monitor calibration - Spyder 3 Express?

[ElizK]

I would like to be able to calibrate my monitor in hopes that my prints stop coming back too dark :headache:. Have any of you used the Spyder 3 Express? I can afford that one, but if it isn't good enough I'd rather wait and save up.

Thanks!

[Pugrpooh]

I have the Spyder 2 Express and I'm happy with it. Before calibration, the colors were too cool. It made a big difference and is easy to use.

[ElizK]

Great! Thank you, that helps me a lot.

[Gianna'sPapa]

We use the Spyder 3 and are very pleased with it.

[AlbertZeroK]

I have a color Munki and the Spyder 3. Like the Spyder better myself. But if your prints are comming out too dark, it could be a bunch of things.

What program to you print your photos from?
What type of printer are you using?

[ElizK]

I have a color Munki and the Spyder 3. Like the Spyder better myself. But if your prints are comming out too dark, it could be a bunch of things.

What program to you print your photos from?
What type of printer are you using?

I'm using Photoshop Elements 6, and I'm having them printed, not printing them on my own printer. Don't think too badly of me, but I used to have a lot of stuff printed at Walmart. I was almost always happy with my colors, etc. But then I got a new computer with an LCD monitor, and since then EVERYTHING has been too dark. I tried Walgreens and somewhere else... probably another 1-hour place (not a photography store, though). I started using Adoramapix.com because they would adjust my colors. I want the colors to be right regardless of where I print my pictures! Is that too much to ask?? :)

[webshark3]

I have the Spydr3 Express and really like it. However, I think when it comes to printing, you may need the non-express so you can combine with printer profiles, etc. The express is strictly for the screen and fully "auto."

Someone correct me if I'm wrong. :)

[louerhardt]

That is correct. You not only want to calibrate your monitor, but you need to calibrate the printer as well. Meters like the ColorMunki are a little more than the Spyder, but much better... and... you get the software to do both.

[frzndaqiri]

An LCD often is set VERY bright - a calibrator will help but it may take some trial and error (get prints, compare, try again). Keep in mind it's like holding a photo up in front of a light when it's on the screen. Something you don't do with your prints I'd bet. :lmao:

Unfortunately PSE doesn't have what's called soft proofing - the ability to see on the screen an approximation of what it would look like printed. I have a Spyder 3 ultra - and do not print at home. So I have profiles from the companies that I send my prints to, and Photoshop CS4 lets me preview on the screen how they will look printed to that printer. Since they won't let me change their printer settings. ;)


Now, if you're not inclined to turn down the brightness on your monitor (most folks don't like how dark it is after calibration unless you're a full time photog or serious hobbyist) then you might want to set the brightness on the photos instead.

So take a single photo - and make a few copies with varying levels of brightness adjusted. Write down each change and print them. Take the best one after you print and then do those brightening steps each time. It's compensating, and not going to work on everything, but an option. ;)

[Groucho]

I've also got the Spider 2 Express and am happy with it.

It seems like I remember that the 3 was the same hardware, just new software - but it's been a couple years since I looked at that so I very well could be mistaken. :)

[VVFF]

I've also got the Spider 2 Express and am happy with it.

It seems like I remember that the 3 was the same hardware, just new software - but it's been a couple years since I looked at that so I very well could be mistaken. :)

Spyder 3 is better for wide gamut monitors