Monitor calibration

[scrappychic]

I posted last week about how things were looking off on my laptop monitor. I did a little research on how to correct it, and found there's a device called Spyder2express that you hang on your monitor, follow the instructions, and it will calibrate your monitor to display colors close to real life! I didn't know these things existed, but apparently you can use it on your desktop puter too and calibrate every couple of weeks. Pretty neat huh?

Since I just spent some $$$ on the laptop, I might hold off a little bit. I used a photo action to balance the pics in my latest page and it seemed to take care of my problem for now. I still had to guess whether I wanted to lighten the pics more, but it will have to do.

Has anynoe used this? Is it worth it?

 

[ditzyscrap]

I haven't used it, but I know lots of people that recommend it, including a couple pro photographers. I can't find it in stores around here, I'd have to order it online, so I never have gotten it. LOL!

 

[mrs_jb]

I use Adobe Gamma on the laptop (which I think most people have, or it's part of PS).

On my desktop I have a Huey that works really well. I think if you are doing a lot of print work then it's definitely worth it!

 

[MikkelPaige]

Yeah, I need to buy one of these too.

 

[ColleenSwerb]

That looks cool! I'm gonna bookmark it for future reference

 

[Nettio]

Does anyone know how well they work with a laptop? I mean if I move the screen the image doesn't look the same so I'm just curious how that would work?

 

[mrs_jb]

Does anyone know how well they work with a laptop? I mean if I move the screen the image doesn't look the same so I'm just curious how that would work?

I have this problem too, where I see things different depending on how the screen is leaning. I think it would calibrate right for the monitor at the "right" angle... but what is that? LOL

 

[scrappychic]

I haven't used it, but I know lots of people that recommend it, including a couple pro photographers. I can't find it in stores around here, I'd have to order it online, so I never have gotten it. LOL!

Bree- it's available at Amazon for $59.99, free shipping at that!

 

[ColleenSwerb]

It would probably tell you what the optimum angle is. Or, you could just calibrate it each time you change the angle of the monitor.

 

[scrappychic]

Does anyone know how well they work with a laptop? I mean if I move the screen the image doesn't look the same so I'm just curious how that would work?

Good question. Well the guy who wrote the review has his screen tilted back to keep the sensor in place:

Not sure at what angle though or if it matters as long as the sensor is flat on the screen.

 

[MikkelPaige]

So that thing is on your screen for how long? Obviously you wouldn't be able to work like that! (I have a laptop too!)

 

[ditzyscrap]

I think it just takes a few minutes to adjust and then you take it off.

 

[Heather Roselli]

We have this color calibrator. You do have to be careful that when you use it to calibrate you have the same lights on, are sitting in the same place, etc as when you work, whether you are calibrating either your laptop or desktop monitor. Your surroundings make all the difference in how you see the colors. We got it when we got a big widescreen flat monitor for our desktop and when calibrated the colors on it look absolutely flourescent to me!!