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Datacolor Calibration Aids - part 3 of 1 2 3 4 5 6

by Mike McNamee Published 01/06/2015

What we found, shooting northern, natural daylight is that we could achieve an error of 3.90 ΔEoo by correcting the colour balance and midtone exposure only in ACR. When we applied the full correction using Spydercheckr software the error actually rose to 4.52 ΔEoo! This is a state of affairs that we have come across before when using the X-Rite Passport system. However, we have also found that using the full Rags Gardner/ Thomas Fors script delivers errors around 2ΔEoo. When the XMP file is made the image changes visibly but examination of the code in the XMP file suggests that the ACR camera calibration sliders are either by-passed or left untouched. We could not perform a like-for-like calibration on the same image using the Rags Gardner technique because of the re-arranged patch order and the need for a Raw file.

Overall then we remained as frustrated as we did back in 2010 when we tested Passport - the paid-for software is not as accurate as the free one. Mitigating this is the fact that Rags Gardner ACR Calibrator only works on CS3 - it was never upgraded; indeed we keep a CS3 version solely for this reason. Additionally the presentation of the Spyder is first class with a study metal flip case and a tripod attachment - you always run the risk of a card Macbeth chart flying down to the (usually muddy) ground in a wind. Good attention to detail is evident throughout.

The Spyder Cube
This accessory is a combination of a three-tone grey card (white, mid-grey and black) along with an old-fashion chrome ball (much loved by the CGI fraternity) which provides specular highlights. Claims are made for the accuracy of the plastic moulding's colour and so the first thing we did was put it under the spectro. The tones were as follows:

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Contact Mike McNamee

1st Published 01/06/2015
last update 09/12/2022 14:53:04

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