WB white or Grey? at DVinfo.net

Andy Solaini · March 22nd, 2011, 02:18 PM

In the past I've been mainly a stills guy and was just wondering if it's best to use a grey card (like an SLR) or white card to white balance a camcorder like the XF300 when out in the field?

Allan Black · March 22nd, 2011, 03:10 PM

Andy check out ExpoImaging - ExpoDisc also great for mixed lighting. Avoid the cheapies off Ebay.

Cheers.

Glen Vandermolen · March 22nd, 2011, 04:21 PM

I use a white card, or whatever's white in the vicinity of the camera.

Colin McDonald · March 22nd, 2011, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allan Black

Andy check out ExpoImaging - ExpoDisc also great for mixed lighting.

Allan, I've looked at the expodisc product pages a few times and I still haven't quite got the hang of how it works. Maybe I'm a bit thick but would you mind explaining in a few words what it does? For instance, do you still need to use cards for WB when using the expodisc?

Tim Bakland · March 22nd, 2011, 06:35 PM

According to my read of this:

ExpoImaging - ExpoDisc Neutral

.... you twist it onto your lens, point at the light source and take white your white balance as per which camera you're using.

Can anyone testify to how this performs vs. cards?

Mike Ayotte · March 22nd, 2011, 06:52 PM

Hi
I use an Expo Disc with my Canon GL-2. If you look at their site carefully you will see that you should move the camera to the subjects lighting & WB unless you are in the same light.
Mike

Allan Black · March 22nd, 2011, 09:37 PM

Much better Tim and you can do it yourself quickly and accurately.

Col, no cards .. I frame the shot then clip the E-disc onto the lens and do a custom WB. As long as I don't move the cam and reframe in different light, I use the same WB. Time comes into it for me, setup etc. imo shooting with a flat custom preset and grading in post is just a waste of time and resources and my stuff goes into archives for use by other programs.

Also read where you should buy an Expodisc large enough to cover the largest diameter lens you have, including stills cam etc then you can use it for all, but large ones probably mean you have to slip the lens hood off your vidcam, another no no. When you sell your cam sell it with the E-disc, after you demo it, might help the sale :)

Cheers.

Colin McDonald · March 23rd, 2011, 01:22 AM

Thanks Allan and Tim, I obviously either didn't find the right page or read far enough down it. Got the idea now. Seems better than white cards in the rain anyway!

March 22nd, 2011, 02:18 PM	#1
Andy Solaini Major Player Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 223	WB white or Grey? In the past I've been mainly a stills guy and was just wondering if it's best to use a grey card (like an SLR) or white card to white balance a camcorder like the XF300 when out in the field?

March 22nd, 2011, 03:10 PM	#2
Allan Black Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sydney. Posts: 2,931	Re: WB white or Grey? Andy check out ExpoImaging - ExpoDisc also great for mixed lighting. Avoid the cheapies off Ebay. Cheers. __________________ Drink more tap water. On admission at Sydney hospitals more than 5% of day patients are de-hydrated.

March 22nd, 2011, 04:21 PM	#3
Glen Vandermolen Space Hipster Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 1,596	Re: WB white or Grey? I use a white card, or whatever's white in the vicinity of the camera.

March 22nd, 2011, 06:35 PM	#5
Tim Bakland Major Player Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Beverly, MA Posts: 512	Re: WB white or Grey? According to my read of this: ExpoImaging - ExpoDisc Neutral .... you twist it onto your lens, point at the light source and take white your white balance as per which camera you're using. Can anyone testify to how this performs vs. cards? __________________ Event Videography, New England www.timothybakland.com

March 22nd, 2011, 06:52 PM	#6
Mike Ayotte Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Laguna Woods CA Posts: 53	Re: WB white or Grey? Hi I use an Expo Disc with my Canon GL-2. If you look at their site carefully you will see that you should move the camera to the subjects lighting & WB unless you are in the same light. Mike

March 22nd, 2011, 09:37 PM	#7
Allan Black Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sydney. Posts: 2,931	Re: WB white or Grey? Much better Tim and you can do it yourself quickly and accurately. Col, no cards .. I frame the shot then clip the E-disc onto the lens and do a custom WB. As long as I don't move the cam and reframe in different light, I use the same WB. Time comes into it for me, setup etc. imo shooting with a flat custom preset and grading in post is just a waste of time and resources and my stuff goes into archives for use by other programs. Also read where you should buy an Expodisc large enough to cover the largest diameter lens you have, including stills cam etc then you can use it for all, but large ones probably mean you have to slip the lens hood off your vidcam, another no no. When you sell your cam sell it with the E-disc, after you demo it, might help the sale :) Cheers. __________________ Drink more tap water. On admission at Sydney hospitals more than 5% of day patients are de-hydrated.

March 23rd, 2011, 01:22 AM	#8
Colin McDonald Trustee Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Glasgow, Scotland Posts: 1,546	Re: WB white or Grey? Thanks Allan and Tim, I obviously either didn't find the right page or read far enough down it. Got the idea now. Seems better than white cards in the rain anyway!