monitor calibration
Sep 14, 2013 10:21:21 #
I' don't know a thing about monitor calibration, would the spyder 4 elite be a good choice for me? I looked on Amazon and of those who purchased this also purchased the Datacolor Spyder Cube......any thoughts on that?
http://www.amazon.com/Datacolor-SC200-SpyderCube/dp/B002D4AHT0/ref=pd_bxgy_p_img_y
Thanks for the info in advance!
P.s. I have the newest version of imac
http://www.amazon.com/Datacolor-SC200-SpyderCube/dp/B002D4AHT0/ref=pd_bxgy_p_img_y
Thanks for the info in advance!
P.s. I have the newest version of imac
Sep 14, 2013 10:36:03 #
jeryh wrote:
If you have a Mac, you can avoid a lot of expense by calibrating manually- it is simple, and takes about 10 minutes.
YEP, windows too. The major problem is most people crank up the brightness toooooo far.
Sep 14, 2013 10:41:17 #
I use a Pantone huey Pro. Once a month it reminds me to calibrate. It takes less than 5 minutes.
Sep 14, 2013 10:54:05 #
StephenVL wrote:
I use a Pantone huey Pro. Once a month it reminds me to calibrate. It takes less than 5 minutes.
Do you find that the calibration drifts significantly?
What work do you do that requires exactness of calibration?
Sep 14, 2013 11:07:00 #
dpullum wrote:
Do you find that the calibration drifts significantly?
What work do you do that requires exactness of calibration?
What work do you do that requires exactness of calibration?
No I have not noticed and significant shifts in calibration. The monthly calibration is more of a peace of mind thing.
I sometimes print my photos on my Epson R1800 printer. If my monitor is not calibrated the printed photo will have significant color and exposure shifts from what I previewed on the monitor. With a calibrated monitor the printed photo is very close to the preview on the monitor.
I am not a professional but in my own experience a calibrated monitor results in lots more keepers when I print.
Sep 14, 2013 11:08:56 #
lxu532 wrote:
Does everyone calibrate their monitor every 6 months or so? If so, what "tool" do you use? Spyder4, Color Monkey, etc. Thanks.
I do it, with a ColorMunki, every time I want to print something before I proof it, or once every 3 months or so. Each time I do it I don't see any difference or change. But I'd rather be safe than sorry.
Sep 14, 2013 12:19:12 #
jeep_daddy wrote:
I've a new (4 months old) MacBook Pro 15" Retina, and a 8 year old EIZO CG210 external monitor. I calibrate with a Spyder 4 Elite and I can finally match my laptop to the external monitor to my Epson 4800 printer. I've set it to remind me every 2 months to re-cal and takes 5 to 10 minutes.I do it, with a ColorMunki, .... each time I do it I don't see any difference or change. But I'd rather be safe than sorry.
I'm saving lots of money by NOT wasting expensive paper and Epson ink now that I'm consistant with my monitors and room lighting (always turned off).
Alan
Sep 14, 2013 12:48:49 #
I calibrate my external-to-laptop monitor monthly using Spyder 4. My monitor is an IPS, and I find it wanders on the average of every 30-45 days, but I cannot afford to replace it with a top-notch monitor, so calibration works for me. It is used for photo-retouching solely.
Sep 14, 2013 13:01:13 #
After at least two years, I recently recalibrated my 24" Samsung Syncmaster using my Spyder 3. It had not changed one iota.
lxu532 wrote:
Does everyone calibrate their monitor every 6 months or so? If so, what "tool" do you use? Spyder4, Color Monkey, etc. Thanks.
Sep 14, 2013 13:38:56 #
Every two weeks .. Colormunki .. And it really does make a difference for me!
Sep 14, 2013 13:53:58 #
Aaaa, humm, it is a Dr. Feelgood thing monitor calibration. Well that is OK, we all have rituals and they are good for the soul. But a flag would be if ... whoe,, that looks weird!! Me, it is a thing of what $ goes where,,, and I have no argument what so ever with those who want to do it with an external do-gadget. Not that any one needs my blessing!
Sep 14, 2013 14:20:32 #
jdubu
Loc: San Jose, CA
dpullum wrote:
Aaaa, humm, it is a Dr. Feelgood thing monitor calibration. Well that is OK, we all have rituals and they are good for the soul. But a flag would be if ... whoe,, that looks weird!! Me, it is a thing of what $ goes where,,, and I have no argument what so ever with those who want to do it with an external do-gadget.
Well, I do it because I provide portfolio photos for interior designers. I would lose those clients if not for the color checker on site and a properly calibrated monitor for PP.
The subtle hues of color in a coordinated room scheme, from wall color or wallpaper, draperies, upholstery and accent fabrics have to be represented correctly. And they will know if the color is wrong.
I also have been shooting more food projects for restaurants and sometimes getting a precise color is required. I shot an anejo tequila set up for a co-op ad and the distiller wanted to make sure the amber hue was correct.
Otherwise, a calibrated monitor keeps me on the right path in PP to correctly printing without wasting paper and ink on personal projects.
Sep 14, 2013 14:25:30 #
jdubu, YEP, that color had best be the color of the photographed item. Agreed.
To set up my system I tweaked a photo of a home depot paint chart to agree with the chart. It covered a wide range of color. Next tweaked the printer to duplicate the monitor that duplicated the chart... yes compromises were needed but got quite close.
To set up my system I tweaked a photo of a home depot paint chart to agree with the chart. It covered a wide range of color. Next tweaked the printer to duplicate the monitor that duplicated the chart... yes compromises were needed but got quite close.
Sep 14, 2013 14:28:34 #
sueyeisert
Loc: New Jersey
Sheila wrote:
Check my monitor every month using Color Munkie.
:thumbup: :thumbup:
Sep 14, 2013 21:00:54 #
dpullum wrote:
lxu532, if you have already bought the gizmos, fin... (show quote)
I'm inclined to agree with most of what you say. I got a Spyder 3 years or so ago. Tried it a few times and the only difference I could see was a slight warming effect. Besides that, I print a lot of my pictures - too many, and make adjustments if I'm not happy with the print. Everyone's monitor is different to some degree from most everybody else's - so if you send out your pics to friends odds are that they aren't seeing quite the same thing as you are.
The BIG thing to me is - why bother fiddling with monitor adjustments if it isn't tied in with the printer? Granted - today you get the toys to do just this, but unless you're printing for a big market it's scarcely worth the cost.
If I ever get to be a rich & famous photographer, selling thousands of prints - I'll hire somebody to sweat the small stuff.
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