Best Camera Light Meters & Accessories
Advanced color accuracy solution, with room lighting settings for optimal monitor brightness, to help you get true colors on screen and in print. Avanced color accuracy solution for all of your laptop and desktop displays - See, share and print your images just as you intended with confidence. Room light monitoring determines optimal monitor brightness so you see fine shadow detail and highlights in your photos, ensuring your edited images match your prints.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"But, if you are an advanced user, you can get fantastic results with the free Argyll and DispcalGUI calibration bundle. The official calibration software from Datacolor does an inaccurate and inconsistent job between monitors (i.e. if you have two monitors side by side, they will very likely be calibrated into different colors), and it asks you to jump through hoops verifying which tier you have bought (express, pro, or elite)."
"You must go online to register the device and download datacolor's measuring software. There is nothing wrong with the calibration device, only the results when used with datacolor's software."
"Calibrating your monitor does matter, using a calibration device matters, but MOST IMPORTANTLY the calibration software matters, and the Argyll + dispcalGUI is FAR SUPERIOR to the OEM Datacolor software provided for the Spyder 4 Express and Spyder 5 Express. 1) Do not install OEM software. 2) Download Argyll (http://www.argyllcms.com/) and dispcalGUI standalone version (http://dispcalgui.hoech.net/#download). 3) Set C:/ path for Argyll folder. 4) Install Sypder4 usb driver (http://www.argyllcms.com/doc/Installing_MSWindows.html#WIN8). 5) Run dispcalGUI then Menu > File > Locate Argyll CMS executables > point to c:/Argyll/bin. 6) Menu > Options > enable Show advanced calibration options. 7) Configure Advance options like this (http://www.modelmayhem.com/forums/post/870355/1#post17806610). 8) Run measurement tests and adjustment settings. 9) Run calibration (in High speed since Medium speed took 1.5 hrs) then save and apply profile. *** ORIGINAL REVIEW 4/16/2015***. I have never calibrated my laptop's monitor in the approximately 2 years I've had it. 5) Lastly, but not as important as the previous steps, you can try to print a hard proof on your home printer that will attempt to simulate the final product from your commercial printer, (File > Print > Color Management: Photoshop manages colors; Printer profile = your home printer > Change Normal Printing to Hard Proofing: Proof Setup = appropriate ICC profile). If you'd still like to get a calibration device then I'd say go for the Spyder 4 since it's less than half the price and the results probably won't be much different. *** Resources ***. Download Argyll. http://www.argyllcms.com/. Download dispcalGUI. http://dispcalgui.hoech.net/. Setup Argyll + dispcalGUI. http://www.modelmayhem.com/forums/post/870355/1#post17806610. ICC Profiles. http://www.drycreekphoto.com/icc/. http://forums.adoramapix.com/entries/228224-Color-calibration-and-custom-correction."
Easy and fast calibration for laptops and desktops. In just minutes, the simple 4-step process guides you through calibrating your monitor to achieve exceptional color accuracy, with improved shadow and highlight details, for better print matching.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"But, if you are an advanced user, you can get fantastic results with the free Argyll and DispcalGUI calibration bundle. The official calibration software from Datacolor does an inaccurate and inconsistent job between monitors (i.e. if you have two monitors side by side, they will very likely be calibrated into different colors), and it asks you to jump through hoops verifying which tier you have bought (express, pro, or elite)."
"You must go online to register the device and download datacolor's measuring software. There is nothing wrong with the calibration device, only the results when used with datacolor's software."
"Calibrating your monitor does matter, using a calibration device matters, but MOST IMPORTANTLY the calibration software matters, and the Argyll + dispcalGUI is FAR SUPERIOR to the OEM Datacolor software provided for the Spyder 4 Express and Spyder 5 Express. 1) Do not install OEM software. 2) Download Argyll (http://www.argyllcms.com/) and dispcalGUI standalone version (http://dispcalgui.hoech.net/#download). 3) Set C:/ path for Argyll folder. 4) Install Sypder4 usb driver (http://www.argyllcms.com/doc/Installing_MSWindows.html#WIN8). 5) Run dispcalGUI then Menu > File > Locate Argyll CMS executables > point to c:/Argyll/bin. 6) Menu > Options > enable Show advanced calibration options. 7) Configure Advance options like this (http://www.modelmayhem.com/forums/post/870355/1#post17806610). 8) Run measurement tests and adjustment settings. 9) Run calibration (in High speed since Medium speed took 1.5 hrs) then save and apply profile. *** ORIGINAL REVIEW 4/16/2015***. I have never calibrated my laptop's monitor in the approximately 2 years I've had it. 5) Lastly, but not as important as the previous steps, you can try to print a hard proof on your home printer that will attempt to simulate the final product from your commercial printer, (File > Print > Color Management: Photoshop manages colors; Printer profile = your home printer > Change Normal Printing to Hard Proofing: Proof Setup = appropriate ICC profile). If you'd still like to get a calibration device then I'd say go for the Spyder 4 since it's less than half the price and the results probably won't be much different. *** Resources ***. Download Argyll. http://www.argyllcms.com/. Download dispcalGUI. http://dispcalgui.hoech.net/. Setup Argyll + dispcalGUI. http://www.modelmayhem.com/forums/post/870355/1#post17806610. ICC Profiles. http://www.drycreekphoto.com/icc/. http://forums.adoramapix.com/entries/228224-Color-calibration-and-custom-correction."
