Datacolor Spyder X2 Ultra
When it comes to editing your photos, ensuring that you are seeing an accurate representation on screen is so important. We’ve all been in that position where we’ve spent a good amount of time editing our images, only to then realise that the colours and tones are completely off when getting the results back from the printer.
Why calibrate your monitor?
Whether you are a photographer or work in any other visual field such as video, digital design, content creation or HDR content production, it’s essential to have a calibrated monitor. It is one of those things that is often overlooked, and I put my hands up and say that it’s been something that I’ve avoided using in the past, but as my workflow has increased and especially as I’ve printed more work, both personally and professionally, it’s become essential. By calibrating my monitor, I feel confident in knowing that what I’m seeing on screen is what will be the final output when it goes to print or to a client. .
When you calibrate your monitor, you are essentially aligning its colours to adhere to the general standards, so once your monitor is calibrated, you can have confidence that the colours in your images are well-balanced and consistent with the common standard. In other words, the colours appear accurately when viewed on different devices and when printed. Even if you don’t have any intention to print your work, it’s still important to calibrate your monitor, as your image may look totally different on another device or screen or to what your friends and followers see when you share your work.
The Spyder X2 Ultra by Datacolor provides a swift and uncomplicated method for achieving this. The calibration process is completed in just a few minutes, and for those who are not overly tech savvy, the slick setup process guides you through step-by-step. Say goodbye to off-set colours and iffy brightness!
Easy from the get go!
Monitor calibration often sounds technical, or like a dark art to get right, but it really isn’t. Just from unboxing Spyder X2 Ultra and installing the software, you can see that Datacolor have put an incredible amount of time and effort into making the process painless and as simple as possible. Simply access the provided web address in the box and download and install the software, available for either Mac or Windows OS, and within a matter of minutes, you can start calibrating by following the onscreen instructions. I found the accompanying software so easy to setup on my Mac. It’s incredibly intuitive and I was amazed at just how quick it was to calibrate my screen, providing a really positive difference in the final result.
The Spyder X2 Ultra offers an expanded lens-based light sensor that supports high-brightness HDR displays measuring up to 2000 nits, and features native USB-C connectivity, ensuring seamless and efficient connectivity to your devices. The box also includes a Type-C to Type-A adapter, should you find yourself not having a USB-C port on your computer.
Another feature that I liked with the Spyder was the ambient room light monitoring. This enabled me to adjust monitor brightness and calibration settings based on the surrounding lighting conditions, which I found very useful with the space that I work in.
If you are someone that works on multiple screens, then Datacolor’s Studio Match feature will allow you to calibrate these side by side, so you can also ensure that you have consistent and accurate colour reproduction across all displays.
Soft proofing
The accompanying software with the Spyder X2 also has a Soft Proofing function. This allows you to simulate the appearance of your images on other calibrated screens or devices, including a realistic preview of the printed output. You can also simulate specific printer models, ink types, and paper combinations, giving you precise control over how your images will look in the physical form. I absolutely loved this feature when it came to finalising some images for print. You even have the option to zoom in or view the image in full-screen for a closer look!
How often should you calibrate?
I would recommend calibrating your monitor every 4 to 7 weeks. As time passes, the colours displayed on your screen may change slightly and also your brightness may slowly diminish. If you ignore it for too long, this effect can be quite drastic, especially if you are using an older monitor. A clear sign that your monitor requires calibration is when your images exhibit an overall colour cast or appear flat/washed out and lacking vibrancy when viewed on other devices.
Once you’ve calibrated your monitor with the Spyder, you can easily set a notification to remind you to calibrate again. I’ve set mine to remind me every month.
Calibrated in less than a couple of minutes!
Save your profile and set a reminder to calibrate again
Conclusion
If you are operating on an uncalibrated monitor, you are essentially working in the dark, leaving you with minimal control over the final outcome of your work. Thankfully, by utilising something like the Spyder X2 Ultra, this removes the stress and the unknown, and you can begin to regain full control over the quality and consistency of your images. Whether you're a professional photographer or an enthusiast, calibrating your monitor helps you produce high-quality, professional-looking images that accurately represent your creative vision and intentions, and in my opinion, the Spyder X2 Ultra delivers one the most comprehensive and advanced monitor calibration solution available on the market.
