Oct 12, 2012 Datacolor's low-cost solution for calibrating monitors for beginners or small budgets has therefore just been replaced. Datacolor announces the release of the Spyder5Express (Spyder 5 Express) - sold for less than 130 dollars - this is a simplified version of the Spyder5Pro and Spyder5Elite versions under test on this site. You will not find. View and Download Datacolor Spyder5 Express user manual online. Simple monitor color calibration solution. Spyder5 Express Computer Accessories pdf manual download. Please make sure that your computer is connected to the internet and that no firewall blocks your Spyder software from communicating with the Datacolor activation server.
Datacolor Spyder5PRO monitor calibrator review
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Monitor profiling and calibration, with ambient light measurement
Datacolor offer a range of monitor calibration and profiling solutions. The Spyder 5 Pro is the mid range option, offering a range of features that will suffice for many photographers and designers, not wanting the additional functionality found in the Spyder 5 Elite, reviewed by Keith a while ago.
Keith looks at the process you go through in calibrating your monitor, on his MacBook Pro – the software works just the same on Windows systems.
More info at datacolor.
Article Index
Spyder5 Elite
B&H | Adorama | Amazon.com | Amazon UK
Spyder5 Pro
B&H | Adorama | Amazon.com | Amazon UK
Spyder5 Express
B&H | Adorama | Amazon.com | Amazon UK
B&H | Adorama | Amazon.com | Amazon UK
Spyder5 Pro
B&H | Adorama | Amazon.com | Amazon UK
Spyder5 Express
B&H | Adorama | Amazon.com | Amazon UK
Monitor Calibration – what’s the point
If you’re editing a photo on your monitor and want to print it out yourself, or send it off to a lab, then not knowing the colours you are seeing on your monitor are accurate to start with makes it much less likely that your print is going to be a good one.
In fact, if your images are going to be seen anywhere other than just that single computer and screen you are using, then you can’t be sure how it will look elsewhere.
Will that deep red you see on your screen come out with a tinge of orange, and does that clean white actually have a blue or magenta tint?
I’m a professional photographer, supplying digital images and prints to clients – my business depends on accurate colour, and I have quit a lot of accurate (and expensive) equipment to ensure this. Much of it is reviewed on this site.
I’ve written a lot about colour management on this site – check the category dropdown list at the side of any page. Comments and questions are always welcome – see the foot of the page.
I’ve looked at Datacolor (or ColorVision as it was once also known) Spyder calibrators over many years – back to when we all had huge CRT displays on our desks. They have always offered good value products which do one job, and do it well.
The Spyder 5 Pro offers more ability to customise your settings than the basic Spyder 5 Express model, without going for the full on approach of the Spyder 5 Elite – I’ve a comparison table showing the options at the end of the review (including upgrades from one model to another).
One other thing I should note is that the measuring device you get with the Spyder5Pro is the same one that comes with the S5 Elite – there is no compromise in accuracy in going with the ‘Pro’ version.
The Spyder 5 Pro
The Spyder colorimeter comes in a good hefty box – keep the box for storage and your calibrator should last for many years.
The device and its USB cable are neatly packed inside, along with the device serial number (under the device) and a welcome note that tells you where to get the Spyder software.
The colorimeter has a clip on cover that also serves as a counterweight during the profiling stage.
Note the honeycomb grill – the light measuring part is behind it.
The software site is clear and easy to use – gone are the days of a CD with software, as are the days of installing software from a CD and then immediately needing to check for updates.
At this point I’m going to point out that opening the box, setting up the software and calibrating your monitor should take less time than it will to read this article.
The software will use your serial number to get an activation code via the internet (a non connected option is available)
A few seconds after entering the serial number from inside the box.
The code can be used to install the software on other computers you own.
Once set up, the software is very straightforward to use.
The Spyder Utility software is also installed – on the Mac this can run some optional features and be used to start up the main profiling software.
On windows systems it also performs some important background setup functions that ensure your monitor profile is being correctly used.
Preferences set things like the reminder to check/re-profile, since the process needs repeating every so often.
The calibration process
The basic procedure is a simple step by step process.
There is an interactive help display at the right that gives a quick overview of what you are doing.
