Expodisc vs. Color Right?

[lazuras_dc]

I was wondering if anyone had some good information about pro's and con's of each.

From what I've read expodisc you point at your light source, and it would be hard to use when using on camera flash.
Colorright you point at your target so no matter what ambient light there is or use/non-use of flash it can be used easily...

What do you guys think?


COLORRIGHT- Easy Digital White Balance Cap

ExpoImaging - ExpoDisc

[Rson]

Grey card

[Dobick]

I think instead of these products you would be better off to learn the color temperature of different sources of light.

When using on camera flash -- you can set your white balance to "Flash" no need for a product to help with that.

Maybe I am alone in this, but I do not think it is that tough to be able to learn about white balance and color cast of various light sources.

A white coffee filter and rubber band will accomplish the same results, and not cost at much.

[ptrd]

^wow I've never heard of the rubber band.

I use paint swatches from Home depot.

[dmcantrell]

Originally Posted by Rson

Grey card

+1 for grey card, it will "adapt" to any light sources including any flash.

[elan]

I use both “Lastolite LL LR1250 12-Inch Ezybalance Card” and “Mennon white balance lens cap”.

I found the gray card is more accurate and easy to use, while the lens cap is more convenient to carry but tricky to use. With the white balance lens cap, it’s not as easy as point to light source or the subject. If the light source is mixed or too bright, you need to find other place to get your white balance preset point. If your subject is wearing bright color (red, orange, blue..etc) you won’t get a right skin tone either. My experience with white balance lens cap on the field is try find a white wall to preset your white balance. If you cannot find a white wall, get your camera close to your subject, but point vertically to ceiling for preset white balance instead of subject.

Take a look on this review if that help Product Comparison: White Balance Filters (Professional Photographer Magazine Web Exclusives)

Also the “Mennon white balance lens cap” only cost me $4.00 from Ebay.

[Rson]

Originally Posted by elan

I use both “Lastolite LL LR1250 12-Inch Ezybalance Card” and “Mennon white balance lens cap”.

I found the gray card is more accurate and easy to use, while the lens cap is more convenient to carry but tricky to use. With the white balance lens cap, it’s not as easy as point to light source or the subject. If the light source is mixed or too bright, you need to find other place to get your white balance preset point. If your subject is wearing bright color (red, orange, blue..etc) you won’t get a right skin tone either. My experience with white balance lens cap on the field is try find a white wall to preset your white balance. If you cannot find a white wall, get your camera close to your subject, but point vertically to ceiling for preset white balance instead of subject.

Take a look on this review if that help Product Comparison: White Balance Filters (Professional Photographer Magazine Web Exclusives)

Also the “Mennon white balance lens cap” only cost me $4.00 from Ebay.

I have the Mennon also, it fades and shifts white after a while. But for 4 dollars (I have the Ebay special also) it is ok, the gray card has been spot on for color so I never use my mennon.

[linque]

I have an Expodisc and a Photovision 24" calibration target. I use the Expodisc mostly for sports (camera in Aperture priority) . It's great when the cloud cover is changing frequently. I also do a new one before each game.

I use my calibration target for white balance and exposure for portrait shoots mostly (camera in Manual mode). I love having the grey and white on the same target. It lets me know immediately if I've blown out my highlights. It also produces three spikes in the histogram which makes it easy to expose to the right if necessary. You can also use it in post processing if you're shooting in a hurry. Check out the video on the Photovision website.

[lazuras_dc]

From what i've read on using Grey Cards, it seems as though you take an extra photo with the grey card and use that in your editing software to set the correct white balance. is there a way you can set it in your camera as a custom wb and shoot with that to cut down on editing time? if so, how?

thanks!

[dmcantrell]

Originally Posted by lazuras_dc

From what i've read on using Grey Cards, it seems as though you take an extra photo with the grey card and use that in your editing software to set the correct white balance. is there a way you can set it in your camera as a custom wb and shoot with that to cut down on editing time? if so, how?

thanks!

DC, from your profile it seems you have a Canon. I don't know what model so I looked up the user guide for a Rebel T1i (500D).

http://gdlp01.c-wss.com/gds/6/030000...00d-imh-en.pdf

On page 96, there is a section about setting the "custom white balance".

Basically, you take a photo of the grey card in the ambient light (filling the frame), set the camera into "custom white balance mode", then import the photo you just took and the camera will calibrate itself. You would do this for each location where the light might vary.

[Rson]

Or use ACR or Lightroom, Use the dropper on the card and sync the rest of the pictures.

[linque]

Watch the video on the Photovision site. He shows you how to set a custom WB on a Canon.