This site, and all its
contents are copyright
©2003-2008 Keith Cooper
Reviews
Digital imaging products - hardware and software
There are a growing number of reviews of hardware and software on the site. This page provides links to all of them. You might also want to check our Articles and Tutorials sections. New items on the site will also be posted on our What's New page. Our reviews are aimed at giving a feel for using a product, rather than just a list of features - we really do welcome questions and feedback.
- For articles new or updated from the beginning of 2007, we've included the publication date
Are you a software or hardware supplier? Looking for reviews of your products?
For more information on this and advertising on this site see Northlight's policy on reviewing products... In 2007 this site served 4.7 Million pages from 3.5 Million visits
|
|
Topics
The What's New Page gives a quick overview of the hundreds of pages of articles and picture on this site. |
Can't find what you wanted? We've set up a customised Google Photography Search to search for info on this site and the web
This page is part of our Info and Resources section
Northlight Images prides itself on its independence when giving advice. We do not sell hardware or software and have no direct commercial links with any of the software or hardware vendors that may be mentioned here. See our Review Policy for more information.
Reviews - Monitor profiling
- ColorMunki Photo - The latest 'All in One' Spectrophotometer from X-Rite that supports monitor, projector and printer profiling. It's aimed at people who might have avoided colour management in the past as just too much trouble or too difficult. Our initial review is an overview based on pre-release software, and will be followed by a detailed coverage of all the features when full software is available. [March 08]
- Spyder3Pro - Datacolor's Spyder profiling package offering a set menu of profiling choices, ambient light measurement and supporting profiling multiple monitor systems. [January 08]
- i1Photo LT - An updated review of the base level i1Pro spectrophotometer kit from X-Rite. The cheapest way to get an i1 spectro, offering support for monitor calibration, basic printer profiling, ambient light measurement and spot colour measurements. Includes links to all the various options and upgrades we have reviewed separately.[December 2007]
- Spyder 3 Elite - An all new version of the Spyder monitor profiling and calibration hardware and software. Supports multiple monitor systems and calibration of projectors. Includes ambient light sensor for monitoring room lighting and aiding choices in initial calibration parameters. [November 07]
- Colour Confidence Profiler. An update to our review earlier this year of this printer and monitor profiling package that comes with an i1 spectrophotmeter. The original package had serious usability issues - the update addresses many of the issues we found. [September 2007]
- The Pantone huey PRO
The PRO version of the huey supports multiple displays on Macs and PCs, and has much more control over display settings and profiling [June 07] - Feature Update - Spyder2PRO Ambient light measurement
The Spyder2PRO now allows you to measure your ambient room lighting conditions before deciding on monitor calibration settings (it also now supports vista) [April 07] - The Colour Confidence Print Profiler
A kit with an Eye One spectrophotometer (EFI ES-1000). Offers printer profiling, monitor calibration and the EFI Color-Verifier package. [May 07] - ColorEyes Display Pro
Top end monitor profiling software that works with a variety of measurement devices. Tested with Spyder2, Eye One Display 2 and Eye One Pro. [Feb 07] - Spyder2express - review
The latest entry level monitor profiling system from ColorVision for Macs and PCs. - Pantone Eye One Display 2 - review
The top of the range monitor profiling solution recently announced from Pantone. The measuring device is an Eye One Display 2 from GretagMacbeth, and uses the Eye One Match software. This review has additional information to that in our original GretagMacbeth Eye One Display 2 review, and compares features between the Display 2, Display LT and Huey. - Pantone Eye One Display LT - review
The mid range monitor profiling solution in the trio recently announced from Pantone. The measuring device is an Eye One Display LT from GretagMacbeth, and uses the Eye One Match software. - Pantone Huey - review
The Huey is a new and relatively inexpensive addition to the monitor profiling market. Keith looks at how it performs, including its novel capacity to modify your monitor setup in response to changing room lighting. - Eye One Display 2
Monitor calibration and profiling device from GretagMacbeth - also allows ambient light measurement. - Spyder 2 Pro
The latest monitor profiling and calibration device from ColorVision.. - The Eye One Design
A Spectrophotometer and software for monitor calibration, light measurement and basic printer profiling.