At any point you can open up a much more detailed help panel that will explain far more about what you are doing, and just as importantly -why- you need to do it, or the options available.
Datacolor has the best such help going for products like this. I make no apology for saying that other manufacturers do their products a great dis-service by not including this level of detail. I know many have discovered video and think it is the solution to explaining things to users. Well, after years of experience in usability research, I can assure them that it is -not- a substitute for clear and well written guides for many people.
I need to tell the software what type of display I’m using.
Since I only have one monitor on this laptop, I don’t need to identify which monitor I’m using (note that there can be some Windows display card issues with multiple monitors if you are not using multiple cards – this is covered in the help info. We don’t have any PCs here for testing).
Then I need to decide the sort of calibration I need.
ReCal is a quicker process, since it relies on previous calibration data – first time using the software I’ll get the FullCal process (a few minutes longer)
Note the default display settings.
Gamma 2.2, 6500K and a brightness of 120 cd/m2 are pretty much standard for photo work, but you can change them to different preset values.
The default settings are OK here. I’ll come back to the ‘Room Light’ feature later, but suffice to say, I prefer to keep any ‘auto adjustment’ features firmly deactivated for my own setup.
You might have spotted the ‘Shortcuts’ menu?
This lets you go straight to different parts of the software setup once you become familiar with the software.
After setting everything, I’m ready to go.
The sensor is resting lightly on the screen – leaning the display back helps with this. It has a soft surface, so won’t mark your screen.
The screen will change colour several times during the calibration and profiling.
The software knows what colours the screen is being told to display, whilst the sensor measures the actual colours of your display.
The differences between predicted/measured are used for creating your monitor profile.
Your computer’s operating system takes care of using the profile – you should never need concern yourself with it until in a month or so, you fire up the software to check everything is still fine.
The sensor does not need to be connected for you to benefit from the profile.
The process starts with a check of screen brightness – I needed to adjust it slightly to get it close enough
This brightness may seem rather low, but that is far better if you are editing photos.
One of the most common causes of prints coming out too dark is having your monitor set too bright.
The screen will display a series of colours…
After a few minutes, the necessary measurements have been taken
The monitor profile is created – note how the settings are included in the name.
In a month I’ll get a reminder to check again.
The SpyderProof test image is displayed.
This lets you ‘turn off’ the profile and see what your screen was like before.
My old laptop have a distinctly blueish cast when not profiled – very high end monitors may not show much change.
I also get an overview of the profile – showing the relative gamut of my display.
Here, compared with sRGB
That’s it – we’re done.
Somewhat later I’ve run the CheckCal function and I note that nothing much has changed.
Display quality checks
There are a number of extra measurements and checks that can be made on your monitor using the Display Analysis tool.
Most users would have no need for this, but for the curious…
Various test give various interesting graphs and charts, which you can save.
It’s potentially more useful than might first seem, particularly with cheaper monitors.
This from the extra help notes:
Sometimes it’s difficult to know which Preset inside your monitor controls are best for the purposes of a calibrated workflow. This test will help you determine this.
Measurement Process
The first step asks you to add a list of all Presets you would like to test. These can be all type of presets: White Point, Color, Eco Mode, etc. It can also be a combination of presets. Therefore, it only makes sense to perform this test if your monitor offers different presets.
The first step asks you to add a list of all Presets you would like to test. These can be all type of presets: White Point, Color, Eco Mode, etc. It can also be a combination of presets. Therefore, it only makes sense to perform this test if your monitor offers different presets.
Once the list is completed, you can click on “Next” to start the reading of White Luminance, Black Luminance, Contrast and White Point for each Preset.
Please place the Spyder in the middle of your screen to correctly measure the values before you start the measurement. You’ll have to confirm the measurement of each preset. When switching between the presets, be sure you close your monitor’s OSD menu before you start each measurement.
Result
You’ll get a table with the values of White Luminance (cd/m^2), Black Luminance, Contrast and White Point (Kelvin / CIE coordinates) for each of your presets.
You’ll get a table with the values of White Luminance (cd/m^2), Black Luminance, Contrast and White Point (Kelvin / CIE coordinates) for each of your presets.
