Manual White Balance

Flaco · 12-28-2006, 01:54 PM

I was wondering if the note cards 4x6/5x7(or whatever size they are) could be used for setting up MWB? Has anybody ever tried this? I just called like 3 local shops looking for the white/grey cards and no luck.

Or if you guys have any thing else you can use besides a "white wall" or whatever. Please post up.

Thanks J.

SpecialK · 12-28-2006, 02:24 PM

Anything white or gray without a color cast and fills the frame should work.

Alvin · 12-28-2006, 06:14 PM

Flaco,

It's a good trick used by a few people I know. I've used the backs of cue/recipe cards (I think that is what they are called) with my camcorder and with a Nikon D50 and a Fuji S3 with good results. Set your camera to manual focus, get a semi decent amount of light and make sure your thumb is out of the frame.

Only problem I got is when I switch to using the flash. The flash sends out a different type of light and can totally throw off your custom WB.

Haven't tried this with my K100 though - LOL. I should be it trying again!

dave sz · 12-29-2006, 03:29 PM

I read of people saying to go to home depot and use their STUDIO SILVER sample cards to get MWB. I tried it a few times and it seems to help. If you still have your white k100d body cap, you can use that I guess.

Flaco · 12-29-2006, 03:50 PM

I just tried it with a with gift box... And man does it make a big difference.

I'm going to try a index card and see what kind of results that gives me.

Arpe · 12-31-2006, 07:54 PM

Have you seen the "expodisc"? click here

jnorth · 01-01-2007, 12:56 AM

I had seen a guy use a styrofoam cup once. He claimed it worked fine for him with better results than leaving the camera in auto. But I prefer the Expodisc. I bought the largest they had (77 mm, I think) and just hold it over my smaller lenses.

WMBP · 01-01-2007, 09:29 AM

Originally posted by Arpe

Have you seen the "expodisc"? click here

Thanks for the link, Arpe. Just ordered the expodisc cap. Looks like they don't have a 52mm version of the regular product.

It's not as cheap as a neutral color card, but it might be easier to carry around everywhere and they claim that it will give better results.

Will

Arpe · 01-02-2007, 12:10 AM

Always happy to help a fellow southerner

INcreative · 01-02-2007, 01:54 AM

i love using mwb.... but i too tend to find myself looking for osmething white... i usualy use a ceiling or a piece of paper.... but that gift box thing sounds like a good idea.... might find a piece to carry around with me

roy · 01-02-2007, 02:42 AM

i've got a kodak wht/gray 4x5 card it my kit.. works great. just set the cam to meter it in spot mode.

Flaco · 01-02-2007, 04:19 PM

Originally posted by INcreative

i love using mwb.... but i too tend to find myself looking for osmething white... i usualy use a ceiling or a piece of paper.... but that gift box thing sounds like a good idea.... might find a piece to carry around with me

Yes sir, works like a charm. I just have to cut out a piece to carry around with me too. I was amazed how much of an improvement it is. I have to use tugsten in my garage, but with the MWB, it's so much brighter and clear. I still have to post my sample shots, or take some before after shots.

12-28-2006, 01:54 PM	#1
Flaco Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Outside Chicago Posts: 218	Manual White Balance I was wondering if the note cards 4x6/5x7(or whatever size they are) could be used for setting up MWB? Has anybody ever tried this? I just called like 3 local shops looking for the white/grey cards and no luck. Or if you guys have any thing else you can use besides a "white wall" or whatever. Please post up. Thanks J.

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12-28-2006, 02:24 PM	#2
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,481	Anything white or gray without a color cast and fills the frame should work.

12-28-2006, 06:14 PM	#3
Alvin Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,517	Flaco, It's a good trick used by a few people I know. I've used the backs of cue/recipe cards (I think that is what they are called) with my camcorder and with a Nikon D50 and a Fuji S3 with good results. Set your camera to manual focus, get a semi decent amount of light and make sure your thumb is out of the frame. Only problem I got is when I switch to using the flash. The flash sends out a different type of light and can totally throw off your custom WB. Haven't tried this with my K100 though - LOL. I should be it trying again!

12-29-2006, 03:29 PM	#4
dave sz Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: carpentersville, IL Posts: 693	I read of people saying to go to home depot and use their STUDIO SILVER sample cards to get MWB. I tried it a few times and it seems to help. If you still have your white k100d body cap, you can use that I guess.

12-29-2006, 03:50 PM	#5
Flaco Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Outside Chicago Posts: 218 Original Poster	I just tried it with a with gift box... And man does it make a big difference. I'm going to try a index card and see what kind of results that gives me.

12-31-2006, 07:54 PM	#6
Arpe Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,452	Have you seen the "expodisc"? click here

01-01-2007, 12:56 AM	#7
jnorth Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Vancouver BC Posts: 230	I had seen a guy use a styrofoam cup once. He claimed it worked fine for him with better results than leaving the camera in auto. But I prefer the Expodisc. I bought the largest they had (77 mm, I think) and just hold it over my smaller lenses.

01-01-2007, 09:29 AM	#8
WMBP Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Dallas, Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,482	Originally posted by Arpe Have you seen the "expodisc"? click here Thanks for the link, Arpe. Just ordered the expodisc cap. Looks like they don't have a 52mm version of the regular product. It's not as cheap as a neutral color card, but it might be easier to carry around everywhere and they claim that it will give better results. Will

01-02-2007, 12:10 AM	#9
Arpe Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,452	Always happy to help a fellow southerner

01-02-2007, 01:54 AM	#10
INcreative Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Posts: 48	i love using mwb.... but i too tend to find myself looking for osmething white... i usualy use a ceiling or a piece of paper.... but that gift box thing sounds like a good idea.... might find a piece to carry around with me

01-02-2007, 02:42 AM	#11
roy Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: D/FW area, Tx. Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,710	i've got a kodak wht/gray 4x5 card it my kit.. works great. just set the cam to meter it in spot mode.

01-02-2007, 04:19 PM	#12
Flaco Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Outside Chicago Posts: 218 Original Poster	Originally posted by INcreative i love using mwb.... but i too tend to find myself looking for osmething white... i usualy use a ceiling or a piece of paper.... but that gift box thing sounds like a good idea.... might find a piece to carry around with me Yes sir, works like a charm. I just have to cut out a piece to carry around with me too. I was amazed how much of an improvement it is. I have to use tugsten in my garage, but with the MWB, it's so much brighter and clear. I still have to post my sample shots, or take some before after shots.