Which monitor calibration device should I get?

[CapnBloodbeard]

So with my KRudd Birthday Bonus (well, it's my birthday in a month...close enough to a bday pressie) I'm looking at getting something for monitor calbration.

Either the Spyder2Express, or the X-Rite Eye 1

Vanbar has the former for $165, and the latter for $275 (well, it's the Eye One LT, but it has a free upgrade to the Eye One 2 software)

Or there's also the Spyder 2 suite inc PrintFix plus - http://www.vanbar.com.au/catalogue/r...OFTWARE&Item3= for $275

Of course, if I'm willing to spend that much, than the Spyder 3 pro also has to be an option...

Now, I don't really print at home much - it's just cheaper to print at a minilab (so on that note, the printfix software may not be overly beneficial....).

I don't print a lot of photos - and at this stage it's just for personal use (though I will be printing a few more to hang around the apartment), but I don't want to get the cheapest one and find it's too limiting...

[I @ M]

We bought a Spyder Pro 3 from Quality Camera who is a site advertiser. Fantastic service and the unit has paid for itself already, couldn't be happier.

http://www.qualitycamera.com.au/prod...oducts_id=4003

I am sure there will be a few more replies about other brands and models, one thing is for sure though, they are all worth their weight in gold when it comes to getting accurate colours for printing.

[smorter]

XRite i1 display 2 probably the better model but its also more costly though

I never understand the lite and standard version ($310)...you can download the software off the net, I don't understand why anyone would get the Standard version :S (except knobs like me who didn't know)

[JM Tran]

I hire the Colour Monki calibration unit for 20 dollars for a few days, hire it once every 2-3 months - a lot better than paying over 600 dollars for the unit - and much better than the Spyder as well

this method is good if u do not move your monitor much, or at all, as the movements will move the LCD's liquid inside and affecting colour accuracy. If you work in a busy studio where monitors get moved around all the time, recommended calibration is once every 2 weeks.

I was told u can buy the older Spyder Express 2 and download the software for the newer Express 3, essentially upgrading without having to pay more - has anyone tried this

[ricktas]

I hire the Colour Monki calibration unit for 20 dollars for a few days, hire it once every 2-3 months - a lot better than paying over 600 dollars for the unit - and much better than the Spyder as well

Would be interested in why you think the colour monki is better?

[nisstrust]

FYI for those that care to read:


*** Sorry, although your scans of the magazine pages had some interesting information and results from their tests, you are breaching the Magazine's copyright by posting them on AP - Rick

[JM Tran]

Would be interested in why you think the colour monki is better?

simply because it gives the best colour accuracy out of all the calibration brands atm, and is the most ideal for a large studio or an office environment where there are many monitors, its ease of use in transferring the same profile across monitors is excellent

the magazine scan listed before it was removed supports my opinion, unfortunately its let down is the massive price difference - and is usually overlooked by small studio and individual photographers who does not see paying 600 bucks for it justified.

such as myself, so I just hire it for 20 dollars every few months to recalibrate