Photography News Issue 36

Photography News | Issue 36 | absolutephoto.com

48 First tests

Datacolor Spyder5STUDIO £335

Specs

In the box SpyderCUBE, Spyder5ELITE, SpyderPRINT, metal cases, cleaning cloth, software codes System requirements Windows 7 32/64, Windows 8 32/64, Windows 10 32/64. Mac OS X 10.7, 10.8, 10.9, 10.19, 10.11 USB port, 1GB of available RAM 500MB hard disk space Monitor resolution 1289x768 or greater, 16-bit video card (24-bit recommended) Contact datacolor.com

In my case the difference was quite marked – the calibrated image looked cooler

Knowing that what you output, whether on screen or in print, is an accurate representation of the original scene is important and that’s why we need a colour-managed workflow rather than leaving things to chance. Colour management specialist Datacolor has a wide range of projects available to help. It has recently introduced a new outfit, the Spyder5 Capture Pro, that takes you from checking lens autofocus accuracy to colour input. In this test, we look at its Spyder5STUDIO bundle that takes you from input to printed output. The Spyder5STUDIO kit includes three components: the SpyderCUBE, the Spyder5ELITE screen calibrator and the SpyderPRINT, all packaged in a smart metal case. The SpyderCUBE is a fade proof, tough, compact gadget that you can leave in the camera bag. To use it, just take a reference picture of it in the lighting that the subject is receiving. It has a cord so you can hang it in place and there is a 1/4in screw tripod mount too. It is small so get as close

as you can, making sure that your shadow does not fall across it. With the reference picture, it will help you set the correct white-balance, exposure and black point when you later edit your pictures in software. The CUBE is easy to use. The trick is remembering to use it whenmoving from one lighting type to another and that takes discipline especially in a pressurised situation where perhaps people are waiting for you. But to be fair, it does only takes a few seconds to save uncertainly during processing so all you have to do is remember to do it. Then in software – my default is Lightroom–youcansetwhite-balance with one click. Getting the colours looking right on screen is crucial and the Spyder5ELITE is the latest in this well known and respected family of colour monitor calibration devices. When you buy the kit, you get a password to download and use the latest software from the Datacolor site. Once the software is installed calibrating the monitor takes a few

minutes and much of time you just let the software do its thing. The 5ELITE itself is tough and has a lens protector and a tripod mount is provided for projector calibration. On-screen prompts take you through the process which includes setting default brightness and then adjusting brightness to within a particular range and ambient light measurement. Other than that you aren’t too involved and at the end you do get the chance to check before and after calibration. In my case the difference was quite marked – the calibrated image looked cooler. You can also rename the created profile and set when you want to be reminded to recalibrate – I went for three months. I have a two BenQ monitor set-up (the software detected this including the brand) and from start to finish including software download and installation, I was done in a little under 30 minutes. Working with the third item in the kit, the SpyderPRINT took much longer as it is more involved. The unit is a spectrocolorimeter to create custom RGB profiles for your ink/ paper combinations. Firstly, as with the monitor calibrationunit, youhave todownload and install the software –againa serial number is provided. Then you have to make prints. The odds are you are only using one printer and one inkset but favour a number of different paper types, brands and finishes. You basically have to output prints on the papers you use with the provided software and you do get various print options starting with either EZ Targets or Classic Targets. I went for Classic Targets and High Quality Target Plus Grays that used two sheets of A4 and gives 225 colour patches and even more mono patches.

In hindsight, the EZ Targets options is probably the better one because the colour patches are larger but more paper is used. Once the prints are done and dry, using the PRINT device and the software you sample each patch. Sampling means placing the PRINT sensor over the patch and clicking. The software confirms when each patch is done and you carry on through the whole lot. It takes time – and care, and the larger patch option gives more room for error. The software has the facility to look at and check your target measurements (including previously saved ones) and even compare your readings with the ‘pure’ patches. Once you have the profile, that’s the one for that printer, ink and paper. Time is needed for this and if you constantly chopping and changing papers then the time spent might not be worthwhile. I usually use generic profiles downloaded from the paper supplier’s website (and of course, some paper brands offer a free custom profiling service) and the SpyderPRINT gave me the chance to make my own profiles to print with. I feel the generic profile prints are pretty accurate and acceptable, and making my own profiles had mixed results with marginal improvement noticeable in some papers and not much change in others. However, the fact I saw some improvements means that I will persevere with the SpyderPRINT. In fact, prompted by this kit I will work on my colour management workflow as a whole using the CUBE as a starting point – it is nowa resident of the camera bag – through to a profiled output. With time pressures it is easy to be lazy and random but being more disciplined is clearly a more sensible way of working. WC

Verdict

Providing all the items you need in a nice box is a smart piece of marketing. Of course, you might have the odd accessory already so you can either buy the missing items separately or use this as the chance to upgrade to the latest colour monitor calibration unit. The Datacolor Spyder5STUDIO kit is a considerable initial investment – the cost of a lens! – but it could potentially save you much stress and even loss of revenue if you earn money from photography. For the outlay you get a quality security blanket that is easy to use and from that perspective it is money well spent.

Pros All-in-one box solution, easy to use, it works Cons Price, time is needed for making print profiles

Above The SpyderPRINT profiling process is straightforward but you need to allow plenty of time to sample your test prints and while it costs more in paper, the larger targets option is a good one.