Screen Calibrator?

aFlabbyPanda

just wondering who here has one and what type it is? I edited some shots last night from another recent gig (http://briang.org/subsonic in case you want to look) but all of them appear much darker on my laptop then they did at home.

I was thinking of maybe getting a screen calibrator to setup my monitor correctly.

oneweb

There are a few really good ones available for free. One that springs to mind is an old one by Nokia. Do a Google (Nokia monitor calibrator) and you should be able to find it. There are others but I can't recall the names.

aFlabbyPanda

I meant a hardware calibrator but I'll check it out.

dalk

Hi... i've used the Colorvision Spyder Products. I've only used their more budget products and they are excellent for the money. Its a USB device you place on the front of the monitor and then it makes a custom ICC profiles for you monitor. It can be used on both CRT's an TFT's...

heffsarmy

BrianjG I use the The Eye-One Display2, very easy to us and setup. I find it great especially when getting black and white photos developed I can get better results without a colour cast across the photos. I bought it from this site in the uk, http://shop.colourconfidence.com/product.php?xProd=1187&xSec=1 there are other hardware calibrators which I have'nt used, but I would recommend this product for its simplicity and great results.

aFlabbyPanda

well I finally bought my Colorvision Spyder 2 and after running it on my new 20" imac & canon ip5200 all I can say is, amazing!.

The difference between before and after on screen is incredible but the best bit is being able to use the same profile with my printer and having my prints match what I see on the screen.

There are still a few shades slightly out but I think thats more to do with the paper settings (glossy, photo, etc)

my advice is to go get one if your serious about having good home prints.

DadaKopf

You could also look at the Pantone Huey.

I've been thinking of getting a calibrator. But I'm using a MacBook Pro now, so am unsure if it works with LCD screens.

Also, I do a lot of design for print, and while it's really important to know how photos will reproduce, it's also important to know how printed colours - particularly Pantone spot and process colours will reproduce.

Does anyone know if the Spyder can do this, as the price is much better than Panone's equipment.

Fajitas!

Problem with LCD screens is that it's moreso the surrounding light that can affect your calibrations, rather than the light inside the screen. Though, if you have stable conditions you use it in, there'd be no problem.

aFlabbyPanda

well the spyder worked fine with my imac (intel) lcd.

re light & lcd, the blurb recommends either turning off all artificial light or ensuring that the lcd is shaded or not direct light shining on it.