"Spyder 2 Pro" or "eyeone Display 2"

[visagephoto]

I'm looking for a good monitor calibrating device and have settled on the two above (I think), Which one would you recommend.

The Spyder 2 Pro which also creates printer profiles for selected printers (including mine), or the Eyeone Display 2 which doesn't (and can't be upgraded to)create printer profiles, but has an auto profiling procedure which supports my monitor.

I get most (all) of my printing done at a local Pro lab, therefore I reckon the best monitor calibrator is more important, however the printer profiling may come in useful later as I'm also looking at a Dye sub printer for events.

Thanks

Alan

[dsp]

I have the Spyder2 and it does a pretty good job. I have personally found that its printer profiles are not that good, I get much better results using the profiles from the paper manufacturers; Ilford and Epson. That said, I have friends with the eyeone and like the results better than the Spyder2, if I was to do it again it would be the eyeone. Just my opinion....

[visagephoto]

Thanks Dave!

I've almost settled on the Eyeone and will be placing an order on Monday, so I have until then to decide.

Thanks

Alan

[Tom Swaman]

I would recommend the Eye-One Display 2. If you want to do your own profiles, you had best splurge and buy a full spectrophotometer or you wil moost likely not be satisfied.

tom

[visagephoto]

Thanks Guys. I've ordered the Eye-one display 2, it should arrive tomorrow.

[jfrancho]

I have the Spyder2 Pro, but I've used the EyeOne. They're basically the same. I'll add that Miller's and WHCC's uncorrected prints match my CRT exactly. I've never used the PrintFix software, and my impression is that in order to build accurate print profiles, you'll need a full fledged colorimeter, and they're expensive. I don't think you can go wrong with the EyeOne.

[Crotographer]

eye one display 2. JF is correct, you need a colorimater to do good printer profiles.

[captlen]

I have eye one and I think you will be happy with yours. not that it is better I understand they are both good.

[visagephoto]

Thanks guys, I've had my eye one for a few days now and it's certainly made a difference to my display, however I've also discovered that my viewing environment is unsuitable and seriously lacking at the red end of the spectrum (perhaps it's the energy saving light bulb I'm using) , What would you suggest are ideal viewing conditions (room lighting and wall colouring etc).

Also what's the best method of ensuring that prints from my pro lab match my monitor? trial & error using test prints or should I request a printer profile from the lab?

Thanks

Alan

[jfrancho]

What would you suggest are ideal viewing conditions (room lighting and wall colouring etc).

ISO specifies 6500°K full spectrum lighting and gray walls. I like darkness.

what's the best method of ensuring that prints from my pro lab match my monitor?

Calibrating your display is the first step, sound color management practices embedded into your work flow is the next step. Always CONVERT to the destination space that your print service requires, and do that conversion in 16 bit/channel mode, if at all possible. There is more info here: sRGB VS RGB.

[tomrock]

Originally Posted by visagephoto

Also what's the best method of ensuring that prints from my pro lab match my monitor? trial & error using test prints or should I request a printer profile from the lab?

Thanks

Alan

Get the profile from the printer if you can and soft proof the image. Don't assign that profile to your image and don't convert your image to that profile.

Depending on the version of PS you're using, soft proofing is quite accurate. Go to the View menu, choose Proof Setup, choose Custom... and find the profile the lab sent you. Turn on Simulate Black Ink and Paper White and that's what your print will look like.

It takes some getting used to to really be able to see it.

It's not unusual to have to make some adjustments to the image for a specific printer. I do those on adjustment layers and group them into a folder for a specific printer.

[tomrock]

PS -- to answer your original question, I use the i1Color system.

[Tom Swaman]

I prefer working in near darkness, i.e. ,5lux. Try a lighted keyboard or a small keyboard light.

Tom

[Tareq]

OK people, is this product a good choice for calibration [both monitors and printers]?

PrintFIX PRO™ Suite 2.0 - ColorVision > Because Color Matters

[jfrancho]

It's an entry level unit, so its a start, certainly better than a visual tool. The next step up is an XRite, which is what many pros use, but is 10X the price. There is a $100 rebate for the Colorvision going on right now.