How to set White Balance on EOS 30D using ExpoDisc White Balance Filter

How to set White Balance on EOS 30D using ExpoDisc White Balance

Filter

 

Is there a way to set the white balance using the ExpoDisc White

Balance Filter? If so, how? There doesn't appear to be a way to do a

auto setting using the filter and then setting the camera to use

that.

Found it...

 

Canon 10D, Canon 20D, Canon 30D, Canon 5D

1. Install the ExpoDisc and set the camera to Manual Focus mode.

2. Allow the camera to set an automatic exposure using the �P�, �S� or �A�

modes, or set the correct manual exposure in �M� mode.

3. Aim the camera in the appropriate direction for the given lighting condition and

press the shutter release button. See the ExpoDisc Instruction manual for more

information on where to aim the camera.

4. Push the �MENU� button.

5. Scroll down to �CUSTOM WB� in the menu using the thumb dial, then push the

�SET� button in the center of the thumb dial.

6. Push the �SET� button again to select the ExpoDisc �gray frame� just taken.

7. Push the �MENU� button to exit menu.

8. Push and hold the �AF-WB� button on top of the camera while rotating thumb

dial to select the custom WB icon in the control panel.

9. Remove the ExpoDisc, return camera to auto focus mode (if desired), and start

shooting.

that was a quick thread, i didn't even have to read it! Cheers

Ok you've got it to work,now the difficult questions start....

<BR>Have you compared it to the common CWB method of using an inexpensive grey card? I don't know the exact price of the expodisk but just going by comments online it seems that you can save at least $25 by using the easier grey card method -which is also more accurate by all accounts i've ever heard.

 

<P>This shouldn't be surprising really.The grey card method measures light falling on the scene while the expodisk measures a whole bunch of coloured light reflecting FROM the scene.

I have an ExpoDisc and have tried it on my 5D and 20D. I'm not terribly impressed - I've gone back to using a gray/white card (I usually shoot both sides so I'll have a choice). I find the gray/white card to be more accurate and more reliable.

I have spent the money for the Expo Disc and have not been terribly impressed. Additionally, I shoot a lot of children and autofocus is a great convenience. I have on occassion forgotten to turn the camera back to AF right away and missed some good shots. Can you explain how you set your WB using the white / grey card. Just fill the frame with the card and set the WB? If it is that simple I am there tomorrow! I have heard talk of warm cards as well---anyone know anything about these?

The EXPO disc and or warm cards are gimmics. Plain and simple. Do they work as advertised? Probably but, that's not the point.

 

WB is nothing new nor is it an unknown, mysterious science. When shooting film one has the same issues now faced by digital photographers. Nothing has changed, nor has the Sun suddenly changed color temp (not yet anyway...).

 

I always suggest the following, all or a combination thereof:

 

1) Get a used Minolta Colormeter (they are super cheap on EBay)

 

2) Use a WHITE card and use CWB (*)

 

3) Learn to judge a scene by eye. Study a color chart (print one up and hang it where you can see it often). And use your camera in MWB mode. With practice, you'll get pretty darn close.

 

(*) When using CWB you can then look at the EXIF and note the K value set by the camera. Then, you could change that number to "shift" the balance warmer or cooler, to taste. For example: let's say that the camera sets a value of 4800K you could then, manually set it to 5000-5200K and get a "warmer" tone. Or, you could set it to 4600-4400 and get a cooler tone.

 

That's it, not that complicated but, it does require a study of what color temp is, which light sources produce which K values and above all, on-the-job experience.

 

Thankfully, with a DSRL you can gain that experience with no film and/or printing costs.

or you can skip all that and just shoot RAW

Giampi---sounds like good advice to me. Thanks.

>>or you can skip all that and just shoot RAW<<

 

Bad advice! The elements which make a photograph are more complex than just adjusting the white point in your favorite RAW converter. There may be mixed lighting requiring the use of gels and/or, there may be a NEED to give a client JPGS right after the shoot.

 

NOTHING can substitute for the ability of the photographer to envision how the final image will look like, right from the start. Post-adjusting for mistakes will never equate to that. I much prefer to get my Colormeter and shoot ALL the images right from the start than having to through an extra step during batch conversion.

 

The principles of photography haven't changed with digital. Light is light and will continue to be as long as the Sun shines. While I can certainly appreciate the ability to fix problem when converting from RAW I would not suggest that people use RAW as a crutch for exposure and color balance. It only takes a few seconds to set your WB properly when shooting. Why not do it?

The way I use the Expodisc is to point it towards the dominant light source such as the sun and then take a reading.

 

Sometimes it is not possible to place a grey/white card in the scene, such as when photographing wild dangerous animals. Although this would always be the preferred method where mixed lighting is used.

 

I have a 72mm expodisc and was using a super tele today and I thought how can I white balance it. I simply used the expodisc as a grey card and place it in the sun. Took a shot of it through the tele and all was done.

 

I think that is something even the makers of expodisc don't advertise.

 

I saw a test on Kodak grey cards and apparently the RGB levels are all over the show. That is something that expodisc provides, a RGB measurent for each disk.

Thanks for all the comments

I take lots of images and know the importance of getting the image as correct, at time of shooting, as possible. If only to save time post processing

I agree---I for one do not want to spend anymore time in front of the computer than I have to.