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Spyder5Pro US $112.21 (~AU $152.34) Shipped @ B&H Photo Video

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Spyder5Pro US $112.21 (~AU $152.34) Shipped @ B&H Photo VideoAffiliate
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Black Hole on 05/06/2016 - 15:13 bhphotovideo.com (760 clicks)
Last edited 05/06/2016 - 18:37 by 2 other users
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With the ever increasing choice in monitors, the Spyder5PRO Display Calibration System from Datacolor helps you maintain consistency from production through post and delivery. Designed to provide Serious photographers and designers seeking a full-featured and advanced color accuracy solution, the Spyder5PRO allows you to calibrate multiple monitors, from laptops to desktop monitors. The PRO software incorporates advanced calibration features for setting gamma, white point and gray balance, and allows you 16 choices for calibration settings.

The included Spyder5 Colorimeter (probe) features a 7-detector optical engine. Compact and portable the Spyder5 mounts to your monitor via lens cap counterweight. Featuring a 5 minute initial calibration time, and a recalibration time of just half that, the Spyder5PRO system gets you up and calibrated quickly, and monthly recalibrations allow you to stay calibrated even faster. With 3 ambient light settings, before and after evaluation, and basic display analysis the Spyder5PRO is a powerful tool in your color correction arsenal. A reusable storage box protects your Spyder5 Colorimeter unit when you need to take it traveling.

Spyder5 calibrates your monitor to an industry color reference standard to ensure on-screen colors are accurate, grays and whites are consistent, shadow and highlight details are protected, and skin tones are true-to-life.

  • The software provides you a calibration wizard, with interactive help.

  • The software supports storing 16 calibrations choices, allowing adjustment of white point, gamma, and ambient brightness among other settings.

  • Spyder5PRO allows you to calibrate laptops and desktop monitors.

  • Featuring 3 ambient light settings, you can color correct with confidence knowing that your monitor stays calibrated even as ambient lighting conditions shift.

  • Before and After calibration evaluation is possible using a Standard Datacolor image, or your user imported images.

  • You can calibrate your monitor in just 5 minutes, and monthly recalibrations can take half that.

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closed Comments

  • rattle on 05/06/2016 - 15:18
    +2

    As a photographer who sells to clients, this or products like it are a must have. Still recommend it to serious hobbiests though.
    Amazing when you do the before and after and see the difference and what your eyes have slowly become accustomed to as the calibration goes out of whack.

  • Black Hole on 05/06/2016 - 15:28
    +1

    I have bought one from previous listing. My monitor is now just right for my eyes. I like the warm colour that it brings.

    Don't forget it will expire tomorrow.

  • bbourizk on 05/06/2016 - 15:35

    I have the spider 3 elite…wonder is this will improve things. Software for 3 hasn't been updated in a long time.

    • Raq on 06/06/2016 - 07:15

      Same question - is the Spyder5 much better than 3?

      I use the Spyder3 at home and can't really get similar colors between two Dell monitors (one LCD from 2005 and another one LED from 2013).

      • eug on 06/06/2016 - 08:33
        +3

        You won't be able to get two monitors that are that far apart in age and technology to match. Even with brand-new monitors they won't look 100% identical side-by-side, unless maybe they're pro-grade monitors like an Eizo ColorEdge or NEC PA series.

        • Raq on 06/06/2016 - 08:46

          Thanks - thought as much :(

  • jameso on 05/06/2016 - 15:56
    +1

    Thanks OP, exactly what I have been waiting for. Ever since my cleaner somehow managed to press the correct sequence of buttons on my monitor & reset the colour settings, it has never been the same since. I heard about this calibration tool couple years back but was a little out of my price range. I am exceptionally pleased with this purchase and can't wait for its arrival. I think anybody that spends a significant amount of time on their PC should invest in one of these, whether you're a office worker, photography buff, image editor or gamer, this is for you!

    • jenkemjunkie on 06/06/2016 - 10:40

      was your cleaner waxing his pole on your pc or something haha

  • eug on 05/06/2016 - 16:15
    +1

    I calibrated my monitor and processed my photos just how I like it.

    Then I see the photos on my friends' uncalibrated monitors and sigh.

    At least it'll keep me happy at home!

    • llama on 06/06/2016 - 01:07
      +2

      Then I see the photos on my friends' uncalibrated monitors and sigh.

      You might consider them your friends, but you aren't much of a friend to them, eh?

      Ever considered loaned them your device so they can also use a calibrated monitor too?

      • eug on 06/06/2016 - 02:13
        -1

        Do you lend your calibrator to all your friends every few months?

