Prepressforums.com - Monitor Calibration Tool -Anybody?

Markbo · #1 (**permalink**) 01-26-2006, 08:25 AM

Like most, we have a mix-bag of monitors at our plant. CRT, LCD, etc..

Does anybody have an opinion about the colorimeters on the market? Gretag has their Eye-one Display2 ($249) Colorvision has the Spider2 ($299)

Thanks to all

NutCase · #2 (**permalink**) 01-26-2006, 11:38 AM

Both are good but my preference would be for the Eye-One Display 2.

You might like to consider the Monaco Optix XR Pro.

http://www.chromix.com/ColorGear/Sho...sa?toolid=1086

The Optix is about the best one out there, just a little better than the i1 display. If I had the choice, I'd go for the Optix.

You can also check out coloreyes display. It comes with a optix sensor (also called DTP-94) but different software. The license for the software will make it more expensive but if your monitors are up for it, it gives just about the best calibration.

http://www.chromix.com/ColorGear/Sho...de=cmme asure

You can buy the optix harware and use the optix software and try the demo of coloreyes. If you like, buy coloreyes display alone instead of the bundle with the sensor (as you already have it). Coloreyes works with the i1 display as well. Not sure about spyder.

Sparky · #3 (**permalink**) 01-26-2006, 03:46 PM

Markbo, your post hits right at the exact time I was able to show my boss why we need color calibration for our monitors. I use a Viewsonic P225 21" for my main work station and Photoshop work, I have a 17" Apple Studio monitor attached to the other Mac station and a (God knows what brand) 19" LCD attached to the DELL workstation. I opened the same photo on all 3 monitors and said "See??" and their collective jaws hit the floor in astonishment, not believing they could be so different.

Thanks Nut for the links, I'll get this info to the man and see what he does about it.

BTW Nut We just finished getting the new Docucolor 250 installed and running, so if you are in need of some short run color stuff with variable printing let us know :wink:

NutCase · #4 (**permalink**) 01-26-2006, 04:08 PM

If you liked my chromix links, then you'll like this one even better:

http://www.drycreekphoto.com/Learn/m...tion_tools.htm

That's where I got some of my info from. If I go by that revue, the spyder2 ain't looking so hot anymore compared to the optix and i1 display2.

I've also helped a guy calibrate a LaCie electron blue IV with an i1 display and coloreyes demo on a mac. The automatic adjustments with DDC control was neat (no playing with the controls on the front). Set what I want the let the software do the rest. i1 display has that too but very few monitors support it properly and you'll need a 15pin vga cable. See the eye-one match software readme for more info.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sparky

BTW Nut We just finished getting the new Docucolor 250 installed and running, so if you are in need of some short run color stuff with variable printing let us know :wink:

No problem

Now if we only had some work........ it's real slow at the moment :cry:

tbJAMMIN · #5 (**permalink**) 01-26-2006, 08:55 PM

get a "good" copy of something you print, and make your monitor look like that.

I know it sounds like a redneck way of doing things, but unless you really have a need for "exact" color, it's the only way to go.

How can you calibrate your monitor to represent every different kind of paper and every different lighting situation that the different papers will be viewed under, using a subtractive color model (RGB) to represent an additive color model (CMYK).

I realize that alot of people spend alot of money to "fix" this problem, but the only answer is to know your machines and calibrate you proofer. I look at my info pallete in PS alot more than I look at the actuall color on the screen. You have to get a feel for it and adjust things according to results.

Joe · #6 (**permalink**) 01-27-2006, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbJAMMIN

get a "good" copy of something you print, and make your monitor look like that.

I know it sounds like a redneck way of doing things, but unless you really have a need for "exact" color, it's the only way to go.

How can you calibrate your monitor to represent every different kind of paper and every different lighting situation that the different papers will be viewed under, using a subtractive color model (RGB) to represent an additive color model (CMYK).

I realize that alot of people spend alot of money to "fix" this problem, but the only answer is to know your machines and calibrate you proofer. I look at my info pallete in PS alot more than I look at the actuall color on the screen. You have to get a feel for it and adjust things according to results.

Yep, that is the way I do it too.

Markbo · #7 (**permalink**) 01-27-2006, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NutCase

Both are good but my preference would be for the Eye-One Display 2.

You might like to consider the Monaco Optix XR Pro.

Thanks for the info Nutcase. The Monaco Optix Pro is intriguing.

kevinf · #8 (**permalink**) 02-01-2006, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sparky

BTW Nut We just finished getting the new Docucolor 250 installed and running, so if you are in need of some short run color stuff with variable printing let us know :wink:

Hey Sparky, have you attached the ICC profiles that xerox supplies on the website to your printer? I grabbed them for mine and output seems much better saturation wise. Without it, everything seems a bit flat. I miss the superglossy and deeply saturated prints the old doc12 gave though. They looked killer with Xerox Supergloss paper