I have recently come into possession of a Spyder2Pro monitor calibrator:



...and let me say, I was quite surprised by how much my monitors colour profile was off... let's just say, windows 32bit true colour... is a lot more accurate of a statement now.

Now the only reason I got my hands on one of these too start with was after some minor discrepancies with some colours between what I saw on my screen and what came out in the lab when I got the returned prints.

If anyone else does work with printed media I would suggest this be something too consider, a lot of people will say "nah mate my colours are right" but after calibrating 4 monitors (one being less than a month old) all of them needed some form of adjustment.

the product itself is worth around $450-$500 from most of the local stores, there is a cut down version called the express for $200, but it doesn't feature the same levels of adjustment and in this little black ducks opinion... it just isn't worth the time of day.

although I'm sure I could arrange some calibrations for members on here for a small fee if anyone's interested

hehehe...

Matt

so, pardon my ignorance, what exactly does it do and how does it do it?

I realise it calibrates the colours, but maybe an explanation for us simple folk is in order

it's pretty simple really, just through the spyder2pro software, which offers heaps of adjustable settings. You change colour temperature and contrast by selecting different pre-sets within windows, several of which are optimised for specific situations such as photo viewing and gaming. Just stick the sensor on your screen, and help the software along with an occasional mouse click as it flashes a series of colour and grey patches on screen for the sensor to read.

hopefully that makes sense

ok cool thanks

gee wish they could do one for tv's hehe

but i guess its a very good investment if u are really involved in ur photo viewing

Might look into this..

but my form of calibration was to just go out and buy a new dell 22".. haha

will still get my hands on a copy though..

they do do one for tv's and home theatres... exxy though...

only a 22"? hehe... my dell 24 eats you by 2"

when i use to run a fuji lab we had colour cards we could hold to the screen... and it would match the colours of the lab when it was printed... good little tool to have...

This is the way to go.

Get a card from your lab. The only thing that brings this un-stuck ( as with any calibration ) is the lab must get their gear calibrated also.

Ask your lab if they get this done at least a couple of times a year.

The lab will always be the same providing they maintain there processor

eg. dumping dev and fix tanks

the only other thing that will change the quality of the lab is the laser in the processor. this ussualy needs to be aligned every 6-12 months