So yeah, hope this is the right place to post this question.

I tried doing some editing on my laptop after convincing my hubby to get one, and when I transferred them to my desktop, the colors were completely CRAZY. Now he's mad because I'm not using it!!!

Should I get a color calibration device or whatever they are called?? (you can tell I am so tech savvy!!! LOL) Do I need two? Can someone direct me on what would be the best?

thanks so much!!!

Just give it to me.

Hi,

make sure that the settings are the same. For example, what resolution is set on the Macbook? I looked at a new one that someone had recently and the resolution was at a lower setting than it should have been.

Go into System Preferences and check out the Displays settings. Also, check brightness levels too. There is other stuff you can change, but start with the basics first.


Hugh

Colorimeter is the word you're looking for!

Try this and you'll be all set. You should be able to install the software on both computers. They probably still won't match perfectly, but they'll be much closer than they are now.

That has nothing to do with color. All displays are different, and they will display differently from computer to computer, even the same model of notebook will have a slightly different look between units.

CALIBRATE!

Get a spyder3 from amazon.com (CLICK HERE) and run the calibration process using the colorimeter - it's quite easy, and your color will be accurate not only on screen, but you'll be calibrated to the same standards that labs and album companies use. When calibrating, make sure your target points are 2.2 gamma and 6500K white point.

I calibrate 4 computers 2 times a month (or thereabouts) to ensure color accuracy over my little fleet of machines

Is it me or did the price of that one drop quite a bit? Time to upgrade!

thanks for the info everyone. Yeah, I have already messed with the different settings on the Macbook but nothing really helped....so it appears we need to spend EVEN MORE MONEY to fix our new problem.

You don't need to spend a single penny more.


Just make sure the color-space settings are the same on each of the machines. They may 'look' different on-screen, but as long as they use the same color space (sRGB or Adobe 98 or something like that) the colors are exactly the same. This is one of the huge benefits of using an apple display.

If you use WHCC for your prints, you can download their color profiles and install them locally on your machines. That way what you see, is what is being printed.

feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions.

YOU DONT need a color spider!!!!

I, too, use my lab's calibration screen and make sure my profiles match theirs....never have had a problem. Haven't bought a spider either. I've always figured 'if it ain't broke'....

I STRONGLY disagree. A colorimeter will provide true, accurate color representation without having to worry about soft proofing in photoshop etc. You will ALWAYS see the correct color on your screen...

Seriously people, don't skimp. If you're actually making money in this business, you can afford a $130 display calibration system. It's such BS to think you can just get by with some half-assed proofing profile from your lab.

No kidding!

I love my Spyder2pro though, and I'm hanging on to that for now. Thank god I don't have any glass displays - otherwise I'd be going for the spyder3, but I'm sure the S2 does fine for those as well..

The Spyder Colorimater was the best choice I've ever made as far as getting accurate results throughout my entire workflow.

I'm sure the profile from the lab isn't "half-assed", but there is a standard to be adhered to, as in everything important in life. The colorimeter will be sure that your monitor is displaying the correct colors.

If it is a laptop, however, the way you see your display will change every time you change lighting conditions. Make sure your WB is good in camera at capture, and watch your histogram and skintone rbg values and you'll be pretty dang close even if it's not exact.

Yeah, I'm known for doing things half-assed......(read with heavy sarcasm)

Fifteen years of moving clients to tears of joy when they see their prints/albums....first with film then digital.

Go ahead and use your colorimeter....I dont' think any less of you for it. But don't talk down to me because I don't work that way!

I'll have to give you a

This all may change when I switch to a laptop, but for now it's all good.

I am appalled by the people saying they don't calibrate their monitors......what kind of world are we living in?

I don't think anyone on this thread said they don't calibrate their monitors. Well, except the original poster, Jessica. But that's why people ask questions.

You absolutely do not need a colorimeter to accurately calibrate your monitor. It makes it much easier and faster, but then you're putting your trust into a machine that can go bad. It happens. I know the first one I had was terrible. So I'll probably never by anything from Pantone/Colorvision/Spider/Whatever they're called now.

If you get accurate color from your lab's test print and "eyeballing" it, why spend any money? Now that doesn't make sense. You'll probably have more differences in color from the time of day your lab runs your prints than what you'll see from someone using a colorimeter versus someone who can "eyeball" it accurately. That is, it'll take a spectrometer to see the difference.

On a tangent, how many photographers change their white target on their files before they send them to the printer based on where they'll be displayed? I know I don't. Will they be under office fluorescents? In a room filled with natural light? A room with tungsten lights, warm or cool fluorescents, halogen, or (heaven forbid) HID like in a gymnasium? It seems to me that you'll see much more of a difference there than in any other part of your workflow.

Ok peeps, now I am more confused than ever. I think we are a little off topic too. I have of course checked my colors with my printer and have done very well up to this point, but my original question is I need to sync my new laptop with my old desktop.

I like the idea of buying a good calibration device, but I am not sure which one would be best. Looks like I need to investigate some more, but I would love to hear if others use one that is tried and true.

If you want uniform color across the board, get a colorimeter. I have used the Spyder2Pro now for over two years and it's worked perfectly. Not once have I ever doubted my color accuracy with the two labs, one canvas provider and one album company that I work with.

I've never heard of anyone having issues with a Spyder colorimeter, and yet I've spoken to numerous people who have chinced out and gotten a colormunkey or x-rite or huey colorimeter... they all ended up getting spyders. The Spyder system is one of the more well-known (and original) colorimeter systems on the market. There are plenty out there, I'm sure many of them work well. Just make sure you choose the one that is right for you. That being said, the Spyder3pro is one of the newest on the market and features enhanced accuracy through a larger sensor area and improved software. You can calibrate multiple machines (I don't think there's any limit) and you'll get good results every time. Do keep in mind that your monitor's backlight setting affects calibration, so if you are doing any color sensitive work on the macbook make sure you set your backlight (and power source) to the same settings where you calibrated and you will be fine. The spyder3 will also handle your iMac's glass screen a lot better than other colorimeter systems - at least from what I've heard (I don't personally have - and never will have - a glass monitor, I just hate them.) You'll also notice that most people giving the Spyder colorimeters less than great reviews are using PCs - go figure.

Honestly, I too am astonished by how many people take calibration so lightly. It's one of the most important things you can do in terms of getting professional results that set you apart from consumer-lab looking prints.

Do the right thing and calibrate using a colorimeter. You won't regret it, and the cost (and effort) is so minimal you'll forget about it in about two days. Seriously.

Thanks for the info Trevor. I am just curious about the bad reviews on Amazon about the spyder3. Although it is just a few people, it's enough to make me weary about this particular one. I'll keep asking around. Thanks everybody.

I've seen the 3 in action... Believe me, it works just fine.

Meeks... did you stay up all night again?

Ugh... sorta... in a way. That was me after having woken up at 6:30am (after going to bed at 5:30) with a rash and burning skin over about 40% of my body... kind of scary. I'm all better now... haha.