WarmCards? White balance cards? at DVinfo.net

Vishad Dewan · May 16th, 2007, 02:58 PM

I need a good white balance system for my Canon XL2. More often than not, it's darn difficult to reproduce the correct colors during a shoot. Either I'm out in the sun and can't find the right white to adjust the setting, or I'm indoors and the lighting inside is creating havoc for my camera. Turning to auto white balance does help a lot, but still leaves the colors very bland and ugly.

I hate the idea of purchasing a white balance card because I've tried them before with lackluster results.

On the other hand, I've run across these "WarmCards" at B&H http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...rds_White.html and would like to know if these are any good at reproducing, capturing skin tones. Does anyone have experience with this sort of thing?

By the way, I'm primarily shooting weddings and commercials. Thus, the skin tone and background really need to be vibrant.

Thanks for any help!

Ash Greyson · May 16th, 2007, 05:10 PM

The XL2 lacks the color temperature adjustment that the Panny cameras have so white balance is a critical and important tool. I dont remember the last time I actually balanced to white, I just dont care for that look very much. I use the Warmcards religiously and love them, I have the full set, even cool cards and the smaller ones I use for still pics. HIGHLY recommend them.

ash =o)

Kevin Randolph · May 17th, 2007, 08:04 AM

You won't be disappointed with those warm cards. Just make sure to practice with them with different subjects so that you'll have an idea of how much difference they make before you use them on a paid shoot. The lightest blue of that set has been my new white since I got them.

Hope this helps...

Vishad Dewan · May 17th, 2007, 09:38 AM

Kevin (or anyone else for that matter), have you tried the Minus Green card in their Plus set? Ordered both sets because a lot of my shooting is indoors and I don't have the time or money to set up 3- or 5-point lighting; I couldn't find any reviews about the green card but the official Web site said it was used by broadcast TV (and they did show several example stills that were remarkably improved with the card).

Guy Cochran · May 17th, 2007, 10:39 AM

This video might help http://link.brightcove.com/services/...bctid900554631

Vishad Dewan · May 17th, 2007, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guy Cochran

This video might help http://link.brightcove.com/services/...bctid900554631

Wow, thanks, Guy. Too bad I didn't watch this clip yesterday or I could have saved myself 10% from the discount code at the end of the video!

Boy, I suggest EVERYONE takes a look at that video. What a big difference! It usually takes me five to ten minutes to find an adequate white balance under any situation, but with these cards I can probably do it in one minute.

Guy Cochran · May 17th, 2007, 01:38 PM

You're welcome :)

I could have explained with words but I thought the video we shot did a better job.

Vishad Dewan · May 17th, 2007, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guy Cochran

You're welcome :)

I could have explained with words but I thought the video we shot did a better job.

Oh, most definately! It really is amazing how many 3rd-party vendors are out there providing unique and useful products. Glad these WarmCards are available or I'd continue to think my camera was screwy.

Thanks again!

Eric Stemen · May 17th, 2007, 11:50 PM

I've found using a digital target (white, grey, black) The going into post and doing a color correction over the whole clip by telling the program what is really white, grey and black helps more than anything i have tried before.

May 16th, 2007, 02:58 PM	#1
Vishad Dewan Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Yuba City, Ca Posts: 126	WarmCards? White balance cards? I need a good white balance system for my Canon XL2. More often than not, it's darn difficult to reproduce the correct colors during a shoot. Either I'm out in the sun and can't find the right white to adjust the setting, or I'm indoors and the lighting inside is creating havoc for my camera. Turning to auto white balance does help a lot, but still leaves the colors very bland and ugly. I hate the idea of purchasing a white balance card because I've tried them before with lackluster results. On the other hand, I've run across these "WarmCards" at B&H http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...rds_White.html and would like to know if these are any good at reproducing, capturing skin tones. Does anyone have experience with this sort of thing? By the way, I'm primarily shooting weddings and commercials. Thus, the skin tone and background really need to be vibrant. Thanks for any help!

May 17th, 2007, 08:04 AM	#3
Kevin Randolph Major Player Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 423	You won't be disappointed with those warm cards. Just make sure to practice with them with different subjects so that you'll have an idea of how much difference they make before you use them on a paid shoot. The lightest blue of that set has been my new white since I got them. Hope this helps... __________________ "... the drama is on your doorstep..." - John Grierson www.grvideo.net

May 17th, 2007, 10:39 AM	#5
Guy Cochran DVCreators.Net Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 892	This video might help http://link.brightcove.com/services/...bctid900554631 __________________ Guy Cochran DVinfo Sponsor, Cool Gear - DVeStore!

May 17th, 2007, 01:38 PM	#7
Guy Cochran DVCreators.Net Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 892	You're welcome :) I could have explained with words but I thought the video we shot did a better job. __________________ Guy Cochran DVinfo Sponsor, Cool Gear - DVeStore!

May 16th, 2007, 05:10 PM	#2
Ash Greyson Trustee Join Date: May 2003 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 1,689	The XL2 lacks the color temperature adjustment that the Panny cameras have so white balance is a critical and important tool. I dont remember the last time I actually balanced to white, I just dont care for that look very much. I use the Warmcards religiously and love them, I have the full set, even cool cards and the smaller ones I use for still pics. HIGHLY recommend them. ash =o)

May 17th, 2007, 09:38 AM	#4
Vishad Dewan Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Yuba City, Ca Posts: 126	Kevin (or anyone else for that matter), have you tried the Minus Green card in their Plus set? Ordered both sets because a lot of my shooting is indoors and I don't have the time or money to set up 3- or 5-point lighting; I couldn't find any reviews about the green card but the official Web site said it was used by broadcast TV (and they did show several example stills that were remarkably improved with the card).

May 17th, 2007, 11:50 PM	#9
Eric Stemen Major Player Join Date: May 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 378	I've found using a digital target (white, grey, black) The going into post and doing a color correction over the whole clip by telling the program what is really white, grey and black helps more than anything i have tried before.