I've had a Datacolor SpyderCube for a year or so.
Overall, I'm happy with it, but I am not convinced I'm:
- using it correctly
- have reasonable expectations of its capabilities
- getting the most out of it
I didn't get any "hits" from a search for "spydercube".
Have forum members found the SpyderCube useful? Better alternatives available? No better than less expensive alternatives? Primarily for beginners/hobby'ists such as myself? Unsuitable for pros?
And I'd really appreciate tips on "best practice" beyond what the Datacolor tutorial video shows.
My speculation is that it could be helpful with getting flash-balance adjusted with multiple flashes, accurate dynamic range "by the numbers" (or at least standardized), etc.
FWIW: I also have a WhiBal card from a photo club drawing.
- The gray faces on the SpyderCube don't seem to agree that well with the WhiBal in terms of how much color cast is present when using ACR "samplers"
- My speculation is that the WhiBal is probably more accurate.
- Could be manufacturing variation? Or within tolerances?
- I've put a borrowed reflective spectro on the face of each, and gotten more than a minor amount of difference between the two
- I don't recall the specifics, but seems like the WhiBal was more tightly bunched around 70% L* with lower a* and b* Lab values
- The SpyderCube gray faces had lower luminosity L* (no unexpected), but higher a* and b* values for Lab