Spyder upgrades
![Spyder Spyder](/uploads/1/2/5/5/125517378/213934825.jpg)
Datacolor offer a number of software upgrade options for their Spyder 5 calibration software, via their web site.
I’ve covered the Spyder 5 Elite+ options in an update/review, but here’s what you can get.
This first one is I’m afraid, something I’d prefer not to have enabled on any display I’m using.
I really don’t want my display changing just because someone drops some papers on my desk or the sun goes behind a cloud.
The second one might well be of distinct use if I had a room full of monitors to look after, but the existing setup for a single machine is hardly slow…
Lastly one that I suspect is of more use to Windows PC users – I can already do this in the Mac monitor preferences or free ColorSync Utility (in the Utilities folder on your Mac)
I’d go so far as to say that if you don’t know (on a Mac) how to do this, then you probably don’t need the functionality.
Conclusions
The Spyder 5 Pro continues with Datacolor’s tradition of making easy to use and effective monitor profiling products.
Simple to set up and use, it quickly improves the look of most displays.
It has room light measurement functions as well, and whilst this will quickly tell you if your monitor environment is too brightly lit (or too dim – see the excellent help notes), I’d not personally use it for choosing my calibration settings or continued monitoring of lighting levels. My calibrator goes back into its box until next needed.
For many photographers and designers, setting their display calibration options to 6500/2.2/120 is just fine. You might want to try a lower temperature like 5800K if you do a lot of print work, but I have to say I still prefer 6500K for day to day work (especially for web use)
I’d note that the Spyder 5 calibrator (colorimeter) is supported by several high end monitor profiling software packages – such as the one that comes with the BenQ 32″ 4k wide gamut monitor I recently reviewed.
Buying Spyder products (many available as bundles)
SpyderCapturePro at B&H | Adorama
SpyderPrint at B&H | Adorama | Amazon.com | Amazon UK
SpyderPrint at B&H | Adorama | Amazon.com | Amazon UK
SpyderCheckr at Amazon.com | Amazon UK | B&H | Adorama
SpyderCube at Amazon.com | Amazon UK | B&H | Adorama
SpyderLensCal at Amazon.com | Amazon UK | B&H | Adorama
Spyder5 Elite at B&H | Adorama | Amazon.com | Amazon UK
SpyderCube at Amazon.com | Amazon UK | B&H | Adorama
SpyderLensCal at Amazon.com | Amazon UK | B&H | Adorama
Spyder5 Elite at B&H | Adorama | Amazon.com | Amazon UK
Spyder5 Pro B&H | Adorama | Amazon.com | Amazon UK
Spyder5 Express at B&H | Adorama | Amazon.com | Amazon UK
Spyder5 at Wex (UK)
Spyder5 Express at B&H | Adorama | Amazon.com | Amazon UK
Spyder5 at Wex (UK)
If you buy any item via a link on our site, then we receive a small commission, which helps in the running of the site. We have no commercial connection with Datacolor, and believe strongly that readers should be aware how we run the site.
Spyder5Pro 5.1 Minimum System Requirements (from datacolor)
- USB port
- 24-bit video card
- Mac OS X 10.7+
- Windows 7 32/64, Windows 8.0, 8.1 32/64, Windows 10 32/64
- Colour monitor with at least 1280×768 resolution
Features
- Interactive On-Screen Help: Easy to follow, on-screen help for all software elements.
- Display Analysis: Advanced features to evaluate your displays performance at different brightness levels.
- SpyderProof Interface: Shows Before and After comparisons of display calibration of custom images.
- Web Activation & Automatic Update Checks: Allows for easy product activation over the web.
Important
- Please set your screen size to at least 1280×768. If your screen is set to a smaller size you will not be able to access all of the Spyder5Pro user interface.
- For Windows users, please make sure you use Default font size in your Display Properties. If you use *”Large Fonts” this may cause some cosmetic anomalies in the Spyder5Pro user interface.
- For Windows users, it is necessary to use a separate video card for each monitor. Multi-head video cards (one card that drives multiple monitors) will not work because Windows will not allow you to assign a different profile to each monitor.