Reviews - Projector profiling
- ColorMunki Photo - The latest 'All in One' Spectrophotometer from X-Rite that supports monitor, projector and printer profiling. It's aimed at people who might have avoided colour management in the past as just too much trouble or too difficult. Our initial review is an overview based on pre-release software, and will be followed by a detailed coverage of all the features when full software is available. [March 08]
- i1 Beamer - A software upgrade and hardware attachment device for using the X-rite i1 Pro spectrophotometer for digital projector profiling [February 08]
- Spyder 3 Elite - An all new version of the Spyder monitor profiling and calibration hardware and software. Supports multiple monitor systems and calibration of projectors. Includes ambient light sensor for monitoring room lighting and aiding choices in initial calibration parameters. [November 07]
- Digital projector profiling with the Spyder 2 Pro
An update to the Spyder 2 Pro software now allows you to calibrate digital projector systems.
Reviews - Colour management tools
- Dual monitor profiling under Windows XP SP2 - A brief note on profiling and calibrating dual monitor systems under Windows XP SP2. Additional information that may be of use to readers of our reviews of monitor profiling hardware and software. Includes link to free Microsoft software that improves colour management functionality for all XP SP2 systems.
- Eye-One match update
A brief overview of the new functionality (such as 64bit Windows support) available in this free update (V3.6) from GretagMacbeth. - Colour Confidence Kodak Colour Management Check-up kit
Test files and high quality test prints to help ensure that your colour management set-up is OK. For printer and monitor evaluation. - Eye One ruler and carry case.
The various Eye One Pro colour management packages now have a new ruler design for measuring target prints, and a new carrying bag for holding all your colour management and profiling equipment. We've looked at what's new.
Reviews - lighting
- GrafiLite Review - The Grafilite is based on the Ott Lite task lamp and is aimed at improving the consistency and quality of your printed work, without going to the expense of getting a full print viewing stand or cabinet. [April 08]
Reviews - Printer profiling
- Spyder3 Print V3.5 review - The latest ICC printer profiling system from Datacolor (aka ColorVision) is reviewed. Featuring faster operation and a wide range of profile generation options, it can be used for building printer profiles for colour and (with additional measurements) Black and White printing. For more experienced users it offers multiple version profile building (from the same set of measurements) and profile editing. [May 2008]
- ColorMunki Photo - The latest 'All in One' Spectrophotometer from X-Rite that supports monitor, projector and printer profiling. It's aimed at people who might have avoided colour management in the past as just too much trouble or too difficult. Our initial review is an overview based on pre-release software, and will be followed by a detailed coverage of all the features when full software is available. [March 08]
- i1Photo LT - An updated review of the base level i1Pro spectrophotometer kit from X-Rite. The cheapest way to get an i1 spectro, offering support for monitor calibration, basic printer profiling, ambient light measurement and spot colour measurements. Includes links to all the various options and upgrades we have reviewed separately. [December 2007]
- Colour Confidence Profiler. An update to our review earlier this year of this printer and monitor profiling package that comes with an i1 spectrophotmeter. The original package had serious usability issues - the update addresses many of the issues we found. [September 2007]
- The Colour Confidence Print Profiler
A kit with an Eye One spectrophotometer (EFI ES-1000). Offers printer profiling, monitor calibration and the EFI Color-Verifier package. [May 07] - The Eye One iSis automated chart reader - review
An automated whole chart reader for printer profiling test charts. A3 and A4 versions provide spectrophotometer readings for both UV and UV-Cut (filtered) measurements. [April 07] - The Eye-One iO automated scanning table - review
An automated solution to improving the quality and accuracy of target measurement for printer profiles when using the Eye One spectrophotometer. [Feb 07] - Updated PrintFIX Pro review - better colour printing and B/W too... [Jan 07]
- PrintFIX PLUS - review
The software only version of PrintFIX that allows you to create icc profiles without your own patch reader. - PrintFIX PRO - review
ColorVision have announced a considerable upgrade to the PrintFIX. The new version uses a Spectrocolorimeter to let you create printer icc profiles for just about any ink/paper combination. We've been looking at what it does and the results you can get. - Editing printer profiles
The Eye One Match software from GretagMacbeth now allows you to edit icc printer profiles. How easy is it to use, and what things should you consider before editing profiles. - Printer profiling with the Eye One Photo
The more advanced printer profiling capabilities of the Eye One are investigated. - The Eye One Design
A Spectrophotometer and software for monitor calibration, light measurement and basic printer profiling. - The PrintFIX -Update
Following his review of the printer profiling solution from ColorVision. Keith has added a new page covering the changes in the latest version of the software, which includes new coloured calibration cards. - The PrintFIX
A comprehensive review of the printer profiling solution from ColorVision.
