Opinions about color calabration equipment

[skitterbug]

It recently came up that my monitor needs to be calibrated so the colors are consistent. I've been considering two different units but can't make up my mind what the advantages or disadvantages of each might be? I don't know enough about how the calibrations are made, etc. The two that I'm considering seem to be mid-line - Spyder5 Pro and X-Rite ColorMunki display.

So I'm asking for opinions, personal experience using them, etc. I'm leaning toward X-Rite only because it seems more comprehensive. But what do I know? Not much when it comes to this topic.

Thanks for opinions!

[Manfred M]

It recently came up that my monitor needs to be calibrated so the colors are consistent. I've been considering two different units but can't make up my mind what the advantages or disadvantages of each might be? I don't know enough about how the calibrations are made, etc. The two that I'm considering seem to be mid-line - Spyder5 Pro and X-Rite ColorMunki display.

So I'm asking for opinions, personal experience using them, etc. I'm leaning toward X-Rite only because it seems more comprehensive. But what do I know? Not much when it comes to this topic.

Thanks for opinions!

The general view is that any device that you use will give you a better result than not using one at all and the lower end ones are not as good as the higher end ones.

The consensus I have heard from people whose opinion I know and trust is that x-Rite tools are slightly better than the DataColor ones for the same price range. These are people who do high end portraiture and fine art prints commercially. I'm not certain that you would notice any significant difference. I profiled and calibrated my screen with both an x-Rite ColorMunki Display and i1 Display Pro. The i1 give superior results, but costs 50% more than the ColorMunki. It does not give 50% better results.

[Astro]

+1 to Manfred's comments.

I have used the Spyder5 pro and Spyder Print system to calibrate my screen and profile papers for many years now.

I've been quite happy with their performance.

Using the Spyder5 system is reasonably straightforward, and there are quite good 'before and after' calibration screens you can call up to see the effect of calibration.

I have never had any reason yet, to consider an alternative system such as ColouMunki so cannot offer a opinion regarding relative merits of other systems.

[Geoff F]

I use the Spyder and it works OK although it is a bit of a fiddle to place the spyder unit on your screen to do the calibration measurement.

You need to be able to manually adjust your screen brightness and turn off any auto screen 'enhancements' before taking the Spyder measurements. Fairly consistent ambient lighting is ideally required for measurement and subsequent use.

[shreds]

I used a Spyder for a number of years (not the current version), but went over to the i1 Display Pro a few years ago when I struck a particularly good deal with their distributer at The Photography Show. Now as I also had a trade pass to get into the show, I wasn't having to add that onto my purchase cost (although that was not the only reason or item I went for).

The i1 is straightforward and simple to use, easy to set up and whilst it costs more I know which one I prefer. Still use it now.

Calibration is more important if you are printing yourself, so that you are not seeing something different on your screen compared to what the printer produces. (If you don't know about 'additive' and 'subtractive' image creation, read up on it). Same goes for if you are submitting pictures for competitions.

The i1 Display Pro can also be used to calibrate projectors and printers too, although I don't know how far the Spyder now compares to this.

Overall I have heard that the Spyder has improved, so it may be down to the depth of your pocket and how and where you plan to use the photographs.

[skitterbug]

Thank you everyone for the feedback. Viewpoints are always helpful.
I'll probably spring for the x-rite mid-range one and see how it goes. Hopefully, there will be an improvement in what I see in my images! Thanks again!

[billtils]

Good move Sandy!

[skitterbug]

So I'll start with a few questions about making calibrations. I decided to go into the advanced mode of x-rite's program. Sink or swim..... First off - white point and before any testing, the application's recommendation that I set it at D65. Sound okay?

Ambient Lighting was next. Using the device, it said that the area by my monitor was very low. I do use my computer any time day or night so that makes me wonder what sort of lighting situation is best for constant conditions around a computer? How do others have their monitors situated?

Letting the device rest on the screen, etc for measurements is pretty straightforward. It is the variable conditions I'm concerned about and what remedy I should take to make it more consistent over all?

Thanks for any ideas or suggestions!

[Shadowman]

So I'll start with a few questions about making calibrations. I decided to go into the advanced mode of x-rite's program. Sink or swim..... First off - white point and before any testing, the application's recommendation that I set it at D65. Sound okay?

