K5 Colour Balance with studio lighting

Dunc's · 07-17-2012, 06:48 AM

Hi Gang

I'm using the K5 for some home studio shoots....I use a Lastolite "grey card" at the beginning of each sitting to do a custom white balance.
But it come up slightly off, too red or pink.
My K20 works fine, am I doing something wrong, or has anyone else had this problem.

Thanks

**maxfield_photo** · 07-17-2012, 09:02 AM

The flash output may affect the color temperature, full power may have a slightly different cast than half power or 1/8th. Better lights are optimized to maintain consistent CT at all output levels, and some like the Paul Buff Einsteins, which use IGBT technology similar to speedlights, allow you to choose whether you want consistent CT or the shortest flash duration at various power levels. The best thing to do is set the output of your key light first, and then balance off of your gray card using just the key (gels on the background for instance might throw it off)

The other thing to consider is that white balance sets only one plane of correctness (the grays) in a 3-dimensional color space. To get 100% accurate color across the gamut you need to create an ICC profile for your camera. I highly recommend the X-rite Color Checker Passport if you're as obsessive as I am about accurate color.

RBellavance · 07-17-2012, 09:28 AM

Also, make sure custom option C2-10 is set to Disabled (or is that Off ?). When enabled, the camera can auto-fine-tune the WB even when a preset is selected.

**maxfield_photo** · 07-17-2012, 09:39 AM

Originally posted by RBellavance

Also, make sure custom option C2-10 is set to Disabled (or is that Off ?). When enabled, the camera can auto-fine-tune the WB even when a preset is selected.

Wow, really?! What an asinine "feature". I don't think my K20d has this but I'm off to check right now...

[edit: It does; custom option 12. It's been so long ago that I turned it off, that I forgot about it.]

Dunc's · 07-17-2012, 10:37 AM

Originally posted by RBellavance

Also, make sure custom option C2-10 is set to Disabled (or is that Off ?). When enabled, the camera can auto-fine-tune the WB even when a preset is selected.

wow, thank you...will check

Dunc's · 07-17-2012, 10:38 AM

Originally posted by maxfield_photo

The flash output may affect the color temperature, full power may have a slightly different cast than half power or 1/8th. Better lights are optimized to maintain consistent CT at all output levels, and some like the Paul Buff Einsteins, which use IGBT technology similar to speedlights, allow you to choose whether you want consistent CT or the shortest flash duration at various power levels. The best thing to do is set the output of your key light first, and then balance off of your gray card using just the key (gels on the background for instance might throw it off)

The other thing to consider is that white balance sets only one plane of correctness (the grays) in a 3-dimensional color space. To get 100% accurate color across the gamut you need to create an ICC profile for your camera. I highly recommend the X-rite Color Checker Passport if you're as obsessive as I am about accurate color.

Thank you I will check this out,
Just seems odd that its just the K5, and not the other two....

DSims · 07-17-2012, 10:40 AM - **1 Like**

Yes, if you have better quality lights (I have the Einsteins myself) with consistent color temperature, you should be able to directly set the K20 to match the color temperature (e.g. 5600K) of the lights. This is assuming most of your light is coming from them - not being mixed with ambient or other light sources. Otherwise, with mixed lighting, an Expo Disc is an ideal solution.

The advantage of the Expo Disc is you're measuring the actual light falling on the subject, so all the variables of mixed lighting are automatically taken into account.

Last edited by DSims; 07-17-2012 at 10:48 AM.

07-17-2012, 06:48 AM	#1
Dunc's Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 40	K5 Colour Balance with studio lighting Hi Gang I'm using the K5 for some home studio shoots....I use a Lastolite "grey card" at the beginning of each sitting to do a custom white balance. But it come up slightly off, too red or pink. My K20 works fine, am I doing something wrong, or has anyone else had this problem. Thanks

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07-17-2012, 09:02 AM	#2
maxfield_photo Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 1,216	The flash output may affect the color temperature, full power may have a slightly different cast than half power or 1/8th. Better lights are optimized to maintain consistent CT at all output levels, and some like the Paul Buff Einsteins, which use IGBT technology similar to speedlights, allow you to choose whether you want consistent CT or the shortest flash duration at various power levels. The best thing to do is set the output of your key light first, and then balance off of your gray card using just the key (gels on the background for instance might throw it off) The other thing to consider is that white balance sets only one plane of correctness (the grays) in a 3-dimensional color space. To get 100% accurate color across the gamut you need to create an ICC profile for your camera. I highly recommend the X-rite Color Checker Passport if you're as obsessive as I am about accurate color.

07-17-2012, 09:28 AM	#3
RBellavance Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Near Montréal, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,716	Also, make sure custom option C2-10 is set to Disabled (or is that Off ?). When enabled, the camera can auto-fine-tune the WB even when a preset is selected.

07-17-2012, 09:39 AM	#4
maxfield_photo Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 1,216	Originally posted by RBellavance Also, make sure custom option C2-10 is set to Disabled (or is that Off ?). When enabled, the camera can auto-fine-tune the WB even when a preset is selected. Wow, really?! What an asinine "feature". I don't think my K20d has this but I'm off to check right now... [edit: It does; custom option 12. It's been so long ago that I turned it off, that I forgot about it.]

07-17-2012, 10:37 AM	#5
Dunc's Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 40 Original Poster	Originally posted by RBellavance Also, make sure custom option C2-10 is set to Disabled (or is that Off ?). When enabled, the camera can auto-fine-tune the WB even when a preset is selected. wow, thank you...will check

07-17-2012, 10:38 AM	#6
Dunc's Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 40 Original Poster	Originally posted by maxfield_photo The flash output may affect the color temperature, full power may have a slightly different cast than half power or 1/8th. Better lights are optimized to maintain consistent CT at all output levels, and some like the Paul Buff Einsteins, which use IGBT technology similar to speedlights, allow you to choose whether you want consistent CT or the shortest flash duration at various power levels. The best thing to do is set the output of your key light first, and then balance off of your gray card using just the key (gels on the background for instance might throw it off) The other thing to consider is that white balance sets only one plane of correctness (the grays) in a 3-dimensional color space. To get 100% accurate color across the gamut you need to create an ICC profile for your camera. I highly recommend the X-rite Color Checker Passport if you're as obsessive as I am about accurate color. Thank you I will check this out, Just seems odd that its just the K5, and not the other two....

07-17-2012, 10:40 AM - 1 Like	#7
DSims Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Southern California Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,236	Yes, if you have better quality lights (I have the Einsteins myself) with consistent color temperature, you should be able to directly set the K20 to match the color temperature (e.g. 5600K) of the lights. This is assuming most of your light is coming from them - not being mixed with ambient or other light sources. Otherwise, with mixed lighting, an Expo Disc is an ideal solution. The advantage of the Expo Disc is you're measuring the actual light falling on the subject, so all the variables of mixed lighting are automatically taken into account. Last edited by DSims; 07-17-2012 at 10:48 AM.