Spyder3Studio (Spyder3Elite + Spyder3Print)

Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2008 4:43 pm

A helpful hint to determine the candelas, or luminance (brightness) of your monitor prior to calibration follows:

With the Spyder3Elite (or equivalent open) go to the Colorimeter Tool and select a white target on screen, you will see in the in the measurement window (on the right) two columns "XYZ" and "xyY". The Y value is the measurement for candelas per meter squared (cd/m2)!

Choosing "Measured Mode", then defining a target white luminance in cd/m2 will allow the software to adjust to that target value during calibration.

Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2011 3:18 am

Ambient Light Measurement Information (From Manual):

This analysis identifies the ambient light condition as one of five levels:
Very Low
Moderately Low
Medium
High
Very High

For each level, the analysis provides:
· A description
· Suggested steps to take
· Suggested calibration target values

The recommended responses to respective ambient light levels 1 through 5 are as follows:

Very Low: appropriate for prepress image editing. Calibrate the display to a White Luminance level of 85-100 cd/m^2* and a White Point of 5000K (warm white) to compensate for the eye’s cooler response at low light levels. LCD monitors (including laptops) can be used in this situation as well as CRT displays.

Moderately Low: dim, but appropriate for photo image editing. Calibrate the display to a White Luminance level of 125-150 cd/m^2 and a White Point of 5800K (slightly warm white) to compensate for the eye’s slightly cooler response at moderately low light levels. LCD monitors (including laptops) can be used in this situation as well as very bright CRT displays.

Medium: appropriate for typical photo editing. Calibrate the display to a White Luminance level of 175-200 cd/m^2 and a White Point of 6500K (medium white) to compensate for the eye’s moderate color response at medium light levels. Only LCD monitors (including laptops) can be used in this situation.

High: uncontrolled, not recommended for color critical work. Lower the ambient light if possible, otherwise use a monitor hood and calibrate the display to the maximum White Luminance it can produce and a White Point of 6500K or higher.

Very High: uncontrolled, not recommended for any color managed work. If you must work in these conditions use a monitor hood, umbrella or photographer’s cloak and calibrate the display to the maximum White Luminance it can produce and a White Point of 6500K or higher.

CRT monitors should be used only at levels 1 and 2 since most large CRTs cannot achieve a White Luminance over 125 cd/m^2. LCD monitors with limited White Luminance should also be used only at levels 1 and 2.

Only LCD monitors should be used at level 3 and even then, some LCD monitors and many laptops cannot achieve the 175 cd/cm^2 needed for good viewing in those
conditions.

If your monitor cannot achieve the recommended White Luminance level then you should lower the ambient light level to a range that is compatible with your monitor.

Critical color work requires an environment where the ambient light is consistent and at low to moderate levels.