Monitor Calibration - What Do I Need? (Updated Huey Review/Thoughts)
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Craikeybaby
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Is the Spyder 3 (with the newer hardware) a big jump over the Spyder 2?
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Hi Bob, is it the Spyder 2 Express that you have?
I'm not that fussed about print, as anything decent I would get printed professionally. The price of the one in the link though, sounds a little too good, and I dont want to waste money on something that wont do the job.
And since some are £300 odd, I am wondering if a £50 piece of kit really can be much use?
I've just been to our well known local computer superstore and spoken to Mrs Fickbint who didn't even seem to know what monitor calibration was, so there's not much hope of me finding one locally to take a look at.
Any advice from people who have used/own ANY KIND of monitor calibration device much appreciated.
My monitor's problem seem to be in the top and bottom 5-10% of a full graduation, where I am unable to see on screen any differentiation.
I'm not that fussed about print, as anything decent I would get printed professionally. The price of the one in the link though, sounds a little too good, and I dont want to waste money on something that wont do the job.
And since some are £300 odd, I am wondering if a £50 piece of kit really can be much use?
I've just been to our well known local computer superstore and spoken to Mrs Fickbint who didn't even seem to know what monitor calibration was, so there's not much hope of me finding one locally to take a look at.
Any advice from people who have used/own ANY KIND of monitor calibration device much appreciated.
My monitor's problem seem to be in the top and bottom 5-10% of a full graduation, where I am unable to see on screen any differentiation.
R
RobbieW
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I use a Spyder 2 Express, and I can tell the difference. What I view on the screen is very similar to what photobox send me on paper now. Was very impressed with it and don't regret spedning the £80 (at the time) one bit.
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No, but I'm pretty certain that it'll be the same sensor that's used. The one I have cost about £125 when new.
There is a monitor calibration thread if you're not in too much of a hurry. My Spyder is doing a round Britain tour...see here http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=42173
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Seen your flickr comment 
Whats up with your monitor?
Gary.
Whats up with your monitor?Gary.
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Seen your flickr comment
Pretty much what you spotted the other night. at the extremes of a greyscale I can't see any difference on screen. ie: 3% magenta just looks plain white to me, etc. And if a black background ranges from say 95-100% again, I can't see it on my screen.
But I can on this monitor at work (imac).
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Well, just purchased a Pantone Huey today. Apparently 'new' price at just £55
Will post some thoughts once installed, but the guy in the shop rated it far more than the Spyder 3 for home use where ambient light changes considerably (the Huey recalibrates according to conditions).
A tip (again, not confirmed yet) from the guy in the store too was not to buy the Huey Pro, but go with the standard one, then you can download a software update from Pantone (which is the only difference) and it works out cheaper. The update allows gamma correction and other more advanced techniques that are currently skimming the top of my head.
Will post some thoughts once installed, but the guy in the shop rated it far more than the Spyder 3 for home use where ambient light changes considerably (the Huey recalibrates according to conditions).
A tip (again, not confirmed yet) from the guy in the store too was not to buy the Huey Pro, but go with the standard one, then you can download a software update from Pantone (which is the only difference) and it works out cheaper. The update allows gamma correction and other more advanced techniques that are currently skimming the top of my head.
I've borrowed a Huey from work and thought about upgrading to the Huey Pro but if they wanted to start using it again I'd have wasted my money. It'd be interesting to hear your thoughts after upgrading. I find the standard Huey a bit pointless with all the cool, warm and contrast settings.
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Ok, haven't upgraded yet, but have installed and run the Huey.
First impressions are that it hasn't really done a lot. Colours are slightly more muted now (which would explain the comments I've received on here about shots requiring more PP to 'bring things out'). I've also noticed that I can now see a difference at the top and bottom end of graduations, which was the main reason for getting it. I'm not sure it's perfect, but it is better and since the monitor was fairly cheap I can't really complain.
Would I recommend it?
TBH, I think you could probably achieve the same results just using the standard calibration/custom-profiles available in the Mac prefs. The trick is knowing where your monitor is currently failing, and then spending time making adjustments to improve it. For £55 I cant really complain. Quick and easy to install, and you need no colour management knowledge. Summary for me would be that it took a long tricky job and turned it into a ten minute job whilst I was having a cuppa!
First impressions are that it hasn't really done a lot. Colours are slightly more muted now (which would explain the comments I've received on here about shots requiring more PP to 'bring things out'). I've also noticed that I can now see a difference at the top and bottom end of graduations, which was the main reason for getting it. I'm not sure it's perfect, but it is better and since the monitor was fairly cheap I can't really complain.
Would I recommend it?
TBH, I think you could probably achieve the same results just using the standard calibration/custom-profiles available in the Mac prefs. The trick is knowing where your monitor is currently failing, and then spending time making adjustments to improve it. For £55 I cant really complain. Quick and easy to install, and you need no colour management knowledge. Summary for me would be that it took a long tricky job and turned it into a ten minute job whilst I was having a cuppa!