Datacolor

The New Standard in Color Management

Datacolor's SPYDER® line of digital imaging products has become the most recognizable and honored color calibration brand in the world. Datacolor has created a whole portfolio of digital imaging innovations for graphic designers, creative professionals and professional photographers. Each product is designed to take the "work" out of a color managed workflow so you can concentrate on what really matters - your creativity.

What is color management?

Color management is the process of ensuring that colors are true and consistent throughout the entire digital workflow, from capturing images to digital editing and printing your work. Every device displays colors differently. Cameras, monitors and printers each have their own interpretation and range of colors they can reproduce. Color management systems (CMS) work by using device profiles, also known as ICC profiles which are simply data files that fingerprint how a particular device produces color. By calibrating your displays and printers, you can rely on these devices to display colors that are exactly as they should be.

As a photographer, it is critical that your images are displayed and printed correctly. If you have a color-managed digital workflow, you can be confident that your colors are true and avoid costly mistakes and time-consuming reprints.

» Color Management: An Easy Introduction To Consistent True Colors In Capture – Edit – Print by Klaus Bjarner

Why do I need to calibrate my monitor?

Each display is unique in the way it displays colors and over time, they drift, age and wear out. Calibrating your monitor is like tuning your car’s engine. You need to calibrate regularly to achieve accurate, consistent color, life-like flesh tones, superb gray balance and tonal response. A calibrated monitor is the first step in color management and is essential in your digital workflow.

Why can’t I “tune up” my monitor using the naked eye?

Color perception by the human eye is subjective and is different from person to person. The Spyder3 is like an “electronic eye” that scientifically measures color and adjusts it to the industry standard. Therefore, wherever color is critical, a calibrated monitor is essential for the best color experience possible.

Meet the Spyder family:

Camera Solutions
	The first all-in-one RAW calibration device for fast and accurate white-point correction as well as bracketed adjustments for highlights and blacks: Ability to capture accurate color without a lot of trial and error manipulation Spectrally neutral so SpyderCube responds accurately to all lighting conditions Provides reference values to check and adjust RAW control settings Includes Black Trap for shadow detail control Allows users to instantly correct color images by setting color temperature values Allows users to accurately adjust shadows and highlight details in any RAW images Ideal for location shooting (outdoors or indoors) and studios Essential for RAW conversion and can also be used when correcting images in a JPEG workflow. » Download SpyderCube Datasheet
	SpyderLensCal provides a fast, reliable method of measuring the focus performance on your camera and lens combinations. It allows photographers to obtain razor-sharp focusing or check to see that their lenses are working at their peak performance. This device is compact, lightweight and durable, with integrated level and tripod mount. Fast, Easy Solution for your interchangeable lenses and newer DSLR models by providing razor-sharp auto-focusing using modern DSLR auto-focus micro-adjustment technology Compact, Lightweight and Durable with integrated level and tripod mount, making this the most convenient way to adjust your own camera gear Save Time and Hassle of sending your equipment in for servicing. Now you can check or calibrate your own lenses! Accurate and Repeatable Calibration of your lenses and newer DSLR models Worthwhile Investment to ensure your camera is focusing your lenses as precisely as possible » Download SpyderLensCal Datasheet » Got a question on SpyderLensCal? Check out the Frequently Asked Questions here.
	Start your color control at the capture stage with the new SpyderCheckr™. It allows photographers to color calibrate their cameras, perform precision in-camera white balance and record known-color samples. SpyderCheckr helps capture consistent color from day to day and camera to camera and apply these results easily in your workflow with RAW import software such as Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom. The sturdy, eco-friendly design has 48 spectrally-engineered color patches, easy to use calibration software making post-production quicker by getting consistent, predictable color right from the start. Consistent Color Control for your RAW workflow made easy and fast with SpyderCheckr and its powerful software, giving you a color standard for any camera and decreasing your post-production time Neutral Gray Target and Gray Ramp for in-camera white balance and visual neutrality analysis Extensive Skintone Samples for portrait and fashion photography Durable, Eco-Friendly self casing construction for easy transport and field use, with replaceable targets^, tripod mount and fade strip indicator* Easy-to-Use Software interacts with Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop and Camera RAW to produce calibration presets, which fit directly into your digital workflow; no DNG processing required, multiple lightsource calibration option included *FaceCheckr is a light sensitive patch which allows you to track the light exposure of your target and warns you when it's time to replace the Target Sheets. ^ Replaceable target sheets for SpyderCheckr are currently not available. » Download the SpyderCheckr Color Data Information » Download the SpyderCheckr Datasheet
For Monitor Calibration
	The new Spyder4 is designed for the way photographers work, combining an easy-to-use interface with advanced levels of brightness and color control. The full-spectrum color capture technology uses a seven-channel sensor, which registers color in the same way as the human eye, ensuring the colors on the screen are true-to-life. Launched in January 2012, the new Spyder4 colorimeter (hardware) features the following improvements over its predecessor, Spyder3: Improved accuracy and precision - on average, accuracy is improved by 26% while precision is improved by 19% Seven-channel sensor with high stability, double-shielded filters registers color in the same way as the human eye The ability to calibrate all your screens: computer displays, projectors, tablets, smart phones, even TVs and video reference displays!
	Designed for Professional Photographers, Videographers, Video Editors and Color Perfectionists The Spyder4Elite is a display color calibration solution designed for professionals who need the highest level of color control in the studio and flexibility in post-production. With the Spyder4Elite software, you get more options that give you greater control over color management: StudioMatch enables visual fine-tuning of studio displays to match the way you see color Built-in presets for video standards, such as Cineon, NTSC and PAL Advanced Monitor Quality Analysis lets you analyze your display quality by plotting uniformity, color gamut, and change over time, tone response and allowing comparison with other displays Calibrate to professional workflow targets with L-Star tone response curve Unlimited choices for gamma, white point, white luminance and black luminance Iterative grey balance algorithm for the most accurate greys Front projector calibration for color-accurate presentations Cloud Function lets you share information by gathering data on display models iPhone- and iPad-ready - together with the free SpyderGallery application, you can now calibrate your iOS devices!
	Designed for Advanced Photographers and Creative Professionals Spyder4Pro is a display color calibration solution designed for photographers and creative professionals who need to match their prints to their displays. With the Spyder4Pro, you can now enjoy the following features: Ambient light measurement Monitor Quality Analysis that provides you with extensive information about the quality and state of your displays Cloud Function lets you share information by gathering data on display models iPhone- and iPad-ready - together with the free SpyderGallery application, you can now calibrate your iOS devices!
	Designed for Photo Enthusiasts Spyder4Express is a cost-effective colorimeter that quickly calibrates a single display computer or laptop right out of the box. Its simple, clear and automated process makes it straightforward to calibrate your displays to a reference condition. With the Spyder4Express, you get: Gamut graph of your display in the final screen Cloud Function lets you share information by gathering data on display models iPhone- and iPad-ready - together with the free SpyderGallery application, you can now calibrate your iOS devices!

