I disagree with the over $1K issue and believe you can get excellent results with either the MonacoEZcolor Photo Bundle-XR or the MonacoEZcolor & OPTIX-XR Bundle, which list for less than $600 and $400 respectively at some of our more reliable online photo retailers. v/r JD Washington
BTW, it does cuts proofing cost considerably and the frustration level even more so. This is particularly true when trying to get good flesh tones.
Yes I've been aware of the Monaco system and curious about it, so when a local camera store sponsored a CM "seminar" given by a Leaf Systems rep, the parent company of Monaco, I went. It was really a 3-hour sales pitch but informative nonetheless. The 1st half consisted of an overview of CM in general, and a description of the $400 system. (available for $320 that night). It was fairly impressive, but just before the break he said "after the break we'll discuss the options for the professional user." Now I'm not a working pro, but I have professional standards in some areas, and have sold a few images so I stayed. The second half was devoted to their pro product - I forget the name right now - and cost about $1300. It clearly left me with the impression that the basic EZ Color model was for the "hobbyist." The higher model included a much more detailed ICC target, along with a board with slotted guides to enable really precise scanning of the target by a scanner head that may or may not have been the same one used as a "spider" on the monitor. This was described as a major lack in the $400 system. The $1300 system also included something like 300 profiles for different cameras, papers, printer, etc., and although I'd probably never use every feature in that system I left convinced that I wouldn't be satisfied without some of them. He never mentioned a $600 version. I'll have to go back and look into that.
The presentation was all powerpoint, and did not include any real demonstration, so it may be the case that the $400 system does indeed produce good enough results for me, but that evening and the research I've done into 2 or 3 other systems are what lead me to the $1K+ conclusion. I'd love to be wrong, as it will be a long time before an available $1300 doesn't go to a lens, or a new scanner!
Ken
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