Display Calibration (for Photography)

[destrekor]

I figure this thread could actually be in a few sub-forums.

Since any pro or semi-pro photographer, or even someone aspiring to be such (like this guy ), anyone into digital media/design (and probably videographers as well) probably owns a display and/or print calibration device... this might be one of the better forums to choose.


With that said:

I have three Asus PA238Q displays (23" IPS that actually manages to impress at the $300 price range).

I've been satisfied with basic Windows settings since I've bought these, but I've only used them for web browsing and games, for the most part.
I don't have a pro-quality printer, don't really care to purchase one for the foreseeable future, so I'm not worried about matching with home prints. But matching for lab prints (send online or find local print shop), and ensuring any future clients can't blame me for ugly colors on their displays/other peoples displays/home prints.

I obviously can't get it perfect. For true "my life depends on this" level of work, calibration devices over $1000 as well as monitors upward of thousands of dollars.



Specific question:

Are the $250 or so X-Rite devices going to be my best option? Like the X-Rite i1 Display Pro series?
Or, is the Datacolor Spyder 4 Elite a better match?

If I can find it cheaper (at one point, I had), is the NEC-branded version of the i1 Display Pro still going to work fine for me? I know I can't use NEC's software with an Asus display, but would the X-Rite brand software still work fine? Or, one of the free programs that do the same task (one I saw mentioned a few times as a particular favorite).

 

[blastingcap]

I use a x-rite i1 display 2 and got it for $75 new. It's an older model and if you bargain hunt you can get it for less new, and a lot less used. You have to calibrate it each time on a different monitor if you are using multiple monitors, but at least it even has that level of support. I use it on three ASUS 23" LED e-IPS monitors.

 

[Peter Nixeus]

I use a x-rite i1 display 2 and got it for $75 new. It's an older model and if you bargain hunt you can get it for less new, and a lot less used. You have to calibrate it each time on a different monitor if you are using multiple monitors, but at least it even has that level of support. I use it on three ASUS 23" LED e-IPS monitors.

Do you have links? I tried searching and best prices I can find are in the $100+ range.

Thank-you!

 

[Kanalua]

You could use open source display calibration like http://dispcalgui.hoech.net/

Supports the major display calibration hardware.

You could then purchase the Spyder 4 Express and use it on numerous monitors http://www.amazon.com/Datacolor-Spyd...dp/B006TF3746/

 

[blastingcap]

Do you have links? I tried searching and best prices I can find are in the $100+ range.

Thank-you!

Try ebay, craigslist, etc.

 

[kbp]

I have Datacolor. But I calibrate everything....(printers) I even used it to calibrate my new plasma TV.
Another thing - the light in your "lab/darkroom" will usually change throughout the day. My sensor lets me know if ambient light changes enough that a correction may be needed. Overall for me this was money well spent.

 

[pe3046]

I think you would be best off with the sypder4. Most of the older colorimeters were not meant for the wider gamut monitors, and have issues with these monitors. For software I use Color Eyes Display Pro or BasicColor 5. I have EyeOne Pro, DTP94, Display 1/2, Spyder 2/3/4, and some older ones. The Spyder 4 gets the most use now.

 

[destrekor]

I think you would be best off with the sypder4. Most of the older colorimeters were not meant for the wider gamut monitors, and have issues with these monitors. For software I use Color Eyes Display Pro or BasicColor 5. I have EyeOne Pro, DTP94, Display 1/2, Spyder 2/3/4, and some older ones. The Spyder 4 gets the most use now.

I've seen the i1 Display Pro mentioned numerous times as being a great calibrator for wide gamut monitors.

That being said - it's also the one I now have in hand. It shipped over the weekend/Friday. I'll have to play around with it tomorrow.