Monitor Calibration

[Roy]

I guess I'm going to have to get one of these. What's reccommended and where to get one?

[Rson]

Color Spyder or Color Monki

ARlington Camera Has them

[tertius]

I got my i1 Display 2 from B&H for $205 to my door, I like Arlington Camera but the pice was almost 20% higher.

[srwatters]

I use the X-Rite Eye One Display II, but if you are looking into a wide gamut display, you might consider one of the higher end Spyder Devices.

http://spyder.datacolor.com/product-mc-s3pro.php

[groovyone]

I am very happy with my Spyder 3

[Randy Chambers]

I just got the Spyder 3 today and while both my monitors were close, I think they are spot on now.

[cwend]

also a happy spyder 3 user, although the first one I bought did not work, they replaced it quickly and have had no problems since then

[offcamber]

I just picked up a Spyder 3 Express for $69 from Adorama. It works great. It doesnt' have built in software for doing dual monitors but you can work around it quite easily and calibrate both by just disabling one, so that the other is main display and calibrating. Save the file locally then after doing both, just use the windows settings to set each ones own calibration file.

[rfortson]

Color Munki costs more, but you can also use it for printer profiles. I like mine.

I also have the Huey, which works for just monitor and is easy to carry around.

[contributor_M]

So a monitor calibration device just sets the colors on your monitor. Can't you do this yourself? Why buy one of these things?

[srwatters]

Originally Posted by contributor_M

So a monitor calibration device just sets the colors on your monitor. Can't you do this yourself? Why buy one of these things?

I think perhaps your underestimating the complexity of 'setting the colors' on your display... Do you use the meter in your camera or an external meter? Can't you just set the exposure with your eyes? I think that's roughly an accurate analogy.

If you don't really care about producing consistent accurate colors, then by all means, do it by 'eye'. Personally I use a colorimeter and a light meter. Of course YMMV...

[contributor_M]

Originally Posted by srwatters

I think perhaps your underestimating the complexity of 'setting the colors' on your display... Do you use the meter in your camera or an external meter? Can't you just set the exposure with your eyes? I think that's roughly an accurate analogy.

If you don't really care about producing consistent accurate colors, then by all means, do it by 'eye'. Personally I use a colorimeter and a light meter. Of course YMMV...

...

Well from the research I've done myself, apparently this has to do with adjusting the monitor to some sort of common standard(?). But, from what I've been reading, if you calibrate your monitor, it would be very useful when you are printing images. And when you are posting files, say on flickr, any other person with a calibrated monitor will see the the image as you saw it.

BUT... what about people with uncalibrated monitors? How off will the colors be for them if they are viewing your image? Would it even matter (since your monitor is indeed calibrated after all)?

What about folks using different calibration tools, will they colors display differently since they are from two manufactures?

Not trying to be a smart arse about this, just trying to make a wise investment. Simply stating that if I was to care about producing consistent accurate colors, I would get one really just doesn't justify it.

[srwatters]

Originally Posted by contributor_M

Well from the research I've done myself, apparently this has to do with adjusting the monitor to some sort of common standard(?). But, from what I've been reading, if you calibrate your monitor, it would be very useful when you are printing images. And when you are posting files, say on flickr, any other person with a calibrated monitor will see the the image as you saw it.

BUT... what about people with uncalibrated monitors? How off will the colors be for them if they are viewing your image? Would it even matter (since your monitor is indeed calibrated after all)?

Do two wrongs make a right? Not really, but I'd much rather take care of business on my side and worry less about how someone else views the world.

Originally Posted by contributor_M

What about folks using different calibration tools, will they colors display differently since they are from two manufactures?

Since they are both tied to standard color spaces as a reference, they should look nearly identical when viewed in correct conditions.

Originally Posted by contributor_M

Not trying to be a smart arse about this, just trying to make a wise investment. Simply stating that if I was to care about producing consistent accurate colors, I would get one really just doesn't justify it.

Only you can decide if it's justifiable or not. I would submit that if you ever intend to work professionally (i.e. sell your work), you should invest in a calibration tool. Even more so if you ever intend to do product work where color accuracy is mandatory. If your chosen genre doesn't rely on accurate color or subtle changes in shade at the light or dark end of the histogram, then by all means don't buy one.

Have you read this website? It's well worth the time and might help you make up your mind.

Good luck!