Reviews - Printing and paper
- Innova FibaPrint Papers
Heavy gloss/semigloss papers with the distinct feel of heavy fibre based photographic printing papers (tested on Epson 3800) [July 07] - Innova Soft Textured Natural White - tested on the Epson 3800. [July 07]
- Epson Stylus Pro 3800
Review of the latest A2+ (17 inch width) colour and black and white printer from Epson [June 07] - PermaJet Fibre Base Gloss
A heavy gloss paper from PermaJet that gives a certain 'darkroom' feel to glossy prints. - PermaJet Eco-Flo ink supply system for the Epson R2400
Review of a continuous inking system that allows you to cut ink costs with the R2400 by using bulk inks. An option worth considering if you do a lot of printing. [Jan 07] - Black and white printing with MonoChromePro inks and QuadToneRIP
Keith reviews a specialist B/W pigment based ink set from Permajet. The results are compared using different printer drivers, including the free QuadToneRIP (QTR) package. There is also some setup and curve generation information for QTR. The results are also compared to the ImagePrint RIP that Keith uses on his Epson 9600 for his fine art landscape prints. - Textured Art Silk paper
A look at a new 'silk' semi glossy paper from Permajet, that performs well with pigment inks and shows much less 'gloss differential'
Reviews - Scanner/camera profiling
- Digital Camera profiling with the Eye One Photo SG
A review of camera profiling with the GretagMacbeth ColorChecker SG card. Includes a modified version of Thomas Fors' ACR calibration script to calibrate Adobe Camera Raw with the SG card. - Eye One scanner profiling
Using the Eye One with a scan target to get better results from your film or flatbed scanner.
Reviews - Cameras, lenses and hardware
- Ricoh Caplio GX100
Camera review and discussion. Keith has tried out the 10MP Ricoh GX100 for a while and discusses different aspects of using this impressive little camera, which supports raw file capture as well as having a wide 24mm (35mm equiv.) lens. [September 2007] - Canon TSE 24 mm tilt and shift lens
Keith has been experimenting with using the Canon TS-E 24mm 3.5L lens on his 1Ds. Lots of images showing some of the effects you can get and why in conjunction with Photoshop it makes a good choice for some interior and architectural work (even hand held). - Canon TE-E 90mm tilt and shift lens
A short review of what's different when using this very sharp 90mm lens. If you are new to tilt/shift lenses we suggest you read the longer and much more comprehensive 24mm article first. (see also Shift lens modification - a short 'How-to' article showing Keith's modified 90mm)
Reviews - Monitors and other computer hardware
- EIZO CG210 LCD display
An LCD monitor for colour critical work. A brief review of what you get and why you might want to consider such a monitor for high end work.
Reviews - Image processing software and plugins
- DxO Optic Pro Version 4.2
An updated version of DxO Optics Pro. Even more image correction and RAW conversion features and a much improved interface. [March 07] - DxO Optics Pro V3.5
A review of the latest update to the DxO software. It adds many new features to the RAW conversion software that Keith regularly uses for his landscape prints. - DxO Optics Pro 2 and DxO Raw Engine
Comprehensive review of the new raw file processing and image correction solution from DxO. Part 1, part 2 - DxO Optics Pro
Some powerful new software that can correct many of the distortions produced by lenses. - Stitcher Pro 5.5
Keith has been looking at using this powerful image stitching software to join multiple images to create high resolution panoramic prints. One particular print was over 9 feet wide and is the equivalent of using a camera of well over 100 megapixels. [Dec 06]
Reviews - Photoshop plug-ins
- Intellihance Pro 4.2 review.
