setting a custom WB

[MRCPix]

ok so everytime I shoot in a studio I can never get my WB right. I have used the expodisk and it still came out with a lovely lavender tint to everything. Thankfully I shoot in RAW and was able to fix it, but what a pain. I want to figure this out so I don't have to mess with it in PP.
can anyone help?

[ninoe99]

I use some of these methods. The first one being the most accurate. Use custom WB on camera and shoot the white side of the BalanceSmarter (https://www.shopshootsmarter.com/com...d,6/Itemid,26/) since I use a Canon, but am not so sure if you use the gray side for CWB on Nikon equipment, check the manual for this. Lastolite has a similar product (EZBalance, $35) but the BalanceSmarter model (w/c is also made my Lastolite) has a target that your AF will grab onto so there's no need for you to switch to MF on your lens for convenience. You can also shoot the gray side, then use the gray dropper in PS CS2, Aperture or any other RAW processor software to do the WB but the first method seems to be more accurate for me. Another method is that since you are just shooting with studio lights, you can use the color temp setting based on what your studio lights color temp is (mine is Elinchrom and they register at 5500K) so I set mine at 5600 to 5900 depending on how warm or accurate I want it to be, but this is less accurate than the first method above. This is of course considering you only have the flash and modeling lights on, and other external light sources (tungsten, fluorescent, vapor sodium, etc.) cannot change the color temp. I also used an ExpoDisk previously but found it less accurate than the other methods mentioned above.

The BalanceSmarter has a video you can watch here for free - http://www.balancesmarter.com/balance.html

[MRCPix]

thanks that is a very interesting link, but do you shoot it as a reference for photoshop to correct WB in PP? or do you use that as your reference photo to set your WB in the camera with?

[ninoe99]

You're welcome. I use it as my reference photo to set my WB in the camera which IMO is the most accurate way of doing it especially when I am in the studio.

I've learned tons from the ShootSmarter site...check out their other videos for sale, too. http://www.shootsmarter.com/

[MRCPix]

thanks

[David Whatley]

I'm canon also. Process is. In the menue, go to custom WB. Shoot a total white object, and fill the viewfinder. Make sure you shoot under the same lights, ie: use the flash in the studio when you take the shjot. Select the photo for the CWB, and select the shot you took.
If you switch from strobes to Hot Lights, the set a new CWB. A piece of foamcore will work to shoot. That is if you can find any :). Some people use the plastic top of a pringles can, or a white stryroam cup

[Wes]

Since you're in a studio, is there a reason that you just don't use the Kelvin temps of your lighting?

[SaundraU]

Originally Posted by David Whatley

I'm canon also. Process is. In the menue, go to custom WB. Shoot a total white object, and fill the viewfinder. Make sure you shoot under the same lights, ie: use the flash in the studio when you take the shjot. Select the photo for the CWB, and select the shot you took.
If you switch from strobes to Hot Lights, the set a new CWB. A piece of foamcore will work to shoot. That is if you can find any :). Some people use the plastic top of a pringles can, or a white stryroam cup

A piece of ordinary white paper works for this too.

[Pikachu]

In the 30D manual it says "Instead of a white object, an 18% grey card (commercially available) can produce a more accurate white balance."

I don't know if that applies to all of Canon's models or not.

[MRCPix]

thanks everyone and I do all those things in the studio

[Pikachu]

Originally Posted by mikeN80

thanks everyone and I do all those things in the studio

Then, evidently something isn't working, or you wouldn't be asking us, right?

[Ahh!]

If you suspect that user errror is not the issue, since you have a NIKON, call 1-800-NIKONUX. They are open 24-7 and will (free) talk you thru your setup issues.

[garyb50]

You know, this is odd but I use a styrofoam coffee cup (can't remember where I read about it), which I've always assumed was more or less the same thing as the expodisk (except cheaper : )

And I just went out back and did a little test after reading your initial post. I used the cup to set my WB, took a shot & then set the WB to Cloudy and shot. Guess what? The shot using cup had a lavender cast ! ! ! The one set to Cloudy was spot on.

D70. Go figure.

[MRCPix]

interesting.

[NoLight]

I use my expodisc religiously but sometimes when in a pinch I use a whibal. The whibal seems to give me a little cooler results than the expodisc but both work well. I use the expodisc to set a WB in camera and the whibal to set it in PS.