*”Large Fonts” specifically means changing the setting in Control Panel-> Display-> Settings-> Advanced-> General-> Display-> DPI setting. Changing the font size in Control Panel-> Display-> Appearance-> Colour scheme or Control Panel-> Display-> Appearance-> Font size does not cause any issue.
Which Spyder?
If you look at the range of options for profiling and know you need more, then take that as a hint to check my Spyder 5 Elite review.
The Spyder upgrades are interesting in that the Spyder 5 Elite+ updates look interesting, whilst the Spyder 5 Pro+ ones look somewhat less essential, but YMMV…
Spyder5 functionality for different versions
Feature | |||
---|---|---|---|
Designed for | Hobbyist photographers seeking a simple monitor color calibration solution | Serious photographers and designers seeking a full-featured and advanced color accuracy solution | Professional photographers, studios, and calibration perfectionists seeking ultimate control of their color workflow |
Price (MSRP) | |||
Hardware | |||
Software | Wizard, Interactive help, Advanced Features | Wizard, Interactive Help, Expert Console, Suite of Expert Features | |
Calibration Settings | Unlimited choices, user-defined, and Rec.709 for videography | ||
Multiple Monitor Support | Laptops, Desktop Monitors, Front Projectors, Studio Match Assistant | ||
Before & After Calibration Evaluation | Standard Datacolor Image, Imported User Images | Standard Datacolor Image, Imported User Images (Full Screen Mode) | |
Room Light Monitoring | |||
Fast Recalibration Option | |||
Display Analysis | |||
Feature | |||
Gamma Choices | |||
Color Temperature Choices | |||
Custom Targets | Spyder5 ColorimeterNTSC, PAL/SECAM, ITU-R Rec.BT.709, ITU-R Rec.BT.2020, Cineon, L-Star* | ||
ICC Profile Support | |||
Multiple Display Calibration | |||
On-Screen Interactive Help | |||
Front Projector Calibration | |||
Room Light Measurement | |||
Re-calibration Wizard | |||
Expert Console | |||
Custom B/W Luminance Control | |||
Display History Utility | |||
SpyderProof – Before & After Calibration Evaluation | Imported User Image | Imported User Image + Full Screen | |
StudioMatch | |||
Gamma Curve Editing | |||
Continuous Profile & Calibration Check | |||
L-Star Workflow Option | |||
Curves Import Function | |||
Improved Gray Balance | |||
Web Activation & Automatic Update Checks | |||
Feature | |||
Color Sensor | |||
Aperture Size | |||
Encapsulated Optical Module | |||
Integrated Tripod Mount | |||
Sensor Lens cap | |||
Initial Calibration Time | |||
Recalibration Time | |||
Mounting Methods | Lens cap Counterweight or Integrated Tripod Mount | ||
Physical Dimensions | 2.73 in.(L) x 2.93 in.(W) x 1.71 in.(H) | 2.73 in.(L) x 2.93 in.(W) x 1.71 in.(H) | 2.73 in.(L) x 2.93 in.(W) x 1.71 in.(H) |
Computer Connection | |||
Hardware Warranty | 1 Year (for countries of the EU, the period is 2 years) | 1 Year (for countries of the EU, the period is 2 years) | 1 Year (for countries of the EU, the period is 2 years) |
Comparing with the Spyder 3/4
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More colour management and printing related information
For information about printers, paper reviews and profiling (colour management) see the Printing section of the main printers and printing page, or use the search box at the top of any page.
All colour management articles and reviews are indexed on the main Colour Management page - please do let Keith know if you've any questions, either via the comments or just email us?
All colour management articles and reviews are indexed on the main Colour Management page - please do let Keith know if you've any questions, either via the comments or just email us?
Some specific articles that may be of interest:
- Why don't my prints match my screen? A short article showing why there is more to getting your prints to match your screen, than just calibrating your monitor. It's the vital first step, but you do need to consider some other factors for best results.
- Why are my prints too dark - some basic suggestions to this common problem.
Articles below by Keith(Google's picks for matching this page)
Buying anything from Amazon (not just what's listed) via any of the links below helps Keith and Karen keep the site going - thanks if you do! [Amazon UK]
Datacolor Spyder5 Review
by Mike Tomkins
Review posted: 04/09/2015
Review posted: 04/09/2015
If you've ever wondered why your photos don't look the same on-screen as they do when you share them with friends and family, you've stumbled on the dirty little secret of computer displays: What constitutes red, green, blue or neutral on one display may differ radically from another -- possibly even for the same model, let alone across differing brands and model-lines.
