Using White Balance Cards
- Thread starter stanw
- Start date
No, none. They are designed for white balancing and are a much better choice than a random white T-shirt or copier paper. Both laundry detergents and premium papers have UV enhancers added to them to increase the apparent whiteness / brightness, and this does upset the white balance somewhat.
A proper neutral WB target is a must if you don't rely on the presets.
A proper neutral WB target is a must if you don't rely on the presets.
White balance expo disc
White balance expo disc
I have been using the neautral white balance expo disc and am have great results with it especially in the field and run and gun situations. I get perfect white balance everytime. I could not believe how much the internal camera white balance system was off until I started using it. They sell two white balance discs one is neutral and the other is warm, no need to buy two just white balance off the neutral disc and if you want a warm setting go to your scnene file and turn the color temp down to -3 or -4 and you will have a perfect balanced warm tone everytime. The downside is it is expensive I think I paid $130.00 for it but in my oppinion it was well worth it. Youll hear about guys trying to use a pringels or coffee can lid but come on, these are balanced from the factory to perfect white balance everytime. Here are 2 pics of ramdom items on my coffe table the first pic 9116 is the camera internal white balance set on auto and the second picture 9117 is with the expodisc. There is a big difference. I bought the 82mm disc and can hold it over the lenses of my smaller cameras and still cameras, no need to buy one for every camera either. If you are shotting in a studio where you know the temp is 3200k or 5500k no need to buy one, these are more for situations with uncontrolled lighting and run and gun type stuff, it is extremly fast to white balance in the field with the expo disc.
White balance expo disc
I have been using the neautral white balance expo disc and am have great results with it especially in the field and run and gun situations. I get perfect white balance everytime. I could not believe how much the internal camera white balance system was off until I started using it. They sell two white balance discs one is neutral and the other is warm, no need to buy two just white balance off the neutral disc and if you want a warm setting go to your scnene file and turn the color temp down to -3 or -4 and you will have a perfect balanced warm tone everytime. The downside is it is expensive I think I paid $130.00 for it but in my oppinion it was well worth it. Youll hear about guys trying to use a pringels or coffee can lid but come on, these are balanced from the factory to perfect white balance everytime. Here are 2 pics of ramdom items on my coffe table the first pic 9116 is the camera internal white balance set on auto and the second picture 9117 is with the expodisc. There is a big difference. I bought the 82mm disc and can hold it over the lenses of my smaller cameras and still cameras, no need to buy one for every camera either. If you are shotting in a studio where you know the temp is 3200k or 5500k no need to buy one, these are more for situations with uncontrolled lighting and run and gun type stuff, it is extremly fast to white balance in the field with the expo disc.
I mentioned laundry detergents because some people will white balance off T-shirts, and copier paper / premium paper because they too are frequently used for this purpose. In addition to the problem resulting from the use of UV enhancers, both improvised targets are somewhat translucent.
I carry a collapsible Lastolite WB target, it hardly takes up any room in my gear bag, and has served me equally well for several years with both digital still and video cameras.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...ging_EXPOD82_ExpoDisc_82mm_Digital_White.html
This looks like the one you got. Seems to have dropped in price a bit. After seeing the differences I think I may pick one up for some location shoots.
This looks like the one you got. Seems to have dropped in price a bit. After seeing the differences I think I may pick one up for some location shoots.
What is the difference between the completely white reference cards and the ones with different hues that seem to have a bit of blue tint to them? When would you want to use the non-white ones?
Is there any need to use the targets used with digital photography that have the 3 ends of the histogram - darks, lights, and mids?
Is there any need to use the targets used with digital photography that have the 3 ends of the histogram - darks, lights, and mids?
You would use a whitebalance target with a non-neutral color (unequal amounts of the primary colors) to shift the color temperature, either giving it a warmer or cooler feel.
Regarding the dark/mid/gray cards used for digital photography (like the WhiBal), they can also be useful with video if your editor supports three-point color correction.
Regarding the dark/mid/gray cards used for digital photography (like the WhiBal), they can also be useful with video if your editor supports three-point color correction.
tlorenzo
Well-known member
I found some nice (and rather cheap) ones right here: www.warmcards.com
The WhiBal helps you define black, white, and a middle gray in your scene, usually by using a color picker and clicking on a corresponding color in the scene. I don't use FCP and can't tell you how to do this in that program, but I'm sure someone who can will chime in shortly.
I would not invest in warming or cooling whitebalance targets. Get a good basic whitebalance target like the Lastolite, and then warm or cool the picture using scene file settings or do it in post.
I would not invest in warming or cooling whitebalance targets. Get a good basic whitebalance target like the Lastolite, and then warm or cool the picture using scene file settings or do it in post.
I really like these!! I highly recommend getting the 1/2 warm and the minus green -- the warm 2, 3 are too warm for people. A good purchase, but keep track of them.
Regarding the Expo Disc, is this the right one for the HVX?
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...ing_EXPOD82W_ExpoDisc_82mm_Digital_White.html
The only advantage I see to using it is that I will not have to worry about finding someone to hold a white reference card. Are there any other benefits to using it?
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...ing_EXPOD82W_ExpoDisc_82mm_Digital_White.html
The only advantage I see to using it is that I will not have to worry about finding someone to hold a white reference card. Are there any other benefits to using it?