Hello
Has anyone tried using the ExpoDisc for White Balance setting on the EX1.
I can not find any references to it in a search.
If you have, what are your impressions of it? Is it a good option?
Malcolm

Interesting product
http://www.expoimaging.net/products/product_detail.php?prodid=2&productname=ExpoDisc_Digital_White_Balance_Filter_-_Neutral

I'm not sure I trust using a white balance filter.

I use Vortex Warm Cards. Same folks who make the EX training DVD many of us have purchased.

http://www.warmcards.com/
You can get them from B&H as well as order on the above site.

My concern about such filter is that one would want to place a balance card in the area you're targeting rather than directly in front of the lens to get the correct color temperature.

The Expo disk works great for my still work. I've used it for a couple of years. Haven't tried it for video but I would assume it would work the same. Same principle after all.

B&H does carry it.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/358082-REG/ExpoImaging_EXPOD77W_ExpoDisc_77mm_Digital_White.html

I prefer the WhiBal card for my still work, and that has spilled over to my video work.
The ExpoDisc makes more sense when you are on the move and need to white balance often and quickly. If your camera is stationary, you won't be able to take the ExpoDisc reading by revsersing yourself at the source. More often than not, it is difficult to deal with local color casts (water, sand) with an ExpoDisc. You can just place the card at the level needed and zoom in to white balance to that. Granted, often it is sometimes difficult to get the full light source on the WhiBal card when objects are casting shadows.

I keep a white card hanging on my tripod for quick white balances when moving between different lights.
I find I would prefer to warm-up a shot with the 3-way color corrector in FCP.

kj

heard you can use a paper coffee filter that will work the same way???

heard you can use a paper coffee filter that will work the same way???

The point of buying a product is that it is manufactured to be spectrally neutral. All you have to do is leave a paper product in the sun for a few hours to watch it yellow. Though, a slightly off-color paper product is better than nothing.

Yeah, when the Expodisc first came out people were trying to see if Pringles tops and other tops like it would work the same. The results were across the board with some working well and others less than so. At least my Expodisc hasn't become yellow over time!

Thank you for the comments.
I can see pointing the camera at the light source could be a problem especially if it is not in the immediate field of view.
Malcolm

Thank you for the comments.
I can see pointing the camera at the light source could be a problem especially if it is not in the immediate field of view.
Malcolm

Chuckle. In those situations, you can mount the Expodisc and point it at a white card.

Hello Gints
I have considered that but it seemed a bit of a belt and braces approach.
There are times when the incident light does not fall near the camera to do that.
Another factor is constant removal and replacement of the sun shade to clip it on.
I might get one anyway to experiment with.
Malcolm

removed by poster

After reading this article, I picked one up today. And I couldn't be any happier with the results!
It nice to have it help with exposure, but white balance is the thing I'm fighting all the time with this camera. And to have something like this and not have to worry about setting up a card all the time, it's great! I will probably start using this on all my shoots!

In the pictures I've posted, #1 is with auto white balance and auto exposure. In #2 I've set the WB & the exposure with the expodisc.

After reading this article, I picked one up today. And I couldn't be any happier with the results!
It nice to have it help with exposure, but white balance is the thing I'm fighting all the time with this camera. And to have something like this and not have to worry about setting up a card all the time, it's great! I will probably start using this on all my shoots!

In the pictures I've posted, #1 is with auto white balance and auto exposure. In #2 I've set the WB & the exposure with the expodisc.

I'm not too sure I see the benefit of the Expodisc... seems like one could achieve the "after" shot by opening the iris.

True, the iris was opened up a little bit more. It was a little tougher for me to judge with such a strong light coming in from the window.
But that's not the most important part for me. What really got me was the slight shift in color. The first picture is too bluish/green. The second picture is warmer, and more realistic to the color of my family room.

True, the iris was opened up a little bit more. It was a little tougher for me to judge with such a strong light coming in from the window.
But that's not the most important part for me. What really got me was the slight shift in color. The first picture is too bluish/green. The second picture is warmer, and more realistic to the color of my family room.

I forget. What were you using for your original white balance source. If you're taking video of the baby, the reflected light will be colored. So, there is just as much potential for white balance error with an improperly used Expodisc as with a white card. I can sense your grief, and I went through that as well. Everything led to using an 8"x12" WhiBal card.