Is Color calibration tool like spyder is a must?

How many of you guys use color calibration software like spyder pro/elite? Is it a neccesity? Or can have a workaround for it?

danielyamseng wrote in post #7920192
How many of you guys use color calibration software like spyder pro/elite?

It's hardware and software.

danielyamseng wrote in post #7920192
Is it a neccesity?

No... Only if you want an accurate color match between print and screen. Or you want your photos posted on the web to look the same as they looked on your system.

It's not a necessity, but it is handy to insure that your display is representing the colors as they should be.

ChasP505 wrote in post #7920434
No... Only if you want an accurate color match between print and screen. Or you want your photos posted on the web to look the same as they looked on your system.

The Spyder Pro itself does not provide a match between print and screen. The spyder calibrates your monitor so that it shows colours correctly.
In order to achieve correct prints, you must also use a correct profile for your printer/ink/paper combination. the elite may come with the facility to provide these profiles but many paper manufacturers offer free custom profiles that are better and more accurate.

Is it necessary? If you take photography seriously YES. If a hobby - you can probably get by without it.

EOS_JD wrote in post #7920480
the elite may come with the facility to provide these profiles but many paper manufacturers offer free custom profiles that are better and more accurate.

Spyder3 Elite standalone package is not a print calibration device and it doesn't produce printer profiles.

EOS_JD wrote in post #7920480
Is it necessary? If you take photography seriously YES. If a hobby - you can probably get by without it.

What if you take hobbys seriously?

I picked up a spyder 2 and it has made a world of difference.

It's only important if you want your prints to accurately match your monitor. If you're not a professional I wouldn't worry too much, as you can always pay the lab a few dollars if you really need accurate color in your prints. I rely on my lab to do final color correction for my albums, mostly because it saves me time.

tim wrote in post #7922417
If you're not a professional I wouldn't worry too much

Wow! Twice in this brief thread I've heard this biased sentiment expressed. Why wouldn't a dedicated amateur or "hobbyist" photographer not want his/her prints to match or color to be accurate? So the amateur car mechanic doesn't need to get the ignition timing set right on his car because he's not a professional... he shouldn't worry too much.

Since I bought a Spyder2 and calibrated my monitor, it resulted in reduced waste from my inkjet printer ... which means lower cost per good print.

danielyamseng,
No, for me it isn't needed. I have my monitor calibrated manually by a few tests with my cameras, scanners, monitors and printers. This is how it has been for years even for graphic designing. However I do believe calibration is a must if you want your photos either by print or displayed on your monitor to look the same.

John_B , that mean there's an alternative get a similiar result without using color calibration tool? I think you really wasted quite a number of papers.
Any tips for manual calibration for both monitor and printer?

danielyamseng,
Not that much waste as it was much cheaper then an expensive thing to hang on my screen.
Here are some great links for calibration right here on POTN
calibrating monitor ?"s
Color problems?
Here are some external links:
Monitor calibration and gamma
The Macbeth Color Checker
The Lagom LCD monitor test pages

ChasP505 wrote in post #7922568
Wow! Twice in this brief thread I've heard this biased sentiment expressed. Why wouldn't a dedicated amateur or "hobbyist" photographer not want his/her prints to match or color to be accurate? So the amateur car mechanic doesn't need to get the ignition timing set right on his car because he's not a professional... he shouldn't worry too much.

Maybe because most hobbiests don't want to spend a huge amount of money on something that can be done at the lab.

But I get your point and if you take it seriously (pro or as a hobby) then get a decent hardware calibrator. THe Gretag MacBeth one gets rave reviews but the spyder does a very decent job.

If you want your prints to match, get the proper profiles for the printer/ink/paper that you use.

Monitor profiles for pc are icm files. Printer profiles are icc files.

I just picked up a Spyder 2 and it seems to have really helped too.

ChasP505 wrote in post #7922568
Wow! Twice in this brief thread I've heard this biased sentiment expressed. Why wouldn't a dedicated amateur or "hobbyist" photographer not want his/her prints to match or color to be accurate? So the amateur car mechanic doesn't need to get the ignition timing set right on his car because he's not a professional... he shouldn't worry too much.

Using software calibration you can get a "good enough" match that your prints will look good. Or pay the $0.50 that a lab charges for color correction if you have a few critical prints. Spending $300 and calibrating every three months isn't really necessary unless you have a need for precise color accuracy.