Light temperature

[Dave ©]

Anybody using anything like this (http://www.ascmag.com/store/product.php?productid=8790&cat=332&page=1) to measure light temperature accurately? If so, what can you tell me about it? Does it work well? Would you recommend it? Are you using a less expensive alternative?

I appreciate any help! Thanks,

Dave ©

[Paul Hudson]

I have used a color temperature meter for years. They can be very helpful. I prefer the Minolta. This is actually a cheaper alternative.

[maplecap]

Of course. I have a Minolta Color Meter IIIF (the model is now branded Konica, I believe). Used a Color Meter II before that.

Be advised that they are not reliable with many/most fluorescent sources.

[Dave ©]

Thanks. Does it work like a light meter? That is, you stand where the subject is, point it at the camera and take a reading? Also, does the Minolta give you precise temps (eg. 3150k) or just general (eg. tungsten 3200k)? The description on B&H isn't clear.

Thanks again,

Dave ©

[PerroneFord]

I typically just use my camera as my color temp meter. If I were shooting film, I'd probably get one of the handheld meters.

[Allan Black]

With vid cameras imo it's more important to establish the correct white balance. I'm using an ExpoDisc, accurate, fast, promotes confidence in difficult and mixed lighting and cuts time in post.

http://www.expoimaging.com/product-detail.php?cat_id=12&product_id=6&keywords=ExpoDisc_for_Video

Interesting read here .. http://www.nikondigital.org/articles/white_balance.htm

Stay well away from from cheap Ebay WB versions.
Cheers.

[PerroneFord]

I absolutely disagree with the premise of that article. If I could shoot every video I do in 6500K lighting I'd do it. I also will NOT white balance in the camera. Absolute waste of time, and generally does more harm than good.

These guys are talking about "warming up" their images and I am constantly trying to cool mine down.

[Dave ©]

With vid cameras imo it's more important to establish the correct white balance. I'm using an ExpoDisc, accurate, fast, promotes confidence in difficult and mixed lighting and cuts time in post.

http://www.expoimaging.com/product-detail.php?cat_id=12&product_id=6&keywords=ExpoDisc_for_Video

Interesting read here .. http://www.nikondigital.org/articles/white_balance.htm

Stay well away from from cheap Ebay WB versions.
Cheers.

I've looked at the ExpoDisc online and may go to my local photography store to check it out. Thanks.

[Dave ©]

I also will NOT white balance in the camera. Absolute waste of time, and generally does more harm than good.

Really? Would you mind explaining that further? Why does it generally do more harm than good?

[PerroneFord]

Really? Would you mind explaining that further? Why does it generally do more harm than good?

Read: http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=217849

[maplecap]

Thanks. Does it work like a light meter? That is, you stand where the subject is, point it at the camera and take a reading? Also, does the Minolta give you precise temps (eg. 3150k) or just general (eg. tungsten 3200k)? The description on B&H isn't clear.

Thanks again,

Dave ©

Well, it is a light meter. You can employ it however you want, depending on what your intentions are. You can use it at your subject location, but it's designed to provide colorimetry data, not exposure data. My principle use would be in scouting locations (ballpark practical flos, industrial lighting, etc.) and to measure individual fixtures and confirm correction gels/filters. For example, I check up on HMIs with it. I often throw dichroics in front of tungsten and check on those (in my experience they don't go to full daylight, but in the mid to high 4000s).

It's not a tool I rely on, or that I break out all the time, but it's a diagnostic tool I sometimes use. Kind of like my Cinematography Electronics Cine-Check meter I've had for a long, long time. I would use it to confirm film camera frame rates and CRT scan rates; but it can also read electrical line frequency (Hz) by sampling the light from a fixture, which can be useful if you're experiencing any weirdness.