If you want to view your photos in their best light, or view other photographers' creations as intended, you'll want to calibrate your display. Relatively affordable, dedicated hardware exists to do just that, and one such option is Datacolor's Spyder-series of colorimeters.
The DataColor Spyder5-series colorimeters share a new, more compact design that doesn't require a separate stand. In place of the separate, bundled stand of earlier versions, the counterweight now cleverly serves as protective cap, keeping dust away from the colorimeter's filters when the device isn't in use. With its closed design, the Spyder5's counterweight / cap likely also helps to reduce UV fading of the color filters. The previous stand, by contrast, left the filters exposed to light and dust.
We found ourselves a little surprised by how tightly fitted to the cable the new counterweight / cap was, which gave us mild concerns about damaging the cable while we adjusted the length of slack available to drape the cable over the top of a monitor or laptop screen. In fairness to Datacolor, though, you most likely only need to make this adjustment very rarely, and it's important that the counterweight can't slip.
Evolution of the Spyder: Compared to the earlier Spyder3 (shown at right) or Spyder4, the Spyder5 colorimeter (left) is much more compact, even before you consider the earlier models' stand and counterweight. |
There's also now a tripod mount on the side of the Spyder5 puck, which allows it to be used for front projector calibration with no additional parts. Note, though, that only the Elite version can actually calibrate projectors.
As in the previous generation, the Spyder5-series colorimeters still use a seven-detector optical module, but Datacolor says that it provides up to a 55% improvement in tonal response, and yields both better shadow calibration and smoother gradients. The optical module is now encapsulated to reduce the likelihood of damage from minor knocks and drops, and the baffle diameter has been reduced to help keep out stray ambient light which could adversely affect calibration.
The Spyder5 colorimeter is sold in three distinct versions, just as was the Spyder4 before it. These are the entry-level Spyder5Express, mid-range Spyder5Pro and top-of-the-line Spyder5Elite. For the first time, though, all three are based around the exact same hardware design for the calibration puck. Each version comes in a new, smaller package which is reusable if you want to store the device away between calibrations.
The Spyder5 package is much smaller,saving you space if you store it away between uses, and reducing the amount of waste if you throw the box straight in the trash. |
There's an ambient light sensor on the top of the Spyder5 which adjusts brightness on-the-fly based on changes in ambient light, though. Hence, for best results with desktop machines (or notebooks that seldom leave the desk), you'll want to leave it connected all the time. That's not applicable to the Express model, incidentally -- even though the sensor is present in the Express version, only the Pro and Elite models monitor ambient light. The Pro model detects three distinct light levels, while the Elite version detects five levels.
One change that's allowed the new, more compact packaging is the removal of a software CD from the product bundle. Instead, a small card beneath the lid tells you where to download the software online. You'll find quick start info, a user guide, and a video walkthru of the calibration process in the same place, along with support and knowledgebase links.
The Spyder5 software is available for both Windows and Mac OS platforms, and it's a separate download for Express, Pro or Elite versions, rather than a single combined app that unlocks different features with your serial number. (That, by the way, is found on a small sticker in the bottom of the package.) Downloading doesn't take very long, with a file size of around 65-69MB for Windows users, and 49-61MB for Mac users.
Once you've installed, the most obvious change in the software is the presence of interactive help, which is available on every screen along the right-hand side. As you mouse over individual options in the Spyder5 software interface, the help panel updates to reflect this. It's a handy function, although mildly annoying on our Windows7 machine for the fact that your computer emits a click sound every time you mouse over a new option.
The Spyder5's bundled software now provides interactive help. Here, my mouse pointer was hovering over the Display Controls item, so the right-hand pane shows help information relevant to this particular step in the process. |
After the usual prompts to ensure your monitor is ready for calibration, you're prompted to choose your display or laptop manufacturer and model, information that lets the app configure things appropriately if your chosen device is already listed, and which gets fed back to Datacolor for future software updates if not.
