Monitor color calibration

[fi20100]

As I’m doing both webdesign and photography, I’m in desperate need of color calibrating my monitors. At the moment I’m looking into a ColorVision Spyder2express. Does anyone have any experience of this product?

Can anyone suggest any great alternatives in the same price range... ~ 100 € / $. I would very much appreciate some advice :)

[Bill Roberts]

Coincidentally I've just bought the Spyder 2 today and just finished calibrating my Eizo L768 display (I've just realised even that's an L)):o It's somewhat dependant on the monitor controls as some have more than others available for tweaking the settings.

It didn't make a huge difference but it was visible. So in one way it's comforting to think that I must have set it up reasonably close to optimum manually. I think the main thing is that it should give a known setting to be able to return to. By the looks of it, the major differences between the Spyder express, Spyder 2 and the Spyder Pro seems to be the software with the actual Spyder itself being the same unit. I don't suppose it compares to a true spectrophotometer (we use them at work for colour matching) but they cost a LOT more and it's hardly justifiable for my use.

So... possibly a litte early to comment more, but so far I'm pleased with it and certainly don't regret buying it.

Hope that helps a little anyway,
Cheers
Bill

[fi20100]

Thanks Bill :) It is great to hear from someone that has got the unit :)

[Miles]

I got one last week. Works brilliantly. Huge difference in images and now need to redevelop all my raws!!!

[fi20100]

I got one last week. Works brilliantly. Huge difference in images and now need to redevelop all my raws!!!

It was the ColorVision Spyder2express you got? :)

[fi20100]

Does anyone else have any experience with the ColorVision Spyder2express?

[tzalman]

As an alternative you might consider the Pantone Huey. Its main advantage is that it has a roomlight sensor that automatically adjusts the display according to the ambient light, which is convenient especially in a home environment where you work both at night and during the day.
Elie

[triumph]

Have Just purchased and used the spyder2express. Looking good.

[TeeJay]

Another vote for the "Pantone Huey" - couldn't be easier to set up, just hold the sensor to the (LCD) screen (rather than use the built-in suction cups) for a few seconds while it runs through its testing - and job done!

As TZalman said, the room sensor is quite good, adjusting the output based on ambient room light.

[fi20100]

Ok thanks :) seems like I just might get to borrow a Spyder 2 from a friend in a week, so I might do that first, to get an idea how it is working :)

[SuzyView]

I just looked at the Spyder 2 and it costs around $70. I think I might go out and get one today. My Dell LCD does not match my prints at all so I better get that done soon. I've been compensating and it's driving me nuts!

[fi20100]

Great! Tell me how you like it when you've got it :)

[Sladecj]

I just bought the Spyder 2 express, and did my calibration. The change was obvious.

My only concern is that you are supposed to change your monitor back to factory defaults for all settings. I am pretty sure this is a bad idea. I did this and then got what is called "image persistance" or LCD screen burn. My factory default is brightness at %100 and the tool bar etc. started to burn in. This is fixable on and LCD and all is well. But as a result I toned down the brightness and re-calibrated and everything seems to be fine. Not every monitor is the same (has the same default settings) so I don't really se how this should be much of an issue. I suspect some people may just have their monitors so messed up they can be calibrated well.

[rfreschner]

My only concern is that you are supposed to change your monitor back to factory defaults for all settings. I am pretty sure this is a bad idea. I did this and then got what is called "image persistance" or LCD screen burn. My factory default is brightness at %100 and the tool bar etc. started to burn in.

I don't understand how you would get burn in unless you waited a long time (like months) between changing back to default settings and calibrating. :confused: I just calibrated my monitor with the Spyder2PRO at the default settings and the calibration promptly knocked the brightness down below what I've been running it at for the 6 months I've had it.

[Sladecj]

I don't understand. Are you saying the the software changed the brightness controls on your monitor on it's own? Doesn't the software just create a profile for color managed programs to use? The programs uses this profile to adjust things to display correctly on your monitor. I'm I wrong about this? Did you manually change your monitor settings during the calibration?

[rfreschner]

I don't understand. Are you saying the the software changed the brightness controls on your monitor on it's own?

Yes. I don't know how the Spyder2 Express works, but with the Spyder2PRO you basically restore to defaults and let it do its thing.

Did you manually change your monitor settings during the calibration?

No.

Doesn't the software just create a profile for color managed programs to use? The programs uses this profile to adjust things to display correctly on your monitor. I'm I wrong about this?

The software creates a profile that your video card uses to adjust how your monitor renders the color information.

I'm certainly no expert in this and have barely scratched the surface, however a search in the forum on calibration and color management will yield much information on the subject.

[Sladecj]

My default brightness is 100%, that is what casued the problem.

[rfreschner]

My default brightness is 100%, that is what casued the problem.

How long did you have to leave it on without a screen saver to get burn-in?

[Sladecj]

I got the screen burn from the tool bar etc. from my browser, which is what I use most of the time. After maybe two weeks I noticed it. If you turn the LCD off a lot or display a pure white screen the burn in goes away over time. It took maybe three days for me to get rid of it.

[rfreschner]

Interesting... I've never experienced screen burn from an LCD, but I use screen savers and, with my Dell 2405FPW, turn the monitor off when not in use.

[TeeJay]

;) IMHO, LCD screens can't suffer from screen-burn - isn't it the act of a CRT "glowing" that causes the burn in the first place, and as an LCD doesn't work like that, I dont see how it can happen. Are you sure it wasn't just your eyes - like looking at the sun!:cool: :cool: :cool:

[Sladecj]

On an LCD it is called image persistance. Check out the link below. It can happen no doubt about it. There is a lot of bad information out there regarding LCD and plasma display devices.

http://compreviews.about.com/od/monitors/a/LCDBurnIn.htm

Or just google image persistance or LCD screen burn or something like that, you'll get loads of hits.