Colorvision Spyder 2

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

On 9 May 2005 12:02:22 -0700, "aaron" <fattykid17@yahoo.com> wrote:

>Looks like I am in need of software / (possible) hardware to calibrate
>my monitor profile. (My photos just aren't matching my display) Any
>input / feedback on the Spyder 2. Is this the best solution for my
>problem. Also, is it worth the investment? Thanks

Here is a review of it..

http://www.macworld.com/2005/03/re [...] /index.php

It's only worth the investment if you think it is but you would be
better off spending 49.95 and learning the basics of color management
so you would know what to do with it.

Actual if you want the best for complete work flow color management
you should look at these products.

http://www.gretagmacbeth.com/


********************************************************

"When a true genius appears in this world you may know
him by the sign that the dunces are all in confederacy
against him."

Jonathan Swift
1667-1745

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

In article <1115665342.641930.102040@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com>,
aaron says...
> Looks like I am in need of software / (possible) hardware to calibrate
> my monitor profile. (My photos just aren't matching my display) Any
> input / feedback on the Spyder 2. Is this the best solution for my
> problem. Also, is it worth the investment? Thanks

I have it since yesterday and am still struggling to make it work (see
my other thread "Monitor calibration help" ). Not sure if the unit is
defective or some settings I chose are wrong.
--

Alfred Molon
------------------------------
Olympus 4040, 5050, 5060, 7070, 8080, E300 forum at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MyOlympus/
Olympus 8080 resource - http://myolympus.org/8080/

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

On Mon, 9 May 2005 22:43:27 +0200, Alfred Molon
<alfredREMOVE_molon@yahoo.com> wrote:

>In article <1115665342.641930.102040@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com>,
>aaron says...
>> Looks like I am in need of software / (possible) hardware to calibrate
>> my monitor profile. (My photos just aren't matching my display) Any
>> input / feedback on the Spyder 2. Is this the best solution for my
>> problem. Also, is it worth the investment? Thanks
>
>I have it since yesterday and am still struggling to make it work (see
>my other thread "Monitor calibration help" ). Not sure if the unit is
>defective or some settings I chose are wrong.

What's the ambient light in the area where you are doing the
calibration? Have you tried it in a completely dark or very low light
room.


********************************************************

"When a true genius appears in this world you may know
him by the sign that the dunces are all in confederacy
against him."

Jonathan Swift
1667-1745

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

"aaron" <fattykid17@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1115665342.641930.102040@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com...
> Looks like I am in need of software / (possible) hardware to calibrate
> my monitor profile. (My photos just aren't matching my display) Any
> input / feedback on the Spyder 2. Is this the best solution for my
> problem. Also, is it worth the investment? Thanks
>


Not very helpfull, but it all depends.

Are you using a Colour Managed workflow. With a Printer Profile specific to
the Paper you are printing on?

Does your Photo Imaging program allow you to see "Soft Proofs" on screen.
If you can not preview a Soft Proof, you will not know what your print will
look like.

There is no way that any Print can be exactly the same as what you see on
screen. One is viewed by reflected light, and the other by transmitted
light.

A Soft Proof will attempt to overcome that difference, and will also show
the Colors which can not be printed (Out of Gamut colors) as your printer
will actually print them.

If you are doing all the above, and still not getting reasonably close
prints, then it might well be worth investing in a Monitor Calibrator.

If you are not running a Colour Managed Workflow, then a Calibrator will
only be a waste of money.

Roy G

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

I tried to use Spyder for my Samsung LCD but whatever I did the
correction it made to my settings was way off from the target line
especially the red color. I called customer service and they let me try
their fancier software. However it gave similar result. I did another
session with tech support to make sure I do not do anything wrong. They
concluded that the unit is defective and sent me a replacement. Guess
what... same problem.
I sent color correction graphs to the device maker tech support but
they never bothered to reply. I just gave up at some point and have
that thing collecting dust on my shelf. I searched news groups but
couldn't find anything related to my "red color" issue. I tried same
monitor with two different XP PCs that had different graphics cards,
same result. It has been one very disappointing experience and wasted
money and tons of time.

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

"Alfred Molon" <alfredREMOVE_molon@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:MPG.1cebbcb44657146c98ab25@news.supernews.com...
> In article <1115761770.436065.228550@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com>,
> Julia says...
> > I tried to use Spyder for my Samsung LCD but whatever I did the
> > correction it made to my settings was way off from the target line
> > especially the red color. I called customer service and they let me try
> > their fancier software. However it gave similar result. I did another
> > session with tech support to make sure I do not do anything wrong. They
> > concluded that the unit is defective and sent me a replacement. Guess
> > what... same problem.
> > I sent color correction graphs to the device maker tech support but
> > they never bothered to reply. I just gave up at some point and have
> > that thing collecting dust on my shelf. I searched news groups but
> > couldn't find anything related to my "red color" issue. I tried same
> > monitor with two different XP PCs that had different graphics cards,
> > same result. It has been one very disappointing experience and wasted
> > money and tons of time.
>
> Great - that's more or less my conclusion too. The Spyder2Pro is a piece
> of rubbish. Will return it to the shop asap.
> --
>
> Alfred Molon
> ------------------------------
> Olympus 4040, 5050, 5060, 7070, 8080, E300 forum at
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MyOlympus/
> Olympus 8080 resource - http://myolympus.org/8080/

yup, must be something wrong with those of using it quite successfully....

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

Yes, I did run it in the darkened room and I disabled all video card
color management e t c. Tech support agreed that I did everything
right. I would really prefer that thing working Ok instead of
complaining here . I know that many people are happy with using this
device and this is why the whole problem is so puzzling for me... I
really wish I knew if I do anything wrong...
---
here is the graph before calibration
http://images9.fotki.com/v183/file [...] brated.jpg

and here it is after:
http://images9.fotki.com/v179/file [...] ection.jpg

(click reload a time or two if these links do not load)

UrbanVoyeur wrote:

> >
> Hmmm. Works great for me on a several ViewSonic LCD's.
>
> I wonder if it has to do with certain LCD's
>
> I assume you followid all the set up instruction regarding your
monitor
> and video card settings? Did you run it is a darkened room?
>
> --
>
> J
>
> www.urbanvoyeur.com

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

Those graphs look very much like what I ended up with. I also found that it
did a poor job on CRT's. So much so that everyone who looked at the
monitors I tried it on asked me what was wrong with them.