Digital BW, The Print

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@y..., "Scott Hendershot" <scott@p...> wrote:
snip
> ...I will say that since I made the indexer to
> automatically position the Spectrocam I have been very happy.

Scott, your indexer sounds pretty cool, great idea. I've gotten pretty good at scanning charts, rarely get an error message. 
I just have to make sure I don't drink too much coffee first.

> If I was on my fourth unit I would have serious questions in my mind about
> the product.

The first one worked great, then suddenly stopped. They were backordered and couldn't quickly replace it so I had to send 
it to Spectrostar for repair. The repair worked, but seemed inaccurate, so Pilot Marketing exchanged it for their demo unit. 
It was accurate and I was happy, then C.D. Tobie advised me that they had improved the heat sink because of potential 
overheating and were replacing previous units for free, so I did it. This one has been working very well. I guess technically 
I'm on my third. Everyone has been fast and great to deal with. Very service oriented, and very nice, not at all like U.S. tech 
companies. Pilot Marketing told me there were very few service issues or incidents with it, I think my experience was 
unusual.

> features, accuracy  and price. I also have to admit that CD Tobie's
> endorsments of the Spectrocam influenced my decision considerably.

I admit that was a factor for me too, and David Miller.
Tyler

Tyler,

Thanks for the info on the Pro version. I actually use ProveIt and a Monaco
Sensor for my monitor calibration. I am planning to buy a Spyder from
Colorvision. I have used one and I think it works very well. I use the
Spectrocam to set the RGB Guns prior to using ProveIt and afterwards to
verify the white point and color.

I have no interest in selling Spectrocams either. I just wanted to add some
informaiton so that others can make informed decisions. When I first started
using the Spectrocam the communications errors drove me crazy. I also found
that I hated the whole practice of scanning rows of patches. It required
practice and some patience. I will say that since I made the indexer to
automatically position the Spectrocam I have been very happy. The process is
now a breeze. I just let the indexer control the entire measurement process.
I guess it is kind of like the spectrolino used with the Spectroscan XY
table.

If I was on my fourth unit I would have serious questions in my mind about
the product. Fortunately I have not had any problems. In addition the people
at Spectrostar have helped me with my XY indexer by supplying me with an API
to write software to drive the Spectrocam. I found I didn't need to get as
involved in custom software as I had originally thought. But, it was great
to have the support of the company behind me.

There are usually positive and negative attributes that go along with most
tools we use. I have no doubt that there are better or more robust
instruments available. I find that the Spectrocam has a nice balance of
features, accuracy  and price. I also have to admit that CD Tobie's
endorsments of the Spectrocam influenced my decision considerably.

Like any tool, if it works for you that is all that matters.

Scott

----- Original Message -----
From: "Tyler Boley" <tyler@...>
To: <DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Friday, August 31, 2001 8:17 AM
Subject: [Digital BW] Re:Spectrophotometers


> Antonis, thanks so much for all this info, this is great. I could have
> made a surer decision had I known all this. I'm just going to add a
> few things, and to Scott Hendershot's last post. I'm not trying to
> sell Spectrocams, just fill in some blanks.
>
> --- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@y..., "Antonis Ricos" <
> antonisphoto@y...> wrote:
> snip...
> > What it doesn't do compared to the Spectrolino is that you cannot
program
> > several reads of the same patch, something that makes readings of noisy
> > processes a bit more accurate (needed for art papers).
>
> The Spectrocam does do this.
>
> > - The Digital Swatchbook...
> ...transfering data to the host computer, saving it and
> > being able to export it.
>
> Spectrocam also.
> >
> > - Regarding profiling software, I guess since you are using this for
mono /
> > quad you only have one choice.
>
> I wish we knew that for sure, but it's a small group of users, little
> chance of there being a variety of profiling software among us.
> Frustratating to only have Colorvision as an option, and I'm not sure
> it's the case.
>
> "Scott Hendershot" <scott@p...> wrote:
> > Martin,
> snip...
>
> > The Spectrocam software for the PC does not include monitor calibration
like
> > your monitor spyder does. I think the software is lacking in this
regard.
>
> Scott, it's a joke so don't lament. It throws up maybe 10 colors and
> generates a profile. No oportunity to adjust guns, nada. Probably
> about as useful as Adobe Gamma. You pay extra for it too. The Pro
> version of the software includes this "feature", as well as custom dot
> gain measurements, meaning non CMYK. Not that useful either, you can
> use the standard CMYK dot gain measurement ability for anything you
> need. Don't bother with the Pro upgrade.
> I found a beta of an excellent monitor calibration app that supports
> the cam, and Profile City has an excellent app that does as well.
> Both "exellent" apps create calibration from my highly acurate device
> for my highly acurate monitor that look...
> completely different!
> so... pretty happy that's squared away...
> Being on my fourth one is a problem, I wasn't happy about it.
> Some more mud for you.
> Tyler
>
>
>
>
> Please visit the Group Homepage to check the Files, Bookmarks, Polls and
other resources as they are often being updated. The page is at:

>
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint
>
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>

And what does this have to do with 'Spectrophotometers'?  I've skipped this thread for a while because I
wasn't interested in 'Spectrophotometers', but it seems that things change without a title change......

Antonis Ricos wrote:

> --- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@y..., "Tyler Boley" <tyler@t...> wrote:
> ...
> > Antonis, I've been very curious about the new Ilford quad inks, is that what
> he was working on? If so, have you seen any
> > output?
> > Tyler
>
> Tyler,
>
> I don't believe it was Ilford inks. But I'll ask him. The output I have seen I
> believe is Lyson inks on Sihl paper, laminated with a matte laminate. This
> particular printer is very coarse (big spread-out dots) but looks good at mural
> sizes.
>
>
> Antonis
>


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@y..., SKID Photography <skid@b...> 
wrote:
> And what does this have to do with 'Spectrophotometers'?  I've skipped this 
thread for a while because I
> wasn't interested in 'Spectrophotometers', but it seems that things change 
without a title change......


Harvey,

you got me! If you read back on the thread you will see how drift occured. 
Nevertheless, mea culpa.....


Antonis