Camera Labs

Hi,
Is there anyone out there using a Spyder2 Express for monitor calibration? Are you satisfied with it?

Also, does it work on Vista 64-bit ?

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Canon EOS 40D - Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM - Canon EF 50/1,8 II - Canon EF 70-200/4L IS USM - Speedlite 430 EX - Lowerpro Nova 4 AW
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I don't think you'll find too many if any people on clabs with that sort of gear. Try searching for a review. I'm pretty sure it would be fine with 64 bit vista (or you could take a look at their website)

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Check out this FAQ on the manufacturer's site. It seems that you may have to download "version 2.3.5".

Spyder2express is reviewed here by Northlight Images.

Bob.

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Hi Greg,
I'm a rookie with this kind of gadgets. Please tell me why no one on clab would use the Spyder2 Express

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Canon EOS 40D - Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM - Canon EF 50/1,8 II - Canon EF 70-200/4L IS USM - Speedlite 430 EX - Lowerpro Nova 4 AW
My Flickr

1;Image callibration devices are generally a tad pricey (around 200 pounds)
2;Most people don't bother with callibration unless they do a lot of printing/design work etc

Just realised the one you're looking at is fairly cheap at around 60 pounds. Only thing I find a bit lame is that it doesn't have an ambient light sensor,. You might as well spend the extra cash and go for the Spyder 3 Pro at around 100.

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I've upped my Iso, now up yours.
Nikon D700, Nikon D80, Micro Nikkor 105 f2.8 AI-S,Nikon 85mm 1.8D, Nikon 50mm 1.8D, Nikon 35mm F2D, Nikon 16-35 f4 VR, Nikon 24-70mm F2.8 AF-S, Nikon 70-200VRII, Nikon 70-300mm VR, 300mm f2.8 AI IF ED, SB-800, SB-900. Noiseware pro,NIK Dfine, Nik Colour Effex, Nik Sharpener Pro

Khol,
I use one as all the "by eye" calibration tools I tried gave very different results. Seems to work fine and is very simple to use. My prints are identical to what I see on my screen, and basically that's what i wanted.
I don't know about Vista 64 as I only have 32, I think you can download the driver for this from the website.
Muffi

Ok Muffi, thanks for that input.
Did you notice a big difference in the way you see the images on the screen after you did the calibration? I.e brightness, gamma, colors etc?

Im not sure how it works. If the tool tells you how to change brightness, color etc on the monitor hardware or if it creates a software profile that you use in photoshop?

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Canon EOS 40D - Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM - Canon EF 50/1,8 II - Canon EF 70-200/4L IS USM - Speedlite 430 EX - Lowerpro Nova 4 AW
My Flickr

Biggest change I saw was in the dark or shadow parts, which after calibration looked a lot lighter, but I suppose this depends on the monitor settings before calibration.
The system creates a software profile which is used as default until you recalibrate, then the newest profile becomes the default. When I start my PC you can see the background change as the profile is applied during start-up.
Muffi