Monitor Calibration Software

[JulieM]

I'm finally ready to take the plunge and properly color calibrate my monitor. I'm looking for advice on what I should be looking for when choosing a calibration software. Any specific recommendations on brand and model would be welcome too. I'm looking to $250 US or less...

[genevh]

You won't have any problem at all finding a calibration program and colorimeter that will do the job nicely for under $250. There are lots to choose from. The popular ones in the forum that seem to get the most mention are the Spyder and GretagMacbeth. ColorVision just came out with the Spyder2PRO suite for Win/MAC that fits your price range.

I have the Syder2 Suite that I use on a Samsung LCD monitor that works very well.

HTH

[TonyW]

I use a Huey and that works fine on both my desktop and laptop and that is well under $100

Tony

[JulieM]

Thanks, Gene and Tony. Okay, I've checked the web and looked at the specs for the Spyder2 line (Colorvision), Eye-One Display 2 (Greytag Macbeth), and Huey (Pantone) products. This has only served to confirm that I don't have a clue how to choose one of these things! One thing that I've noticed is that a distinction is made in some of the specs between calibrating your monitor and profiling your printer and these seem to be two separate components of the product. What is the difference between calibrating your monitor and profiling your printer and are both required in order to get accurate prints? Do all these softwares do both?

[genevh]

I bought the Spyder2 Suite with the hopes of being able to calibrate my printer, but so far that has not happened. I'm not using high-end printers, either, that have profiles already available. The suite makes you set some adjustments, make a print, reset the adjustments, and then make more prints until it finally looks right. I got better results tweaking the printer settings themselves when I was printing from PSE or LR, so I just went with that. There's gotta be a better way then "eyeballing" my prints to make profiles. That would probably take a high-end specialized scanner in conjunction with the printer, and my scanner is definitely not high end, either. The colorimeter was not used in calibrating the printer. I don't think it could be anyway.

Not all the calibrating units also do printers. I did find that by calibrating the monitor that I was finally able to tweak my printer settings, though, and am now getting more accurate prints. But not with the printer calibration software that came with my unit. Getting your prints and what you see on your monitor to match closely is a real challenge anyway. Maybe some one else had better luck with it than me and you might hear from them.

Your probably going to get a lot of recommendations on what units are good which you'll have to sift through and make a decision. My recommendation would be to not buy the one I got for the printer calibration, unless you really want to work at that. The Spyder did a good job on the monitor though.

Calibrating the monitor is not difficult as long as you follow the directions step by step. And the software will walk you through the process from start to finish.

[BrianZero]

With printing, is it not the case that it is the paper to ink that needs to be matched [Google for ICC profiles ?]

These are, I think generally available from paper manufacturers

Most printers are matched to a set of papers.
Canon printers to Canon papers and thats what is managed when you select
'Glossy' or 'Super Glossy' or 'Matt' or 'Whatever'
If you have a specialist paper there should be a profile available for it.

However, the eye of the beholder kicks in at some point
[Different eye see different colours ?? ]

Think in terms of your colour photo being printed on say 20 shades of white.
They are going to be 'Different'
Finally - the print that satisfies you has got to be right

[Ric Cisson]

Julie, whether you use a Colorvision, Greytag Macbeth or Pantone software, each will give you a monitor calibration profile that is stable and will keep your monitor calibrated so that you have the best opportunity for color accuracy. Of all the monitor calibrating software out there, I am finding, most of my students find it easier to start with the Pantone Huey Pro, which also measures ambient light while you work, thus making incremental adjustments in real time. So for around 120 sheepskins, you could be into more accurate measurement of color on your monitor. I have tried it and it is so simple, takes only a couple of minutes to set up initially and then it does it's thing. I use Greytag Macbeth, only because that is what was used at the lab that I use to operate.

