Screen calibrator??

[cdryden]

I'm considering the spyder 5 pro. Do these do a significantly better job than the calibrator that comes with versions of windows 7 and later?
Do you recommend a certain one?

The reason I ask is because I recently had a print done at a pro lab and it came back way dark. I realized that the problem was on my end and I need to calibrate my screen because it was set way too bright. Thankfully this happened on A smaller/cheaper print.

 

[Overread]

Few thoughts:
1) Hardware based calibrators like the Spyder are vastly superior to built in options which are software based. Thus the Spyder should give you years worth of great calibration for your monitor(s).

2) Prints are always darker than your monitors view because monitors are back lit whilst prints are not. However calibration will certainly help you get closer and also provide a less glaring screen brightness wise (I find it actually makes it easier to read things on the computer screen and is far less strain on the eyes).

Printing is a bit of a complicated/nightmareish area but certainly one of the first steps is to have a calibrated scren so that you're working with a known view. Remember the screen will drift over time so recalibration every few weeks is important (hence why one should own not just rent/borrow a calibrator)

 

[tirediron]

What Overread said! The most important (and often overlooked) tool in the digital photographer's arsenal is a calibrator. It will be the best money you spend on gear. A point to note on the printing: Most pro labs offer a tone/density correction service (usually for a small additional charge) which will ensure your prints are spot-on.

 

[adamhiram]

I have a Spyder 4 Pro and would definitely recommend it. I haven't had issues with color casts or prints coming out too dark since I started using it a few years ago.

 

[KmH]

Most print labs recommend X-Rite's display calibration hardware and software, because that is what the labs use.

No doubt, lots of people use Datacolor's Spyder tools.
Just sayin', there are other options.

 

[snowbear]

I just got the Spyder5 and calibrated the Win10 laptop. The colors weren't that far off but overall, the Spyder warmed things up a little.

 

[pixmedic]

I have been using a colormunki display for a while now and love it. Seems to work well.