Need monitor calibration software recommendation

[arthur]

What should I get?

I'm tired of not being able to tell what I'm doing on my monitor.

[Hogleg 44]

Really, you need software that comes with hardware, like the GretagMacbeth Eye One Display. Or the Colorvision Spyder, or Monaco Optix. Hardware is the only way to do it right. You need Hardware that attachés to the monitor to correctly read and set the colors.

[boxofrocks]

If you can find one, there are some great deals on the Gretag Macbeth Eye One Match Two. You can get the old version, and download the new software (Eye One Match Three). I got a great deal on it (can't remember how much, but about 60 bucks from either B&H or Adorama), and love it. I have had great results using it and installing printer profiles from the various printers--even Costco prints look spectacular doing this.

Good luck!

[arthur]

Originally Posted by boxofrocks

If you can find one, there are some great deals on the Gretag Macbeth Eye One Match Two. You can get the old version, and download the new software (Eye One Match Three). I got a great deal on it (can't remember how much, but about 60 bucks from either B&H or Adorama), and love it. I have had great results using it and installing printer profiles from the various printers--even Costco prints look spectacular doing this.

Good luck!

I am looking around and I see "Display 2" but I don't see "Match 2." And it seems that all the display 2's are 200+.

[markfh]

I use the Spyder2 and love it. I get the same picture on my Epson R800 that I have on the monitor.

Yeah, they ain't cheap but what do you expect.

[johnastovall]

I'm very happy with a Spydervision Pro.

[Chris Anderson]

GretagMacbeth all the way!

[srwatters]

Originally Posted by Hogleg 44

Really, you need software that comes with hardware, like the GretagMacbeth Eye One Display. Or the Colorvision Spyder, or Monaco Optix. Hardware is the only way to do it right. You need Hardware that attachés to the monitor to correctly read and set the colors.

All three of these are considered to be excellent performers. One or another may have some advantages if you intend to do a complete 'system' (camera/scanner, monitor, & printer) calibration, but for strict monitor calibration, I don't think you can go wrong with any one of them. Prepare to spend about $250 for a new one. The hardware device is called a colorimeter. Personally I use the GretagMacbeth Eye One 2 device and associated GMB Eye One Match software.

You are making an excellent decision towards consistant photographs!

[LoungeLizard]

I use the GMB Eye One 2 and am very pleased with it. As Scott says, though, they're all fine and the main thing is to get ONE of them!

[johnastovall]

Originally Posted by arthur

What should I get?

I'm tired of not being able to tell what I'm doing on my monitor.

Since you are in the Dallas area and several people have mentioned the GretagMacbeth system, you might want to go to this.

http://www.gretagmacbeth.com/index/n...l.htm?id=14817

The cost includes a monitor calibration system.

[Detonate]

The gotacha I ran into with my Colorvision Spyder 2, is that is does not support multiple monitors.

I've found a way around this where I disable one monitor, calibrate the other, then swap.

Then when you enable both monitors it will say you don't have any profiles assigned, but then you can use the profile chooser to assign the previously created profiles to each monitor.

It's a hassle for sure, but I only run through this process ever other month.

[Gordon]

Yeah, the dual monitor issue is something to consider. I've been caught out by that too. Though really you also need a graphics card that has dual DAC LUTs which is a bit rare, even if the card will seperately drive two monitors.

Even if you have two 'identical' monitors you still need dual DAC LUTs to be programmed, because
each monitor is different (hence the reason for monitor calibration during profiling in the first place)

I get around this by having a main screen that I work on (nice dell widescreen panel) that is properly profiled and just having the other screen roughly profiled and used for review/ Photoshop bridge/ tools etc.

The colour critical stuff gets done on the profiled monitor. The other screen is good enough for everything but that anyway.

[ppcass]

I use Spyder 2 plus and have been very happy with the result, with opne problem. Don't mean to hijack the thread but maybe someone can help. Ever since calibrating the monitor my printer (Epson R320) has been way off and I can figure out how to calibrate it to the monitor setting. Any advice?