Using ExpoDisc for white balance in DVX100?

ministersin

ministersin

Member
The Expo Disk (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/393085-REG/ExpoImaging_EXPOK77_77mm_ExpoCap_Digital_White.html) is a product used by many still photographers to get a quality white balance. I was wondering if anyone here has used such an item to WB on the DVX100? Or video in general.
I've herad they do work for video, but haven't tried it yet.

If you've never heard of it, some folks in still imaging use a pringles can lid to simulate the effect. Essentially the thing fits over the lens like a lens cap but distills light through it, thereby giving you a white balance based on the diffused quality of all the light in the scene, instead of focusing on a single sheet of paper or grey card or whatever you use currently.

I get the idea, and it certainly works in still images. I mean if you zoom in on a balance card your camera is only going to be balanced for that 12 inch square of lit area. Items outside of your controlled light (which actually happens more often in video than stills) could suffer from a white balance based on a small area vs. the whole of the ambient light.
 
I know the search functions work. Sorry for this post. Says i have delete privelages but don't know how to doelete a post. Went to Modify, saw nothing.
 
Well, I actually got one for like $15, so it was definately worth the money to me. I was just wondering if anyone had had positive results with it.
 
yes, I'm very happy with mine and I paid the full price... so happy I went back and bought the warm version as well. Cant beat the ease of use... just slip over the lens, point it at my light source, and WB. Great way for me to go, as I always misplace the white card, I think I set it down and the wind blows it away or someone scribles notes on it.
 
Thanks for your input bwest. So you are saying you point the camera at the light source, not at the area in the set where the subjects will be, is that correct? Would that be your key light then? Are you zooming in at all or leaving a full frame?
 
I use a white card and a variety of (blue) warming cards.
And that's the way I like Minister Sin.
Come on,---put 'em up buddy.
Let's go for a round or two.
ARF, ARF,---GRRRRRR.
 
ministersin said:
Would that be your key light then?
Click to expand...

Well... key light... hmmmmmm. It could be, but mostly Im worried about the act of WB. Now if you'er using multiple temp lights you might choose the key light or a mixture of all the lights. But for the most part, Im using the sun [outdoors] or my Arri's 3400K's [indoors]... so my color temps are consistent and I can WB on any of the lights. As far as zooming or framing I dont think there's anything to worry there. Just make sure your levels arent clipping [105IRE] or you wont successfully WB... but If your levels are too low, open up your iris or shutter speeds to get enough light in the cam, or climb on top of the light source... then go back to expose for your scene. You understand exposure and WB are two different things? I know they call it "expodisc", but you wouldnt really want to expose using it, as it diffuses your light too much. Looses too many stops of light.
 
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