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Datacolor SpyderCheckr

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Datacolor SpyderCheckr – calibration target

Coloured test target for improving camera colour rendition



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Datacolor SpyderCheckr launch

Datacolor have announced a new colour management tool in the form of the SpyderCheckr.

UPDATE – We now have a full SpyderCheckr review

SpyderCheckr

SpyderCheckr


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It’s a colour test target for improving the colour of results when you are shooting RAW. The target even incorporates a special ‘FadeCheckr’ patch, to assist users in determining how much light exposure their SpyderCheckr target has had, and also serves to remind users to keep the target closed when not in use. It is designed to fade from red to yellow after the equivalent of 30 days of full sun in the US Southwestern desert. This degree of exposure is sufficient to justify either replacing your Checkr Target Sheets or remeasuring them.

The device has a tripod mount on the base. This allows mounting at any height or angle. However it’s also possible to place the target on a table or shelf for simple uses; it will stand upright in stable locations.

Note that the SpyderCheckr is not for creating DNG profiles, but will produce a preset that you can load into ACR in Photoshop/Lightroom/Elements for fine tuning the colour reproduction.

SpyderCheckr is available as a standalone product or as a bundle with the company’s SpyderCube colour balance device at retail prices of $129 and $169 respectively.

There is a video of it in use at: http://www.fototv.com/blog/photokinatv_spydercheckr

We hope to have a full review of the SpyderCheckr once Keith is back from the US next month.

SpyderCheckr

SpyderCheckr

SpyderCheckr Patch Groups (right to left A-H)

Grays proceed from white (E1) down to black (E6) in 20% steps. The extra patches that provide 10% steps are patches D2 to D6. A zigzag path from A1 to A6 will cover the 10% gray ramp in order. An additional 95% patch is located at D1, and an additional 5% patch is located at C6 for more detail near white and black. The same 10% ramp patches are also repeated on the back of the chart, with a large 50% gray patch, for special uses requiring neutrals-only to be visible.

Skin tones are located in a band from C1 to C5, plus B4, plus the two standard skintones at H5 and H6.

Near white tints in Red, Green, and Blue tints are located at B1, B2, and B3.

Near black tones in Red, Green, and Blue tones are located at B4, B5, and B6.

Medium saturation patches in RGBCM&Y take up the entire column A (A1-A6).

Full saturation patches are in columns F, G, and H.

Using the software

You need to load a photo of the target into the software

ready to load image for profile generation

Ready to load image for profile generation

Once this is done you can set options for the profile you are making

Ready to create profile with SpyderCheckr

Ready to create profile with SpyderCheckr

Full press info

Lawrenceville, NJ and Photokina (Hall 4.1, Booth E010/F019) – September 21, 2010 –Datacolor, a global leader in color management solutions, today introduced SpyderCheckr, a new color reference tool that allows photographers to obtain consistent, accurate color within a standard RAW processing workflow, perform precision in-camera white balance, create custom camera calibration and record known color references. SpyderCheckr features 48 scientifically engineered color patches in a wide range of spectrally neutral colors and user-friendly profiling software that enables photographers to achieve consistent, predictable color control from capture to edit.

Datacolor SpyderCheckr captures accurate color when shooting and delivers results effortlessly into a photographer’s digital workflow with RAW import software. With high-consistency standardized color patches and easy-to-use calibration software that allows photographers to create custom camera profiles, SpyderCheckr decreases post production time by eliminating trial and error color adjustment. By correcting color automatically as part of the image import workflow, the SpyderCheckr takes the guesswork out of precision color balancing.

“Every camera make and model records color in a different way, so an easy-to-use color reference tool is vital to account for these variations,” said Christoph Gamper, Vice President, Consumer Business Unit. “By adding color management with SpyderCheckr into the capture state of a digital workflow, photographers can guarantee consistency and accuracy from day-to-day as well as from camera to camera.”

Features of the Datacolor SpyderCheckr include:

  • Consistent color control for RAW workflow, giving a color standard for any camera and decreasing post production time
  • Neutral gray target and gray ramp for in-camera white balance and visual neutrality
  • Extensive skin tone samples for portrait and fashion photography
  • Durable, eco-friendly self-casing construction for easy transport and field use, with replaceable targets, first-in-class tripod mount and an innovative built-in fade strip indicator that issues a warning when target inserts need replacing
  • Easy-to-use software that interacts with Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop, Elements and Camera RAW to produce calibration presets that fit directly into a digital workflow

“Using SpyderCheckr I am now able to create accurate calibrations for each of my camera bodies, assuring that my RAW import software will interpret the color data with the truest color rendition,” said professional photographer John Blaustein. “With its intuitive user interface, calibrations can be generated in less than five minutes, allowing me to easily modify the camera calibration to suit my particular needs”

Also introduced today is the Datacolor SpyderCheckrPro, a bundle package that includes the SpyderCheckr along with the Datacolor SpyderCube for capturing custom white balance, neutrality data from multiple light sources and correcting highlight and shadow details. This pocket size RAW calibration tool eliminates the need for traditional 18% gray cards and includes a Black Trap for shadow detail control for absolute black and white. Together, SpyderCheckr and SpyderCube offer a comprehensive solution for camera and scene color control.

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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?

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)


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