Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

When I first saw the PhotoVision Digital Calibration Target, I have to admit I didn't get it. The middle gray made sense to me for setting white balance in post, but I didn't see how the black and white panels would be useful in post production. Why not just adjust the histogram for maximum dynamic range without clipping? The more research I have done, the more I'm thinking it is designed to use for setting your exposure as opposed to a post production tool. Am I on the right track now? If not, would someone mind setting me straight?

Thanks!

Oh--a follow up question: it seems like you would need another person to hold it. Is anyone using it without someone else holding it? How?

ORpilot Loc: Prineville, Or

I see no real use either. To me, the old B&W TV test pattern is more useful. It gave you a perfect circle. Stepped gray scale, vertical lines, horizontal lines, and if I remember...resolution stripes. Not sure I never could afford one, so to test lenses I would use a newspaper taped to a brick wall. But I have always made things if I could and still do.

Rongnongno Loc: FL

Personally I see this type of gadget as rip-offs. Even for setting your exposure this is not the way to go.

I looked it up and you have anything from a handheld to a 2 footer.... For what?

Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

Yeah, I really don't get it. Not cheap, either.

olsonsview

If it is that three paneled model with black, grey, and white, then I can tell you it was marketed to wedding and portrait photographers initially. We would use it to set color balance and also make sure both ends of the scale was exposed properly. We dealt with white wedding dress and a black tux and wanted texture and detail at both ends. The early digital cameras were not great in scale capturing ability. And worst case: we needed to preserve the whites so the bride was happy. A simple grey card is all most amateurs ever need? And yeah they were not cheap, I got mine for around $100 with the 30 inch and small one as a package, maybe bought it 20 years ago at a wedding photographers conference. The little one was always in my bag for use when the lighting changed and I wanted to make sure I got the color balance right. I usually shot the big one with my first group shots in the church to use later when processing. And the reverse side was intended to use as a handy reflector to use for fill. Often had my assistant hold it while doing available light portraits. Retired now but still have the device and use it once in awhile too! Would I buy one now? Heck no, too pricey and cannot write it off either.

Jrhoffman75 Loc: Conway, New Hampshire

Check out this video on YouTube:

http://youtu.be/ubHNCCyGqBs

Rongnongno Loc: FL

There is always a video that shows how good a gadget is. It does not mean a damned thing.

Jrhoffman75 Loc: Conway, New Hampshire

Just like there are people who believe their opinion is the only correct one?

CO

I use Nikon Capture NX-2 for processing some of my photos. It has a set black, gray, and white control point feature. The double threshold option in the histogram can be used first to find the brightest and darkest regions of the image. The double threshold feature wouldn't be needed if a gray card is being used since the black and white portions of the card will be used for the brightest and darkest regions of the photo. I can then copy those adjustments to other photos.

Double threshold feature in histogram can be used to find the brightest and darkest regions of the image. This would be if there's pure white (255) and pure black (0) in the image

Rongnongno Loc: FL

So being critical of infomercials makes you an ass?

Just like the new guy who promotes his line of product and is looking for (quoting a recent PM) 'Yes I am in Shen Zhen ,Can you give me your email ,so I can send you the details about that ,I just want to find professional someone to test our products and give us a review.'

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Ed Pierce designed it for JPEG capture under controlled lighting. You can use it for setting exposure and custom white balance.

You can use the thing with camera menu controls to adjust the "look" of your finished JPEGs. Picture Style, contrast, saturation, etc. all place the "spikes" of the histogram in different places.

Experiment under controlled conditions and keep carefully illustrated notes. After a while, it will prove extremely useful.
It mounts in commonly available pro reflector clamp arms that fit on light stands. I've used Norman and Westcott clamps.

Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

Yes, thanks, I did see that in my research.

Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

Thank you. Although I do not think it is for me, you've helped me to understand its purpose much better than I did.

Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

Thank you; this was very useful as well.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

At Herff Jones Photography (a now defunct school portrait division of Herff Jones sold to Lifetouch in 2011), we supplied these for all our photographers and customers to use when setting up their rigs each morning. They gave us extremely consistent exposures and white balance, so we had few adjustments to make when the images hit the lab. Coupled with carefully chosen menu settings, we were able to get just the look we wanted in our portrait products.

The target is helpful to me in my work now, both in raw capture and in JPEG capture. If I am photographing a series of people or products under consistent, controlled lighting, I can dial in just the look I want in LR from raw, or at the camera with the menu settings. It is somewhat difficult to use the target in bright sunlight, since the angle of the target between the sun and camera is very critical.

I certainly do rely on meters to set lighting ratios. But that can be done with the target as well, if you have time. The ColorChecker Passport is a better path to perfect color, if you're doing anything where slightly more accurate color reproduction is a requirement.