Datacolor Spyder3Pro Display Calibration System from Datacolor
- Price: $154.99
- Click to see current price
-
Mail In Rebate
-$20.00
(see details)
offer ends FEB 29 '12
- Free Shipping (USA)
- In Stock
The DataColor Spyder3Pro provides monitor color calibration for serious photographers and creative pros who require a high degree of color accuracy; from capturing images, to digital editing and printing. The Spyder3 is the only colorimeter available on the market offering a seven detector color engine, with an aperture several times larger than other devices, thereby increasing its light sensitivity by 400 percent for increased accuracy and performance. This ensures consistent color on all LCD, CRT, and laptop displays.
Among its most innovative features is a proofing capability called SpyderProof that brings an impressive level of color control to any digital workflow. SpyderProof enables professionals to evaluate calibration with a before and after mode. Professionals can view four quadrants of thematic photos to specifically evaluate saturated colors, skin tones, gradients, and black and white images to ensure the desired calibration results.
As compared to its award-winning predecessor Spyder2, the Spyder3 offers a sleeker design that's 37 percent smaller and incorporates third-generation Spyder technology. The updated form factor includes an embedded ambient light detector and desktop cradle. It also includes an easy-to-use, photo-centric user interface with features that photographers and creative professionals need.
Designed for the way photographers work, the Spyder3Pro is the next generation in calibration accuracy, precision and speed, allowing you to create profiles to your specifications and bring an unprecedented level of color control to your work.
- Third Generation Spyder Technology
- The Spyder3 colorimeter is based on a state-of-the-art optical design, using a 7-detector color engine and a very large light aperture, providing unrivaled performance. In conjunction with the patented filter array and embedded ambient light sensor, the Spyder3 provides industry-leading performance for the precision calibration of LCD, CRT, projector and notebook displays. 1
- Elegant Form and Function
- With a unique fusion of design excellence and functionality, the Spyder3 offers a small footprint, embedded ambient light sensor, and LED indicator. Furthermore, the desktop cradle can be used for storage, or ambient light monitoring.
- Fast and Precise Measurement
- The Spyder3 has increased light sensitivity by 400% as compared to the previous edition, and also features the largest screen sample area or aperture in the industry resulting in improved accuracy on LCD screens and a faster calibration time.
- Super-Fast ReCAL
- ReCAL reduces full calibration time by more than half allowing you to quickly and easily re-calibrate on a more frequent basis or before any important shoot or post-production project.
- Intelligent Ambient Light Control
- Embedded with a next-generation, high precision sensor, Spyder3 automatically measures the ambient light within a room for a new level of precision calibration.
- Support for Next Generation Displays
- The patented Spyder3 optical design and color engine enable precise calibration and profiling of the latest in wide gamut, LED backlight and AdobeRGB displays.
- SpyderProof Function
- Evaluate your calibration in before and after mode using four quadrants of thematic photos targeting Saturated Colors, Skin Tones, Gradients and Black & White. Zoom in on any photo to scrutinize highlights, shadow detail, color or tonal response. Softproof the images using your own custom profiles. Designed for the way photographers work, SpyderProof brings you an impressive level of color control to help you achieve color excellence.
- Cross-platform Compatibility
- Spyder3Pro software runs on today's popular hardware and software platforms, including Windows, Macintosh and even Intel based Macintosh systems, and is the only calibration product that works efficiently on any computer, running Mac OS X or Microsoft Windows XP (32/64), Vista (32/64), and 7 (32/64).