Compatible Android Devices Compatible with Free ColorTRUE Mobile App: Samsung Galaxy running Android 4.0.4 or later, Google Nexus running Android 4.0.4 or later, Asus Transformer running Android 4.0.4 or later, HTC One running Android 4.0.4 or later. Compatible iOS Devices Compatible with Free ColorTRUE Mobile App: iPad 2, 3rd gen, 4th gen, Air, Mini, & Mini 2nd gen running iOS 7.x or later, iPhone 4, 4S, 5, 5c, & 5s running iOS 7.x or later, iPod Touch running iOS 7.x or later. Mobile Friendly - Compatible with X-Rite ColorTRUE mobile app for calibrating Apple iOS and Android mobile devices. Ambient Light Smart Control: measurement, compensation and ongoing monitoring of ambient light conditions and compatible with Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10 (with latest Service Pack installed) and MacOS X 10.11.x, 10.12.x and 10.13.x (with latest upgrades installed).
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Those that claims it works flawlessly with Windows 10 are probably existing users that upgraded from Windows 7 or 8 with the device drivers already installed. First you install the device drivers and software, reboot, then access the software, plug in the Smile, and basically let it read the colors as they cycle in a box on your screen. In addition to the aforementioned USB issue, the driver software is horrible on Windows. A quick look at the INF file (used for loading the drivers) included with the latest 1.0.2 version of their software, shows no OS later than Windows 7 listed. Consequently, when you open the device manager, you will see that no driver is loaded for the Smile, and therefore the software can't find the device. If you had Windows 7 with X-Rites drivers already installed and you upgraded to Windows 10, the driver will continue to function. Even manually forcing the driver to load (by hunting it down and manually selecting it), will not work because it is not a signed driver and is listed as incompatible with Windows 10. When you install the older version the driver is picked up by Windows 10 as compliant, and you will see the device being installed and configured by the device manager. What's funny is they list the latest software as being released in late August, 2016 but this is the version (1.0.2) that won't work with a fresh Windows 10 install."
"This is huge in flight simulations... you don't want brown grass on one screen and dark green on the next - it does NOT look right and ruins the impact of triple-monitors. If you can't do it with the eyes God gave you (and I surely could NOT), then let XRite's ColorMonki bring it home for you! Eliminated the white light 'bleed' at the sides and bottom of the screen!"
"This product gets the job done. This does a very good job with calibrations."
"I highly recommend this instrument and suggest that if you are careful and take your time in understanding Xrite hardware, color profiling and color matching you should have a good experience as well."
Best Photographic Light Meter Color Calibration Charts
Advanced color accuracy solution, with room lighting settings for optimal monitor brightness, to help you get true colors on screen and in print. Avanced color accuracy solution for all of your laptop and desktop displays - See, share and print your images just as you intended with confidence. Room light monitoring determines optimal monitor brightness so you see fine shadow detail and highlights in your photos, ensuring your edited images match your prints.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"But, if you are an advanced user, you can get fantastic results with the free Argyll and DispcalGUI calibration bundle. The official calibration software from Datacolor does an inaccurate and inconsistent job between monitors (i.e. if you have two monitors side by side, they will very likely be calibrated into different colors), and it asks you to jump through hoops verifying which tier you have bought (express, pro, or elite)."
"You must go online to register the device and download datacolor's measuring software. There is nothing wrong with the calibration device, only the results when used with datacolor's software."
