Thanks MG! I can hunt up the prices.

I'm just looking to know makes and models and what kind of success/aggravations people have had using them.

You checked what colour profile is loaded Chris? Tried another?

I'm still learnin' 'bout that fancy stuff.

All I know is at home I edited my daughter's school picture. Fixed hair, blemishes, enhanced eyes, adjusted skin for tan, etc. Printed them off at Walgreens and she came out looking like an Oompa Loompa.

Went back and made it look really pale and they printed out nicely.

At home I think (if memory serves) the profile was set to match my monitors. But that doesn't mean I didn't eff with the settings on my monitor and thereby screw the whole system up.

I've never been real happy with the samsung or dell profiles. You could try removing any existing color profiles that are been associated with monitors. Change the default color profile for your system’s monitor to sRGB IEC61966-2.1, simply by clicking on Add, and then select sRGB IEC61966-2.1 from the list of profiles installed on system. After adding, click Set as Default Profile.

I've got WinXP Pro so I'll have to hunt up the settings in there. But I'll definitely look!

Edit:
Went digging and found it. Unfortunately I don't have that profile? At least not here at work. I set it to the sRGB that I do have. Will have to check on the home computer tonight.


Edit #2:
Apparently I DO have that setting and the profile's file name is just not explicit enough.

I've gone through a Spyder 2 and now use the Spyder 3 system. You should be able to get the 2's of the net pretty cheap ($50 or less).

I keep my Spyder 2 around and jam it into my computer bag if I'm off to some clients that I'll be doing some work for ... nothing worse than working on your own HAPPY MONITOR and knowing they are looking at it at their end on their Pooptastic monitors.

The Spyder 3 is much faster than the 2 and LOOKS WAY COOLER hanging off your monitor!

You GOTTA use a calibrator thang (ColorMunki, eyeOne, Spyder, WHATEVER) if you are making money off of creating images on your computer monitor. If you don't, you are ripping yourself and your clients off.

NOTE: Do NOT use that POS Adobe thing where you try and match two grainy blurry square boxes on your screen by eye. That thing is EVIL!!

NOTE redux: And, yes, the HUEY device is TOTALLY crap. Tried one. May as well used the free super-carpy Adobe "Take a look, Take a guess" system.

NOTE twa: Colour Management is a HUGE and somewhat TERRIFYING subject for most of us. I've chewed through 2 different 400+ page manuals on it - profiles and such are HEAVY topics - but the MONITOR CALIBRATORS are child's play by comparison and I suggest you start out there.

Thanks Reindude!

Excellent advice and just about exactly what I was looking for. Maybe I'll try to hunt up a Spyder 2 for now. Prove the concept and then maybe move on to a 3.

Seriously, I know lots of Pro's who use the Spyder 2 and it is really enough. I just moved up to the "3" because I also invested in the Printer Calibration system and I got a good package deal on the "3" monitor reader.

It is a freakin' crazy moment, after calibrating your monitor, and you hit the BEFORE and AFTER button. YIKES! I used to work with THAT!???

(on PC monitors it was REALLY scary - MAC's were not usually that far off - they just tended to be rather BLUEish which meant everything you did would look overly WARMISH on a proper monitor )

Well I've bid on a Spyder2 and I'm the highest bidder. Wait no I'm not. Now I am again. Oops wait no I'm not. Now I am again. Oops wait no I'm not.

Hopefully I'll win the auction when it ends later today. Otherwise I'm watching two more that end in the near future.

Good luck, Tofu.

I think it's someone on the site that's fooling with you. Good luck!

I didn't get it.

Someone sniped it right out from underneath me.

BUT! I did find a BRAND NEW Spyder 3 PRO for $139 with free shipping. Not an auction either.

Now I just gotta get the wife to let me spend that much.

Sold our unused pool table over lunch today. Got the cash today even. Talked to my wife about getting a Spyder for me for Christmas. Looks promising now.

Wifey says I can order one as one of my Christmas presents!

Spyder 3 here I come!


My supervisor suggested I rent out my service as a monitor calibration technician once it arrives.

WAY TO GO!!

Hope it works wonderfully for you.