Moniter calibration.

[PaulChubb]

Ok it woould apper that my screen is so very out so that time has come to invest in a calabration unit.

Any sugestions? And how exactly do they work?

[Chris Hawkins]

Paul, a good idea. I just done some research and bought the Spyder2 Express.

Bought it from here:

http://shop.colourconfidence.com/section.php?xSec=56

for £57 + VAT.

Device that comes with it is same as the Pro version which costs nearly £200 - onlt the s/w is different. Just place it on your monitor and run the programme - it's that easy. Hope that helps. Chris.

[StuartR]

I use a Pantone Huey which is probably the cheapest hardware monitor calibration tool out there. It's made a big difference to my photography - I was trying to correct colour casts in my pictures that just weren't there - my monitor was well adrift. I also get better matched (with the screen) prints now.

View the video here:

https://www.pantone.com/products/products.asp?idSubArea=0&idArea=2&idProduct=103&idArticleType_Products=0

(halfway down the page on the right)

I'm assuming the more expensive ones are probably better but, as an amateur, I'm happy with the Huey.

I also like the way it sits in its holder and automatically adjusts the monitor for the current room lighting - not overly important perhaps but I like things that sit on my desk with flashing lights on them :)

[Waif]

I have a Huey too, I love it (and the little flashy thing - you can't beat little flashy things :grin:). Pengwin bought mine from Amazon I think.

[Stemmy]

See here Paul


http://www.photography-forum.org/showthread.php?t=4978

[tonymidd]

The Spyder is fantastic, I've the studio pro2 version(won it in an on line competition) There is a version at about £125 which includes printer profiling software which does not require the use of a scanner or spectrometer. We've bought one for the club and it works extremely well, I profiled my i9100 to exactly match the profiled monitor inless than 1/2 hour and 3 A4 sheets of paper.

[tonymidd]

While a Spyder etc is best you can get an acceptable result using the Adobe Gamma in PSE or PS details here

http://www.photography-forum.org/showthread.php?t=2779

This will be better than nothing until you either hire Martin's spyder or get your own.
One thing to remember is profiling does not last forever, CRT monitors really need doing weekly, LCD monthly. If you use them a lot more frequently, mine are done first job every Monday morning.

[olivia]

I am interested in getting a calibrating system and was thinking of a Spyder once I have enough in the piggy-bank..
Unfortunately would be impractical due to postage charges for me (outside EU) to ask if I can borrow the forum one.. especially if is something to be used regularly.
I realise you may find me a bit dim but can you please explain what you mean by

>which includes printer profiling software which does not require the use of a scanner or spectrometer.<

I am in the learning stage of everything and I print my photos on a canon MP800 off a iMacG5. I noticed recently that what is produced is at times quite different from on the screen .. at times much darker, sometimes even with a slight colour cast which would maybe be interesting if that was what I wanted. This happens in a random fashion.

I ?guess? then I should go for the one in mid-range price?? Is that so?

Is that user friendly also ('cos I like things simple and easy to understand)

Looking forward to your reply

[tonymidd]

I am interested in getting a calibrating system and was thinking of a Spyder once I have enough in the piggy-bank..
Unfortunately would be impractical due to postage charges for me (outside EU) to ask if I can borrow the forum one.. especially if is something to be used regularly.
I realise you may find me a bit dim but can you please explain what you mean by

>which includes printer profiling software which does not require the use of a scanner or spectrometer.<

I am in the learning stage of everything and I print my photos on a canon MP800 off a iMacG5. I noticed recently that what is produced is at times quite different from on the screen .. at times much darker, sometimes even with a slight colour cast which would maybe be interesting if that was what I wanted. This happens in a random fashion.

I ?guess? then I should go for the one in mid-range price?? Is that so?

Is that user friendly also ('cos I like things simple and easy to understand)

Looking forward to your reply

Must admit I was abit dubious about this feature.
Basically it's software. Following simple on screen steps,you set your printer model, paper type and a couple of other details. There is a standard target which you print. This print is compaired with the on screen image and you make adjustments and reprint. It's far simpler than it sounds and as I said 1/2 hr and 3 sheets of paper got the job done at the first attempt. One advantage over some other systems is this covers non-OEM inksas you are doing a visual comparison. Disadvantage is if you have a colour bias in your eyesight you could build in a cast.

[olivia]

Back from my trip around the forum!
Thanks Tony for your reply.
I guess then I'll go for the mid-range one and give my printer a whizz at the ame time as the computer.
Will adjust my budget accordingly..

[bartonflyer]

I am interested in getting a calibrating system and was thinking of a Spyder once I have enough in the piggy-bank..
Unfortunately would be impractical due to postage charges for me (outside EU) to ask if I can borrow the forum one.. especially if is something to be used regularly.
I realise you may find me a bit dim but can you please explain what you mean by

>which includes printer profiling software which does not require the use of a scanner or spectrometer.<

I am in the learning stage of everything and I print my photos on a canon MP800 off a iMacG5. I noticed recently that what is produced is at times quite different from on the screen .. at times much darker, sometimes even with a slight colour cast which would maybe be interesting if that was what I wanted. This happens in a random fashion.

I ?guess? then I should go for the one in mid-range price?? Is that so?

Is that user friendly also ('cos I like things simple and easy to understand)

Looking forward to your reply

Another thing you could try is using a program like Qimage (http://www.ddisoftware.com/qimage/) to do the printing, then if you profile your monitor as best you can and use the manufacturers printer profile (which will depend upon the paper you are using) you can get good results. You can download it as a trial for free & see how it works for you - there is also some very good information on the site about printing etc.

[olivia]

Bartonflyer,

Thanks for your suggestion. All knowledgeable proposals welcome, indeed!

As I say I am in the learning stages of everything and have been over past months in the process of finding my way around PSC2. And still am..

It's a similar kind of thing(?), Qimage..? Maybe..??? Or not??

If so, I'll have to get my head around PSC2 first, but I'll definately keep your suggestion in mind. (Piggy-bank be warned in advance!!).

[bartonflyer]

......It's a similar kind of thing(?), Qimage..? Maybe..??? Or not??.....

The Qimage proposition is that printing (especially on home ink-jet printers) is such a specialised thing & so difficult to get spot on that you can't leave it to a "general" program like PS or PSP etc. So it just does one thing but does it brilliantly!

[olivia]

Oh.. I see..
Thank you for the info and adding to my learning curve..