Monitor Calibration Systems

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Old Man River - 26 Mar 2006 09:39 GMT

Hello All,

Found out the information on my lens question. Now how about monitor
calibration systems. Really seem to be leaning toward the Spyder 2.0 PRO
setup. Any comments.

Thank you in advance.

Old Man River

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ian lincoln - 26 Mar 2006 13:26 GMT

> Hello All,
>
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>
> Old Man River

When i enquired about this at my photoclub i was advised against doing it
myself. You don't just attach calibrator and install software and click
calibrate. Best if you hire someone to do a full calibration. Not just
screen but printer and scanner too.

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John A. Stovall - 26 Mar 2006 14:55 GMT

>> Hello All,
>>
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
>calibrate. Best if you hire someone to do a full calibration. Not just
>screen but printer and scanner too.

If you are too dumb to calibrate your equipment you need to find a new
hobby.

Have you read this?

http://www.colorremedies.com/realworldcolor/

Signature

"Americans have plenty of everything and the best of nothing."

John C. Keats
American Writer
1924-2000

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Stefan Patric - 27 Mar 2006 04:05 GMT

>> Hello All,
>>
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> calibrate. Best if you hire someone to do a full calibration. Not just
> screen but printer and scanner too.

I don't know why your photo club would give such advice. The calibration
routine is an epitome of simplicity. And, yes, it is simply installing
the software, attaching the calibrator, "clicking" calibrate and following
the on-screen instructions. Of course, there are those, who are incapable
of following instructions. I don't know if this is caused by arrogance or
stupidity.

And, yes, do calibrate everything: monitor(s), printer(s), scanner(s).
And recalibrate everything periodically, but especially after installing
new ink in the printer.

Stef

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John A. Stovall - 26 Mar 2006 14:55 GMT

>Hello All,
>
>Found out the information on my lens question. Now how about monitor
>calibration systems. Really seem to be leaning toward the Spyder 2.0 PRO
>setup. Any comments.

Spyder is very good. I calibrated my monitor for over a year with one
until I got a Monaco.

Here is good review of your options.

http://www.macworld.com/2005/03/reviews/monitorcalibrator/index.php

But monitor calibration is just part of a color management system for
your prints. Every one doing digital photography and who is serious
about the quality of their prints needs to read this.

http://www.colorremedies.com/realworldcolor/

Signature

"Americans have plenty of everything and the best of nothing."

John C. Keats
American Writer
1924-2000

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Old Man River - 26 Mar 2006 18:31 GMT

Thank You John.

I have a friend you had the Monaco system, however, he upgraded to XP and
Monaco wanted him to buy the hardware/software all over again, instead of an
upgrade, and that pissed him off. I see a lot of this in the computer
industry, Intuit changes their online banking system every two years so you
are forced to upgrade if you use them for instance, forcing you to upgrade
the version to the latest. I piss them off, I upgrade every other year or
every third year, that way I am in control.

He went to spyder and has had excellent results and great support.
According to Spyder's website, the software will work on Vista, so I won't
have to upgrade later. My only concern is that I am going to move to dual
core and 64bit, so wonder about drivers for it.

On the other hand, Epson has already posted a 64bit driver for my new R800
printer so that is not going to be a problem. Drivers is where the rubber
will meet the road on upgrading to 64bit and dual core. Hardware companies
know, they will have costs associated with writing a driver for that
platform, and by not charging will loose money, so they make you upgrade by
not providing a driver for your somewhat older equipment. Helps their
profit motive. I think HP might pull this crap, so I have given up on
buying anything they make, plus ever since they merged with Compaq, the
quality is crappy and what used to be in the box (servers) is now something
you have to buy extra. Will build my own when the time comes.

Old Man River

>>Hello All,
>>
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
>
> http://www.colorremedies.com/realworldcolor/

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John A. Stovall - 26 Mar 2006 21:14 GMT

>Thank You John.
>
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>the version to the latest. I piss them off, I upgrade every other year or
>every third year, that way I am in control.

I use a Mac for all my photo work. :)

Signature

"Americans have plenty of everything and the best of nothing."

John C. Keats
American Writer
1924-2000

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C J Southern - 27 Mar 2006 06:36 GMT

> My only concern is that I am going to move to dual
> core and 64bit, so wonder about drivers for it.
>
> On the other hand, Epson has already posted a 64bit driver for my new R800
> printer so that is not going to be a problem. Drivers is where the rubber
> will meet the road on upgrading to 64bit and dual core.

If you're going the 64 bit way primarily to run photoshop then it's unlikely
you'll see any advantages until Adobe release a 64 bit version - you'll
still be limited to 3GB max program size - with the only benefit of extra
RAM under WinXP64 is that it acts as a disk cache.

> plus ever since they merged with Compaq, the
> quality is crappy and what used to be in the box (servers) is now something
> you have to buy extra.

Nah - they've been crappy all along.

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bmoag - 26 Mar 2006 19:43 GMT

Spyder or Monaco: either one used properly will improve your printing
immediately. Printing becomes predictable instead of a crap shoot.
The Monaco Optix XR budnle has a usable system for creating custom
printer/paper profiles using your flat bed scanner. In my experience this
has not been a great improvement over using Epson printers with Epson's
canned profiles but is a huge improvement used with Canon printers. Canon
only provides profiles, not all that stellar, for its own (2) paper
finishes. If you like to use special papers creating a custom profile with
whatever printer you use may save frustration.

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C J Southern - 27 Mar 2006 02:49 GMT

Hope you don't mind me posting the same reply as I gave to the last time you
asked this question ...

(Might pay to read it as the spyder you mention has been discontinued)

---

I bought it - and it does a good job. As to how well it works on an LCD
monitor - that really depends on what controls the LCD monitor has (eg can
you adjust individual colours?) - but if you've already got the monitor it's
going to be a moot point, as all calibrators will have the same limitations.

Having said all that, you might find the following news release of interest
(keeping in mind that the $250 mentioned is NZD - prob about $175 US)
...

Pantone release new "huey" monitor optimiser - for under $250
Pantone also had a big announcement over the summer - they have dropped the
ColorVision Spyder products and have joined forces with GretagMacbeth to
create the "huey".
Huey is an entry-level monitor optimiser that brings monitor profiling
within reach of everyone - from amateur photographers to gamers; although I
think an Eye-One Display 2 or an Optix Pro would be better suited for
serious amateurs and professionals.

The huey is a pen-sized monitor optimiser that is easy to install, easy to
use, and creates a monitor profile in less than three minutes. It also has
the ability to remain hooked up to the computer, automatically adjusting for
ambient light levels in the room.

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