Question? Monitor Color Calibration

[gr8guyrick]

I am in search of a color calibration tool to ensure the colors I see on my monitor are accurate. Has anyone had any experience with a tool such as this? Can anyone make any recommendations? I am in kind of a rush on this as I have sold my first two prints and have learned I need to calibrate the monitor and use the correct profile for the printer that Adorama uses otherwise what I see on the screen will not be what prints.

Thanks in advance.
Rick

[wcrosman]

I use a Spyder 2 by Color Vision without any issues.

[gr8guyrick]

Thanks wcrosman.

[swartzphotography]

interesting im wondering exactly how they work can you kinda give me a rundown on what exactly you do with a tool such as this. I understand it reads the light output by actually measuring what is outputted on the fron of your monitor but im unsure how you would change red green blue on the monitor as the monitor i have dosnt have a way to change this.

[ChiefBill]

Rick -

I recently bought a Spyder 2, as well. It is a simple process - you load up the software, place the calibration unit on the front of your monitor, and let it do its thing. It then creates a new monitor profile based on the readings; the new profile is loaded when you start your computer. Just a bit of advice, it is good to have the books that came with you monitor in regard to factory settings, etc. Other than that, I do a calibration about once every two weeks.

I am now thinking of investing in the companion system to allow me to create custom printer profiles, but that's a little much for me right know.

Good luck!
Bill

[wcrosman]

Originally Posted by swartzphotography

interesting im wondering exactly how they work can you kinda give me a rundown on what exactly you do with a tool such as this. I understand it reads the light output by actually measuring what is outputted on the fron of your monitor but im unsure how you would change red green blue on the monitor as the monitor i have dosnt have a way to change this.

Either your monitor or your video driver has to have some adjustments. To get the profile correct you set gamma, brightness, and driver levels for Red,Green, & Blue, with guidance from the software. Then the tool maps each of these throughout its brightness range to come up with a profile.

[gr8guyrick]

Thanks guys....I have found Spyder 2 Pro and Spyder 2 Suite...suggestions from there?

[swartzphotography]

sounds cool. i heard of one called a huey monitor control suppose to be pretty good im just not sure why its available at paint stores rather than computer stores lol. at least thats where i saw it

[gr8guyrick]

Ok guys, I went with the ColorVision Spyder 3 Pro. It was actually less expensive than the 2 Pro. Thanks again.

Rick