I just bought a used Spyder2Express to use on my 2007 iMac. The Spyder2Express was not the highest-end model to start with, and quite old (in digital time) by now. I just went through two cycles of profiling, and each time the result looked visibly worse than the factory defaults: there was a distinct reddish-magenta cast after profiling.
I've been able to dig up some internet chatter that these were not great devices and many had problems, but I'm not sure how much to believe that.
Can anyone chip in as to whether my eyes are just "off", whether the Spyder might have degraded over time, or might have been out-of-spec from the very beginning?
Thanks for any help,
Mark.
Posted by Jim Casteel on February 9, 2011 at 11:07 PM
From what I remember the Spyder calibrators didn't have a lot of luck on the iMac displays. This is because of various issues with luminance and color. Most people that I have have talked with have moved to the modern xrite or pantone products. I personally own a EyeOne Display 2 and love it.
I had a Spyder 1 and had a lot of problems on LCD monitors. Both version one and two were truly designed for CRT monitors and they worked very good on them. Unfortunately, this is not good news to those of us who have LCDs.
Posted by Howard Cihak on February 10, 2011 at 3:11 AM
Which begs the question: If you were going to purchase a new monitor calibration tool for use with LCD screens, which one would be the best to buy?
Posted by Bret Edge on February 10, 2011 at 4:50 AM
Howard: That's kind of a loaded question. Some swear by the Spyder products, while others write them off as "not up to professional standards". Some prefer the X-Rite products, while the detractors will tell you their products deliver inconsistent results. There are other manufacturers but these are the two I have experience with. I use the X-Rite i1Display 2. Why? I originally bought a Spyder and it didn't work for crap for me. So, I sold it and bought the i1D2, which has worked flawlessly for 2 years on my 24" iMac. That's why I recommend the i1D2 - because it works for me.
I don't know if there's a black and white answer for you. You might read reviews of calibration devices written by people who are using the same monitor you use. Figure out who is using what, and buy whatever the majority uses/recommends. Or, find a store that will allow you to return a device if you're unhappy with it. Maybe even call the customer service at each company and ask a few questions.
Hope this hasn't added to the confusion. Good luck to you!
Posted by Jack Brauer on February 10, 2011 at 7:51 AM
Mark - I used to have a Spyder - I also thought that the results were too reddish. Quite noticeably too red in the grays and whites. I then bought a Gretag Macbeth EyeOne, and I think it's much better. (Using it on a 30" Apple Cinema display).
After looking around some more online, Rich Seiling of West Coast Imaging and Aspen Creek Photo recommends the Eye-One Display 2 (sometimes written as i1d2 or other variants):
With Bret and Jack making similar comments, that sounds pretty good to me.
Thanks, everyone. Can I just say that this forum is awesome? Direct answers from Bret Edge and Jack Brauer, two guys whose work I respect and admire, in under 24 hours!
Discussion
7 repliesI've been able to dig up some internet chatter that these were not great devices and many had problems, but I'm not sure how much to believe that.
Can anyone chip in as to whether my eyes are just "off", whether the Spyder might have degraded over time, or might have been out-of-spec from the very beginning?
Thanks for any help,
Mark.
I had a Spyder 1 and had a lot of problems on LCD monitors. Both version one and two were truly designed for CRT monitors and they worked very good on them. Unfortunately, this is not good news to those of us who have LCDs.
Anyone know someone who's still using a CRT?...
http://blog.bretedge.com/2010/01/12/the-imac-calibration-conundrum/
I don't know if there's a black and white answer for you. You might read reviews of calibration devices written by people who are using the same monitor you use. Figure out who is using what, and buy whatever the majority uses/recommends. Or, find a store that will allow you to return a device if you're unhappy with it. Maybe even call the customer service at each company and ask a few questions.
Hope this hasn't added to the confusion. Good luck to you!
After looking around some more online, Rich Seiling of West Coast Imaging and Aspen Creek Photo recommends the Eye-One Display 2 (sometimes written as i1d2 or other variants):
http://craftingphotographs.com/2010/08/31/mastering-monitor-calibration/
With Bret and Jack making similar comments, that sounds pretty good to me.
Thanks, everyone. Can I just say that this forum is awesome? Direct answers from Bret Edge and Jack Brauer, two guys whose work I respect and admire, in under 24 hours!
Sorry, I'll try to be less of a fanboy.