| System & Software Requirements |
Windows System
Macintosh System
Please Note:Built-in USB cable close |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 443 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
94%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Accurate colors (247)
- Easy to navigate (227)
- Easy to collaborate across programs (138)
- Easy to customize (77)
- Versatile (70)
Cons
- Not very powerful (8)
- Inaccurate controls (7)
- Difficult to navigate (5)
- Lacks adjustability (4)
- None that i can see (4)
Best Uses
- Professional quality (191)
- Presentations (43)
- Photo editing (26)
- Educational purposes (13)
- Improving efficiency (12)
- How long have you owned it:
A month or less
57%
(4 reviews)
One-to-three months
Three-to-six months
More than six months
- Reviewer Profile:
- Quality oriented (288), Budget shopper (48), Graphics enthusiast (23), Photographer (13), Business user (11)
- Primary use:
- Personal (249), Business (159)
- Computer Platform:
- PC (68), Mac (26)
Most Liked Positive Review
Easy to use, bad documentation
The main difference between Spyder3Pro and Spyder3Elite (for my purposes) is that Spyder3Elite lets you define your own "targets" with your choice of black and white luminance, gamma and color temper...Read complete review
The main difference between Spyder3Pro and Spyder3Elite (for my purposes) is that Spyder3Elite lets you define your own "targets" with your choice of black and white luminance, gamma and color temperature, or customized curves. Spyder3Pro gives you a set of canned targets to use and disables the features that let you define them yourself. Targets include color temps of "native", 5000, 5800, 6500, and gamma of 1.8, 2.0, 2.2, 2.4. You cannot set your own black/white points (min/max brightness) and the program doesn't tell you what they are set to, so you have to live with what they give you. No good way to match a specific paper/ink DMax. DataColor has a web page with feature comparisons for their different calibration tools.
Pros: Software is a bit quirky but stable. Easy and quick to install. Be sure to download and install the SW updates (mine shipped with 3.0.1, current level is at 3.0.4). Follow the instructions on screen and calibration is pretty straightforward. Accurate color and contrast after calibration. Compared on a couple of different screens and it seems very consistent, esp. with respect to contrast. One screen (Toshiba) was a bit more saturated looking than the other (Sony Vaio). A quick calibration check tells you whether you need to recalibrate. The black point seems a bit too low to me -- it's difficult to tell the difference between the lowest black levels in the SpyderProof image. This seemed better after upgrade to 3.0.4. Sensor works well on my LCD screens.
Cons: It's pretty clear that Spyder3Pro is a hobbled version of Spyder3Elite. The help screens are still the help screens for Spyder3Elite. This makes the help confusing, as it refers to various features and controls that aren't there. Also there is a broken link that was obviously cut/pasted into multiple help files, with the same typo (http://http//www....). It was fixed in some of the 3.0.4 help but not everywhere. The software recommends leaving brightness and contrast settings at default for LCDs, but then prompts you later to adjust them. It seems to work fine if you just leave them alone. Later calibration passes don't do all the tests in order to improve speed (a plus, although it doesn't take that long anyway), but it's not really clear what the path is through the recalibration process or how you might do a complete recalibration if you wanted to. Can't set black/white points (I know, I already said that, but it's still bugging me).
Other: Haven't really made much use of the ambient light features, so can't speak to that yet. The SpyderProof lets you display various photos (not your own) while switching the calibration on/off. I could do that with the original Spyder by unchecking the "enabled" box while I had my own photo on the screen.
For most amateurs, the extra 100 bucks for Spyder3Elite to be able to fine-tune the targets might not be worthwhile, but I would think that for serious amateurs and most pros it would be a necessity.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Decent device. Support questionable.
This device is spun as the holy grail of color management, when it really is just your basic color calibrator. It appears to do its job just fine, and the price is reasonable. ...Read complete review
This device is spun as the holy grail of color management, when it really is just your basic color calibrator. It appears to do its job just fine, and the price is reasonable. On the other hand, the construction has seriously cheaped-out relative to its predecessor, and you can tell accompanying software is not well thought out. The spec's are limited. For example, while it states it supports dual monitors, it fails to tell you the additional hardware requirements to do so. So once you get it, realize what it doesn't do and what you weren't told, contact their tech support, account for their guidance, get it running, then it works.
Reviewed by 443 customers
Sort by
Displaying reviews 1-20
Previous | Next »
Pros
- Easy To Collaborate Across Programs
- Easy To Customize
- Easy To Navigate
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Spyder3Pro Display Calibration System from Datacolor:
I use this item to calibrate my monitor. I like how easy it is to used and that it didn't take long to configure. My photos look a 1,000 times better on paper and on my computer.
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Computer Platform:
- PC
Pros
- Easy To Navigate
Cons
- Inconsistent
Best Uses
Comments about Spyder3Pro Display Calibration System from Datacolor:
Bought this because I finally decided it was time to color correct my monitor and I don't know how well I feel it worked. It definitely helped my 24" Dell monitor that is a few years old, but my 2011 Macbook Pro's screen ended up looking waaay too blue. I switched it back to the default color profile and it ended up looking almost exactly like the Dell. I tried it a second time on the MBP's screen and it still looked wrong.
