White Balance (EOS 40D)

[weilik]

Hi there,

I am always confused as to which preset settings that I should used since the camera is packed with AWB, Daylight, Shade......, Custom & Color temperature. What if I shoot at night or when the sky is turning dark? Should AWB be handy or do I need to adjust the color temperature (Kelvin)? Whenever I'm faced with such freedom to adjust the numeric, I will be stressed out as it just don't make any sense to me. I mean how do I know what's the difference between 5200K, 6000K and others??

Mind to enlighten me? Thanks and have a great day.

Regards,
weilik

[SnlpeR]

thats one great feature with the 40d
live view
preview how the white balance will look before shooting

[PhotosGuy]

Some guys like AWB outside, but it isn't very good indoors. Notice that the very last exposure in the 2nd group of tests was of a gray card.
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=54281

When to begin shooting in RAW? (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=343960)

[hawk911]

I keep it on AWB for anything outside, and almost 100% of the time inside my house. However, I shoot custom WB when shooting in a gym or other location with wierd lighting. they Lastolite flexible gray card has saved me more time in post than the $35 it cost me to buy it. but then most of the time I shoot raw and adjust as I need to.

[weilik]

Some guys like AWB outside, but it isn't very good indoors. Notice that the very last exposure in the 2nd group of tests was of a gray card.
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=54281

When to begin shooting in RAW? (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=343960)

PhotosGuy,

Thanks for the valuable thread that you linked. A lot to read and just what I need.

To others, I am very grateful for the responses especially for a newbie like me.

Regards,
weilik.

[Super Bee 950]

I just discovered this on my 40D, and I am very impressed with the results. Using a white piece of photo paper, take a full screen picture of it so its nothing more than a white picture in the same lighting as whatever you are going to shoot.Then....

Press the menu button

Go to the second menu screen where you can adjust the AEB, white ballance, and below that you have custom WB.

Highlight the CUSTOM WB and press the round set button in the center of the dial

You will be shown the white picture you just took.

Press the round set button again, and you will be given the option to "Use this image for custom WB"

Turn the dial to so OK is selected, and then press the set button.

You will then be informed to set WB to custom. Press OK, and you are done after you dial in custom WB using the buttons on top of the camera.

Try this and you will be amazed at how your pictures look a lot better. To see the difference, you can always take a picture with the new custom WB, and then take the same shot with AWB.I use this every time I am in a different lighting environment. It takes about 10 seconds to do this, and it is a 95 percent solution to getting the right white balance without post processing.

Hope this helps

[weilik]

I just discovered this on my 40D, and I am very impressed with the results. Using a white piece of photo paper, take a full screen picture of it so its nothing more than a white picture in the same lighting as whatever you are going to shoot.Then....

Press the menu button

Go to the second menu screen where you can adjust the AEB, white ballance, and below that you have custom WB.

Highlight the CUSTOM WB and press the round set button in the center of the dial

You will be shown the white picture you just took.

Press the round set button again, and you will be given the option to "Use this image for custom WB"

Turn the dial to so OK is selected, and then press the set button.

You will then be informed to set WB to custom. Press OK, and you are done after you dial in custom WB using the buttons on top of the camera.

Try this and you will be amazed at how your pictures look a lot better. To see the difference, you can always take a picture with the new custom WB, and then take the same shot with AWB.I use this every time I am in a different lighting environment. It takes about 10 seconds to do this, and it is a 95 percent solution to getting the right white balance without post processing.

Hope this helps

Yes, thanks for your step-by-step and I will try it ASAP. BTW, is this something like the 'gray card' that I read somewhere? Never knew that photography involves so much skills and versatility. Anyhow, your method, its very economical...and I am eager to attempt it.

What about shots during the night? I am always impressed by the beauty of subject such as skyscrapers lit up with neon lights. Any suggestions for capturing the most natural nightview? Is it that we should do away with white balance since in the darkness, white balance doesn't make much sense.

Regards,
weilik

[PhotosGuy]

BTW, is this something like the 'gray card' that I read somewhere? Pretty much the same thing. I usually use the paper I carry for notes.
Gray Card…White Paper. What’s best? (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=58677)