As for profiling your printer, may I suggest InkjetArt, for "Custom" profiles for your printer/ink/paper combinations. They are very good, very helpful, and the profiles they send you are superior to the generic profiles that you get with your printer or can download from various paper vendors. The instructions on their website are very simple, easy to understand, and if you have questions, they are there at the other end of the phone ready, willing, and able to help you. I use them exclusively now that I am out of the lab and believe me they are very good at what they do. I am providing the link to their Profile service page. Good Luck.;)

http://www.inkjetart.com/profiles/profiles.html

[JulieM]

Finally - the print that satisfies you has got to be right.

Brian: Thanks for that! Sometimes I get so wrapped up in complexities that I don't remember the point in the first place...

[JulieM]

Thanks, Gene! That is more useful information. I will focus on the monitor calibration at this point and see where that takes me. I really appreciate you taking the time to respond to me so thoroughly...

[JulieM]

Julie, whether you use a Colorvision, Greytag Macbeth or Pantone software, each will give you a monitor calibration profile that is stable and will keep your monitor calibrated so that you have the best opportunity for color accuracy. Of all the monitor calibrating software out there, I am finding, most of my students find it easier to start with the Pantone Huey Pro, which also measures ambient light while you work, thus making incremental adjustments in real time. So for around 120 sheepskins, you could be into more accurate measurement of color on your monitor. I have tried it and it is so simple, takes only a couple of minutes to set up initially and then it does it's thing. I use Greytag Macbeth, only because that is what was used at the lab that I use to operate.

As for profiling your printer, may I suggest InkjetArt, for "Custom" profiles for your printer/ink/paper combinations. They are very good, very helpful, and the profiles they send you are superior to the generic profiles that you get with your printer or can download from various paper vendors. The instructions on their website are very simple, easy to understand, and if you have questions, they are there at the other end of the phone ready, willing, and able to help you. I use them exclusively now that I am out of the lab and believe me they are very good at what they do. I am providing the link to their Profile service page. Good Luck.;)

http://www.inkjetart.com/profiles/profiles.html

Thank you, Ric. I will take another look at the Huey Pro. It sounds simple to use and that is a plus for me. After I've done the calibration I guess it will be more clear whether I need profiles. I will bookmark your inkjetart link until then. I thank you for both the recommendations! By the way, what do you teach?

[Ric Cisson]

I provide instruction on Digital Photography 101, Photoshop 101, Photoshop Elements 101, Lightroom 101 and Printing at Home 101 and just started, by popular request, Digital Scrapbooking 101 (And I am still learning this one, but use Photoshop Elements as the platform to start everyone one.) All are "1 on 1" now that I am out of the lab.

[tomlaronge]

Julie,
I have been calibrating my monitors for several years. I used to use the Monaco Optix. This is now discontinued, but it worked well. I now use the Gretag Macbeth (owned by X-rite) Eye One Display 2. This works wonderfully and the software that comes with it is highly functional and versatile. Unless you want a record of your calibration history, there is little value in buying a more sophisticated colorimeter.
Gretag Macbeth has been hired by many of the printer and paper manufacturers to generate printer and paper profiles that are provided to you free of charge. No, these profiles are not modified for every sheet/roll of paper or printing condition, but these are darn close overall. If you plan to generate your own individual printer and paper profiles, you had best purchase a spectrophotometer in the minimum price range of about $1,000 U.S. Such a device is multi-functional and can calibrate your monitor as well as your paper and printer. This ought to be a total overkill for most of us.

I hope this helps. By the way, do not hesitate to contact the support staff of X-rite and Gretag Macbeth. They are very helpful folks and while they represent their products, they will guide you in the correct direction for you, in my experience.

Tom

[JulieM]

I provide instruction on Digital Photography 101, Photoshop 101, Photoshop Elements 101, Lightroom 101 and Printing at Home 101 and just started, by popular request, Digital Scrapbooking 101 (And I am still learning this one, but use Photoshop Elements as the platform to start everyone one.) All are "1 on 1" now that I am out of the lab.

Oh good! Another Lightroom resource... :):):)

[JulieM]

Tom, thanks very much for your input. It is good to know that customer support at Gretag Macbeth is actually supportive! I've gotten so used to running into the opposite with computer related products that I'm often reluctant to even try.