Digital BW, The Print

Hi All
I am having a problem with my Spyder 3 spectro when reading the darker patches IE 90-100 of a 21step wedge and the 4x21 random step wedge, especially the latter.
When reading the values are all over the map. 100% will read a density of 1.63�reasonable and expected. Then suddenly I will get a value of 1.01, the 1.33, then 1.50. Same on the 90 and 95 patches. Readings are totally unreliable. I can sometimes coax a good set of readings out, but it is just way too random.
I have re-calibrated and re-calibrated, I have be careful about placement, and I have a backing sheet of the same paper under the patch printed paper. I have restarted the program, the computer, attached and re-attached the spectro and I keep getting crazy results in the deep shadows.
Anybody have any ideas on what could be happening? 
Thanks for any advice/insight.
John E

On May 6, 2010, at 4:44 AM, john wrote:

> I am having a problem with my Spyder 3 spectro when reading the  
> darker patches IE 90-100 of a 21step wedge and the 4x21 random step  
> wedge, especially the latter.
> When reading the values are all over the map. 100% will read a  
> density of 1.63�reasonable and expected. Then suddenly I will get a  
> value of 1.01, the 1.33, then 1.50. Same on the 90 and 95 patches.  
> Readings are totally unreliable. I can sometimes coax a good set of  
> readings out, but it is just way too random.
> I have re-calibrated and re-calibrated, I have be careful about  
> placement, and I have a backing sheet of the same paper under the  
> patch printed paper. I have restarted the program, the computer,  
> attached and re-attached the spectro and I keep getting crazy  
> results in the deep shadows.
> Anybody have any ideas on what could be happening?

Run it through a support ticket at Datacolor.com; if its under  
warranty, they may be willing to replace the device, once they've gone  
through all the options.

C. David Tobie
Global Product Technology Manager
Digital Imaging & Home Theater
CDTobie@...


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www.datacolor.com/Spyder3





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