I do think it helped my Dell monitor significantly however not so much with the MBP. Maybe this is an issue with the LED backlight? Not sure. I am hoping to borrow a friends color correcter and see what happens.
- Computer Platform:
- Mac
Pros
- Accurate Colors and Controls
- Easy To Navigate
Cons
Best Uses
- Professional Quality
Comments about Spyder3Pro Display Calibration System from Datacolor:
Love it. easy to use and made a huge difference in my laptop montior. My Dell 23" still does not look the same as my laptop, but it is an issue with the monitor, it only has changable setting for contrast and bightness.
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Computer Platform:
- PC
Pros
- Accurate Colors and Controls
Cons
Best Uses
- Presentations
- Professional Quality
Comments about Spyder3Pro Display Calibration System from Datacolor:
The best thing about the calibrator is that it does not take a whole lot of time and very easy to use. After calibration, I could definetely tell the differences of before and after. This product would definetely benefit photographers on a budget. The only thing that was a bit confusing and not so great was the wording in a part of the instructions. What would be helpful is for better visual instructions for adjusting the monitors brightness and contrast.
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Computer Platform:
- PC
Pros
- Accurate Colors and Controls
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Spyder3Pro Display Calibration System from Datacolor:
As a 'photography enthusiast', who likes to make prints for special occasions and of special events, the final output wasn't always to my liking. The usual problems:the print was too dark/light, or a colour-cast that wasn't noticeable on my monitor.
I finally bit the bullet and ordered the Spyder3Pro. I don't regret that decision. It did not take long to install,and update, the software.
The results were surprising. I never would have reduced the blue channel in the colour controls so much, but the end result was better control over the print. This product is a necessity for anyone that prints their own photos!
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Computer Platform:
- PC
Pros
- Accurate Colors and Controls
- Easy To Collaborate Across Programs
- Easy To Customize
- Easy To Navigate
- Versatile
Cons
Best Uses
- Professional Quality
Comments about Spyder3Pro Display Calibration System from Datacolor:
Can't believe how long I have worked as a photographer and never calibrated my monitor. Nothing is more frustrating that getting your prints back only to find out they don't look the same as they did during post process. Now with ICC color profiles from my lab and a properly calibrated monitor, perfection every time! Hope that helps any one on the fence of getting a calibration system, and sypder has some of the best in the industry!
- Primary use:
- Business
- Computer Platform:
- Mac
Pros
- Easy to set up
- Easy to use
Cons
- Blue light always on
- Can't talk to printer
- No documentation
Best Uses
- Advanced photographer
Comments about Spyder3Pro Display Calibration System from Datacolor:
I found the product easy to set up and calibrate the monitor. No problems there but if your expecting it to solve color management problems, you're doing to be disappointed. It doesn't tell you what information the printer needs to print what you see on the monitor. I gave it a high rating because the product does what it says it will do.
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Computer Platform:
- PC
Pros
- Accurate Colors and Controls
- Easy To Collaborate Across Programs
- Easy To Navigate
- Versatile
Cons
Best Uses
- Educational Purposes
- Presentations
- Professional Quality
Comments about Spyder3Pro Display Calibration System from Datacolor:
Using the product in home for processing photos and did not realize how bad the color on my LCD monitor was. Installed in few minutes and set my colors just right. Highly recommend it for the serious amateur or pro.
- Primary use:
- Business
- Computer Platform:
- PC
Pros
- Easy To Collaborate Across Programs
- Easy To Navigate
Cons
Best Uses
- Professional Quality
Comments about Spyder3Pro Display Calibration System from Datacolor:
Very simple to install and use. The Spyder3Pro changed my monitor colors dramatically. I am a graphic designer for a magazine so I need my graphics and photos to be accurate. I haven't had the opportunity to check my monitor against the print yet, but I have no doubt it will be better than it was before calibration.
- Primary use:
- Business
- Computer Platform:
- PC
Pros
- Accurate Colors and Controls
- Easy To Collaborate Across Programs
- Easy To Navigate
Cons
Best Uses
- Professional Quality
Comments about Spyder3Pro Display Calibration System from Datacolor:
Owned a previous version and it was outstanding, so when I upgraded the computer, I also upgraded the Spyder prgram. As usual, easy install and set up on the new computer. Excellent product.
