I have had the most excruciating 2 weeks trying to nut out an issue with my colour management chain. For those of you that are photographers, you would have been told over time that colour calibration is ESSENTIAL in getting the results you want out of your prints.
Well after assuming I was doing the right thing for nearly 2 years, I went to get some test images at a local camera shop. OMG was I wrong! When I asked for non adjusted prints to check my calibration, I was shown the mess (yes it was a mess!) that some of my images were showing as on a fully calibrated screen. They were oversaturated, extremely bright, massively disappointing! Nothing like I was seeing at home. So much so I was told to not bother printing them (yes they were that bad!)
I have been using the Spyder 3 Express, regularly on an external monitor. The problem with the Spyder 3 express is it’s a very basic adjustment of the colours on your screen. No compensation for screen brightness, no gamma adjustment. Even my colours were still off.
It’s really disheartening, and during the last two weeks I have seriously contemplated throwing in the towel… admitting defeat. This little hobby has become quite expensive!
I am awaiting the arrival of my new IPS panel monitor (which I am told will help me to achieve better colour matching – my old TN panel monitor only had a contrast ratio of 700:1 the new one on the way has a 50,000,000:1 contrast ratio, not to mention there is alot wider range of viewing angles before the images change on screen)
I am sticking with the Spyder 3 express puck, BUT I am now using other software to calibrate. If your into photography check out Color Eyes Pro this software also measures white point, brightness, gamma and the display’s colour. It is compatible with a range of calibration devices, there’s a 10 day trial if you don’t want to pay the $99 activation fee. But to be honest the difference after calibration with this software is astounding. My test prints match, even on my laptop screen (which is notoriously hard to calibrated successfully, due to viewing angles changing constantly and limited controls of the output of the screens brightness and contrast).
On another note: the local camera shop here is amazing! The manager Alan has been extremely helpful, and nothing like going into Sydney shops! He has spent literally hours, chatting with me over the last 2 weeks about my lens, my calibration, and my photography. And whilst I love a bargain, and the prices there aren’t considered cheap…. he has my business forever! That sort of knowledge and the time he’s taken to help, without me spending any money in store as yet is invaluable!
With Mothers Day just around the corner, I went in to see a particular lens I have my eye on…. but tested this one Tamron - I am determined to have this lens in my kit ASAP, it’s pretty awesome! Just bummed my budget has been killed by this necessary upgrade! What are you hoping for this Mother’s Day?
Wishing you all a very Happy Mothers Day! Mel