        "hey mate, your monitor sucks and all my photos look crappy on them. Let me install this program on your computer and calibrate your monitor so all my photos will look good, because my photos MUST look good on your monitor. All of you!"

        • E4xtream on 06/06/2016 - 06:54
          +1

          Ahh… yes. Do that.

        • llama on 06/06/2016 - 13:53

          Do you lend your calibrator to all your friends every few months?

          If I owned one, I would share if I noticed that a friend needed it.

          Sharing is caring :-)

        • eug on 07/06/2016 - 00:06

          @llama:

          If I owned one, I would share if I noticed that a friend needed it.

          Talk is cheap.

        • llama on 07/06/2016 - 00:43

          @eug:

          Talk is cheap.

          And actions speak louder than words.

          What's the point of being a calibration hoarder, eh?

          It's not you "use up all it's calibration power" by loaning it out for a friend to use.

        • eug on 07/06/2016 - 01:31

          @llama: I think it's a bit self-centred to go to all my friend's houses telling them I need to calibrate their monitor so my photos look good on them. Not everyone cares about color accuracy, black levels, and white points.

          Would you actually go calibrate your friend's monitors if they don't ask for it and don't care about it? You must have a lot of free time.

          Of course if they know what calibration is and ask to borrow it, I would. Like I did two weeks ago.

        • llama on 07/06/2016 - 12:26

          @eug:

          I think it's a bit self-centred to go to all my friend's houses telling them I need to calibrate their monitor so my photos look good on them

          YOUR photos? What?

          It's about their screen. It's not about you LOL

          Would you actually go calibrate your friend's monitors if they don't ask for it and don't care about it?

          Well, I would mention that it needed attention if it was really bad enough as to be obvious. Just like how I would mention to somebody if I was at their place and noticed that they had a flat tyre.

          Sometimes people don't care simply because they have NFI and don't know any better. They accept a crap outcome because they have no point of reference.

        • eug on 07/06/2016 - 12:29

          @llama:

          YOUR photos? What?

          Scroll up and read my first comment. Have you been taking everything out of context this whole time?

        • llama on 07/06/2016 - 13:21

          @eug:

          Have you been taking everything out of context this whole time?

          Not at all. I just consider it's incredibly self centred to continually refer back to how your photos look.

          I doubt that your friends care particularly much about your photos. What percentage of their computer time do you think that they spend looking at your photos?

          Have you considered how everything ELSE might also look bad on their uncalibrated monitor?

        • eug on 07/06/2016 - 13:24

          @llama:

          Clearly you've taken the whole thing out of context and are trying to turn it around now. Nice try.

          Have you considered how everything ELSE might also look bad on their uncalibrated monitor?

          You answered your own question:

          Sometimes people don't care

        • llama on 07/06/2016 - 13:26

          @eug:

          Clearly you've taken the whole thing out of context and are trying to turn it around now. Nice try.

          Nope.

          My first reply said "Ever considered loaned them your device so they can also use a calibrated monitor too?"

          Sometimes people don't care

          Nice misquote, since you omitted the remainder of my sentence that puts the comment in context.

          Anyway, you've made it clear you don't care :-)

        • eug on 07/06/2016 - 13:30

          @llama:
          You're completely missing the point of the original post, and taking the whole thing out of context.

          And don't forget your unnecessary snarky comment before that:

          You might consider them your friends, but you aren't much of a friend to them, eh?

          That set the tone for this whole thread. No need to be so snarky in comments, it doesn't reflect well on your character.

        • llama on 07/06/2016 - 13:46

          @eug:

          You're completely missing the point of the original post,

          And the point of the original post was what, precisely?

          https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/251393#comment-3750645

          I made my comments because it seems so odd to me that you'd notice poor calibration of your friends' monitors, own a calibration device that could improve it for them (with zero effort on your behalf), yet chose not to mention anything to your friends nor offered to improve their setup for them.

          No need to be so snarky in comments, it doesn't reflect well on your character.

          Sorry, I was intending to be sarcastic rather than snarky. I guess I read your post as being ungenerous (and almost elitist) towards people you called your friends. It's one thing to see something that you could make better for another person, yet do nothing about it - it's a completely different thing to come to a forum and (seemingly) boast about it.

        • eug on 07/06/2016 - 13:52

          @llama:

          And the point of the original post was what, precisely?

          • I calibrate my monitor and get photos looking how I want.
          • I share them with everyone who went to that particular event where I took the photos, for example
          • All the photos look pretty average on all their monitors anyway, which means the only person who truly benefits from calibration is the person who calibrated their monitor (or people with calibrated monitors).

