Datacolor SpyderCheckr Color Calibration Tool for Digital Cameras

Comments about Datacolor SpyderCheckr Color Calibration Tool for Digital Cameras:

I was eager to find a solution for color accurate photographs, I started to search for a product and I found Datacolor's Spyder Checkr. I decided to give it a try, and boy I'm glad I did.

I followed their procedure which was simple, easy to follow, and I soon discovered that it rendered accurate colors! I did several tests and even compared shots using the exact same settings then applying the profile made from X-Rite and from Datacolor's Spyder Checkr. Hands down, the Spyder Checkr wins on accurate colors.

I just tried shooting the same photo again and applied both the Spyder Checkr and the X-Rite Passport profiles. Spyder checkr = accurate colors, and details of the photo texture are seen. X-Rite passport = severely rich and some colors are oversaturated, and the some of the details are washed out.

Congratulations Datacolor! Excellent product!

Comments about Datacolor SpyderCheckr Color Calibration Tool for Digital Cameras:

I have used it once and it does work great the only thing, I thought it comes with the cube, but no cube. I think you can get it with cube for the same price from different vendors. B&H only sell them without cube.

Comments about Datacolor SpyderCheckr Color Calibration Tool for Digital Cameras:

This calibration system is excellent. I have installed the software on both my Macs (which have different screen profiles) and have found it works well. I am especially excited about the improvement in the rendering of skin-tones. The main con for me is that I now need to add Lightroom to my workflow, as I usually use Nikon Capture NX2 as my RAW converter. Perhaps adding NX2 and say, Aperture to the software's compatibility would be an improvement. The system is also a little pricey for what it is. Overall, though I am impressed and would definitely recommend this product.

Comments about Datacolor SpyderCheckr Color Calibration Tool for Digital Cameras:

I am new to this side of image processing and I found this very easy to setup and use. I am still learning about its full capabilities but I'm impressed with the results so far. I have used it to help me get better color reproduction when I am photographing my wife's artwork for her website. I can definitely see the difference in the accuracy of the colors. I shot in the studio with controlled lighting (usually daylight) and haven't tried it yet with outdoor shots.

I'm not sure I'd use this outdoors as I use an Expodisc to get the best White Balance to record the colors as faithfully as possible. I get great results with that and I don't think that this is easy enough to replace that approach for me.

Comments about Datacolor SpyderCheckr Color Calibration Tool for Digital Cameras:

The included software can't automatically find the color chart within an image. This means that every time the camera requires a calibration due to a change in lighting it will need to have the color checker positioned to fill the frame and the photographer will have to crop and adjust the image to get the color checker to be used by the software... who has time for all that.

I've since switched over to the X-Rite Colorchecker Passport which includes software for identifying the color chart automatically and imports a profile into Lightroom for me to apply automatically. The SpyderCheckr is a great tool for in the studio but not out in the field.

Comments about Datacolor SpyderCheckr Color Calibration Tool for Digital Cameras:

I shoot on the beach and in the studio, but only use the checkr for studio shoots to avoid sand contamination. The accuracy for this product is phenomenal. The software makes it very easy to use and it integrates perfectly in to Lightroom. I would highly recommend this product for anyone who wishes to have the most accurate color for their photographs.

Comments about Datacolor SpyderCheckr Color Calibration Tool for Digital Cameras:

Works exactly as intended, with great results. Have only used it a few times, but it definitely makes color correcting a breeze.

I get my assistant to hold it while I quickly snap a reference frame. Nice to have when shooting in mixed lighting.

Comments about Datacolor SpyderCheckr Color Calibration Tool for Digital Cameras:

If you are serious about entering into photography
you must put your attention on color management of all your parts
as: Camera, monitor and printer.

Comments about Datacolor SpyderCheckr Color Calibration Tool for Digital Cameras:

This is a nice tool to have for calibrating your camera. It really enhances your white balance ability.

