Calibrating my Monitor

krp · 12-01-2012, 05:07 PM

I had been wanting to upgrade my monitor for awhile, and last week I found a good deal on a Dell S2240M. So far the color seems a lot better (IPS) and I like the wide viewing angle. The full HD is also nice since it makes the screen feel less cluttered in Photoshop and other programs. But I know I still need to calibrate the monitor, something I've never done before. Spyder seems to be the most popular calibration system. I was thinking of buying an older version used to save money. Does anyone know if the newer version (4) is significantly better than the older versions? I know they claim it is improved but is it worth the extra money? Whenever I've ordered prints in the past the first thing I notice is the prints are a lot darker than the screen. Will calibrating my monitor fix this problem?

Pauld · 12-01-2012, 05:45 PM

Calibrating your monitor is a must. Your prints will be way out of whack until you calibrate. Once you calibrate you will see the results automatically and you'll see how dramatic the change is a well. I personally have the Spyder Express 3 and use it at least once a month. I can't speak for the newer versions but mine works perfectly fine. It's like the old saying, if it ain't broke don't fix it.

**jatrax** · 12-01-2012, 05:47 PM

Cannot help with version 4 but I'm a satisfied Spyder 3 user.

brntoki · 12-01-2012, 06:07 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by krp

I had been wanting to upgrade my monitor for awhile, and last week I found a good deal on a Dell S2240M. So far the color seems a lot better (IPS) and I like the wide viewing angle. The full HD is also nice since it makes the screen feel less cluttered in Photoshop and other programs. But I know I still need to calibrate the monitor, something I've never done before. Spyder seems to be the most popular calibration system. I was thinking of buying an older version used to save money. Does anyone know if the newer version (4) is significantly better than the older versions? I know they claim it is improved but is it worth the extra money? Whenever I've ordered prints in the past the first thing I notice is the prints are a lot darker than the screen. Will calibrating my monitor fix this problem?

You mentioned "ordering" prints. In that case, it will be hit and miss. The whole process from capture to print needs to be calibrated. In theory, sending a properly prepared file out to a good printer should match if the printshop you are using is doing things properly (big question mark there, even for "professional" printshops). Sending a proof along with the file to be printed is still a really good practice, though. If you have a printer that can produce a good proof, however, chances are you wouldn't be in need of sending out for prints.

I'm not saying you cannot continue to order prints and that you won't be satisfied; you may be very satisfied. It will be hit and/or miss, however. Either way, you do need to calibrate that monitor to even have a snowball's chance. Speaking of which, I am overdue for a calibration myself . . . I'm using a very old Spyder with some free software ( dispcalGUI?Open Source Display Calibration and Characterization powered by Argyll CMS ) which works very well. I've also got a very old Dell (ips) monitor that needs to be retired (badly), and printing on an Epson 13x19 pigment printer. It is, despite not being ideal mostly due to aging equipment, still working very well.

All of that . . . to say . . . I'm confident the older version Spyder will be adequate to meet your needs. Save your money and go with the cheaper option.

**Miguel** · 12-01-2012, 07:45 PM

Get the latest version. Compatibility with future computer OS versions will be more assured. From what I've read, version 4 measures ambient light more accurately. Over the useful life of your monitor, the added cost is minimal.

M

**kiwi_jono** · 12-01-2012, 08:59 PM

Originally posted by brntoki

I'm not saying you cannot continue to order prints and that you won't be satisfied; you may be very satisfied. It will be hit and/or miss, however. Either way, you do need to calibrate that monitor to even have a snowball's chance. Speaking of which, I am overdue for a calibration myself . . . I'm using a very old Spyder with some free software ( dispcalGUI?Open Source Display Calibration and Characterization powered by Argyll CMS ) which works very well.

Thank you! I have thinking about this too and was wondering if there was something open source. Sounds like good compatibility to me. I will be able to use it with my Linux Mint - have no desire to buy Windows 8.

brntoki · 12-02-2012, 12:03 AM

Originally posted by kiwi_jono

Thank you! I have thinking about this too and was wondering if there was something open source. Sounds like good compatibility to me. I will be able to use it with my Linux Mint - have no desire to buy Windows 8.

That's how I initially came across the open source solution. I was Ubuntu/Mint/Some-other-stuff and off Windows completely for quite some time and needed something. I'm now back on XP x64 (hassle trying to get/keep Photoshop working well in Linux), but the software works really well on Windows and it's better than the cheap and old ColorPlus software that came with my Spyder2.

krp · 12-02-2012, 04:24 PM

I think I'll try to buy Spyder 3 then, I don't plan on upgrading to Windows 8 anytime soon. I always knew I should calibrate my monitor but I guess I didn't think it was worth it until I got a better monitor.