          You then suggest that I go to all my friend's houses and calibrate their monitors for them - just so the photos I post will look good - which was my original point which you seemingly missed.

          Who cares? They don't, so I'm not going to force a monthly monitor calibration on all my friends. I'm happy that my photos look how I want on my monitor, there's no reason for me to make sure they look good on everyone else's monitor. My photos aren't that interesting.

        • llama on 07/06/2016 - 14:02
          -1

          @eug:

          Still making it about your photos, I see.

          • All the photos look pretty average on all their monitors anyway, which means the only person who truly benefits from calibration is the person who calibrated their monitor

          The person who benefits, long after you've finished the calibration, is the owner of the monitor.

          Are you saying that the only reason you'd consider calibrating your friends' monitors would be so that your photos looked good to you when you viewed your photos on their screens? That would be silly.

          (or people with calibrated monitors).

          Which ain't your friends, right?

          You then suggest that I go to all my friend's houses and calibrate their monitors for them - just so the photos I post will look good

          No - for a much more important reason than JUST so that your photos will look good. LOL hilarious!

          Anyway, you can have the last word if you like. Cheers!

        • eug on 07/06/2016 - 14:05

          @llama:

          You're still clearly missing the point. It's unfortunate that you're unable to read my post with a clear mind. Your mind is stuck in your incorrect accusatory viewpoint and you refuse to read it any other way.
          Not much else I can do. Have a nice day.

  • motlking on 05/06/2016 - 16:30

    what is the normal on sale price? can these be used to calibrate TVs as well?

    • glennh70 on 05/06/2016 - 16:39

      It seems to sell for over $300 normally, going by shopbot

      I also would like to know if it will work with a TV, as they haven't releases a TV version since 4

      • masuta on 07/06/2016 - 00:17

        Download displaycal and you will be able to use your spyder 4/5 to calibrate your tv/projector. However the x-rite i1display pro (i1d3) is considered significantly better than the spyder by most.

        • eug on 07/06/2016 - 00:31

          The i1display pro can also automatically set some Ultrasharp monitor's settings via USB. No need to fiddle with the OSD.

    • Clear on 05/06/2016 - 16:49

      Only if you use it on a PC apparently.

  • Danthemanz on 05/06/2016 - 17:09

    I got mine in the last sale.
    I can't believe how long I waited to buy it, there isn't a screen in my house that I haven't used this with now. I have confidence I can buy a screen or laptop with a decent IPS panel in it and I can make it look good now.
    Don't expect it to be all automatic to how you want but after playing with it im pretty good at it now, i just recommend trying to do the colour temp yourself with the help of the sensor.

  • cwongtech on 05/06/2016 - 17:14

    Thanks OP, was waiting for this to be available again!

  • justtoreply on 05/06/2016 - 17:22

    Is the Spyder5 actually any good? IIRC I heard it was the worst of the three or so companies that make consumer grade devices.

    Great price though, sorely tempted.

    • Black Hole on 05/06/2016 - 17:29

      I have nothing to compared with but after calibrating my 3 LCD monitors, they seems to be consistent side by side.

    • snvl on 05/06/2016 - 18:20

      I bought the colormunki display because it had better reviews. I am happy with it so far. It is $50 more tho but with local warranty (probably not needed)

  • fufufu on 05/06/2016 - 17:50
    +3

    … what your eyes have slowly become accustomed to as the calibration goes out of whack.

    How does calibration go "out of whack"? Do your monitors not remember their settings?

    I have bought one from previous listing. My monitor is now just right for my eyes. I like the warm colour that it brings.

    How does having this make your monitor "just right for my eyes"? And how does it bring warm colour? I thought those adjustments are already included on your monitor. Could you not have just played around with the settings until you were happy with how it looked without buying this?

    I think anybody that spends a significant amount of time on their PC should invest in one of these, whether you're a office worker, photography buff, image editor or gamer, this is for you!

    How is colour accuracy important for the average office worker or gamer?

    I can see how this device would be useful for a photographer, designer or someone who wants to calibrate multiple monitor displays so they look the same but the above comments have me puzzled. Can someone tell me why? I'm genuinely curious.

    • eug on 05/06/2016 - 20:26
      +1

      How does calibration go "out of whack"? Do your monitors not remember their settings?

      Components degrade over time. The phosphors in the LED backlight will colour-shift and go dimmer, and the polarizers in the LCD panel will degrade.

      Could you not have just played around with the settings until you were happy with how it looked without buying this?

      The point is to calibrate it to a certain standard. That way you know your images look as correct as they can be. They will also look correct when someone else views them on their calibrated display, and prints will turn out closer to what you expect.