"Calibrating your monitor does matter, using a calibration device matters, but MOST IMPORTANTLY the calibration software matters, and the Argyll + dispcalGUI is FAR SUPERIOR to the OEM Datacolor software provided for the Spyder 4 Express and Spyder 5 Express. 1) Do not install OEM software. 2) Download Argyll (http://www.argyllcms.com/) and dispcalGUI standalone version (http://dispcalgui.hoech.net/#download). 3) Set C:/ path for Argyll folder. 4) Install Sypder4 usb driver (http://www.argyllcms.com/doc/Installing_MSWindows.html#WIN8). 5) Run dispcalGUI then Menu > File > Locate Argyll CMS executables > point to c:/Argyll/bin. 6) Menu > Options > enable Show advanced calibration options. 7) Configure Advance options like this (http://www.modelmayhem.com/forums/post/870355/1#post17806610). 8) Run measurement tests and adjustment settings. 9) Run calibration (in High speed since Medium speed took 1.5 hrs) then save and apply profile. *** ORIGINAL REVIEW 4/16/2015***. I have never calibrated my laptop's monitor in the approximately 2 years I've had it. 5) Lastly, but not as important as the previous steps, you can try to print a hard proof on your home printer that will attempt to simulate the final product from your commercial printer, (File > Print > Color Management: Photoshop manages colors; Printer profile = your home printer > Change Normal Printing to Hard Proofing: Proof Setup = appropriate ICC profile). If you'd still like to get a calibration device then I'd say go for the Spyder 4 since it's less than half the price and the results probably won't be much different. *** Resources ***. Download Argyll. http://www.argyllcms.com/. Download dispcalGUI. http://dispcalgui.hoech.net/. Setup Argyll + dispcalGUI. http://www.modelmayhem.com/forums/post/870355/1#post17806610. ICC Profiles. http://www.drycreekphoto.com/icc/. http://forums.adoramapix.com/entries/228224-Color-calibration-and-custom-correction."
Best Photographic Light Meter Grey Cards
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Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"The price may seem high for a piece of plastic but it's manufactured to tight tolerances and it'll pay for itself in time saved and consistency of results."
"Takes little to no effort to do your balance on the camera or wait then balance in your software."
"Some quibble about the price, but considering the individually measured and certified quality of every card, it's a steal. They go into great practical and technical depth, simply and efficiently, and make the case far better than I can for why you need a WhiBal. Fits neatly, with lanyard, into the flap-sleeve of my daily Kata H-16 grab-and-go bag (also bought through Amazon)."
"So I moved just the card and small sleeve to the garage and an hour later my wife is like "you put it in the garage, now the whole garage stinks!!!!"."
"When shooting raw it helped define blacks and whites in a series of photos, however, if I was to buy one again, I'd get one with warmer and cool shades to achieve a desired temperature in one click."
"When the WhiBal arrived I marveled that I could have been suborned into paying $20.00 for what looks like a credit card sized little item."
"This is a must have is you want your white balance to be perfect."
"Well... as much quality as a small plastic card can exude."
Best Photographic Light Meters
The X-Rite i1Display Pro is the ultimate choice for discerning photographers, filmmakers, designers and imaging professionals looking for the highest level of on-screen color accuracy for displays, laptops, mobile devices and projectors. Increased Functionality - i1Display Pro combines ambient light measurement, monitor profiling and projector profiling into 1 sleek, compact and fully integrated device at 5X faster measurements than previous devices. Incorporates technologically advanced filter and optical systems, fast measurement speed, and unrivaled color accuracy on all modern display and projector technologies, such as LED, Plasma, RG Phosphor, OLED and Wide Gamut.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I don't carry around and use it everywhere because it's just not practical for that purpose, but if I'm dealing with a prepared shoot where I know that I will have some time (as opposed to run-and-gun street photography), then I do pull it out of the bag because it actually makes a huge difference in color accuracy when you do use it."
"My older version is not compatible with new BenQ monitor."
"As I am a neophyte to color management there was a bit of a learning curve but once I got past that it was pretty easy to use."
"I calibrated my Hp zr30w IPS and Samsung syncmaster dual monitor setup in about 20 minutes under windows 8.1 and the colors from the displays match nearly perfectly. I recommend tilting your monitor back slightly so the calibrator sits flush to the screen. Also make sure to adjust the ambient lighting to your usual comfortable editing conditions."
"I really do not like X-Rite as a company as their upgrade prices could easily be seen as predatory, and support is poor at best, however the quality and consistency along with the results speak for themselves in terms of this particular package / system."
"The packaged software is great only if you didn't have access to fine controls on a television or computer monitor."
"Note to folks having trouble updating firmware on Dell Ultrasharp monitors in order to support the Dell Ultrasharp Calibration Solution (DUCS)."
"Had the Spyder, this just works better and faster."
Best Camera & Photo Lighting
33" Translucent White Umbrella Reflector. - Made of high quality nylon construction. - Works well to diffuse the light from any. flash/strobe light or continuous light. - Reflects and spreads light stream evenly. - Eliminates glare and spots. Contents: [3 pcs] 45W CFL Bulb / [3 pcs] Bulb Socket / [2 pcs] 33-inch Umbrella Reflector / [2 pcs] 86-inch Light Stand.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"The bulbs have their own night case and Styrofoam to keep them safe and the stands and umbrellas also have their own bag."
"I did also buy a separate light that attaches to the top of the camera as well, to help further light up my face specifically, but that is just a personal preference...certainly not a necessity! Excuse my pajamas, messy hair, and complete lack of makeup (I didn't realize I'd want to share these with anybody!"