12-01-2012, 05:07 PM	#1
krp Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Illinois Photos: Gallery Posts: 470	Calibrating my Monitor I had been wanting to upgrade my monitor for awhile, and last week I found a good deal on a Dell S2240M. So far the color seems a lot better (IPS) and I like the wide viewing angle. The full HD is also nice since it makes the screen feel less cluttered in Photoshop and other programs. But I know I still need to calibrate the monitor, something I've never done before. Spyder seems to be the most popular calibration system. I was thinking of buying an older version used to save money. Does anyone know if the newer version (4) is significantly better than the older versions? I know they claim it is improved but is it worth the extra money? Whenever I've ordered prints in the past the first thing I notice is the prints are a lot darker than the screen. Will calibrating my monitor fix this problem?

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12-01-2012, 05:45 PM	#2
Pauld Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Calgary, Alberta Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 507	Calibrating your monitor is a must. Your prints will be way out of whack until you calibrate. Once you calibrate you will see the results automatically and you'll see how dramatic the change is a well. I personally have the Spyder Express 3 and use it at least once a month. I can't speak for the newer versions but mine works perfectly fine. It's like the old saying, if it ain't broke don't fix it.

12-01-2012, 05:47 PM	#3
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Cannot help with version 4 but I'm a satisfied Spyder 3 user.

12-01-2012, 06:07 PM - 1 Like	#4
brntoki Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Okinawa Posts: 73	Originally posted by krp I had been wanting to upgrade my monitor for awhile, and last week I found a good deal on a Dell S2240M. So far the color seems a lot better (IPS) and I like the wide viewing angle. The full HD is also nice since it makes the screen feel less cluttered in Photoshop and other programs. But I know I still need to calibrate the monitor, something I've never done before. Spyder seems to be the most popular calibration system. I was thinking of buying an older version used to save money. Does anyone know if the newer version (4) is significantly better than the older versions? I know they claim it is improved but is it worth the extra money? Whenever I've ordered prints in the past the first thing I notice is the prints are a lot darker than the screen. Will calibrating my monitor fix this problem? You mentioned "ordering" prints. In that case, it will be hit and miss. The whole process from capture to print needs to be calibrated. In theory, sending a properly prepared file out to a good printer should match if the printshop you are using is doing things properly (big question mark there, even for "professional" printshops). Sending a proof along with the file to be printed is still a really good practice, though. If you have a printer that can produce a good proof, however, chances are you wouldn't be in need of sending out for prints. I'm not saying you cannot continue to order prints and that you won't be satisfied; you may be very satisfied. It will be hit and/or miss, however. Either way, you do need to calibrate that monitor to even have a snowball's chance. Speaking of which, I am overdue for a calibration myself . . . I'm using a very old Spyder with some free software ( dispcalGUI?Open Source Display Calibration and Characterization powered by Argyll CMS ) which works very well. I've also got a very old Dell (ips) monitor that needs to be retired (badly), and printing on an Epson 13x19 pigment printer. It is, despite not being ideal mostly due to aging equipment, still working very well. All of that . . . to say . . . I'm confident the older version Spyder will be adequate to meet your needs. Save your money and go with the cheaper option.

12-01-2012, 07:45 PM	#5
Miguel Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Near Seattle Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,743	Get the latest version. Compatibility with future computer OS versions will be more assured. From what I've read, version 4 measures ambient light more accurately. Over the useful life of your monitor, the added cost is minimal. M

12-01-2012, 08:59 PM	#6
kiwi_jono Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Christchurch, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,437	Originally posted by brntoki I'm not saying you cannot continue to order prints and that you won't be satisfied; you may be very satisfied. It will be hit and/or miss, however. Either way, you do need to calibrate that monitor to even have a snowball's chance. Speaking of which, I am overdue for a calibration myself . . . I'm using a very old Spyder with some free software ( dispcalGUI?Open Source Display Calibration and Characterization powered by Argyll CMS ) which works very well. Thank you! I have thinking about this too and was wondering if there was something open source. Sounds like good compatibility to me. I will be able to use it with my Linux Mint - have no desire to buy Windows 8.

12-02-2012, 12:03 AM	#7
brntoki Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Okinawa Posts: 73	Originally posted by kiwi_jono Thank you! I have thinking about this too and was wondering if there was something open source. Sounds like good compatibility to me. I will be able to use it with my Linux Mint - have no desire to buy Windows 8. That's how I initially came across the open source solution. I was Ubuntu/Mint/Some-other-stuff and off Windows completely for quite some time and needed something. I'm now back on XP x64 (hassle trying to get/keep Photoshop working well in Linux), but the software works really well on Windows and it's better than the cheap and old ColorPlus software that came with my Spyder2.

12-02-2012, 04:24 PM	#8
krp Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Illinois Photos: Gallery Posts: 470 Original Poster	I think I'll try to buy Spyder 3 then, I don't plan on upgrading to Windows 8 anytime soon. I always knew I should calibrate my monitor but I guess I didn't think it was worth it until I got a better monitor.