Comments about Datacolor SpyderCheckr Color Calibration Tool for Digital Cameras:

Datacolor recently released their new SpyderCheckr Camera Calibration Tool, to compete with the X-Rite ColorChecker Passport. After doing a bit of research, I decided to pick up the SpyderCheckr over the Passport, and I'm fairly happy with my decision. In this review I'll delve into why I bought a color tool at all, why I chose the SpyderCheckr, how I use it in the field and in post-processing, and my general thoughts on the subject matter. .

ACCURATE COLOR IS VERY IMPORTANT
As a real estate photographer, I have to make sure that I accurately portray the homes I am photographing. A huge part of this is getting accurate color. Using a camera calibration tool allows me to recreate the color in the room with scientific accuracy, ensuring that the images I deliver to my clients are exactly correct.

DIRECT COMPARISON: BEFORE AND AFTER
A great way to see the difference this makes is too look at a photograph corrected with the SpyderCheckr, and the same photograph uncorrected. The difference is subtle, but noticeable. Getting that accurate color is very important, and makes the SpyderCheckr worth the time it takes to use.

WHY SPYDERCHECKR?
While X-Rite may be the big player in the camera calibration world, Datacolor and its Spyder3 products rule the world of monitor calibration. They recently launched the SpyderCheckr, and it has some definite benefits over X-Rite's offerings.

First, the SpyderCheckr has replaceable color cards, because paper does fade over time. This means in a few years when both the Passport and the SpyderCheckr are fading, I can pay about half as much to replace just the cards in my SpyderCheckr, whereas owners of the Passport have to replace the entire product.

Second, the SpyderCheckr has a tripod mount on the top AND bottom. This means it can be set up on a tripod (or light stand) in the field, and the SpyderCube can also be attached to it. In fact, the product is always advertised with the SpyderCube attached, which led to some major confusing and disappointment that I will get to later.

Third, the SpyderCheckr software creates preset for Adobe Camera Raw or Lightroom that is a Develop Preset that edits the HSL sliders. The Passport software creates a camera calibration profile. This means it is easier to manage, edit, and delete the presets SpyderCheckr creates, and you can still use Adobe's camera calibration profiles. Since real estate photographers have to create a preset for every lighting situation (which means every room), this is a big benefit.

Check out their video on YouTube for Datacolor's introduction of their SpyderCheckr.

HOW I USE IT IN MY DAY-TO-DAY WORK
Every time I finish composing and lighting a shot, I take an additional shot with the SpyderCheckr in the frame. Because each room has different lighting, it is necessary to do this for every composition. I tend to hold my SpyderCheckr in my hand and trigger my camera with a cable release, because I had a bad habit of forgetting to remove it from the scene if I set it on something.

Once I get back to my workstation, I follow the workflow outlined in the video above, creating a preset for each composition. I tend to create all the presets at once, then re-launch Lightroom and apply them, to avoid spending extra time waiting for Lightroom to quit and start again. After I have applied the preset, I simply right click on the preset name to delete it. Because I often create a dozen or more presets for every home I shoot, it is quite nice to be able to delete them so easily.

CAVEAT EMPTOR
When I purchased the SpyderCheckr, it was advertised with the SpyderCube attached, and the online doucmentation indicated that the SpyderCube was, indeed, included with the package. In fact, this inclusion was another reason I was willing to spend $30 more on the SpyderCheckr over the Passport. However, when my SpyderCheckr arrived I was dismayed to find no SpyderCube in the package! I am still trying to resolve this with Datacolor, and I will try to post an update when I figure things out.

GENERAL THOUGHTS
Even if you choose a different camera calibration tool, I do recommend using one over just an 18% grey card or ExpoDisc. You will get more accurate color in every shot you use it in, which will represent the property more accurately, especially in rooms with bright, vivid, or strange colored walls or decoration.

Comments about Datacolor SpyderCheckr Color Calibration Tool for Digital Cameras:

I use this product in combination with an 18% gray card for copy work calibration. The software is simple and straight-forward. The product works as advertised and has improved my workflow from camera to computer to print. I use this in combination with Datacolor's Spyder Studio3SR.

Comments about Datacolor SpyderCheckr Color Calibration Tool for Digital Cameras:

Does the job well. Sturdy and well made.