Monitor Calibration

[NaClH2O]

I use spyder 2 express, and it made a big difference on my monitor. And I am running a 22 inch Sun Microsystems CRT which is a very good monitor. So it definitely does make a difference even on a high quality monitor.

NaCl(and re-calibrate at regular intervals)H2O

[Dale]

Eye-One Display 2, and yes it makes a difference on my Powerbook monitor.

[Wheatfield]

I've mentioned this in another thread, I'l mention it in this one as well. I don't really think it matters what calibration tool you use, as long as you use one. Software calibration that depends on the user's eyesight for comparing colour blots may or may not be better than an uncalibrated screen.
I used the calibration tool that came with Photoshop for years, working on the theory that because Kodak QC wanted to hire me for my eyesight 25 years ago, I must have pretty good colur sense.
It turns out that while I have pretty good eyes, both the Colorvision Spyder and the Gretag Eye1 tools are better.
Hardware calibration devices aren't all that expensive these days, and my own opinion is that not having one is just not clever.

[reeftool]

I have used the a software monitor calibration tool (free download type) but nothing more. According to that one my monitor was pretty good and I have not touched it since. I'm not seeing anything that leads me to believe it is off as the colors are pretty close to what I see on the cameras LCD.

[ftpaddict]

Can't afford one.

[procyon]

Originally Posted by MiLKMAN

Greetings to y'all
I've done a software calibration with basICColor display's virtual device
But I'm looking forward to buy a hardware calibration tool, Huey or Eye-One Display 2. That's the only stuff we've got in our banana republic

Our banana republic has more options luckily
Fotoluks müüb spyder3 eri versioone näiteks. (fototarvikud->värvihaldus)

[Bramela]

I have read all your comments guys and, as a real computer novice, it all intrigues me.
I am moved to consider a Huey etc based on what I read here, and the fact that my monitor tends to be a little unpredictable. It tends not to hold what I consider to be a really great colour tone and does vary in light. (Does that sound rather naiivley put).

QUESTION : if I invest in a Huey or spyder etc, after calibrating my monitor, does that effect the results of the printer as well. I am very pleased with the picture on my monitor at the moment, but invariably tends to come up darker on prints.

[procyon]

Originally Posted by Bramela

QUESTION : if I invest in a Huey or spyder etc, after calibrating my monitor, does that effect the results of the printer as well. I am very pleased with the picture on my monitor at the moment, but invariably tends to come up darker on prints.

After calibrating your monitor you have the chance to see exactly how much your prints will be darker and compensate before sending to print. But this assumes that you have the colour profile for your printer/ print shop, and a program that supports "soft-proofing" (photoshop, etc.).

[Bart]

How about an extra option in the poll:
"Yes, I would like to calibrate my monitor but I don't have the budget for that right now"

[kerrowdown]

Calibration is something you need to do when it becomes critical or blatantly obvious that you need to change the way in which your workflow runs.

For example, the monitor screen image looks nothing like you remember when you took the picture or it appears on the camera screen and you can’t get the printer to get anywhere close to the image that you see on the monitor.

More normally it is when your images become colour critical for the likes of publication (at that point it’s how you make your living or get paid). You will know when the time is right, because it’s the whole workflow you must consider, not just the monitor screen.

Basically you want everything to be the same, that’s each component at each stage of the process, it’s worth the struggle sometimes in getting set up right, because it’s so so sweet when all is on song.

There a lots of good kit out there to almost automate this process for you, which ever you choose it must be done on a regular basis to get the full benefit of a calibrated system.

[Bramela]

Thanks for that. I am seeking out the best option now, and will then move my vote up into the majority percentage "Yes I have calibrated my computer

[ftpaddict]

Originally Posted by Bart

How about an extra option in the poll:
"Yes, I would like to calibrate my monitor but I don't have the budget for that right now"

I second this motion.

[Urmas R.]

A low budget option:

At least here in Germany good photo labs offer test charts that they print out using their calibrated printers and PCs. It is basically a composition of different color charts, grayscale charts and sample photos. They send you the file as well as the printed version. You open the file in your computer and compare what you see on your monitor with the sample print that they sent you. This way you can make the necessary changes.

In most cases it costs nothing. I would suggest asking from photo labs which do fine art prints or similar high end services.

[Indianadinos]

Hello,

I calibrated the screen of my laptop with a Pantone Eye One probe, borrowed from a friend ...

Best regards

[drewdlephone]

ColorVision Spyder 2. Made one hell of a difference on my MacBook. I can take my shots off my computer to work and get prints made, and as long as they don't touch it with the auto-corrector, it's identical to the colors on screen. Best hundred dollars you can spend, in my opinion, especially if you intend to show your work online or have prints made at a lab.