Monitor calibration (Page 3): Follow on questions: how do you use these things? Plug into usb or? How do you then change the screen settings? With this work for a MacBook Pro?

CloudyCoastPhotography

Follow on questions: how do you use these things? Plug into usb or? How do you then change the screen settings? With this work for a MacBook Pro?

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

CloudyCoastPhotography wrote:

Follow on questions: how do you use these things? Plug into usb or? How do you then change the screen settings? With this work for a MacBook Pro?

Install the SW and plug the colorimeter into a USB port. No need to change the screen setting other than setting the brightness level on the monitor per the on-screen instructions. The calibration procedure will store the corrections in the look up table on your video card and load them automatically on power up. You just start the SW, place the colorimeter on the screen and sit back and watch - takes about 5 minutes per monitor and you’ll get a before and after color palate and images.

papa Loc: Rio Dell, CA

Contrary to the sales schribe from experts, I found no need for the Spyder 5 Pro after the first use, but I was gut hooked, too. Two years ago I bought my MSI GS70-2QE 17" laptop guaranteed to have near 100% sRGB. Add to that the True Color factory app that gives me total instant control in five color modes. I also bought a 24" BenQ desk monitor with 100% sRGB guarantee. Reading all the hype from the experts I thought to and did but the datacolor Spyder5Pro to do regular calibrations and to verify the guaranteed sRGB performance of both screens. Both screens produced 99%-100% from the first cal check to numerous checks over these two years. I sold the
Spyder5Pro here on UHH for a savings, as I don't need it; contrary to all the expert sales advice.

It reminds me of the definition of an expert: An "ex" is a has been and a "spurt" is a drip under pressure. LOL

sodapop Loc: Bel Air, MD

I did a print run before and after calibrating with the color munky. Printed a color wheel. Visible differences, after calibration was almost identical, before not.

G Brown wrote:

You said you were printing yourself. Do a print ru... (show quote)

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Monitors do drift a bit. It's always judicious to make sure that your monitor is calibrated from time to time for just that reason. Fortunately, companies make tools that make that verification quite simple and easy. Those experts, which you care to belittle, along with a few others on this very site, probably know a bit more about the benefits of keeping one's photographic equipment in good working order. Trust me, once one starts doing digital photography, the monitor/computer is a piece of photographic equipment.
--Bob

papa wrote:

Contrary to the sales schribe from experts, I foun... (show quote)

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

G Brown wrote:

You said you were printing yourself. Do a print ru... (show quote)

Properly calibrated and profiled monitors, when used in a correctly color managed workflow, will look very close to each other AND output from a correctly color managed lab. Any significant variation means something is not done properly.

Use your lab’s proofing profile or simulation profile in conjunction with your software and custom monitor profile, and you can see VERY closely what your prints will look like.

CloudyCoastPhotography

TriX wrote:

Install the SW and plug the colorimeter into a USB port. No need to change the screen setting other than setting the brightness level on the monitor per the on-screen instructions. The calibration procedure will store the corrections in the look up table on your video card and load them automatically on power up. You just start the SW, place the colorimeter on the screen and sit back and watch - takes about 5 minutes per monitor and you’ll get a before and after color palate and images.

Damn good answer!! Thank you!

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

I just checked and B&H does have a discount. You need the PPE code which is not with me. Anyone who wants it can PM me.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

I just checked and B&H does have a discount. You need the PPE code which is not with me. Anyone who wants it can PM me.

Chefneil

Hey all, I really appreciate all the input you guys have given. To answer a couple implied questions, I will be printing on my own printer, though I'll use the local photo shop's print facilities for important enlargements. I don't think I'll ever use an online printer, at least for the forseeable future. Though most of my pictures will be for online viewing, I still think that when I have finished editing an image I want to see what the image looks like, even if some may not have a calibrated screen. I want to have the best that I can create, such as it is, out there and if my monitor shows me color values but the true image is not true....well I hope you can understand. It looks like the Spyder is the way to go.

Thanks all for your input. I'll be looking in here some more to see what else may come up.

olc

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Chefneil wrote:

Hey all, I really appreciate all the input you guy... (show quote)

Look at the X-RITE Color Munki and i1 Display, in addition to the DataColor Spider5Pro.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

papa wrote:

Contrary to the sales schribe from experts, I foun... (show quote)

In spite of your childish insult, I'm pretty sure that Burkphoto qualifies as a genuine expert considering his background and experience. The details he posted should be observed and bookmarked by anyone wanting to inderstand and implement a professional level calibrated workflow. Of course, you may have more advanced knowledge based on your anecdotal "evidence", but you should know the Spyder5 Pro does not give you a percentage comparison between calibrations if you've actually used it, so no clue where the 99-100% numbers you quoted originated, but not from actual use and calibration. If you disagree with the premise, then present REAL evidence in a respectful manner. Otherwise, I call BS.

papa Loc: Rio Dell, CA

In two years from the factory settings the variance was between 99% and 100%. What drifting? Gut hooked or do you have poor quality screens?

5

rmalarz wrote:

Monitors do drift a bit. It's always judicious to ... (show quote)

papa Loc: Rio Dell, CA

Some people not only don't listen to the voice of experience, they don't learn from their own experience; kinda like taking expert advice. If you don't know what 99% or !00% sRGB is, then maybe you have room to learn from your experience, but not me relating mine. Just seems like you may have had a knee jerk reaction without a sense of humor. Hope you have fun with your Munki.

5

TriX wrote:

In spite of your childish insult, I'm pretty sure ... (show quote)

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

papa wrote:

Some people not only don't listen to the voice of experience, they don't learn from their own experience; kinda like taking expert advice. If you don't know what 99% or !00% sRGB is, then maybe you have room to learn from your experience, but not me relating mine. Just seems like you may have had a knee jerk reaction without a sense of humor. Hope you have fun with your Munki. 5

Please demonstrate your "experience" by demonstrating where in the Datacolor calibration system a percentage of correction change is shown. Can't do it? Then the validity (and veracity) of your experience is suspect. No knee jerk reaction, just calling out BS when warranted. Prove me wrong if you can.