Expodisc ??? (Page 2): Thanks Pepper, I really appreciate your candid comments. I hope to use Expodisc in lighting situations where various sources of different light strike my...

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Expodisc ???

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Jan 19, 2014 15:38:08 #

James Shaw

Thanks Pepper,
I really appreciate your candid comments. I hope to use Expodisc in lighting situations where various sources of different light strike my subject. At this point it is a "gotta have" toy. But I can better justify getting one, now, based on your comments and the comments from others I have received so far.
Thanks again,
- Jim

Jan 19, 2014 15:58:51 #

James Shaw

Hi jeep daddy,
Yes, there is a lot of guess work at this stage of my (un) expertise. So, if Expodisc helps me along the way at this time I can justify getting one. What the heck!
Thanks,
- Jim

Jan 20, 2014 07:56:17 #

abc1234 Loc: Elk Grove Village, Illinois

I have been using them for about 4 years and they are extremely reliable in reproducing the original white balance. If you want to reproduce that balance and do not want to fiddle in post-processing, then this is the way to go. Once you have it, you can always adjust it to satisfy your artistic urges.

You can go crazy adjusting white balance. People do not remember the original scene that well in order to adjust it.

Jan 20, 2014 11:15:17 #

James Shaw

Hi abc1234. Appreciate your comments. I know where you are coming from when you say one can go crazy trying to get the correct white balance. I have been there for sure. I have decided to purchase the Expodisc based on all the comments that I have received, including yours.
Thank you,
- Jim

Jan 20, 2014 11:31:51 #

abc1234 Loc: Elk Grove Village, Illinois

Jim, wise decision. Let me know if you need any help with it. Took me a day or two to get used to it. Biggest problem is switching back to autofocus.

Jan 20, 2014 11:58:36 #

James Shaw

Hi abc1234,
Thanks for comments and offer to help. Will take you up on the help if I run into problems.
Appreciate,
- Jim

Jan 20, 2014 12:12:41 #

Bugfan Loc: Toronto, Canada

I've had an expo disk for years. I bought a 77 mm for my professional lenses and if I need to use it for smaller diameters I just hold it in front of the lens.

In terms of performance, it's exceptional. I don't use it when I use flash, the camera's flash setting for white balance seems ok. I also don't usually use it outside either unless the lighting is a bit strange.

Where it excels for me is indoors. I often do events and the one thing I can't afford to use is a flash since that interrupts the event. The expo disk reliably and consistently gives me perfect white balance regardless of the lighting. I find it especially helpful under fluorescent lights but it's excellent for tungsten too.

In my opinion it's one of the most useful tools I've ever purchased for the camera. Sure you can fuss with grey cards and adjust white balance after the fact but why waste that time and material when a few seconds gets you perfect white balance for an entire shoot?

Jan 20, 2014 14:39:49 #

James Shaw

Bugfan, you have strengthened my conviction for need of an Expodisc. Good to hear about your not needing the disc during flash. Just wonder if expodisc is not needed for most cameras during flash and just how my Canon T3i might behave? Anxious to try it out when it arrives.
Thanks,
- Jim

Jan 20, 2014 14:44:24 #

photoninja1 Loc: Tampa Florida

James Shaw wrote:

Any comments on Expodisc for indoor and outdoor photography? How much hype and how much can it really help?
Thanks,
- Jim

I use a Mennon, which you rarely hear about, but it does the same job. As I recall, I spent less than $10 for it and Expodisc was in the $80-$90 range.

Jan 20, 2014 15:56:42 #

James Shaw

Ouch! Well, I did get mine for under $50 and not in the $80-$90 range, but $10 sounds so much better for a disc, especially for one that would work the same. Established name and reputation of company and product plays a role in hiking the price, no doubt. Wish there were a place to rent these things for a short period to see which works well and which works not as well before one buys.
Thanks,
- Jim

Jan 20, 2014 16:29:34 #

FredB Loc: A little below the Mason-Dixon line.

Every review and test I've seen comparing ExpoDisc products to others invariably reports that ExpoDisc is the best at what it does. The less expensive alternatives tend to use poorer quality white filtering material with no consistency in their results. I suppose the question comes down to "Are you OK with setting your white balance using a chunk of old milk carton or a coffee filter, or do you want calibrated optical glass?"

Jan 20, 2014 16:53:31 #

Bugfan Loc: Toronto, Canada

James Shaw wrote:

Hi Jim ... I'm a Nikon user so I can't comment on the Canons. However I would imagine that flash is pretty common across cameras and models. Flash units tend to be made to rigid colour balance values since a maker wouldn't last long selling a flash that is slightly off colour.

But that said, if you have a weaker flash or are using it at its limits, light from other sources will affect your overall colour too and in that case setting the camera to flash white balance may not get you the best of balance in the end.

One of my habits is that at the start of every shoot I fire off a bunch of shots with the settings I think are ideal. I then look them over and if there's a colour problem I reach for my expo disk regardless of where I am, outside or inside.

Good Luck! I think you'll love it when you get it.

Jan 20, 2014 16:53:50 #

James Shaw

Hi FredB,
Actually, I tried the painting-mask-filter and the coffee-filter approach to get a white balance, but I must say that I QUICKLY gave up both when I saw my results. Thereafter, I decided it was time to get a more reliable device.

Your points are very well taken, and your words, "hunk of old milk carton or a coffee filter" made me laugh.
Thank you,
- Jim

Jan 20, 2014 17:03:37 #

James Shaw

Hi Bugfan,
Thanks for your comments and encouragement. I am, indeed, looking forward to the new adventure with my new Expodisc, which should arrive at the end of this week.

Appreciate your feedback!
- Jim

Jan 21, 2014 08:14:31 #

abc1234 Loc: Elk Grove Village, Illinois

Bugfan wrote:

Hi Jim ... I'm a Nikon user so I can't comment on ... (show quote)

Two points. First, I use my Expodisc for all shooting. I set the white balance at the beginning of the shoot and leave it alone unless the lighting changes.

Two, Bugfan is correct about having mixed lighting with flash. I deal with that by setting the camera to manual: 1/200 (maximum synchronization), f/8 (two stops smaller than my maximum aperture), and ISO 100. The flash is on AUTO ETTL. This typically will underexpose the ambient lighting so that the flash is the sole lighting source. I may change the aperture and ISO if necessary. I use the Expodisc at the beginning of the shoot because this takes less time than hunting through the card for another flash test. I might be able to dial in the balance but never thought of that.

Based upon what I have seen on UHH, I believe that the camera brand or model does not matter. My camera happens to be a Canon 60D.

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