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Computer Platform:
- PC
Pros
- Accurate Colors and Controls
- Easy to install and use
- Excellent support
Cons
Best Uses
- Corrects monitor colours
- Presentations
- Professional Quality
Comments about Spyder3Pro Display Calibration System from Datacolor:
Essential for calibrating your monitor to produce proper colours and intensity. Whether you print your own or send your images to a lab, Spyder quickly calibrates your monitor and saves the calibration. It can also keep track of ambient light in your workspace and notify you if it changes significantly.
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Computer Platform:
- PC
Pros
- Accurate Colors and Controls
- See how it will print
- Versatile
Cons
Best Uses
- Presentations
- Professional Quality
Comments about Spyder3Pro Display Calibration System from Datacolor:
It works and it doesn't break the bank. It's pretty straightforward to use. Have used it on desktops and laptops successfully with good consistency across them all. It is nice to see on all monitors a proper rendition of what my photos actually look, and print, like.
Would like to point out that the software checks for updates after starting the install for the version on disk. Pay attention to which version you go ahead and install to be sure of using the updated one to save the time of installing the update later.
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Computer Platform:
- PC
Pros
- Accurate Colors and Controls
- Easy to calibrate
Cons
- Instructions not clear
Best Uses
- Calibration of monitor
Comments about Spyder3Pro Display Calibration System from Datacolor:
The Spyder3Pro was easy to load on my iMac. A little difficult understanding that an icon was loaded on the upper right of my home page, rather than on my bottom icons. Anyway, my first calibration went without problem and the software found that I needed a slight adjustment (which I expected since other Apple users had said that the iMac display was pretty good in terms of color calibration). I've noticed a difference in the agreements between the monitor display and my printed photos since calibration.... much better. The software seems as though it was worth the expense.
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Computer Platform:
- Mac
Pros
- Accurate Colors and Controls
- Easy To Collaborate Across Programs
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Spyder3Pro Display Calibration System from Datacolor:
I was constantly questioning what my photos actually looked like when I would edit at home and look at them at work or on my ipad and see differences in highlights and shadows. Now I trust the screen I am editing photos on.
The calibration of my laptop and iPad (with the free app) were quick and painless. Calibrating the flat panel I use with my desktop wasn't as simple, but I think that had more to do with the limitations of my monitor (it's a less expensive model from almost 5 years ago), not with the Spyder system.
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Computer Platform:
- PC
Pros
- Accurate Colors and Controls
- Easy To Collaborate Across Programs
- Easy To Customize
- Easy To Navigate
- Versatile
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Spyder3Pro Display Calibration System from Datacolor:
Very easy to use but very successful nevertheless, it took 5 mminutes to calibrate correctly my screen.
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Computer Platform:
- Mac
Pros
- Accurate Colors and Controls
- Ease of Use
Cons
Best Uses
- Professional Quality
Comments about Spyder3Pro Display Calibration System from Datacolor:
I use it to calibrate my Dell Ultrasharp 2410 monitor, and so far it seems to be doing a great job. The colors displayed are accurate when compared to the prints. I had to manually tweak the screen brightness when the ambient light changed, though. The price drop decided it for me, and B&H shipped it to Canada very quickly. The Spyder 4 hardware might be newer, but this one is good enough for all practical purposes, and much cheaper.
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Computer Platform:
- PC
Pros
- Accurate Colors and Controls
Cons
Best Uses
- Professional Quality
Comments about Spyder3Pro Display Calibration System from Datacolor:
I have owned a Spyder2 for several years and it help up nicely. The 2 will not function with Windows 7 (it did for almost a year but then started giving error messages - after several tries of different solutions given me by Datacolor support they finally said the 2 has known issues with Windows 7 and I should update).
My actions speak as loud as any words. I purchased the same product - newer model. Doesn't have all the bells and whistles of other products but works perfectly.
- Primary use:
- Business
- Computer Platform:
- PC
Pros
- Accurate Colors and Controls
Cons
Best Uses
- monitor calibration
Comments about Spyder3Pro Display Calibration System from Datacolor:
Let me start by saying I have tried the many of the 'free' calibration option available, which involve mainly eyeballing the settings, and well, that just made things worse. If your eyes are like mine and just don't see color that precisely, this product is for you.