An overview of this Photoshop plug-in that wraps up a whole load of basic image corrections in one easy to use interface. Ideal if you have occasional users of an installed copy of Photoshop, or just having difficulty learning the basics... [October 07] - PhotoFrame Pro V3.1
Add frames and edge effects to your photos [September 07] - Nik Sharpener Pro 2.0
A review of the latest version of this Photoshop plugin that provides essential image sharpening. It offers different types and levels of sharpening specifically for different types of printing and display (web) use, and presharpening for converted raw camera files and scans. - Fisheye-Hemi V1.1.1
Lens distortion correction plug-in from Image Trends. Optimises correction for minimal distortion of objects such as people in very wide angle shots - works for any Fisheye camera/lens combination. [June 07] - PearlyWhites
Finds teeth in images and lightens and whitens them [August 07] - ShineOff
Removes excess shine and reflections from skin in images [August 07] - Power Retouche Black/white studio
A photoshop plugin giving a wide variety of effects when converting images from colour to black and white. Includes film types and the ability to selectively alter 'zones' of images. [Dec 06] - Convert to BW Pro 3
Keith reviews the latest black and white conversion Photoshop plugin from 'TheImagingFactory' The software allows you to simulate many conventional black and white darkroom techniques, including different film stocks and grades of print papers. - Noise Ninja Photoshop plugin
A review of the new Photoshop plugin version of Noise Ninja - Noise Ninja review part 2
The first review was based on a beta version of the plugin. This article covers some additional functionality. - Focus Magic
Image processing software to fix camera shake and focus blur.
Why not let your web site visitors help pay you for your hosting costs
We have Google AdSense adverts on the parts of the site not directly advertising our commercial photography service (which is our primary business).
- As the site has become more popular, our hosting costs have grown. We have decided -not- to directly accept adverts from manufacturers in any of the areas we cover in our reviews, since there is always the chance that our impartiality might be questioned. This site served 590k pages in August 2007 from 460k visits
The Google AdSense program effectively pays for the running of our site. The adverts are based on page content and are automatically supplied based on relevance to the particular page. Keith has recently written a short article on maximising the AdSense earnings from your site, that may be of interest if you are curious as to whether it is all worthwhile.
If you are interested in joining this program for your own site, you can find out more now, directly from Google, by following the link below.
Info on new (or imagined :-) products
The most up to date listings in this category are found on our Rumours Index page
Note that the 'new or imagined' section has rumours and unsubstantiated info from the web.
- Do take all info on unannounced products with a BIG pinch of salt ;-)
- The Canon 5D replacement
Also our general photo rumours and info page - The Canon 1Ds MkIII info and news
- The Epson Stylus Pro 3800
[Updated June 07] A cheaper A2 printer from Epson - link is to our review, this replaces original rumour/info page) - The Epson Stylus Photo 1400
An A3+ printer - successor to the venerable 1290 -- we still use one at Northlight - Epson Stylus Pro 11880 64" super wide format
Announced July 07 -- The new x880 range is now expected in September - our main Epson rumours page. - Epson 7880/9880 - new printers to replace 7800/9800
- The Epson 4000
Collection of information about the Epson 4000 printer - Replacement for the Canon 1Ds (1Ds mkII)
Info on the Canon EOS 1Ds Mark 2. - The Epson Stylus Pro 7800 and 9800
Info on the new wide format printers from Epson (includes R2400, SP 7400 and SP 9400) - The Epson Stylus Pro 4800 (and 4400)
Info on the successor to the popular SP4000
Can't find what you wanted? We've set up a customised Google Photography Search to search for info on this site and the web
We always welcome suggestions for items to review... (Our Review Policy)
Other areas of our site that may be of interest...
NEW -- Create your own customised A3 size wall calendar from a choice of 90 of Keith's images. Choose your own images for your own custom printed calendar - 12 months starting any month of the year - many all new images not yet in our main gallery.
Digital Black and White. Keith was recently interviewed about digital black and white photography for a magazine article. We have an expanded version here covering some of his thoughts, techniques and tips for those thinking of trying black and white.
As well as our Commercial Photography services and Training there is a growing collection of photography Articles and Reviews on the site aimed at helping you get the best out of your own photography. We also have a growing collection of Photography related information and links that we hope you find useful.
New site features and some of Keith Cooper's latest work are always covered in the What's New page.
Visiting Leicester or wondering where it is? We have views from the Leicester traffic cameras.