      Higher-end Dell Ultrasharp monitors come calibrated from the factory, along with high-end devices like the SurfaceBook, Surface Pro, and presumably the macbook pros. You will need to periodically recalibrate them though, for the reason mentioned above.

      • fufufu on 05/06/2016 - 22:20

        Thanks.

        Is there any point in getting this for LCD monitors?

        • llama on 06/06/2016 - 01:10
          +4

          Is there any point in getting this for LCD monitors?

          WOT?

          Please tell us what other kind of monitors are in common usage now days.

          The whole point of this is to use it on LCD monitors LOL.

        • eug on 06/06/2016 - 02:10

          I presume you mean non-LED LCD monitors. They use CCFL backlighting which color-shift even more than LEDs. They usually tend to turn yellowish. A calibrator will help, but can only do so much if the backlight is too degraded.

        • fufufu on 06/06/2016 - 18:08

          @llama:

          Ah brain fart, I meant TN. As opposed to IPS which has a much wider colour gamut.

        • llama on 06/06/2016 - 18:11
          +1

          @fufufu

          LOL. But TN panels existed before IPS became common place, and calibration devices existed and were helpful back then.

          The biggest hassle with TN is the viewing angles - the little calibrator thingies don't consider that, so you will only get optimal results then you view 100% straight on to the monitor. Of course this is impossible in real life, but the calibrator will definitely still help.

      • Black Hole on 05/06/2016 - 23:01

        Yes, it was calibrated but in the laboratory ambient lighting. This is going to be different to your work desk ambient.

  • moto on 05/06/2016 - 17:59

    Just wondering if anyone used these and compared them to a external calibration device.
    http://www.lagom.nl/lcd-test/contrast.php
    http://www.avsforum.com/forum/139-display-calibration/948496…
    I'm tempted with the price for the Spyder too. I have my audio sorted using headphones + parametric EQ and I'm interested in video/picture quality too but only have a IPS monitor.

    • llama on 06/06/2016 - 01:13

      I'm interested in video/picture quality too but only have a IPS monitor.

      Ummmm - so?

      What's IPS got to do with anything?

  • zobragin on 05/06/2016 - 21:51

    Thanks OP. Bought!

    Been waiting for this to go on sale again. Pity about the low exchange rate.

  • UFO on 05/06/2016 - 22:29

    Didnt even know these things existed for us plebs… thought it was just professionals who had calibrated monitors.

    It shits me when I print out pictures that look nothing like what I see on screen. Thanks OP, I bought one :).

    • bamzero on 05/06/2016 - 22:48
      +1

      Printer calibration whole nuther thing ;)

      • UFO on 05/06/2016 - 23:04

        No I know… but no matter how hard I tried calibrating, couldnt get a match. Least with this I start even stevens with the monitor :).

  • langitbiru on 05/06/2016 - 22:34

    bought one as well. Thanks OP

  • bamzero on 05/06/2016 - 22:46

    I still have my Huey Pro, think I'd see much difference between results of the two?

    Haven't been able to calibrate a 65" 1080p with it though, guessing pixels are too big.
    Anyone know if the Spyder could do it? (Hesitated and missed out a while back on a Colormunki Display for under $150)

  • Munki on 06/06/2016 - 02:50

    Sweet, OP! Ordered one. Always wanted to recalibrate my u2711 and will upgrade to lightroom cc from lr4 too. Might retouch some old photos…

  • tyng on 06/06/2016 - 03:05
    +1

    Is there a limit on how many computers you can install the software on?

    • Raq on 06/06/2016 - 07:11
      +1

      With respect to any Datacolor monitor calibration software, Datacolor grants to you, and you accept, a personal, nonexclusive, nontransferable license to install and use the software in object code format on one or more computers at a single physical location, and on five additional laptop, notebook or other portable computers.

      Source:
      http://support.datacolor.com/index.php?/Knowledgebase/Articl…

  • moto on 06/06/2016 - 09:19

    Thanks OP. It's a bargain I can't pass up. I placed an order for my Spyder.

    And I also added these too in my shopping cart if it helps. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1014557-REG/dgk_color_…

    I was originally planning to eyeball and calibrate using the links in my old comment and use photos of coloured Lego bricks to compare.

  • addict on 06/06/2016 - 09:48

    thanks OP!

    I picked one up as well. The next Dealzone deal seems live if you want to take advantage of 2 days of deals in one order.

