calibration issue

I have an ips lcd monitor that I have calibrated with a spyder3. The color is excellent, but the calibration does nothing to adjust screen brightness and contrast. How do i adjust these to ensure they are optimal?

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Sony a700 - sigma 30/1.4 - sigma 85/1.4 - sigma 10-20 - sigma 17-50/2.8 - sigma 70-200/2.8 - extension tubes - HVL42 (3) -HVL58 - fuji x10 compact
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