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Best Monitor Calibration Software...What Do You Think? Thanks!

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yeah i have a 244T also, it is impossible to get it correct using the monitor controls, you can get it semi-close but you really need to use a calibrator that makes a LUT to get it truly good.

my 5271 TV you can get really close using the monitor controls (although a LUT still helps a tad) aside from the green primary being somewhat out of spec (the 244T primaries can be gotten closer)
blackhawk13 said:
--I finally bit the bullet, I just couldn't dial in my SynMaster
244T's no matter what I tried. I got the Spyder Elite because I
knew the printer would be next. It came with a nice storage case,
and using the monitor calibrator is fairly easy if your work space is
set up to do photo editing. It's real time ambient light monitor app
seems to work too. I'm using it on my XP Pro laptop (not much hope
for it's color accuracy, but the app runs fine on it), and on my
XPx64 machine with no issues at all.

Finally my Macbeth color checker and monitors agree! Even that hard
to get mustard tone.

My vote is for the Spyder Elite, not cheap, but it does what it's
suppose too, it's fast, and easy to use once you go through the
learning curve. Calibration checks are simple and the app starts
without fuss on boot up and runs quietly in the background of XP Pro.
I was apprehensive at first, I'm I glad I got it.

-I shoot my images as I live, in the open-

Hey any movie peeps need a rigger? Blackhawk for hire.
Click to expand...
--
http://skibum4.smugmug.com
(work in progress, a few galleries up, many more to come)
 
bronxbombers said:
my 5271 TV you can get really close using the monitor controls
(although a LUT still helps a tad) aside from the green primary being
somewhat out of spec (the 244T primaries can be gotten closer)
blackhawk13 said:
--I finally bit the bullet, I just couldn't dial in my SynMaster
244T's no matter what I tried. I got the Spyder Elite because I
knew the printer would be next. It came with a nice storage case,
and using the monitor calibrator is fairly easy if your work space is
set up to do photo editing. It's real time ambient light monitor app
seems to work too. I'm using it on my XP Pro laptop (not much hope
for it's color accuracy, but the app runs fine on it), and on my
XPx64 machine with no issues at all.

Finally my Macbeth color checker and monitors agree! Even that hard
to get mustard tone.

My vote is for the Spyder Elite, not cheap, but it does what it's
suppose too, it's fast, and easy to use once you go through the
learning curve. Calibration checks are simple and the app starts
without fuss on boot up and runs quietly in the background of XP Pro.
I was apprehensive at first, I'm I glad I got it.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
bronxbombers said:
http://skibum4.smugmug.com
(work in progress, a few galleries up, many more to come)
Click to expand...
--The 244 was driving me nuts, I got it close, but never quit right. There are too many variables to dial it in by eye. Good to know it wasn't my imagination.
 
I think that clinches the deal for me.

I am going for the Spyder 3 Elite.

Thanks blackhawk13!

Danny Tuason :)

PS I will use it on my monitors....and my family's monitors as well....oops!, also my friends' monitors too because they view my pictures....
blackhawk13 said:
bronxbombers said:
my 5271 TV you can get really close using the monitor controls
(although a LUT still helps a tad) aside from the green primary being
somewhat out of spec (the 244T primaries can be gotten closer)
blackhawk13 said:
--I finally bit the bullet, I just couldn't dial in my SynMaster
244T's no matter what I tried. I got the Spyder Elite because I
knew the printer would be next. It came with a nice storage case,
and using the monitor calibrator is fairly easy if your work space is
set up to do photo editing. It's real time ambient light monitor app
seems to work too. I'm using it on my XP Pro laptop (not much hope
for it's color accuracy, but the app runs fine on it), and on my
XPx64 machine with no issues at all.

Finally my Macbeth color checker and monitors agree! Even that hard
to get mustard tone.

My vote is for the Spyder Elite, not cheap, but it does what it's
suppose too, it's fast, and easy to use once you go through the
learning curve. Calibration checks are simple and the app starts
without fuss on boot up and runs quietly in the background of XP Pro.
I was apprehensive at first, I'm I glad I got it.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
blackhawk13 said:
http://skibum4.smugmug.com
(work in progress, a few galleries up, many more to come)
Click to expand...
--The 244 was driving me nuts, I got it close, but never quit right.
There are too many variables to dial it in by eye. Good to know it
wasn't my imagination.
Click to expand...
--
http://www.scandinavius.com/sweden/sesongs.html#anchor1139692
 
Final update!

I have decided to buy the Spyder 3 Elite!

Not because it was 3 votes to 2....okay?

It was close....from the opinions that I read I think both candidates are really good.

Anyway thanks to everybody who participated!

Danny Tuason :)

PS I am going straight to Samy's or Fry's to get the software today. Lately I am just talking about gear...it's about time I show my pictures. It's okay if people critique them...that's how I learn.

I can finally show pictures of my gear too. I just bought a Sigma (my first Sigma) 4.5mm F2.8 Circular fisheye lens from B&H. It's arriving tomorrow in my office. Yes! I have always wanted it since I saw it in a magazine while flying to the east coast 2 months ago. It's really only for those special situation shots only.