    Vello FreeWave Stryker Lightning & Motion Triggers
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/251493

  • zealmax on 06/06/2016 - 10:38
    +2

    For those of you considering buying one. It may not do what you think it will do. It will not exactly match two different brand monitor colours or exactly match your print outs. It will however calibrate your monitor to the right brightness and tones for photo editing. So that you can tell the difference between similar tones of the colour. It is quick and easy with this device. However there are ways to calibrate it manually. If you are not doing it commercially, you really don't need this.

    • llama on 06/06/2016 - 13:58

      It will not exactly match two different brand monitor colours

      One of the primary reasons to get a device like this is to individual profiles on multi-monitor setups. It's otherwise quite difficult to get an exact match (even if monitor models are the same) and that is very annoying.

      It is quick and easy with this device. However there are ways to calibrate it manually

      As if anybody would know how to do such a thing manually. You realise that there is a lot more to this than simply twiddling with the monitors' OSD menus?

      • zealmax on 06/06/2016 - 15:31

        What are you trying to get at? Why would you twiddle the OSD menus? Both Windows and Linux comes with tools to calibrate your monitor. As long as you have it moderately well calibrated, your eyes will adjust to the colours and brightness. I hope you didn't waste time twiddling with the monitors OSD menus.

        • llama on 06/06/2016 - 18:06

          What are you trying to get at? Why would you twiddle the OSD menus?

          You said there are ways to change it manually. Most people would consider the OSD menus (with brightness, contrast, colour temp) to be the first step in manual adjustment.

          Both Windows and Linux comes with tools to calibrate your monitor.

          I just tried that in Windows. The Brightness & Contrast in that process are done via Monitor OSD. There is absolutely no way I can get it close between my laptop and 24" screen. So, that Windows "calibration" completely stuffed my previous calibration, so I class that as a 100% total fail.

          In fact, my main 24" now has a really strange colour, completely different to the laptop screen, and white is no longer white. GRRRR - not happy.

          As long as you have it moderately well calibrated, your eyes will adjust to the colours and brightness.

          Not sure how that helps with getting separate monitors to match each other, and/or any monitor to match a printer. After using your suggested "calibration" I can now certainly see a massive difference between my 2 screens, and my eyes ain't adjusting it.

          I hope you didn't waste time twiddling with the monitors OSD menus.

          If you want higher brightness, or to fix contrast, then that's the easiest way.

          As for calibrating monitors, if the inbuilt Operating System software was sufficient, then there's no need for devices like the Spyder, ColorMonki, etc. Of course, these product do exist, and are required.

        • zealmax on 06/06/2016 - 22:03

          @llama: No matter what you do with the Spyder, what you see on the monitor will not match the printer. If you actually read my comment, I simply stated that for non commercial users, can do without this.

        • llama on 07/06/2016 - 00:03

          @zealmax:

          No matter what you do with the Spyder, what you see on the monitor will not match the printer

          Of course, but not many people print anything at all now days. Monitor calibration is all about making the screen more realistic.

          If you actually read my comment, I simply stated that for non commercial users, can do without this.

          By "non commercial users", do you actually mean people who only run one screen, don't care less about colour accuracy and have nothing to compare to?

        • zealmax on 07/06/2016 - 11:05

          @llama: I have 2 ASUS monitors of the same model. They are slightly off in colour. Spyder did not match the monitors exactly. When I say commercial, I mean people who make a living from photo editing.

  • [Deactivated] on 06/06/2016 - 11:05

    Would this be useful on a premium 'colour accurate' monitor like those high end dells?

  • bamzero on 06/06/2016 - 11:13

    While having a look for differences between this and my Huey Pro I came across Argyll CMS and DisplayCal GUI for it.

    Never knew there was alternative software for these devices (and also free). Looks like it is quite advanced though DisplayCal makes it easier.

    http://displaycal.net
    http://argyllcms.com

  • OzBragain on 06/06/2016 - 13:58

    Out of stock but still accepting orders. Got my order in 1min before deal expired

  • 2real4u on 06/06/2016 - 13:59

    looking at reviews colormunki seems better, guess ill wait for that one to drop again

  • justtoreply on 06/06/2016 - 23:40

    Missed it. Need more deals like this, or on colormunki

  • backslashio on 07/06/2016 - 02:48
    -1

    I tried Spyder 3 a few years back and the colours never looked right to me. Then again I am colourblind so maybe they were correct but it just looked wrong to me

    • llama on 07/06/2016 - 13:49

      the colours never looked right to me. Then again I am colourblind so maybe they were correct but it just looked wrong to me

      LOL - I am colourblind as well, and that comment sums up the situation almost perfectly.

      I know the colour is "wrong", but I am unable to determine what is wrong about it or what's needed to correct it.

      Hey - What if WE are the ones who see everything as it should be, and it's them that have distorted vision LOL

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