Table of Contents
1)Introduction
2)What's available summary
3)Specifications
4)Comparison
5)Conclusion
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1) Introduction
An essential part of any serious photographer's kit is the inclusion of a colour calibration device to enable an effective colour management system. There are many kits available ranging from $125 right up to over $6000.
The two main types of technology used are that of a colorimeter and that of a Spectrophotometer. The latter being the superior system as it tests over a spectrum of colours rather than a selection of defined colours.
These kits can either simply profile just monitors, or can be an all in one and also calibrate and create profiles for printer/paper combinations. Some devices will also calibrate and profile projectors for colour correctness.
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2) During my research for Hardware based calibration devices I found the following offerings
Huey
ColorMunki
EyeOne
Spectrolino
Datacolour spyderTV
Datacolor spyder 3 pro
DataColor Spyder 3 express
Datacolour spyder 3 elite
Datacolour spyder 3 print
Datacolour spyder 3 studio (elite and print)
Monaco Optix XR Pro
Sony Artisan
LaCie Blue-Eye 1.0.3
ColorEyes Display 3.10
EyeOne display 1 with Eye-One Match 3.2a
EyeOne display 1 with Eizo ColourNavigator 2.0.5]
DataColor (nee ColourVision) spyder
DataColor (nee ColourVision) spyder
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3) These devices can be catagorised and further detailed by maker and specification summary as follows
X_RITE HUEY
Huey $140
Measures ambient light
Measures primary colours and several shades of grey to generate the profile
Does not support multiple monitors
"Better than no calibration at all"
ColorMunki $700
Monitor, projector and printer calibration
Spectrophotometer technology
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EYEONE
EyeOne display 2 with Eye-One Match 3.2a software $240
Colorimeter
Prompt driven software
Measures many colours (more accurate)
Measures and REPORTS the temperature as well as brightness of the ambient light
Supports multiple monitors/workstations
Highest dark area sensitivity gives better control in shadow detail
Accuracy: +/- 0.004
Short term: < +/- 0.001
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High end
Spectrolino with ProfileMaker Pro 5.01 software $6000
Spectrophotometer
Expensive "duh!!"
Heavy
Slow
"superb accuracy"
Bench mark for evaluating other calibration devices.
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DATACOLOR
Datacolour spyderTV 3.0 $145
suitable and designed only to calibrate Televisions
Datacolor spyder 3 pro $265
3 channel colorimeter
Intelligent ambient light test
7 detector colour engine
"largest sceen sample area" faster calibration
suction and counter weight
Re-cal super fast
SpyderProof functions
Multiple display with model presets
Cross platform MAC/PC
DataColor Spyder 3 express $150/$125
Colorimeter
"professional grade results"
Software/ wizard
Before after viewing software
Datacolour spyder 3 elite $375
Front projector calibration
Same engine as "pro" but with more software features enabled/included on the CD
Datacolour spyder 3 print $875
Print only calibrator
Datacolour spyder 3 studio (elite and print) $1049
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MISC OTHERS
Monaco Optix XR Pro (software is integrated) $350
Sony Artisan integrated puck with Sony CRS 1.2.5 software
LaCie Blue-Eye 1.0.3 with Eizo ColourNavigator 2.0.5 integrated software
ColorEyes Display 3.10 with Monaco XR/DTP-94 sensor $180 (software only) $320 with sensor)
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SUPERSEDED
EyeOne display 1 with Eye-One Match 3.2a software $240
EyeOne display 1 with Eizo ColourNavigator 2.0.5 integrated software
DataColor (nee ColourVision) spyder plus OptiCal 3.7.8 $220
DataColor (nee ColourVision) spyder 2 plus Colorvision spyder2 Pro software $175
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Testing of the various above calibrator/profiling options has been performed by many third parties, and results vary from monitor to monitor, obviously especially so when testing the monitor/setup specific devices such as the Sony Artisan and software, LaCie Blue-Eye and the ColorEyes Display 3.10
Also performance differences get highlighted when examining black and white calibrations.
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4) Comparison
When comparing two of the options, as I dont do my own printing, I feel that a calibration tool that offers printer cailbration is redundant and an unnecessary expense. So I decided on comparing two monitor-only calibrators of roughly the same price from different makers, based also on another assumption that a budget is set. The device needs to meet my current needs as well as slightly future proofed by anticipating my future requirements.
So for the sake of the assignment I chose two what appear to be closely competitive devices under my assumed budget of $300. A case of comparing apples with apples.
Datacolor spyder 3 pro $265
3 channel colorimeter
Intelligent ambient light test
7 detector colour engine
"largest sceen sample area" ...faster calibration
suction and counter weight
Re-cal "super fast"
SpyderProof functions
Multiple display with model presets
Cross platform MAC/PC
EyeOne display 2 with Eye-One Match 3.2a software $240
Colorimeter
Prompt driven software
Measures many colours (more accurate)
Measures and REPORTS the temperature as well as brightness of the ambient light
Supports multiple monitors/workstations
Highest dark area sensitivity gives better control in shadow detail
Accuracy: +/- 0.004
Short term: < +/- 0.001
From the information in the summaries in section 2 and from the charts provided above there seems to be little to substantially differentiate between these two devices owing more so to the lack of meaningful and COMPARABLE data/specs that are available. (notwithstanding accuracy and colour temp specs).
I sourced one very comprehensive test that included both calibrator options (amongst others) and they were tested with a variety of monitors and for appraised subjectively against the Spectrolino Spectrophotometer used as a bench mark. Useful as it allows buying decisions to be based upon intended output propensity (eg B/W or colour...high key/low key)
Here is the complete test
http://www.drycreekphoto.com/Learn/monitor_calibration_tools.htm
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5) Conclusion
As it can be seen and as drawn in their conclusion, in their opinion it is a close race however the Spyder performs overall just a little better on average than the Eye One. It is slow (despite marketing information that would have you believe otherwise) and it seems that it superiority in the shadow details does not carry over into the highlights. The Eye One on the other hand is quick, and it excels with Black and white renditions
Other (anecdotal) information gleened from a variety of web forums suggests a preference to the Eye One set up, with particular reference made to the Spyders ultimately inadequate gamut coverage for wide gamut monitors. Again this information rebalances the debate.
For my money I would go for the Eye One. Reasons being we're largely talking about efficient COLOUR management systems, and to me that says more about the Hue and Saturation of a represented colour and timely calibration/profiling more than the lengthy obtaining the superb shadow details calibration afforded by the Spyder.
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References
http://www.imagescience.com.au/products/DataColor-Spyder3-Express.html
http://www.buymac.com.au
http://www.drycreekphoto.com/Learn/monitor_calibration.htm
http:www.khromagery.com.au
http://www.xritephoto.com/ph_product_overview.aspx?id=1115
http://spyder.datacolor.com/s3compare.php
http://www.digitaldingus.com/reviews/gretagmacbeth/eyeonedisplay2/eod2_specs.php
http://www.digitalcamerawarehouse.com.au/prod5298.htm
