I've been having a few problems getting the right tones on my images in the last couple of weeks and I think part of it is down to knowing what is right on screen:wonder:

So what is the most cost effective budget monitor calibration system, as I'm totally baffled by the choice? :confused:

We bought in a Spyder 2 Pro monitor calibrator in work but the problem with it is that the choices it makes for the colour temperature of the monitor don't work well with the monitors (IBM P70's) and the overall colour of the monitor becomes very warm, almost pinkish in tone. As it looks so unreal we do without and use Adobe Gamma to do the calibration. I think that unless you have a monitor which can display colour temperatures between 6500 and 9000 and not just those two settings then you might have trouble calibrating using professional tools.

Spyder 2 by colourvision mate, dogs danglies :D

Just read Alwyns post, I never have a problem, even when I set it to the lower K temps.(5k5).

I did manage to get a pink screen first time I used it, but never since.

The Pantone Huey gets good reviews as well, this adjusts calibration to take into account light levels in the room

I just use Adobe Gamma that comes with photoshop.
I can hold a print up to the screen, and it looks identical, so I'm quite happy with it:)

I just use Adobe Gamma that comes with photoshop.
I can hold a print up to the screen, and it looks identical, so I'm quite happy with it:)

Is probably the best way of doing it. A spyder just sets the monitor to a set standard. Plus using Adobe Gamma you want to set it to what ever your using to print your images:thumb:

Thanks for the recomendations :thumb:

I've managed to find this Monitor Calibration (http://www.stegmann.dk/mikkel/photo/calibration/) which has helped a bit, in conjunction with Adobe Gamma :) but I still think I could do with a hardware colourimeter like the Spyder 2 suite. I'll have read up on the Huey too before I buy anything though.:thumb:

I found this review of various systems: Monitor calibration tool reviews (http://www.drycreekphoto.com/Learn/monitor_calibration_tools.htm)

Speak to Bodini Systems they specialise in that if you get stuck I may be able to assist. We do a fair bit of this at work for publishing houses wh want everything colour matched from camera, scanners screens and printers by creating a profile for all devices using something like Monaco EZ Colour.



AllanB