--
http://www.scandinavius.com/sweden/sesongs.html#anchor1139692
 
If you're satisfied with your results on screen and in print, good.

If not, calibration may be the reason. You can do your own legwork to learn why calibration is deemed useful or essential, or not.

--
...Bob, NYC

'Well, sometimes the magic works. Sometimes, it doesn't.' - Little Big Man

Galleries: http://www.pbase.com/btullis

 
dtuason said:
I think that clinches the deal for me.

I am going for the Spyder 3 Elite.

Thanks blackhawk13!

Danny Tuason :)

PS I will use it on my monitors....and my family's monitors as
well....oops!, also my friends' monitors too because they view my
pictures....
Click to expand...
To install the software on the machine there's a 5 machine limit. To make just a custom ICC profile this may not apply, but it's not fresh in my mind anymore, and there are probably ways around it. Look over the different packages they offer too, and be sure you get what best suits your needs.

The Elite's included printer suite has a separate calorimeter, software, and test charts. It seems good, but I haven't tried it yet. I takes time to do the set up.
The Spyder 3 unit and app are slick, fast, and work well.
 
Bob Tullis said:
If you're satisfied with your results on screen and in print, good.

If not, calibration may be the reason. You can do your own legwork
to learn why calibration is deemed useful or essential, or not.
Click to expand...
Based on what you said I think I need the software.

Thanks Bob!

Danny Tuason :)
Bobo Hodls said:
--
...Bob, NYC

'Well, sometimes the magic works. Sometimes, it doesn't.' - Little
Big Man

Galleries: http://www.pbase.com/btullis

Click to expand...
--
http://www.scandinavius.com/sweden/sesongs.html#anchor1139692
 
blackhawk13 said:
dtuason said:
I think that clinches the deal for me.

I am going for the Spyder 3 Elite.

Thanks blackhawk13!

Danny Tuason :)

PS I will use it on my monitors....and my family's monitors as
well....oops!, also my friends' monitors too because they view my
pictures....
Click to expand...
To install the software on the machine there's a 5 machine limit.
Click to expand...
Whoah! I must make sure I pick the right monitors to calibrate.

I must reserve one slot for my new upcoming PC monitor too.
blackhawk13 said:
To make just a custom ICC profile this may not apply, but it's not
fresh in my mind anymore, and there are probably ways around it.
Look over the different packages they offer too, and be sure you get
what best suits your needs.
The Elite's included printer suite has a separate calorimeter,
software, and test charts. It seems good, but I haven't tried it
yet. I takes time to do the set up.
The Spyder 3 unit and app are slick, fast, and work well.
Click to expand...
Thanks again blackhawk13!

Danny Tuason :)

--
http://www.scandinavius.com/sweden/sesongs.html#anchor1139692
 
does the spyder3 elite produce LUT ICC profiles or small matrix table ICC profiles?
blackhawk13 said:
dtuason said:
I think that clinches the deal for me.

I am going for the Spyder 3 Elite.

Thanks blackhawk13!

Danny Tuason :)

PS I will use it on my monitors....and my family's monitors as
well....oops!, also my friends' monitors too because they view my
pictures....
Click to expand...
To install the software on the machine there's a 5 machine limit.
To make just a custom ICC profile this may not apply, but it's not
fresh in my mind anymore, and there are probably ways around it.
Look over the different packages they offer too, and be sure you get
what best suits your needs.
The Elite's included printer suite has a separate calorimeter,
software, and test charts. It seems good, but I haven't tried it
yet. I takes time to do the set up.
The Spyder 3 unit and app are slick, fast, and work well.
Click to expand...
--
http://skibum4.smugmug.com
(work in progress, a few galleries up, many more to come)
 
http://www.drycreekphoto.com/Learn/monitor_calibration_tools.htm

mine is close to the J setup.

that is old though and I'm using a newer version and it doesn't even rate the newr spyder3 just the old not so great spyder2

http://photo.net/digital-darkroom-forum/00KBfI
http://www.photo-i.co.uk/BB/viewtopic.php?t=3878
http://www.retouchpro.com/forums/archive/t-16754.html
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/archive/index.php/t-976426.html

not too much on the spyder3
sounds like it is better than the old spyder2 (that got knocked quite a bit
compared to some of the more exotic probes)

hmm although this one adds to confusion greatly:
http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/620964

edit: see you went with spyder3, i'm sure it will work out, hard to truly say what is best unless someone comprehensively compares them against a many thousand dollar system that has been painstakingly calibrated and verified, and nobody seems to have quite done that
 
bronxbombers said:
http://www.drycreekphoto.com/Learn/monitor_calibration_tools.htm

mine is close to the J setup.

