Tools for Neutralizing the World
A Buyers Guide for Easy-to-Use White-Balancing Devices
One of the cooler attributes of digital capture is the fact that you retain the ability to 'fix' your pictures long after you've taken them, especially if you shoot RAW files. In the wrong hands however, this can become a not-so-cool attribute if it's seen as a green light for sloppy shooting habits. Even if you shoot RAW files it makes sense to set your camera controls properly (and thoughtfully) because if your JPEGs are dead-on, you'll also be spending less time diddling with your RAW files. And regardless of your personal taste in color rendition, it's always a better idea to pump up the tonal values of a 'clean' image as opposed to trying to neutralize a pumped-up image.
The following is a selection of devices we sell at B&H that enable you to set the proper white-balance (WB) on your camera regardless of lighting conditions. While your camera's preset WB settings (Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, etc.) are fairly reliable at calling the shots, there are times you should bypass the pre-sets and drive the bus yourself. None of these devices are prohibitively expensive, nor are they difficult to use. Some are rigid and some are pliable enough to roll up and stuff into your pocket or fold away into the recesses of your lighting cases. And they're all easy to figure out and use.
ExpoImaging ExpoDisc
The ExpoImaging ExpoDisc is available in 2 flavors - Neutral and Portrait, and they consist of clear, micro-prismed devices that slips onto the front of the lens barrel. Designed to render the full visual spectrum (400~700 nanometers) to a neutral 18% gray, the Neutral ExpoDisc is available in 52mm, 58mm, 62mm, 67mm, 72mm, 77mm, and 82mm. The Neutral ExpoDisc is a simple device to master. Simply attach the disc to the front of your lens, set your camera to its Custom White Balance mode, aim your lens towards the light source, and take an 'incident' reading of the light. What you get for your efforts are neutral-toned images regardless of the light source(s). If you shoot regularly under similar lighting conditions many cameras allow you to store these custom WB settings for easy call-up at a later time.
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| ExpoImaging ExpoDisc |
ExpoImaging ExpoDisc
The ExpoDisc Portrait, which adds a warmer, skin-flattering tone to portraits, works the same way as the Neutral version of the ExpoDisc and is also available in 52mm, 58mm, 62mm, 67mm, 72mm, 77mm, and 82mm.
Similar in principle are the snap-on baLens White Balance Caps, which resemble lens caps with lumispheres similar to the white, hemispherical attachments found on incident light meters. To use the baLens all you have to do is snap it onto your lens, turn it towards the light source, and take a custom WB reading. As long as the light remains the same your shots should be clean and accurately rendered. Each baLens White Balance Cap comes with interchangeable lumispheres - 1 for neutral color renditions and one for warmer color rendition, which is desirable for portraits as well as shooting under the harsher, blue-tinged coloring of ambient, mid-day summer light. baLens snap-on White Balance Caps are available in the following sizes - 52mm, 55mm, 58mm, 62mm, 67mm, 72mm, and 77mm.
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| baLens White Balance Caps |
The Lally CAP White Balance Cap |
A one-size-fits-all solution for on-the-fly white balancing is the Lally CAP White Balance Cap. Made of a soft, neutral white, waterproof fabric, the Lally Cap slips over all but the most exotic lens you will ever own. The Lally CAP is also the only WB device we carry that can be squished up and stuffed into your pocket or side pouch of your camera bag when not being used. However, we strongly recommend you not store your Lally CAP next to anything that might taint the neutrality of the Lally CAP's fabric surface.
The CBL Color Balance Lens is available for use with pro-level DSLRs (CBL 110MM), consumer-level DSLRs (CBL 85MM), and pro video shooters (CBL 220MM) with the difference being the physical size of the disk. Unlike the other WB devices featured in this article, the CBL is held at arm's length from the camera position and readings are taken from light reflected off of the disk's surface.
The CBL Color Balance Lens is double-sided - 1 side is white and the other 18% (medium) gray. The white side is used to establish the correct white balance and the gray side is for establishing the correct exposure times. When used accordingly you end up with properly exposed, neutrally colored image files.
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| CBL Color Balance Lens |
Dot Line White Balance Lens Cap |
Another simple WB device is the Dot Line White Balance Lens Cap. Available in 52mm, 58mm, 62mm, 67mm, 72mm, and 77mm, the Dot Line White Balance Cap fits over the front of the lens and similar to the methodology used by the other devices in this article, 'reads' the incident light values and establishes a neutral WB setting.
Digital Image Flow's Digital Grey Kard consists of a trio of three 3.3 x 2.2" cards (black, white, and gray) that can be used for establishing the correct color balance, white balance, and black & white clipping points of your pictures.
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| Digital Image Flow Digital Grey Card (DGK-2) |
Digital Image Flow Digital Grey Card (DGK-1) |
The Digital Image Flow Digital Grey Card is available with (DGK-2) or without (DGK-1) a quick-release clip for removing the lanyard/carrying strap that comes with each unit. (The red lanyard on the DGK-2 is also spiffier-looking).
For those who prefer using traditional grey cards for establishing WB and exposure settings we offer the Cameron 18% Grey Reference Disks, which are available in 8", 20", and 32" sizes. Like its rectangular counterparts, the Cameron 18% Grey Reference Disks allow you to easily establish neutral tones and proper exposure by taking reflected light readings directly off the card surface.
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| Cameron 18% Grey Reference Disk |
Cameron Photomaster Target |
Cameron Color Balance Coach Disc |
Another calibration product available from Cameron is the Cameron Photomaster Target, a foldable, 4-patch reflective reading device that features a white, 18% grey and black patch for establishing proper exposure settings and neutral translucent patch for establishing proper white balance settings. Measuring 10 x 15" unfolded, the Photomaster Target is easy to stow away and a handy tool in the studio as well as out on location.
Similar in concept but round in design is the Cameron Color Balance Coach Disc, a collapsible 20" disc that also features a black, 18% grey, white, and translucent patch for establishing correct exposures and white balance settings.
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