BigDogGuy

I am looking for input from photographers that have used the Expodisc 2. Does it work as advertised and would you recommend it to be a tool in a photographer's camera bag? Could the $50 cost be better spent?

BebuLamar

I don't have one but I do believe it works as advertised. I don't buy one because it's not that useful to me.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

I find it very useful for setting a custom color balance.
It usually gets the white balance really close straight out of the camera in indoor situations where I often shoot, almost always better than auto color color balance.
Mine was stolen and I thought I’d try a similar, less-expensive product.....you do get what you pay for.
I bought another ExpoDisc.
I use it when shooting events I need to post quickly to the web or slide shows from on-site.

The X-Rite Color Checker gets the colors the most accurate, but you do need to run the raw images through software to get there.
It’s quicker than it sounds. It doesn’t just do white balance, it tweaks all the colors to a standard level.


I use one or the other, depending on how my photos will be used.

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

It excels in mixed lighting situations. I have an Expodisc that I never use anymore...

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

That $50 could go to women and booze...or you could just waste it. 😜🤪

Doc Barry Loc: Huntsville, Alabama USA

I have the Expodisc, CBL Lens, and X-rite color checker. Auto WB on my D810 does a fine job most of the time. The CBL Lens is fine in mixed light although having a 3rd hand or an assistance is helpful. The Expodisc is my favorite and works very well in any lighting situation I have experienced so far. Can use in an incident or reflective mode, again depending upon the lighting situation. I rare use the X-rite although the color correction is quite accurate, but I don't like having to take a shot with it and then the actual shot (or having it off to the side so to speak).

I also have a SONY RX100 VII and use the Expodisc with it by just holding it over the lens. Works great I was happy to fine out!

If I was spend even $100 for another toy, it would be on the Expodisc 2 AND I would still have $50 in my pocket.

Seriously, may I suggest that you look at the instructional videos they offer at https://www.expodisc.com/pages/expodisc-2-videos

Ysarex Loc: St. Louis

$50.00 buy beer and get one of these:



The Expo disk probably works as well but the coffee cup doesn't cost $50.00. I just save white Styrofoam food trays (free) and cut pocket size rectangles out of them.

Joe

toxdoc42

I carry mine with me at all times. Twice while on European trips something happened to my Nikon D3400 and The auto white balance went bonkers. In both instances I was able to use the disk to fix the situation. Mysteriously the auto white balance was back okay the next day. I might have been able to fix the images in PP, but the disk worked fast and effectively, saving hours of PP.

cameraf4 Loc: Delaware

I have used Expodisc since film days. Take it with me whenever I photo a snow scene. Best way to get the exposure I want.

Silverrails

I bought a Used one, but have not used it as yet. Mainly for Portrait Photography. Watch some Videos showing how it works, seems simple to use,....one day!😳😊

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

It doesn't. If you are under forest canopy, where the light has a strong green component from the canopy, you will not get accurate results. If you are shooting a stage production, or a baseball game from the "preferred" seating in the shade, or shooting wildlife in a blind - the Expodisc is impractical. You can have better results with a reflective target - my favorite is the Color Checker Passport by Xrite. Yes, you can do much better than the Expodisc.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDtebpvATzc

Deanie1113

After struggling to get it to work right and even calling the company for guidance, I just gave up on it. The directions were different from what I got on the phone and neither yielded good results. I would save my money.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

Must be doing something wrong or expected different results. For setting your white balance, use it like an incident light meter and make a custom white balance. Takes only a few seconds.

Doc Barry Loc: Huntsville, Alabama USA

Doc Barry Loc: Huntsville, Alabama USA

In this case, I concur with Gene. IMHO, it all depends upon the situation and the photographer's understanding of lighting.

Back in 2012, we visited the only Palace in the USA, Iolana Palace in Oahu. They had/have a rule that absolutely no photography is allowed. As luck would have it, they decided to experiment that day by allowing visitors to photograph WITHOUT flash and my group was the first to go through. It was rather dimly lighted and had some daylight flooding parts of some rooms, and a mixture of light sources even in the same room. I got us near the front of the group and quickly realized that the AWB was no good. I of course was shooting both RAW and jpeg. Thankfully, I had the CBL Lens with me and did a custom WB in almost every room. Results were quite good. Regrettably, some people behind us, who could not shoot at high ISO, decided to use flash. They were removed from the tour. The guide allowed me to continue shooting and asked that I send them my photos (which I did). At the end of the tour, the Palace Director told me that the experiment was a failure and that no more photography by visitor would be allowed. An example of the beautiful furnishings is shown below. BTW, in this case the ExpoDisc and the X-rite would not have been so useful IMHO. This was a case where the CBL Lens was far more appropriate to get the job done assuming one understands how to use it.

(Download)