I haven't been using the Spyder3Pro for very long, I recently recieved it as a gift, but once I ran my first calibrations (Acer Laptop and Dell LCD displays on a 64bit Windows7 platform) the difference before calibration and after calibration was quite apparent. The images displayed on my screens were much, much closer in color and contrast to that of their print counterparts. No more flying by the seat of my pants hoping and praying to get a print close to what I see on my screen - the Spyder3Pro saves me that stress.
Having said that, and having read what others have been saying, this device is not the holy grail of photographic tools, it isn't perfect - nothing is - so if you are expecting it to be then you are setting yourself up for disappointment.
It does has its drawbacks, while I find they are minor, you may not. The documentation included in the box is negligible, and the online help leaves much to be desired. A little research however can lead you to more specific answers to problems and questions that other users have experienced, however. I also was a bit put off by the fact that during calibration the device sits exactly in front of the monitor control dialog box, making it somewhat hard to adjust the built in monitor contols during calibration, but a little memorization of what buttons I needed to press fixed this problem. Also a little more control over exactly what the software is doing ould be nice - I believe the Elite version offers more features - for an additional $50 or so.
All in all I am satisfied with this product and would definitely recommend it to anyone looking to improve their workflow. Just don't have unreasonable expectations - the value of the tool all depends on how you use it.
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Computer Platform:
- PC
Pros
- Accurate Colors and Controls
Cons
- Can't turn off LED light
Best Uses
Comments about Spyder3Pro Display Calibration System from Datacolor:
Item work as advertised and I could calibrate my 2 monitors in now time 5 out of 5 for this. However one cannot turn off the LED light. Why must it have an LED light? I bought a Display Calibration System, not a light source! Only way to get the light off is to disconnect the unit. So after calibration I unplug the dam thing and store it until I will need it for recalibration. So I can't use the ambient light measurement function as advertise. Give me a function in the software to turn of the light and I will give it a 5.
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Computer Platform:
- PC
Pros
- Accurate Colors and Controls
- Easy easy easy
- Easy To Collaborate Across Programs
- Easy To Navigate
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Spyder3Pro Display Calibration System from Datacolor:
Easy to set up and use. I needed a good monitor calibration software but not spend an arm and a leg on it. Spyder3Pro Display from Datacolor offered me both. I have had my monitors calibrated for over a month now and see a very big difference with the photos I send to get printed. Well worth the investment.
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Computer Platform:
- PC
Displaying reviews 1-20
Previous | Next »
Cables & Adapters
- Price: $5.96
Hardware Expansion
-
- Original: $58.99
- Save: $14.62
- Price: $44.37
Care & Cleaning
-
- Original: $4.99
- Save: $0.50
- Price: $4.49
What's in the Box
- Spyder3 Colorimeter
- Desktop Cradle
- Screen Cleaning Packets
- Spyder3Pro Software CD-ROM
- Quick Start Guide
- 2-Year Limited Warranty
Why Shop at B&H
Make your online shopping trip personal with our online Live Chat representatives. You can easily reach an in-house expert while browsing our site for your shopping needs. We have the most highly-trained staff in the industry who are pros in their fields, and their professional expertise will help you get the most from your purchase.
Place your domestic order with us for shipment via UPS, FedEx Economy, or FedEx Priority by 4 PM ET Monday through Thursday or 11 AM ET Friday and your order will be shipped that day. Visit our Shipping Delivery Times page for further details. Delivery times are subject to payment verification.
We appreciate your purchase from us, and we understand that sometimes the products you buy don’t turn out to be the right choice for you. We guarantee your peace of mind with our 30-day return policy. With no standard restocking fee and few restrictions, you’ll enjoy a return process as easy as shopping with us. Please visit our Return Policy page for further details.
We’ve made iPhone and Android mobile apps available for your service and shopping convenience. Use filtered search to find and purchase almost any item we sell and ship worldwide. Download product manuals and guides for many popular items. See high-resolution product images in close-up detail. Manage wishlists and view order history. Visit our Mobile Apps page to download.
See sample Newsletter
Help
Company Information
B&H Resources