For Printer Profiling
	Create Custom Profiles for a Flawless Image Spyder3Print SR brings you easy-to-use, full-featured solutions for your professional printing needs. The new Strip Reading Spectrocolorimeter was designed to help photographers create and produce professional prints quickly, accurately and without expensive trial-and-error testing. Select any combination of printer, media and ink and Spyder3Print SR provides the tools to let you push the limits of advanced inkjets to create gallery quality prints in color and black and white. Designed for Professional Photographers, Fine Art Printers, Production Professionals and anyone who wants accurate print-to-screen matching. Features: EZ targets and intelligent patch reading makes target scanning simpler than ever Create custom profiles for exceptional prints in color and black and white, in minutes! Print images accurately the first time, saving time and money Designed specifically for the way photographers work » Download Spyder3Print SR Datasheet
For Complete Workflow Color Management
	Ensure Your Image Perfectly Matches Your Vision Spyder3Studio SR brings you easy-to-use, full-featured, photographer-oriented solutions for your digital workflow, offering you the right tools for the right job, and a new level of accuracy and control for all your color management needs. It's the cornerstone of any digital darkroom, allowing you real-world colors you can rely on. With solutions from RAW camera calibration, reliable color on-screen to quick and easy custom ICC printer profiles, from start to finish, you'll get results professional studios rely on and the ease-of-use serious photographers demand. Designed for Professional Photographers, Production Studios, and Professional Users of all kinds. Difference between Spyder3Studio™ and the new Spyder3Studio SR: Same great price point with new cutting-edge color management tools Includes all the right tools a serious photographer needs for his/her digital workflow Now includes the award-winning SpyderCube to color-correct your captured images - in just one shot, you can customize white balance and other color adjustments using your favorite RAW conversion software Display calibration with Spyder3Elite to accurately reproduce colors on screen - sophisticated hardware for optimizing the latest display technologies New Spyder3Print SR printer-profiling device for effortless gallery-quality prints - fast, ergonomic strip-reading device for faster patch reading; all-new SpyderGuide for improved speed and accuracy; and updated software with a simplified workflow and special EZ targets More compact metal case to take all your tools on the road or store them securely » Download Spyder3Studio SR Datasheet
For Home Theatre
	Datacolor Spyder3TV delivers an easy-to-use solution for optimizing all the TV sets in your home so that you can watch your movies and shows just as the director intended. A properly calibrated TV will help save on energy consumption and enjoy a longer lifespan. Don’t reply on your TV’s default settings nor guess what the correct settings should be – let Spyder3TV scientifically calculate the correct adjustments to brightness, contrast, color, tint and temperature for you and be amazed at the vivid colors you can achieve on your home theatre system.
For Mobile Solutions
	Professional picture viewing, wherever you are Tablet color can be attractive, but lacking in accuracy and consistency. The Datacolor SpyderGallery™ was designed to help photographers manage the color output on the iPad^® display. This app provides an easy-to-use program to calibrate the display and assure that colors are consistent throughout the entire workflow process. Just download the free app from the iTunes iOS App Store^® and follow the simple instructions to download SpyderGallery™ to your desktop and iPad^®. Datacolor is the first to provide a complete calibration solution to improve the color on your iPad^® device. Use your Spyder3 product to calibrate the iPad^®, and SpyderGallery™ to view your images using your custom iPad^® color profile. Then relax - you now have consistent color throughout your entire photo gallery! Designed for: Professional photographers, photo studios and anyone serious about their photo displays. Features & Benefits: World's first custom calibrated viewing on your tablet device. Easy to use calibration utility for Mac^® and Windows^®. Color corrected viewing from your standard photo library albums. Provides confidence in knowing your display is accurate for all photos. Free SpyderGallery™ for iPad^® app can be downloaded from the iOS App Store^®. » Download SpyderGallery™ User Guide
Additional Resources
» Choosing the Right Spyder » What is Printer Profiling? » How to Print Correctly with Photoshop » How to Print Correctly with Lightroom » Adobe Photoshop Recommended Color Settings