Need Help Picking a Calibration Card.

S

sillygoboom

Active member
Hi everyone,
So I need some help. I want to buy a calibration card and I might get the x-rite passport for video but it's so expensive. Do any of you have any other recommendations? I use Premiere Pro CC. Thanks in advance.
 
First question I'd ask myself is do you really need it?

Like realistically...if it would be for your videos on YouTube, do they really need their colors checked? (Your cooking segment's R5 colors are great.)

If the answer is yes then maybe consider something cheaper.

___

It's also unclear if you meant the passport version? That one is extremely cheap at $120.

The MEGA version is the $2,250 one.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...REPORT ME."c4060_colorchecker_video_mega.html

___

Maybe the classic or the mini would be a good start:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/465286-REG/X_Rite_MSCCC_Original_ColorChecker_Card.html

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1486403-REG/x_rite_msccmn_ret_colorchecker_classic_mini.html
 
I dont really get the use of the classic card in video. It is chaos on the WFM.

Yes you can pop to it with resolve but not much more. (or do some old school number stuff like I used to)

I prefer the video card https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod... PLEASE REPORT ME."pr_colorchecker_video.html

Here you can line up the colours on the right with the six squares on the the vectorscope. And the ones on the left with the skinline.

Maybe this can be seen here.. https://youtu.be/2W2sRPqZRCs?t=346

As for using one at all. I think it keeps consistency and also works with clients... a client has a green monitor and says you delivered a green cast. With a bit of skill and a colour checker you can show you are correct.

Its also for you to check yourself as relying on a screen is usually poor practice.

I dont get people going on about 'the look' of cameras. If you client is selling aquamarine socks then aquamarine is what you must deliver.
 
Thanks NorBro,
So as you know, I recently moved the set around and now I am not so sure about the colors. I actually created the original lut myself after watching a few videos but now I have a nagging feeling that I can polish things up more. I'm not sure, I could just be driving myself crazy as usual. So here is the latest video if you have the time. Let me know if the colors look good to you. I spent like an hour messing around with them just now and I'm still debating.


Do I need a card or no?
 
That video looks nice to me. bright and even not cinematic 'art' but good clear and happy.

I would therefore say the colours are good.

Her face is (to me) a little odd.. maybe she is making some (to me) bizarre choices with makup tone - not that I have any idea how she wants to look.

But that opening pink box.. is this the funder of your video? your sponsor? In this case you should be checking that against a colour from them (maybe the pink has a pantone or RGB value)

It is no good people watching the video and going to the shops looking to buy a pink box when in reality it is (and I have no idea) scarlet.
 
morgan_moore,
I was actually looking at that one but it doesn't come with a sleeve unless you spent a lot extra. Do you have a sleeve?

I do want to find a consistent look for my YouTube channel and also use the chart to see if I can get my old camera to match the new one I just don't know how cheap I can go before it becomes problematic. I do know I don't need anything fancy since it's not something I will be using a ton right now. I just need it to get me set up.
 
Thanks for the link to the YT by X-Rite, because it popped up at over the half way mark which means I must have been watching it at sometime and forgot about it. I will watch it all the way through now.
My overall take on the debates about color charts is to liken it to aircraft instrument flying. Use the system as instructed and trust the system, i.e. what the scopes are telling you.
There are several tutorials I started watching and then at some point the presenter seems to throw it all out the window and starts winging it, changing colors as they please.
 
I set the vids to open mid point so you didnt have to watch waffle or sponsors messages especially the first bloke who I do not find appealing. Gerald is a bit more watchable :)

I was particularly wanting to highlight that card design hitting the 6 boxes on the vectorscope not aligning greys or other stuff.
 
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sillygoboom said:
morgan_moore,
I was actually looking at that one but it doesn't come with a sleeve unless you spent a lot extra. Do you have a sleeve?
Click to expand...

Sorry I actually own the other one and have done for years (and realise it is the wrong thing for video).. but it doesnt really do what I want. Cant help you on sleeves.
 
sillygoboom said:
Do I need a card or no?
Click to expand...

IMO, nope.

Lots of different big beautiful brains out there seeing things differently.

Colors look great and what's more important is settling on a consistent look and building your brand.

___

Driving yourself crazy is completely normal.

But what's the end-goal?

Creating a perfect product that may never be "perfect".

Or growing your channel with quality content?

___

Look at other channels and see how they look.

Gordon Ramsey...17 million subs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-gHfY4COm4

___

P.S. I think Sam above brought up a good point about having a card for clients, but I'm assuming you're not there yet.
 
Charlie Ross said:
Thanks for the link to the YT by X-Rite, because it popped up at over the half way mark which means I must have been watching it at sometime and forgot about it. I will watch it all the way through now.
Click to expand...

The link was provided with a current time, 357 seconds in.

He either wanted us to start there or it was an accident.
 
morgan_moore,
If you are talking about her blush... I tell her this all the time. She doesn't know how to apply her makeup. As for the box, I'm not sure how off the color is because here it looks scarlet but it might be pink on your screen. This is why I am concerned lol.

Charlie Ross,
I have watched so many tutorials, including the one morgan_moore linked. That's why I'm like, hmmm, should I and which one?
 
NorBro,
Honestly I want it to look professional but fun and colorful. Not copying anyone, just doing what I think looks good and represents the channel best. And yeah, I for sure won't be having any clients lol. No thanks. This is enough for me.
 
If YouTube started sending you $20,000 checks for each video I bet you would open up that garage real quick for clients...or at least guests, lol.
 
sillygoboom said:
morgan_moore,
If you are talking about her blush... I tell her this all the time. She doesn't know how to apply her makeup. As for the box, I'm not sure how off the color is because here it looks scarlet but it might be pink on your screen. This is why I am concerned lol.
Click to expand...

I think we agree her make up looks wonk.

In terms of the box colour - im not sure if you are being paid by the brand or not (or intend to be in the furture) - if so then they could get really fussy. I dont think it is best to rely on your screen or mine. It is great to rely on an RGB value and colour picker.

This still is one of ours and Thatchers gave us a pantone number as 'thier' yellow http://framedogs.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/thatchers_studio_pint1200px.jpg

Ultimately you dont need a card until you do. Either because you feel you are chasing your tail or because someone higher up the tree is moaning.

As an audience I think your vid looks nice bright and happy.
 
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morgan_moore,
Thanks! Alright, I will calm down for now and wait till the moment comes (if it does). Also, agreed on the makeup. Hopefully one day she will listen.
 
morgan_moore said:
I dont really get the use of the classic card in video. It is chaos on the WFM.

Yes you can pop to it with resolve but not much more. (or do some old school number stuff like I used to)

I prefer the video card https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod... PLEASE REPORT ME."pr_colorchecker_video.html

Here you can line up the colours on the right with the six squares on the the vectorscope. And the ones on the left with the skinline.

Maybe this can be seen here.. https://youtu.be/2W2sRPqZRCs?t=346

As for using one at all. I think it keeps consistency and also works with clients... a client has a green monitor and says you delivered a green cast. With a bit of skill and a colour checker you can show you are correct.

Its also for you to check yourself as relying on a screen is usually poor practice.

I dont get people going on about 'the look' of cameras. If you client is selling aquamarine socks then aquamarine is what you must deliver.
Click to expand...

I agree with Morgan the video card is what I use as well.
 
It is hard enough getting young field producers these days to see the value in getting room tone, nevertheless shooting a chip-chart.
 
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