Monitor calibration

[Peter Ahrens]

Hi,

I'm using a Macbook 15" at the moment and hoping to purchase an iMac or Cinema Display.

I'm looking for a good monitor calibration device. There's a few around that I've been researching (Spyderpro, Colormonki, etc).

Which one do you use? Are you happy with it?

[sk66]

I've used the Spider (a couple of versions). I now use eye one's software with the Spyder3 Elite sensor. It's the best I've used so far.

That said, I think it's MUCH less important than I once did. As long as your screen and printer are calibrated so you get the prints you are expecting, how you get there doesn't matter. 90+% of people don't calibrate, so for web use it's pretty pointless.

[klam]

I'm using the x-rite eyeOne and it's simple to use. Can't compare to other calibration kits since I haven't used any other.

[Peter Ahrens]

Originally Posted by sk66

90+% of people don't calibrate, so for web use it's pretty pointless.

Yeah, I'm not doing the calibrating for the web. As you said, it's pointless, but I definitely need something for printing.

[Rikluz]

I used this website to calibrate my screen and it got a lot better compared to a real print.
Photo Friday: Monitor Calibration Tool
To get the colours right, you need to have a printed picture or something to compare with.

[ema002]

Does anyone think that it's helpful to calibrate your monitor just for people viewing on the web? I find a noticeable difference between my home monitor (where I edit photos) and my work monitor (where I just view). Because I send links to others for my online photos, I want to know that they are seeing the same quality that I expect them to see when I am editing.

So far, I haven't had too many problems with prints, usually they are about what I see on my monitor. But comparing between screens, there is a lot of difference, and I would like to eliminate as much of that difference as I can. Any ideas as to what calibration system I should use? I've done online ones that walk you through steps and you do it by your eyesight, but I'd like to get something that does it for me so I'm not relying on my own judgement.

[Rajah Sulayman]

I hardly ever print my photos (except upon request), yet I still calibrate my monitor with an x-rite EyeOne at least once a month. For me it's simply a matter of knowing that I have accurate colors in my photos, even if I'm the only one viewing them on a calibrated monitor. It's more for my own reassurance than anything else.

[JeffSmith]

ColorMunki - super fast, super easy and it does your printer and projector too.

[Peter Ahrens]

Originally Posted by JeffSmith

ColorMunki - super fast, super easy and it does your printer and projector too.

Pity it's super expensive too...

[mrdale]

I've been using Monaco EZ color for several years and am happy with it. As Rajah stated its more for me since we have no control over what others are using. Most monitors are shipped with the brightness turned way up, most people don't care. I have noticed a lot of variation between monitors (mine and work, others). I don't think its realistic to expect much consistency among a group of different monitors. If you want to get super accurate then look into IPS monitors which puts you up to a 24" screen and beyond.

dale