Express users still get a very streamlined calibration process, with no real options to speak of, and no review of profiles post-creation, beyond the simple before-and-after comparison images provided by Datacolor. They do, however, now have the ability to calibrate multiple monitors, although there's no way to tune the separately-created profiles to account for different display technologies.
The Spyder5Express provides a mostly hands-off calibration process, but Spyder5Pro and Spyder5Elite users have much more control over exactly how they want to profile their display.. |
Pro and Elite users get more control over the process, selecting what controls their monitor offers for adjustment, and then specifying the gamma, white point, brightness and ambient light detection settings they prefer. Pro users get a choice of 16 possible targets; Elite users also get two additional broadcast video targets (Rec. 709 and Rec. 2020).
The full calibration process takes around five minutes, and subsequent calibrations can be performed more quickly --around a couple of minutes -- using the ReCAL option. The Pro and Elite versions also allow you to recheck your current calibration, if you feel that it may have drifted but don't want to perform a recalibration until you're sure it's necessary.
Once calibration is done, you can see how much of a difference the process made by toggling back and forth between calibrated and uncalibrated views of a selection of Datacolor-provided sample images. Clicking on these will change to a two-by-two display, and then to a single image, just as in earlier versions of the Spyder software. |
If you're using a Pro or Elite-version, you can also now use custom images for before/after evaluation when done calibrating, not just the standard Datacolor-supplied images. For Elite users only, this evaluation can also be made in full-screen mode. And as in the previous version of Datacolor's software, you can review the gamut of your display and compare it to other profiles post-calibration with all but the Express model.
Sypder5Pro and Elite users can now choose their own before and after comparison images, as well. Here, we've used an image that regular Imaging Resource readers will know very well indeed -- our standard still life scene. |
Both Pro and Elite users can also perform display analysis, but the options available to each differ. Pro users can graph gamut, tone response, analyse how brightness affects contrast and white point, and check how on-screen display settings affect white point. Elite users have access to all of the above, and can also analyse color accuracy and screen backlight uniformity.
Elite users also get another couple of options not available on the Spyder5Pro. The first of these is the StudioMatch tool, which helps match multiple monitors not just on the same machine, but also across multiple machines. Secondly, there's the SpyderTune tool, which allows you to tweak the white point, gamma and brightness, handy when using displays with different panel types or backlight technologies that still appear different to the eye even after a precise calibration.
Having spent a while with the Spyder5Elite version, we've definitely found it to be a worthwhile improvement on earlier models. The new design for the colorimeter itself takes up less desk space and would seem to better-protect your valuable investment. While we don't have a way to verify Datacolor's claims of improved accuracy, the profiles it generated on our machines were noticeably better than uncalibrated results, even on relatively expensive displays.
More than just a calibration tool, the Spyder5Pro and Elite can also perform a variety of tests on your monitor. Unique to the Spyder5Elite are the screen uniformity and color accuracy tests. |
There is one optional-extra feature of the earlier Spyder4 colorimeter which its followup lacks, but in all honesty, it's one that probably didn't get much use, and can be worked around free-of-charge to at least some extent with the Spyder5 and a little work. A kit could be ordered for the earlier version that would allow calibration of high-definition TVs, using a DVD disc to provide the necessary color patterns, but there's no equivalent for the Spyder5.
However, you can still connect your computer to the HDTV -- assuming it has the correct input available, of course -- and calibrate it as if it was a regular display. That calibration won't be of any use for other inputs, of course, because the correction is being made on your computer rather than the Spyder5 walking you through the process of making the adjustments on the TV, but it's still worth doing if you often put your laptop's photos on the big screen.
Available immediately, the Spyder5Express is priced at US$130 or thereabouts, the Spyder5Pro at US$190, and the Spyder5Elite at US$280.
Like what you see? Order the Datacolor Spyder5 colorimeter from one of Imaging Resource's trusted affiliates and get accurate color on your monitor:
- Datacolor Spyder5Express: ADORAMA | AMAZON | B&H
- Datacolor Spyder5Pro: ADORAMA | AMAZON | B&H
- Datacolor Spyder5Elite: ADORAMA | AMAZON | B&H