Re: differences between colorimeter & spectrophotometer
Re: differences between colorimeter & spectrophotometer
- Subject: Re: differences between colorimeter & spectrophotometer
- From: email@hidden
- Date: Wed, 3 Oct 2001 08:23:01 EDT
In a message dated 10/2/01 11:57:18 PM, email@hidden writes:
>
Could anyone tell me about it?
A Colorimeter uses a series of filters to infer information about a limited
number of bands across the spectrum. This can be solid state, rugged,
inexpensive to build, and if cleverly done is quite effective for many tasks.
A Spectrophotometer uses a diffraction grating to split the spectrum into a
large number of bands, and reads each band to define a more detailed spectral
graph. Spectros are sensitive optical devices which are more expensive to
manufacture, and require careful handling and regular recalibration.
A good comparison is Gretag Macbeth's EyeOne and ColorVision's Spyder. The
Spyder is an inexpensive, durable, emissive only colorimeter. It does not
require special handling or recalibration and costs less than half the price
of the EyeOne emissive only model. The monitor only EyeOne is an emissive
only Spectro and needs to be treated properly, and sent back to the factory
every year for recalibration and adjustment. Both will calibrate a monitor,
since this is a task within the capacity of both device types. For tasks
requiring more detailed data, then a Spectro would be the only choice. But
even reflective patch reading for profiling purposes is potentially within
the capability of Colorimeters; the $500 ColorMouse makes printer profiles in
the same range as those made by Spectros costing several times the price.
By the way, both the Spyder and the EyeOne are small miracles of engineering
and cost efficiency in their own categories.
C. David Tobie
Design Cooperative
email@hidden