Ambient Lighting was next. Using the device, it said that the area by my monitor was very low. I do use my computer any time day or night so that makes me wonder what sort of lighting situation is best for constant conditions around a computer? How do others have their monitors situated?

Letting the device rest on the screen, etc for measurements is pretty straightforward. It is the variable conditions I'm concerned about and what remedy I should take to make it more consistent over all?

Thanks for any ideas or suggestions!

Sandy,

If the device is always attached I believe it will adjust your monitor based on the lighting conditions of the room you are in or else you can set it to do so. I usually edit in lowlight conditions, I sometimes have a light on in the background but my second monitor usually blocks any direct light from hitting my eyes.

[Manfred M]

So I'll start with a few questions about making calibrations. I decided to go into the advanced mode of x-rite's program. Sink or swim..... First off - white point and before any testing, the application's recommendation that I set it at D65. Sound okay?

D65 is the appropriate illuminant for sRGB screens. You should also set screen brightness to between 75 and 120 cd/sq meter.

Ambient Lighting was next. Using the device, it said that the area by my monitor was very low. I do use my computer any time day or night so that makes me wonder what sort of lighting situation is best for constant conditions around a computer? How do others have their monitors situated?

Darker is better as that maximizes the contrast ratio you will be working with. Most professional editing work is done in rooms with controlled light. I work in a basement room that has low levels of ambient light (< 40 lux as measured just in front of the screen).

Letting the device rest on the screen, etc for measurements is pretty straightforward. It is the variable conditions I'm concerned about and what remedy I should take to make it more consistent over all?

Thanks for any ideas or suggestions!

What other variable conditions are there? The screen area where you place the sensor will dictate the compensation settings that you get out of the profiling process.

[skitterbug]

What other variable conditions are there? The screen area where you place the sensor will dictate the compensation settings that you get out of the profiling process.

By variable conditions, I was still concerned about the fluctuation of light. I can control the light environment a bit by keeping the shades drawn closed when I want to work on images. Thanks!

[skitterbug]

Sandy,

If the device is always attached I believe it will adjust your monitor based on the lighting conditions of the room you are in or else you can set it to do so. I usually edit in lowlight conditions, I sometimes have a light on in the background but my second monitor usually blocks any direct light from hitting my eyes.

Hi John - Yes, I did leave the device attached and it is active apparently. I'd rather work in low light. It is more peaceful!

Thanks!

[Manfred M]

By variable conditions, I was still concerned about the fluctuation of light. I can control the light environment a bit by keeping the shades drawn closed when I want to work on images. Thanks!

Unless you move your computer into a location where the light is less variable, this will be problematic.

One thing that you might try is to compare the work that you do during bright hours to work you have done when it is dark out and compare the outcomes. Do this at night when the ambient light levels are low.

[skitterbug]

Unless you move your computer into a location where the light is less variable, this will be problematic.

One thing that you might try is to compare the work that you do during bright hours to work you have done when it is dark out and compare the outcomes. Do this at night when the ambient light levels are low.

Even more interesting to me would be to work on the same picture, doing the same steps - at the two different periods of time (daylight and dark). I like the plan!

[Manfred M]

Even more interesting to me would be to work on the same picture, doing the same steps - at the two different periods of time (daylight and dark). I like the plan!

The main issue when working in the brighter conditions is that the contrast ratio is decreased. You can see the same effect if you look at your cell phone screen in a dark room and then walk outside on a bright day; the screen colours will be deeper and more saturated in the dark environment and look a lot more washed out and muted in the bright outdoors. This will impact how you do your edits.

There are some other, more subtle effects in the way the visual system perceives colours as well.

[skitterbug]

The main issue when working in the brighter conditions is that the contrast ratio is decreased. You can see the same effect if you look at your cell phone screen in a dark room and then walk outside on a bright day; the screen colours will be deeper and more saturated in the dark environment and look a lot more washed out and muted in the bright outdoors. This will impact how you do your edits.

There are some other, more subtle effects in the way the visual system perceives colours as well.

Hi Manfred - There is so much to consider during every aspect of trying to capture and produce excellent work! And I find about the time I "think" I understand what I'm doing, I experience setbacks - dealing with snow is one example. I doubt you'll remember, but one of my very first questions to CiC was about snow. And you replied with good info. It sank in my brain then but the info managed to be shifted and forgotten. <sigh>

And your example about color saturation makes sense to me too.

Thanks for your continued patience. I really do appreciate it.