Monitor calibration - Spyder

Paulw

Anyone know a good place to buy a Spyder 3?

I managed to borrow the Spyder 2 from Borderfox, and it has shown me just how poor my monitor calibration was. I can now see why my images didn't always match what I saw on the screen.

So, I decided to buy one. The Spyder 3 is getting plenty of brilliant reviews. I have 2 LCD desktop monitors, plus 2 laptops in the apt, so it makes some sense to buy my own spyder.

Any advice on a place to buy one?

Covey

Does it really make that much difference Paul?

Never heard of spyder 3. Can you use your monitor profile as your printer profile and get consistency across the board?

T.

Borderfox

There is another program called print match with the spyder 2 but I havent used it. I think to get consistent prints you would need a colour densometer and take readings directly from a print. I have found that what is shown on my calibrated screen is very near what is printed out.

Paulw

I noticed a big difference. I have two desktop screens, and they looked very very different before calibration. After, they looked quite similar (but not identical).

Spyder 3 is not out that long, but it seems to get great reviews.

There is a printer calibration tool too, but I didn't try that.

trishw78

Don't go to PC World. They tried to tell me that you get them in a pet shop. When I explained what it did. They tried to convince me that my monitor was fine and that no such device existed.

I stood there in astonisment and open mouthed looking at them, I couldn't believe what I was hearing. They tried to send me over to the tech department to get my monitor fixed. I just walked out the door.

Borderfox

Sheldon photographic in Malahide do them, dont know the price though

mathias

The spyder 3 must be quite new , cant find it on any online shop yet , or any that I use regularly anyway ,

Dabs do the spyder 2 , heres the cheapest version , they have versions going up to €225 ,

http://www.dabs.ie/productview.aspx?Quicklinx=417R&SearchType=1&SearchTerms=spyder&PageMode=3&SearchKey=All&SearchMode=All&NavigationKey=0

Screen calibration is a totally different kettle of fish to printer calibration and you shouldnt confuse the two, as posted above a different program altogether is needed to calibrate a printer.
Having said that , once the screen is calibrated you more than likely wont need to calibrate the printer.

The pantone huey is another screen calibrator that does a very good job as well , so it might be an alternative for you.

jubi lee

Spyder is made by colorvision. www.colorvision.ch.

there are a number of offerings , ranging from spyder 2, spyder3elite, spyder pro etc. they are also available through amazon, the colorvision website, sheldon in malahide etc.

see below for comparison of spyder
http://www.colorvision.com/s3compare.php

besides spyder there are also offerings from sony,coloureyes display,Monaco optix etc...

Paulw

http://www.spyder3.com/

Native Digital

Colour Confidence

Direct from Colour Vision, the price is €279.65, inc VAT and UPS shipping.

kjt

I ordered mine here last week. Hopefully get it sometime this week

kjt

Supposidly the Spyder's (3) aren't getting shipped to the suppliers till Jan 11th.

JMcL

I got my EyeOne from Colour Confidence. They've got the Spyder 3 listed, I don't know how their price stacks up for it though they were pretty competitive when I bought last year.

Paulw

Right, I got my Spyder 3 today. It has made a major difference. Even with the Spyder2, I wasn't able to get my two different monitors fully calibrated to be the same.

Spyder3 has the two monitors identical. The profiling is much quicker, and looks better (IMHO). I guess it's a matter of preference. The Spyder3 is also always left on and connected, and it slightly adjusts the display as the ambient light changes.

I've now calibrated my PC monitors (2), my work laptop (and it's desktop monitor) and also my girlfriend's monitor. Worth the money in my view.

Borderfox

They are very handy alright..:)

evilhomer

Paulw wrote: »

Right, I got my Spyder 3 today. It has made a major difference. Even with the Spyder2, I wasn't able to get my two different monitors fully calibrated to be the same.

Spyder3 has the two monitors identical. The profiling is much quicker, and looks better (IMHO). I guess it's a matter of preference. The Spyder3 is also always left on and connected, and it slightly adjusts the display as the ambient light changes.

I've now calibrated my PC monitors (2), my work laptop (and it's desktop monitor) and also my girlfriend's monitor. Worth the money in my view.

Where did you buy it in the end?

I really need one of these, got some prints back and were not what I was expecting at all.

Jan isn't a month I can afford something like this though.

Must stay away from shiney stuff!!!

Paulw

Bought it from DataColor directly.

crookesa

Paulw wrote: »

Bought it from DataColor directly.

Which one did you buy, is there much difference between them do you reckon?

Paulw

I got the Spyder 3 elite. No idea on the other products.

jubi lee

we picked ours up yesterday from sheldon photography in malahide. 210 euro plus vat

RoryW

just bought Spyder 3 Pro in Sheldons Malahide. I couldnt figure out what "extra" I got for the elite version so went with the Pro version)

Just calibrated my laptop and at the final stage of calibration they have a before calibration view and after calibration view so you can see the effect on photos. Its a noticeable and significant difference which should make getting the Spyder worthwhile

Now off to calibrate the monitor...

elven

trishw78 wrote: »

Don't go to PC World. They tried to tell me that you get them in a pet shop. When I explained what it did. They tried to convince me that my monitor was fine and that no such device existed.

I stood there in astonisment and open mouthed looking at them, I couldn't believe what I was hearing. They tried to send me over to the tech department to get my monitor fixed. I just walked out the door.

I love it.

Fajitas!

PC World in Waterford is such a great place...