iOne 2 + Spyder3 Print or Color Munki ?

[sjc*2]

I have been using the iOne 2 device for some time now. I am beginning to create some prints and would like to close the loop and profile the printer.
Having already purchased the iOne device I am thinking of just purchasing the Spyder3 Print unit to profile the printer and keep the iOne for the monitor.

Would there be any issues with this configuration.?
OR
Should I just purchase the Color Munki device and sell off the iOne unit. ?

Steve

[netsrac]

Steve,

I personally have the brand new Spyder3Studio SR (as part of the Spyder3Studio SR Kit) and really like the quality of the printer profiles. I had tested the M*nki before and decided that this is more a toy, because it only uses 2 pages with 50 color patches each, so you have not more than 100 color patches.

The Spyder3Print SR allows you to create profiles from up to nearly 1.000 color patches if you like - but you don't have to.

But the most important thing for me are their enhanced gray calibration targets. They make sure that you can print absolute neutral B&W images on your printer. Doing a b&w image on my Epson R2400 on matte paper is amazing.

One other thing which I was told from a guy on a tradeshow: If you look at XR*te and their products, then you see that they also offer printer solutions which are way beyond the 1.000 US$ region. So they will never make the M*nki as good as the higher class products, simply because they don't want a competition between their own products.

Datacolor only has one printer device, so they will give you the best quality they can do...

BTW...if you are satisfied with the result of the i1, then keep it, this does not mean that the printer calibration is not working. Every company calibrates the monitor based on ICC standard, so it should be basically the same result.

Okay, just my 2 Cents...

[fortisi876]

I went with the CM-Xrite, it's my first calibrator so I dont know what to make of things just yet. Overall, it seems to work well, one of my early gripes with my monitor calibration was the cool/bluish cast I got on completion, however, I'm not dismissing the notion that I might be doing something wrong. I fine tuned the RGB afterwards and it seems to work well now but again I dont have much experience to compare things to.

Although true about the 2 pages of color swatches, I think it does allow you to add more/expand the range via adding images where it'll pull off more color swatches.......am I understanding that feature correctly?
If I am, then I'd like to know what the max set number of swatches that'll accept.

For $300 and what Ive read other ppl saying, it's pretty good bang for your dollar, unless you're in the trade I don't know if $500+ system would be much worth it.

[Lowner]

I assume from your comment you are unhappy with the printer/paper profile/s provided by the manufacturer?

If that's the case, I'd recommend using the services of a custom profile specialist because the equipment they use tends to be financially out of reach of normal folk. We are talking thousands, not hundreds here.

I use an Epson R2880 printer and have been very happy with it except for Epson Premium Glossy paper, when it prints WAAAAY too dark. I paid the equivilent of two ink cartridges for an excellent custom profile.

[oak3x]

Originally Posted by Lowner

I assume from your comment you are unhappy with the printer/paper profile/s provided by the manufacturer?

If that's the case, I'd recommend using the services of a custom profile specialist because the equipment they use tends to be financially out of reach of normal folk. We are talking thousands, not hundreds here.

I use an Epson R2880 printer and have been very happy with it except for Epson Premium Glossy paper, when it prints WAAAAY too dark. I paid the equivilent of two ink cartridges for an excellent custom profile.

Who did you use to get your custom profile?

[ChasP505]

I agree with Richard. Eric Chan created 2 excellent profiles for my HP printer, for slightly less than the cost of 2 ink cartridges (in US Dollars)..

[Lowner]

oak3x,

Eric Chan seems a good choice for a US profiler. Another with a good reputation, again US based is Cathys Profiles.

I used Custom Printer Profiles here in the UK last time. Paul Hibbert was very helpful. Look at http://www.customprinterprofile.co.uk