so the colour and paper profiles are the key saying that benQ have high gamut monitors
Welcome to the forum,Atridoctor, your set up beats mine hands down. Personally I use an old TV for a screen. To calabrate the TV I take an image of a card with three opposing primary colours and adjust the TV to match those colour on a image of the card, its not perfect but you use what you have at hand.
Your resourcefulness is impressive, using an old TV and a DIY calibration method. It's all about making the most of what you have. Feel free to share any tips or ask questions – we're here to help!