ExpoDisc.
Has anyone tried the expodisc. to create custom white balance?
Try a Starbucks coffee lid. I hear they work just as well...
I have one. I have used it. It works, but I think it is a lot of money for what it does. I use a D7000 and D3 - those seem to get the WB just fine in Daylight and strobe lighting and I almost always warm it up a bit in software, so I find the utility of such things marginal at best in those environments.
However, in more challenging conditions, I do use either that or a WhiBal card.
I know some folks swear by them. I do have both cameras calibrated with the passport color checker and that has seemed more practical than than the WB tools.
I'm sure starbuck coffee co.would be offended if I used their lid for this purpose however, I might try anything to save money.
Wow! something at Starbucks that ain't overpriced. Don't tell them, they'll start charging $60 for a lid.
As Cliff says, many who have them, love them. They are certainly an easy and reliable tool, but yes, they are expensive and may offer more precision than most people need; possibly, indeed, more precision that it is realistic to expect.I have both the original exposure-only version and the modern WB version.
Cheers,
R.
Have one, Bought largest size so it works with all my lens. Use it often especially for indoor sports, Basketball, etc. Works perfectly. no regrets purchase
Have one, Bought largest size so it works with all my lens. Use it often especially for indoor sports, Basketball, etc. Works perfectly especially in tough situations. no regrets purchase
VHD-Tex wrote:
I'm sure starbuck coffee co.would be offended if I used their lid for this purpose however, I might try anything to save money.
Offended? Au contraire! They would start selling them.
I just printed out a 50% grey card on a 5x7 works great.
abc1234
Loc: Elk Grove Village, Illinois
I love my Expodisc. For accuracy and convenience, it is worth the money. I always use it and just about never have to touch the white balance. If I do, it was because I changed lighting situations. It will save you time and uncertainty about adjusting white balance. Without it and with many of the other methods described here, you are ultimately guessing as to what you remember or would like.
If have a 58 mm one for sale if you are interested.
I read the reviews on Amazon, and this thing sounds like the best thing since lenses. At $100 each, I would have to get one large one and hold it over my smaller diameter lenses.
I told my son to bring back a coffee lid the next time he gets coffee somewhere.
As CaptainC said, the D7000 seems to get WB all right.
abc1234
Loc: Elk Grove Village, Illinois
jerryc41 wrote:
I read the reviews on Amazon, and this thing sounds like the best thing since lenses. At $100 each, I would have to get one large one and hold it over my smaller diameter lenses.
I told my son to bring back a coffee lid the next time he gets coffee somewhere.
As CaptainC said, the D7000 seems to get WB all right.
The difference between the Expodisc and the coffee lids, white paper, et alia, is that the Expodisc is the only device calibrated to be pure white. The others only look white and will give you an erroneous white. You may as well use the camera's automatic setting.
The issue is really whether you want an accurate white based upon the actual scene or a white that just looks pleasing to the eye. Unlike the other methods, the Expodisc homes in on the white and then gives you consistent results. Seeming all right is not the same as being all right.
CaptainC wrote:
I have one. I have used it. It works, but I think it is a lot of money for what it does. I use a D7000 and D3 - those seem to get the WB just fine in Daylight and strobe lighting and I almost always warm it up a bit in software, so I find the utility of such things marginal at best in those environments.
However, in more challenging conditions, I do use either that or a WhiBal card.
I know some folks swear by them. I do have both cameras calibrated with the passport color checker and that has seemed more practical than than the WB tools.
I have one. I have used it. It works, but I think ... (
show quote)
Have one and use it, but in a limited way: Business photos where fluorescent lighting differs from room to room. Yeah, I know, I can fix it in PP-- but why would I want to? Often these type of photos are due "right now". And no the starbucks lid does not do the same job. For most other stuff I go with the cloudy WB setting on my camera....
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