About
The Spyder X Studio calibration system is a great tool for anyone using their computer to digitally edit their images, wants to capture perfect white balance while shooting, and have flawless print results. With all that is packed into the SpyderX Studio, it is well worth the price of $499, and will only ease your mind when it comes to printing your images. The SpyderX Studio comes with a Spyder X monitor calibrator, a Spyder Cube, and a Print Spectrocolorimeter.
The Datacolor Spyder X Studio in all it’s beauty. Left-to-right you have the Spyder X calibrator, the Spyder Cube, and the Spyder Print equipment.
Why Color Calibrate?
There’s nothing like pouring your heart and soul into creating an image out in the field, and then coming back to your computer and editing it to perfection…only to find out it prints like garbage. Your colors are way off, saturation isn’t enough, the contrast lacks…the list can go on and on. This is something that I hear about from every other student of mine, and my immediate response is, “Do you have your monitor calibrated?” 99% of the answers are no, and there lies the problem. When you properly calibrate your monitor, you can rest assured that what you see on your display, is what you will see when the image prints.
How to Use Spyder X Elite
So, I’ll be real off the bat, I’m not a huge fan of technology. I find it usually causes more of a headache than anything else, so when I first calibrated my monitor, I was stressed. Lo and behold though, the Spyder X system is extremely easy to install, use, calibrate and re-calibrate down the line. Here’s what you have to do in order to get your monitor properly calibrated using the Spyder X Elite. First, you want to download the software from http://goto.datacolor.com/getspyderxstudio. Once installed, you will follow a variety of onscreen prompts. You will want to make sure that your current display is set up to a few specific settings, and also make sure the light in the room in which you edit is exactly how it is when you edit. For me, I close all the blinds, shut off the lights and put on some romantic music (just kidding about that last part). From here, you then plug in the Spyder X and align it with an onscreen placement map. From here, you simply sit back and let the technology its thing. It’s an extremely quick process, an upgrade from previous versions, taking five minutes at the most. This is a nice improvement since I am often calibrating 3-4 monitors. Once the calibration is complete, you will be able to see a before and after of your screen calibration and how the colors have changed. At first you may be a bit upset with the new colors, but rest assured, these are the true colors you want for your images.
The Spyder Calibrator in position on my computer screen preparing to calibrate. It simply plugs in via USB and then lays over your screen. There is a counterweight on the other side of the screen, but quick tip, tilting your screen up just a bit helps keep the calibrator in position.
After calibration is complete…usually about 90seconds or so - you will be able to do a comparison of your colors prior to and after calibration. These were my monitor colors prior to calibration.
And monitor colors after calibration. You can see a bit warmer tones in the colors.
Spyder Cube
The Spyder Cube is a small square that allows you to correct for white balance and the white and black points of your photo. You can easily hold it in your scene or mount it via the ¼” tripod mount. Once you capture an image with the cube, you can then use this tool to help you make sure your image is properly exposed. The construction of the cube is quite amazing actually as it is not just a square with some colors on it. On the top of the cube, you will find a chrome sphere which allows you to analyze the specular highlights in your scene. Go straight down to the bottom of the cube, and there is a black trap that helps you analyze pure black in post. Then there is a gray, black and white face of the cube which allow you to analyze shadows, highlights, midtones and white balance. This cube I find to most beneficial for shooting portrait work, not necessarily landscape or night sky. So, although it is a great tool, I find that it will won’t be used in my workflow too often.
Playing around with it in Photoshop though, I can definitely see the capabilities of this small and handy cube for any portrait photographer.
Spyder Print
Unfortunately, I have yet to try this piece of equipment out as my printer bit the dust, but for those who do at home printing, I feel the Spyder Print is a must. This piece of equipment will allow you to create a variety of specific, custom profile settings for your printing process. I’m hoping once I get a new printer to have a full write up on this particular piece.
Overall
The Spyder X Studio is a fantastic addition to for any serious photographer. The ability to properly color calibrates your monitor, printer and with the help of the Spyder Cube, adjust each image meticulously, is a fantastic feeling. For me, I’ve found the Spyder to be extremely beneficial in my printing process which leaves me confident in my colors within my images. Although, it is key to make sure you are communicating properly with your printing company (if you use one) to make assure that color profiles are matching.