that is old though and I'm using a newer version and it doesn't even
rate the newr spyder3 just the old not so great spyder2

http://photo.net/digital-darkroom-forum/00KBfI
http://www.photo-i.co.uk/BB/viewtopic.php?t=3878
http://www.retouchpro.com/forums/archive/t-16754.html
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/archive/index.php/t-976426.html
Click to expand...
Thanks for the links, bronx....
bronxbombers said:
not too much on the spyder3
sounds like it is better than the old spyder2 (that got knocked quite
a bit
compared to some of the more exotic probes)

hmm although this one adds to confusion greatly:
http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/620964
Click to expand...
Some of my friends warned me about the Spyder 3 Pro. They told me to get the Elite.
bronxbombers said:
edit: see you went with spyder3, i'm sure it will work out, hard to
truly say what is best unless someone comprehensively compares them
against a many thousand dollar system that has been painstakingly
calibrated and verified, and nobody seems to have quite done that
Click to expand...
Thanks bronxbombers!

Danny Tuason :)

--
http://www.scandinavius.com/sweden/sesongs.html#anchor1139692
 
bronxbombers said:
http://www.drycreekphoto.com/Learn/monitor_calibration_tools.htm

mine is close to the J setup.

that is old though and I'm using a newer version and it doesn't even
rate the newr spyder3 just the old not so great spyder2

http://photo.net/digital-darkroom-forum/00KBfI
http://www.photo-i.co.uk/BB/viewtopic.php?t=3878
http://www.retouchpro.com/forums/archive/t-16754.html
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/archive/index.php/t-976426.html

not too much on the spyder3
sounds like it is better than the old spyder2 (that got knocked quite
a bit
compared to some of the more exotic probes)

hmm although this one adds to confusion greatly:
http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/620964

edit: see you went with spyder3, i'm sure it will work out, hard to
truly say what is best unless someone comprehensively compares them
against a many thousand dollar system that has been painstakingly
calibrated and verified, and nobody seems to have quite done that
Click to expand...
--The Spyder 3's specs are better and it seems more capable, and the Elite offers a complete work flow solution. From what my eyes tell me it is very close to what is should be; any deviation is probably the limitation of the monitor not the Spyder.

You must accuracy set brightness/contrast (the closer, the better) for it to dial in the rest. It helps you do this, but getting into the initial range at first may take some dabbling. I also shielded the screen partially while it was calibrating just to be sure, but allowed it's ambient light sensor to see non direct ambient light. This seems to yield the best profile for me.
 
dtuason wrote:
not too much on the spyder3
dtuason said:
dtuason said:
sounds like it is better than the old spyder2 (that got knocked quite
a bit
compared to some of the more exotic probes)

hmm although this one adds to confusion greatly:
http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/620964
Click to expand...
Some of my friends warned me about the Spyder 3 Pro. They told me to
get the Elite.
Click to expand...
--I had concerns about the Spyder 3, which is why I choose the Elite. It's not cheap, so I did the same thing your doing. I decided to try it right once than do it wrong twice. Dialing in a printer by eye isn't a picnic, and I've been trying to cut back on my cursing... more on this when I do calibrate the printers.
 
blackhawk13 said:
--I had concerns about the Spyder 3, which is why I choose the Elite.
It's not cheap, so I did the same thing your doing. I decided to
try it right once than do it wrong twice. Dialing in a printer by
eye isn't a picnic, and I've been trying to cut back on my cursing...
more on this when I do calibrate the printers.
Click to expand...
Hehehe! It seems like we are similar to each other!

Thanks again blackhawk13!

Danny Tuason :)

PS I always want to do things right the first time. I admit I fumble sometimes (sometimes a lot of times)....but I still try to maintain that style all through my life.

--
http://www.scandinavius.com/sweden/sesongs.html#anchor1139692
 
Their tech support is non-existent. I had a problem with their software and they won't even answer e-mails. Try to get a response from them as a test before you buy. I'll never buy another of their products.

--
Regards,
John
 
dtuason said:
Thanks in advance!

Danny Tuason :)
Chief said:
Their tech support is non-existent. I had a problem with their
software and they won't even answer e-mails. Try to get a response
from them as a test before you buy. I'll never buy another of their
products.

--
Regards,
John
Click to expand...
--
http://www.scandinavius.com/sweden/sesongs.html#anchor1139692
Click to expand...
--I've talk to them on the phone, but they can be very elusive. Goggling Q's or just using your brain works best as there is a definite learning curve with color management. The software loaded and updated with no issues even on XPx64. In the end I guess I figure it's more important that it works than having somebody who 'cares' to help with something they can't fix.

Alternatives with the same features as the Elite in that price range are none existent as best I could tell. Tough call, so I just did it.
 
I have only heard good things about them

I have the orifgianl syder for which support was dropped not long after I bought it. What can you say about a product whose name has had to be changed several time in several years and don't support their former products? The original spyder is not very accurate (and does not do well with low light leveves - it fluctuates all over even though it takes forever sampling).

Gene

--
Gene (aka hawkman) - Walk softly and carry a big lens

Please visit my wildlife galleries at:
http://www.pbase.com/gaocus
http://hawkman.smugmug.com/gallery/1414279

 
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