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Color Calibration

R

rcolbert

Gawd
Joined
Oct 6, 2004
Messages
714
I'm not sure which thread it was in, but someone recently mentioned the Spyder Pantone color calibrator. I decided to get one and check it out. I am completely happy with the product. I was able to quickly and easily adjust my 2001FP and create a custom color profile for it that I simply could not have done with my own eyes.

Everything media oriented has seen a remarkable improvement. Pictures are a lot more accurate, and easier to predict the resultant color when printing. Video looks sharper and more alive. Games like HL-2 and even Doom3 are even that much more impressive. Overall it was ~$100 well spent.

Whoever posted the tip, Thanks!

best price I found was here http://www.shipdog.com/product.asp?i=GEU102
 
u spent 100 on a piece of minitor software? wow..im not flaming you..but u mind telling me why u just didnt use winows color editor and your monitors?
 
Because you can't get an "exact" monitor calibration only with your eyes. There is a limit to what can be done with hardware calibrators, but it's probably better than an eye calibration. I guess it depends on how you use you monitor: gaming or photo. If you value colors enough, it could be a great buy. I am looking at buying a hardware calibrator and was eyeing the Spyder because of its low price. I'm happy to hear it does make a difference.
 
Of course the Spyder is consumer-level, so it provides basic functionality when compared to a professional Pantone solution. However, the hardware component is huge. I can't imagine being able to create not only accurate monitor settings, but also an accurate monitor profile using eyes alone.

As for the cost, if you print digital pictures from time to time, you have much better odds of success on the first print if you know what you're looking at. In six months to a year you pay for the solution in less wasted material. You also can improve the overall quality of the output by editing with an accurate monitor. Video and Game image quality improvements are just a bonus. It makes me wonder how many people complain about crappy IQ problems like shadowing, black levels, false contouring, etc. not only due to the display characteristics, but also due to the huge discrepancy between the factory settings and the adjustments that it takes to render colors as near the pantone standard as possible.

If you care enough about your display to post in the display forum at the [H], I thoughtyou might want to know an easy and low-cost value add to the quality.

No one thinks twice about slapping a $50 aftermarket cooling solution on a $399 video card. Why not buy a $100-ish device to correctly calibrate your $500-700 display? (not to mention every subsequent display you purchase for the next 10 years, you friends displays, your parents and in-laws, etc...)
 
I've been thinking about picking one of these up since I saw it mentioned in a few threads here as well. Given how many monitors I have around here, and how often I notice differences in colors between them, this just might be a good solution considering its only 100$. Have to do more research :) . As a side note, how was your experience with that company when buying it?
 
Shipdog was fine on this transaction. I ordered in the afternoon. I rec'd a confirmation email immediately. I rec'd a shipping notice the next morning with a tracking number, and the package arrived ontime, well packed, and in pristine condition. Never used them before, but they met all the key points for a good web transaction. Never had any interaction with them other than submitting the order and receipt of the two emails, which is the way it ought to be.
 
Just got the Monaco XR Optix package this week. Not a bad kit. I was going to get the Spyder, but it got some mixed reviews. The Optix is now $200 from B and H Photo.

I think its worth the money, esp now with digital photography becoming mainstream.
 
Just got the Monaco XR Optix package this week. Not a bad kit. I was going to get the Spyder, but it got some mixed reviews. The Optix is now $200 from B and H Photo.
Click to expand...
What's included in the kit? Stuff for scanners and printers also? Is it the middle of the line product (prosumer) or is it more high end? Any beef or really great things about it.
Thanks.
 
Colorvision has just realsed the Spyder 2 Pro. It uses new hardware. I am currently using the spyder pro with the optical software and it works great. What differs between the consumer and pro packages is the software.
 
Nothing for scanner or printers this kit. I do graphic design and pre-press operations at a commercial print shop. We use Silverfast for scanner calibration (Microtek 9800XL) and our (digital) printers (RIPS) have built-in color calibration utility (EFI Colorwise).

Very nice equipment/software though, but very pricey for the home user. I used to use Adobe Gamma, but my eyeball has become un-calibrated from staring at a computer for hours at a time.

I can't suggest anything on the cheap though (sub $200). Monaco EzColor is one though system, Pantone's/Colorvision's PrintFix is another. Try browsing through: www.chromix.com for various solutions.
 
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