redrocktom Loc: Sedona

Just retired, so planning to get more active in photography. Want to do some printing (outside labs) and photo books, so I wondered if calibration software and hardware is strongly advised. If so, I'm leaning toward Spyder4Pro because it also offers a HDTV calibration add-on package. So 4 questions:

1) Is calibration software/hardware advised?
2) If so, for those with Spyder4Pro, what's your rating?
3) How are O/S update versions, such as Apple's move from Mtn. Lion to Mavericks, handled. Is there a free update provision with the Spyder software for downloading , per the example, Mavericks compatible Spyder software? Or must you buy new Spyder software with each new O/S version that you install?
4) If anyone uses the Datacolor HDTV calibration add-on, what's been your experience?

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

Welcome to UHH

dirtpusher Loc: tulsa oklahoma

Rongnongno Loc: FL

If you do your own printing, calibration is required unless you have the means to trash lots of prints and as such contribute to the tree cutting,... :shock: :shock: :shock: :mrgreen: :lol: :lol: :lol:

gym Loc: Athens, Georgia

What if you don't do your own printing? Is there an online service that can deal with PP on an LCD monitor?

OnDSnap Loc: NE New Jersey

I would recommend calibration for both monitor and printer.
I use Spyder 4 Elite for my monitors, love it... but will be adding printing calibration should I decide on doing more of my own printing at home/office.
As far as upgrading, I do think Datacolor products are for both PC & Mac...a lot of software these days if you change OS, you disable one to active the other but can't have both without owning multi seats....(with software I use anyway) but not sure with all. I'm in the same boat, will be adding an Imac to my office, so it's something that concerns me also, especially with Adobe products which I use quite a few.

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

Look at Syder4 elite top of the line works well to calibrate everything

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

Yes it is advised if you want to have accurate prints.




Only if you want accurate prints and to see things accurately on your monitor :)




I have it and love it. it's brainless to use.




Updates are free.




I don't use it so I have no idea.

donrosshill Loc: Delaware & Florida

Hi Ron, I have to ask. Why do you post this message in all your responses?
Do not post pictures in any of the threads I create unless you are specifically invited to, as an individual or authorized within the topic created.
I am not an artist. I am a voyeur and a witness.
Page list: http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/user_page_listing.jsp?usernum=34622


Don

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Welcome to our forum! Good luck with your monitor calibration. I've read about that here many time, but I've never been tempted to try it. You can get good advice here if you run into difficulties.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

That's a "signature" link and is allowed by the website. Also, he's just letting everyone know to not derail his threads with their images...people sometimes do that and it's rude (at least I think so)

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I noticed that. I like it when people post random images in their responses. This is an "art" forum, afterall.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

That's probably why it's good to mention it...some don't mind. :)

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

Go to search at the top of the page and you will find that the subject has been covered 101++ times. My approach is simplistic. First make sure the color space of your camera, monitor are both on sRGB or Adobe color space.
http://www.drycreekphoto.com/Learn/color_spaces.htm
Vivid is typically what the eye/brain hungers for, too much of the world is faded color, muted.

Four colors will do most of your printing and unless you do a side by side the eye/perception/memory can not tell the difference. That will get some disagreement I am sure. OK, then buy a 10 color Canon Pro-1. Compromise with the Canon Pro-100 dye printer on sale for $100 after rebates.

The printer I am presently using I have learned to up the brightness after I adjust the photo so it looks good on the monitor. Remember the monitor is back lit while the print is reflected. Temperature of the print viewing is important daylight preferred. Walmart sells Daylight 5000K CFL.

I use the following photos to calibrate my equipment. You should be able to discern at least the 3rd color from the left. Excessive brightness of the monitor is the most typical problem. $0 By now most will disagree with me and insist on spending money for keeping with the flow of the sheep.

CALIBRATION PHOTO

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

I know that I'd be one of them...I've done this method for quite a while and then finally broke down and spent the 100.00 to get 'er done right.

I spent thousands on cameras, thousands on lenses...heck..I've spent 100.00 on a good camera bag...so cheaping out on calibrating by eyeball so I don't spend $100.00 on a repeatable accurate monitor calibration doesn't make sense to me after all that.