ColorVision ColorPlus Monitor Calibration Kit

[ppuga]

What do you think about this:

"ColorVision ColorPlus Monitor Calibration Kit"

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=cart&A=details&Q=&sku=324696&is=REG

This is a must have or not?

thanks.

PS. Didn't find where to post this, hope this forum is ok for this.

[gkas]

This is a MUST HAVE. I calibrate both my laptop and my CRT. It's nice to print exactly what you saw on the monitor.

[ppuga]

Thanks! So lets see if Santa its comming town this year! jeje

:D

[ejwebb]

You might want to have Santa look into this one - I suggested he do so for me!! Increased sensitivity and more functional software:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=353929&is=REG

Check out the reviews here:

http://www.drycreekphoto.com/Learn/monitor_calibration_tools.htm

I hope this does what everyone claims calibration does for you!! I can't wait to try it out if Santa comes through! Good luck!!

[ppuga]

in one of the mags I buy this moth theres an article about the spyder 2, and its a MUST HAVE! but Santa's can't afford it. jeje

May be for me, as a hobbie, novice in digital photography can work with the cheapest one.

cheers!

[Flagpole]

G'day!

I just recently came accross this page which gave me some thoughts on the subject
http://www.shootsmarter.com/infocenter/wc026a.htm Please read it before rushing in and buying the Spyder kit.

Flagpole

[donlavange]

Wish I had read this before I started my "quest" for color management.

I first purchased the Colorvision Spyder and Profiler Plus but had trouble getting everything into the proper folders on may Mac (new to Mac from PC's). After following specific instructions and getting Profiler Plus into the proper folder, I still could not find or start Profiler from the File.Automate menu.

In frustration I purchased Printfix, a small scanner, marketed by Colorvision. After agonizing over scores of screwed up colored prints, I have given up and returned to the "canned" profiles given out by Epson and I am getting reasonably good color again.

[ppuga]

Thanks for the help.
After reading this article I will think twice of buying this monitor calibration kit, I will have to wait to have money to buy a better one. I will still searching for the good one!
Thanks.

[CyberDyneSystems]

Monaco Optix.

'nuff said.

[eosster]

Monaco Optix.

'nuff said.
Yep, Ditto.

I have this and soooo good in terms of calibrating your monitor.

Cheers,

Charles,

[Robesse]

I use the Spyder "1" with PhotoCal. It is serviceable if not a bit quirky on my Gateway LCD. Its better than having an uncalibrated monitor and better than Adobe Gamma. I would reccomend against the $100 system.

FYI you can get the Spyder with OptiCal software (better than PhotoCal) for $160 right now.

All being said I do agree that you may want to save up for one of the other systems in the $250 price range if you want more powerful color management.

[ppuga]

thanks, for all the comments I when i get one of this calibrations kits I let you know to post my comments, still not decided yet jeje. But all the opinions count.

;)

[TomC]

I'm glad this post was here with that article. I'm intend on buying color management for a PC/Mac and was leaning toward the Spyder 2!!

[paladin]

I know several of y'all aren't in favor of ColorPlus, but it's the only version that works with Win ME except the $300 + Spyder Pro version which I'm not willing to spend. I've ordered ColorPlus and have read "Applications that adjust gamma and color temperature (like Adobe Gamma) must not be used.". Does this statement apply to BreezeBrowser, BreezeBrowser Pro and/or Adobe PS 5.0 Limited Edition? If so, what are my options, if any? Thanks for any and all help. Gil

[Jack W.]

Hi Gil.
Yes. Disable Adobe gamma from starting up with Windows. The Spyder software starts with Windows, and loads the profile that you create with the Spyder.
I have the Spyder with PhotoCal. Works great on my crt.
Jack

[paladin]

Jack, sorry to be dense but how do I disable Adobe gamma in PS 5 LE? Thanks for your help. Gil.

Hi Gil.
Yes. Disable Adobe gamma from starting up with Windows. The Spyder software starts with Windows, and loads the profile that you create with the Spyder.
I have the Spyder with PhotoCal. Works great on my crt.
Jack

[Jack W.]

Hi Gil.
Start>Run>type in "msconfig" without the quotation marks, click ok. In the dialogue box that comes up next, you'll see a tab at the top that's labled startup. Click that. You'll then see the list of all the stuff that starts with Windows. Look for Adobe gamma, and deselect it, then apply, etc. You'll then have to reboot for the change to take place. If you're on WinXP, when the system restarts, you'll get a dialogue box that says something about changes or whatever. At the bottom of that box, check "do not run........etc., ok etc.
You're then set to go with the calibration software.
Jack

[paladin]

Hi Jack,
Evidently Adobe PS 5 LE doesn't run a gamma correction. I followed your instructions but there wasn't anything about Adobe and/or gamma under the startup tab in msconfig. Maybe it's PS5LE or Win ME but either way it's nice to know I don't have to worry about it. Also nice to know where to go if I ever need to worry about it. Thanks a lot for taking the time to respond and walk me through the steps. Regards, Gil


Hi Gil.
Start>Run>type in "msconfig" without the quotation marks, click ok. In the dialogue box that comes up next, you'll see a tab at the top that's labled startup. Click that. You'll then see the list of all the stuff that starts with Windows. Look for Adobe gamma, and deselect it, then apply, etc. You'll then have to reboot for the change to take place. If you're on WinXP, when the system restarts, you'll get a dialogue box that says something about changes or whatever. At the bottom of that box, check "do not run........etc., ok etc.
You're then set to go with the calibration software.
Jack

[Jack W.]

Hi Gil.
You're quite welcome. Not often I get to help someone!
Jack

[paladin]

Purchased ColorVision (also upgraded to Win XP with SP2). No problems installing or running CV. Just have to accustom myself to a much darker CRT monitor. Checked the color against a printed 8 X 10 in BB, BB Pro, PS5LE and ZB EX 5.0.0.142. The clors and lightness/darkness on the monitor were lighter than the actual photo in BB, BB Pro and PS5LE (not too bad though and a lot better than what I had). In ZB EX 5.0 .. everything was almost dead on. The photo was developed at Wal-Mart. Since I'm neither a pro nor amatuer photographer I am pleased with ColorVision. At least I now know about what the pix will look like when printed. Hope this helped someone.

Now for a question :) or two. In BB and BB Pro should I enable the color monitor profile and install the ColorPlus icm that ColorVision created? Under Raw Conversion I've embedded the Canon G3 - True Color Non-Linear profile. Any other suggestions appreciated.:) Is there any way to get the colors/light/dark closer to actual print in BB, BB Pro and/or PS5LE? Thanks for your help. Gil