"I am an amateur photographer and needed a basic light kit to take yearbook photos for our homeschooling co-op. I changed the white balance settings on my Sony DSLR to compensate for the blue lighting in the flourescent light bulbs."
"For the price and for someone trying to start out small in building a studio these things are amazing!"
"These photos were shot with the light kit set up (key light, fill light, hair/highlight light) and an overhead light on in the room. It was near a window, however the day I shot these photos it was dark and gray and pouring down buckets of rain, so natural light wasn't really a factor at all for these shots."
"My thoughts: - Items arrived beautifully packaged with care. - Everything seems to be of high quality. - You get a carrying case (bag) and two plastic sleeves for the umbrellas. - The light bulbs are very bright and very white. - Absolutely perfect for someone that does YouTube videos. - For $40 this is an absolute steal!"
"I am brand new to photography lighting like this, but the instructions were very easy to follow and the design is intuitive."
"The umbrellas make little to no difference and ducking the hard pieces sticking out is too much for a product at this price range."
Best Video Studio Equipment
Full-Featured VAVA Dash Cam Mobile App Gone are the days when you were required to take out the SD card to access your dash camera’s media! The VAVA Car DVR comes with a full-featured app for iOS and Android that lets you share photos, videos, and your travel journey over social media or with an insurance company. Full-Featured VAVA Dash Cam Mobile App: Share photos and videos over social media or with an insurance company without taking out the SD card; includes live video feed and GPS tracking, travel journal, and photo filtering functions. If you want to use your phone’s data network, simply connect to the VAVA Dash Cam’s Wi-Fi when you need to watch the recorded videos only.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"There is a little plastic pry bar included in the box to help get the wire in the cracks and seams of the car, which is a heck of a lot easier than just using my thumb. Once I got my 32GB class 10 micro SD card I put it in and was able to connect via the dash cam's built-in wi-fi network and see the video feed on my phone, but in order to have internet access I had to disconnect from it so I can't be connected to the dash cam and have internet access at the same time. There is a wireless snapshot button which will take a photo when clicked, and that initially can be a bit addictive as it makes a satisfying camera shutter sound. I took the memory card out after a couple days to look at the videos, and while I had it out we had to drive somewhere and the dash cam wouldn't stop playing it's chime sound effect. One thing I really didn't like is the misleading video they have on this Amazon listing which shows various ways the cam can help prove something when it would otherwise be your word against the offender, such as somebody backing into you, a copy thinking that you were on a cellphone, and someone keying your car."
"However, I highly recommend NOT leaving the VAVA dash cam in the car if it will get really hot inside because of this battery. Since the dash cam detaches very easy (magnetic, another neat feature), this is not a big deal."
"After I turned off my car, it can still record the video for long time (over one hour in my test). I installed the App in my Android phone without any problem."
"As you can see from the product picture it comes with the following; Camera, mount, plastic tool to hide the cables, the usb cable, dual USB cigarette lighter attachment, stick on cable routing should you choose that, and bluetooth button for controlling the camera. It also comes with an easy to download app (look for VAVA Dash). In the car you select the app and then you have to pair it via WIFI on your phone. I couldn't seem to make the snapshot button work so I consulted the app and found under settings USER GUIDES!!!! This was really handy because in there I learned about pairing the bluetooth button for using snapshot (1 push, and you can hear a shutter sound when it takes the snap) or recording if you hold longer."
Best Photo Studio Equipment
NIX Advance Frames: Plug & Play to display Photo and Video Memories with ease. With over 8 years of experience and a dedicated full time customer service team, we are committed to delivering high quality frames and services that allow you to display digital memories in a sophisticated way. Perfect gift for a loved one: This frame is perfect for everyone; from professionals, to parents and grandparents, they all deserve a frame that works and lets them enjoy all the memories. USB & SD/SDHC Ports: Plug and play to Instantly display all your digital photos.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I wanted superb picture quality, and I needed a frame that would recognize portrait orientation and adjust accordingly."
"Yes my five star review for the NIX X12D Digital Photo Frame is for the product itself BUT more importantly it is for the AMAZING customer service assistance my wife and I received from Daryl. Thank you NIX for not only building a capable, sturdy system (our grandson is not always gentle with electronics - so far so good) but more importantly for hiring support personnel such as Daryl who go the extra mile."
"A couple of screws in the luan mount the digital frames. The frame fits over the power supplies for the digital frames and rests on a couple of deck screws that are screwed into the studs."
"Sometimes nothing played with one flash drive, while another flash drive kept repeating photos or froze photos for up to a minute, even though I set it for 3 seconds. I did not do that because I never had to do it with the older frames, and several people wrote reviews on Amazon that they tried doing that, but it did not help at all. The remote and the software are newly designed and more user friendly. Needless to say, none of that silly photo resizing is necessary, as it was not necessary with my older frames."