Datacolor DC S3P100 Spyder 3 Pro

by Datacolor

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 1.5 x 3.7 x 3.9 inches ; 13.6 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0037258L4
• Item model number: DC S3P100
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (101 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
  • #5 in Camera & Photo > Accessories > Light Meters & Accessories
• Date first available at Amazon.com: October 2, 2001

Product Description

Serious photographers and creative pros require a high degree of color accuracy; from capturing images, to digital editing and printing, Spyder3Pro delivers. This third generation colorimeter comes equipped with new state-of-the-art optical design and photo-centric user interface providing accurate, reliable and consistent color. Spyder3Pro gives you more precise control over white point and gamma, new ReCAL option cuts re-calibration time in half and SpyderProof function brings you a new level of color control to help you save time, money and achieve color excellence. Spyder3 increases light sensitivity 400%. It also features the largest screen sample area or aperture in the industry resulting in improved accuracy on LCD screens and a faster calibration time. Two superior attachment methods - large area suction cup or counterweight - can be used interchangeably to suit the needs of any photographer. Included: Datacolor Spyder3 colorimeter, Desktop Cradle, Spyder3Pro Software CD, Screen Cleaning Packets, Quick Start Guide, 2-Year Warranty, Free Online Support. System requirements: Windows XP 32/64, Vista 32/64, Windows 7, Mac OS X (10.3 or higher), USB, Color monitor resolution 1024x768 or greater, 16-bit video card (24-bit recommended), 128MB of available RAM, 100MB of available hard disk space.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

165 of 171 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Adaqute for the price, June 2, 2008

By 

D. Nguyen (Centreville, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

I've used three other monitor calibrators and in my opinion this is a mid grade product. This item is superior to the Huey Pro since it's able to calibrate hybrid backlit monitors like the Dell Ultrasharp 2408wfp but the ultimate downfall of this product is that it does not measure luminance.

I was able to accurately calibrate color but the brightness of the monitor was blinding even when I set my brightness to ZERO, luminance level was measured at 320 cd/m2. I had to returned this item to purchase a X-rite Eye One Display Two since the calibration tool and software is similar to that of the Lacie Blue eye pro but more importantly it measures luminance for accuracy. With the Eye one display two I was able to calibrate my dell 2408wfp luminance to a comfortable 120 cd/m2 and still maintain superior color accuracy and good contrast.

If you don't have problems with brightness and just need color accurate calibration then this item is for you. But if you spend long hours in front of overly bright LCD monitors and need color accuracy without fatiguing or damaging your eyes then consider the Eye One Display or even Lacie Blue eye.

83 of 86 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Right on the money - big improvement EVERYWHERE, May 10, 2008

By 

Daniel Bargen (Wentzville, MO USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review won't compare this colorimeter to other brands/models. However, the capabilities of the Spyder3Pro where exactly what I was looking for, and I detail some of the results.

I bought this item after shooting my first wedding. I had noticed that previously, all of my photos had to have some additional correction to get anywhere close to what I had on screen when sending them to print, and even that was a crap shoot.

This little gem has completely fixed the issue. True, there is a *slight* variation from printer to printer (as I didn't buy the elite package that profiles your printers too), but it's not noticeable to most people.

Down to details:

* It's very nice to be able to set multiple monitors in multiple locations and know that the profiles you have will definitely work. I can match up computer LCD displays, CRT televisions (or monitors), or even wide-screen plasmas and projectors to become color corrected.

* The ambient light sensing ability is another big plus since I take my photo editing with me to multiple locations on my laptop. This is important if you're switching from working in daylight to fluorescent to incandescent light. There can also be issues when you're working in a space where bright light is being reflected off of colored walls or some other surface and can effect the color cast in which you're viewing your work. Odds are, if you care enough to be considering one of these, then you'll care about these issues.

* Since I've had my laptop for almost 4 years, you can bet that the screen's LCD had changed in hue. After correction, it was ridiculously better. Now, not only does photo output look better, but working in other types of applications is actually a little exciting with such vibrant colors that I hadn't seen in years, if ever. Before, I thought it was simply the glossy screens my friends had on their newer laptops that made them look better (I'd never get one- glare is too annoying). Now I know it was simply the color profile.

* This Spyder is much smaller than my friend's Spyder 2, and still produces the same or better results. It even includes a stand (with threads on the bottom for mounting) to sit on your desk or wherever to let you know if lighting conditions change enough to warrant a different or new color profile. The unit comes with a rather lengthy USB cable- good for desktop users- and slide-able counterweight. Both worked like a charm for me. I only wish they gave you a case to protect it inside your bag.

Some system specific anecdotes:

* Profiles can be custom named (of course) under Mac OS and will show up in the Display->Color pane of the System Preferences app in Mac OS X. Just make sure that you don't have "Show profiles for this display only." checked if you want to see your new, custom profiles.
* While the new profile for my laptop screen made a DRASTIC difference in the look of the rest of the system, Aperture seem to adjust much less. This is probably due to the associated RAW processor accounting for display settings when throwing up previews. That being said, I noticed a much larger shift when working with flattened or RAW images in Photoshop. Lesson learned: when using Mac OS, Aperture does a much better job account for display aging/profile shift.

30 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Works great and does what it is supposed to do..... So, buy it, March 7, 2008

By 

Nathan Reich "Nathan" (Columbus Ohio) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

I don't know what some of these reviews are saying... I just received mine today and it works great! I do also have the huey, and that works ok, but the Spyder3 does a much better job and the colors look more vibrant and photos look the way you want them to when you print them.
Also I have a new iMac with a CRT on the side so i have two monitors. They are both easy to calibrate with the new updated software on the website.

Go ahead and splurge.....!!!!!!