$100 ExpoDisc vs $8 General Brand for Canon 7D

[Scott1970]

Would a device like the ExpoDisc give me better white balances on a Canon EOS 7D? Or does the 7D do a good enough job with white balance that an ExpoDisc would only offer marginal improvement?

If the ExpoDisc is recommended, how about a significantly less expensive one, such as the General Brand White Balance Lens Cap? ($8 including shipping)

I generally have the attitude, "Buy the best, and only cry once" -- however, if such a large price difference is not really warranted, then I'd rather get the cheap one.

I have a similar question for the ExpoImaging Ray Flash ($199) vs the Coco Ring Flash ($50). If the Ray Flash produces significantly better results, and/or will far outlast the Coco Ring Flash, then I'm willing to spend 4x -- but if the results are comparable, or if the Coco build quality wouldn't significantly degrade its lifetime compared to the Ray Flash, then I'd rather take the cheaper one.

[Tom]

I take between 2-5 thousand pictures a week.

I have never, ever used a gray card of any kind for still photography. I still don't feel the need to have one. YMMV.

I also wouldn't buy any cheap ring flash.

[rfortson]

I'll agree with Thomas about the white balance. I found an Expo disc for cheap when Ritz was consolidating stores, but I hardly ever use it. I guess if I was in a studio situation where consistent WB was absolutely essential, I'd be more picky. However, the light constantly changes in all my shots and I'm shooting a little bit of everything. Even when I get "the right" WB versus what "I think" is the right WB, the results aren't that different. To me color tweaks are like saturation, exposure and other tweaks. They're all subjective up to a point.

As for the cheap ring flash, I just bought one for $40 off of ebay and I've been happy with it for that price. I've never used a $200 ring flash, so I can't really compare. Ring flash is a "nice to have" for me right now. If I find it lacking, then I'll pay more for a better one, but I'm not sure I'll see the need for it.

[Scott1970]

Originally Posted by Thomas Campbell

I also wouldn't buy any cheap ring flash.

The two choices I listed aren't ring flashes, per se, but reflectors to redirect the light from, say, a 580ex, into a series of reflectors arranged in a ring around the lens.

The results I've seen in sample photos with the ExpoImaging one look very good -- probably not as good as a dedicated ring flash, but good for somebody like me who is a pretty determined amateur, but not really making any money off my photography. I just want to know if the cheaper Coco reflector is essentially comparable to the 4x as expensive Ray Flash.

[bryanlindsey]

I have the same question. I'm going to start using a WB filter, just wondering if the $$$ is worth it to go from a cheapie to the brand-name Expodisc.

Has anyone compared the Expodisc with one of the cheaper knockoffs?

[dartlrt]

Before you spend the money try using a coffee filter over the lens. I've experimented with it and it does a good job. I need to do more testing to be sure. I can't say that it would be better the he more expensive products, but it did a better job then the preset WB.

[Kalrog]

I like having a custom WB. Saves time when doing all jpeg shooting and making the pictures more consistent. Although it is murder when the lights don't stay the same color temp the whole time.

And I agree with Phil - use a white coffee filter and see what you think. It is just as good as any of the other filters and basically free.

About the ring flash - that is what you are getting even if it is powered by your current flash. I went with an AlienBees version for about twice the price of your "expensive" one, but it truly is a totally different beast. I really like it a lot. It is most certainly a more powerful piece of equipment, but you lose out in the portability department.

[kayumangi]

If you are shooting purely in JPEG then a grey card can really help cut down your workflow. But if you're shooting in RAW then WB is kinda moot.

If the Fong dong is a glorified tupperware then the expodisc is a glorified tissue paper.

[Rson]

the cheapy lens cap fades and browns with age. Get a good grey card

[sldi]

I believe the difference in prices between the Expodisc and the General Brands, probably has a lot to do with the consistency between batches of the piece. I know on Expodiscs ad's they talk about the blends of plastic to ensure the accuracy of the product.

[andyz]

I have the Expo Disc. If you get one, get the biggest you need and simply hold it against smaller lens. The Expo is supposed to be aimed at the light source. That may or may not be convenient. I just find I don't use mine enough but I also shoot more RAW than JPG other than sports where I shoot JPG.

The 7D tells you to use a white card to get a custom white balance. In Canon's wisdom, later in the manual they say an 18% gray card may be more accurate. Personally I think a collapsible gray card may get used more and I've thought of buying one.

One thing I read on the Shoot Smarter site was that "camera manufacturers never say, get this plastic thing for white balance. "

Back to the OP, I wouldn't go cheap. I just feel like more goes into the better products, that is materials, R&D and quality control.

[Carl Stone]

If you really wanna get into to this, try this link.

Robin Myers Imaging: Digital Gray Card™

There is a lot of info on Robin's website. Like Andrew Rodney, he IS the real deal when it comes to color management.

[Carl Stone]

I should have included this in the post above, but, I didn't, so here it is. ExpoDisc is not all that great if accuracy is your goal.

Robin Myers Imaging: ExpoDisc™

[WarrenG]

I have used the lid of a lightspere, a knockoff wb disc, the real expo disc (my 2nd has one), and a grey card.

The knock-off, and lightspere lid do ok.... Expo Disc is a bit better, but consistency in light was always an issue. As of late I have gone to a grey card and I find the results to be much more consistent than with the various caps and filters. FWIW, my 2nd with the expo disc rarely uses his now with the implementation of the grey card.