Custom white balance

[petrolhead]

According the the 5D manula to orrectly set custom white balance one should use an 18% grey card.

Where do I buy grey card from as my local camera shops do not stock it. They did try to sell all maner of things and the olly thing that came close was a Lasolite.

I did see this - http://www.warehouseexpress.com/?pho....html#PC304735, bottom of the page

[kavster]

Depends how much you want to pay for a bit of grey

http://www.rawworkflow.com/products/whibal/index.html

WhiBal comes to mind.

K.

[alphaomega16]

******* hell.

Ok now they are off their rocker if they think I am gonna pay that price for a piece of bloody card.

[Saracenn]

As far as I'm aware, if it's white balance you're setting, there's no need for a grey card. you just need something that is neutral, a white sheet of paper will do. The key is to make sure that it's not blown and not glaring, and the lighting is even. The camera will automatically expose for 18% grey anyway. Hope that helps

[mansell]

Apparently you can meter of your hand!?

[senu]

Scott Kelbys more recent books for Adobe Photshop Elements and CS come with a White balance card at the back
You can Buy one ( or check the one you may already have)...

[petrolhead]

I have head that what you do is meter of a grey card and then your hand. Once you know the difference adjust to compensate

[Saracenn]

It's getting a bit confused. Metering is separate to white balance. As far as metering's concerned, you would need a grey card or to have known how to compensate for metering off your hand. White balance is completely different, and I couldn't imagine you getting good results off your hand! A white sheet of paper should be enough.

[Radiohead]

Are you shooting RAW?

[mansell]

Originally Posted by Radiohead

Are you shooting RAW?

that's the best option for sure.

[tyefi]

I've used the inside of my Lowepro bag when i've needed to set a custWB. But typically shoot in auto and correct in RAW.

[petrolhead]

I shoot RAW and JPEG. The RAW for me is a like a backup and picture saver should I get it wrong

Agreed butWB and Metering do share some similarities.

Anyway back to WB. There does seem to be some confusion as to use white paper or 18% grey.

I gleaned this from the POTN forum but dont't understand the second part:

Take a reading & pic of the white card/paper & you'll see the histogram is concentrated in the middle - just where you want it. Do your WB. Open up ABOUT 2-1/3 stops & take another shot. Chimp the exposure so it almost touches the right side & set it in Manual mode. Done in less than a minute.

Re palm ofr hand, ignor as I think I am getting confued with Exposure

[mansell]

you use a grey card for metering, NOT WB!

[petrolhead]

Originally Posted by mansell

you use a grey card for metering, NOT WB!

Well not according to the 5D manual

[tyefi]

Originally Posted by petrolhead

Well not according to the 5D manual

As far as i'm aware as long as it's colour neutral it should be fine for setting WB.