Grey Card who uses one and which one ??

[rooeey]

I have been thinking about getting a grey card to cut PP time....

I am in Aus and havn/t had much luck finding one on a google search....

Any got any advice on which one to get and how much it should be ???

Or any advie on an alternative solution....

[Az2Africa]

I used either a cheap Kodak card (about $12.00) or an ExpoDisc. They both work well.

[BrianAZ]

I use a Whibal. You can also get the Digital Gray Card, which is made from the samer material. The good thing about these two items for WB is that they are spectrally neutral.

[PaulBradley]

I just brought a lastolite one - it folds up small enough to fit in a big pocket or easily fit in a gear bag, pops out like the lastolite reflectors. One side has white/black/18%, the other has just 2 shades of grey which I haven't really figured out the use for yet. I haven't tried it yet, but I'm sure it's as good as a card and more portable if that's a concern.

[safehaven]

+1 for WhiBal. It is expensive, but it works well and is very durable. If you watch the videos on there site, there quality control is excellent.

[sevans16]

whibal here. Works great! It is made out of a solid grey material with a black and white sticker on one side I use to set my curves in CS3.

[PhotosGuy]

to cut PP time.... If you mean to WB before the shot, you really don't need to buy a gray card. For our purposes, gray is nothing more than underexposed white, no?
If you shoot white paper ON THE METER READING, it will photograph gray, just what the cam needs for Custom WB. Use that exposure for the Custom WB set-up in the camera. See Post #47 (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showpost.php?p=5191658&postcount=47) for a white envelope shot on the meter reading. It comes up gray & will work for a WB exposure, except I usually like to fill the frame with it more that that.

Gray Card…White Paper. What’s best? (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=58677)

If you mean for exposure, it's pretty good for adjusting exposure too, when there are bright highlights that aren't important in the frame.
Need an exposure crutch? (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=89123)

LIGHT METERING = The basics of metering systems (http://www.photozone.de/Technique)

If you mean to WB after the shot in post processing: Just save the white paper WB image & use that.

Without reading the posts in my links, someone will say "But it's not exactly accurate!"
1/ Answered in my second Gray Card link.
2/ The "correct" WB for a shot isn't always the "Right" WB for a shot. You're the judge of what your image should look like. ;)

Here's an example of a "right" WB that isn't the "correct" WB. Imagine what the "correct" WB would have done to the sunset?
What do you think?
Mustang & B-17 + PS (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=91393)

[Mark1]

I use a 18% Kodak card. its about 15 years old. Looks like new. The one I bought had 2 cards in it so I cut the corner off one, So I have a 8X10 gray and a 3x3 gray. What one I use depends on how far I'm shooting from my subject. ala... wide angle... plenty of room in the frame-big one. Close up or head shots- small one.

[jaybird]

I used to use a grey card all the time. They were not easy to find. Since I bought a light meter I haven't used it at all.

[Bill Roberts]

Another vote for WhiBal, but I guess my avatar gives that one away!
It's not cheap for a bit of grey plastic, on the other hand it's a quite specific bit of grey plastic. It's the kind of thing that you aren't going to wear out so it'll last for decades and you're actually much more likely to lose it first. So on balance, it's well worth the money. Delivery was only about a week from the USA to the UK so I shouldn't think Australia would be any longer.

cheers

[rooeey]

PhotosGuy...
Thanks for the helping hand...LOL...
Great idea i will try the hand...I am thinking of WB for PP in DPP


If you mean to WB before the shot, you really don't need to buy a gray card.
If you shoot white paper ON THE METER READING, it will photograph gray, just what the cam needs for Custom WB. Use that exposure for the Custom WB set-up in the camera. See Post #47 (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showpost.php?p=5191658&postcount=47)

Gray Card…White Paper. What’s best? (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=58677)

If you mean for exposure, it's pretty good for adjusting exposure too, when there are bright highlights that aren't important in the frame.
Need an exposure crutch? (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=89123)

If you mean to WB after the shot in post processing: Just save the white paper WB image & use that.

Without reading the posts in my links, someone will say "But it's not exactly accurate!"
1/ Answered in my second Gray Card link.
2/ The "correct" WB for a shot isn't always the "Right" WB for a shot. You're the judge of what your image should look like. ;)

Here's an example of a "right" WB that isn't the "correct" WB. Imagine what the "correct" WB would have done to the sunset?
What do you think?
Mustang & B-17 + PS (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=91393)

[iNfEk]

I'm attempting to purchase a whibal via their website however the link doesn't work... is there a place that I can get a whibal from? I've contacted them via email and am awaiting their response. I see that the creator is pretty active on the forum but I'm in newbie timeout mode before I can post.

EDIT: it seems as though the site it working again.. I've ordered mine and eagerly awaiting it's arrival

[Mcooper450]

The Whibal is an excellent choice.

[Robf]

Another for whibal

in fact i'm thinking of getting the larger ones...the small ones are fine, but you can make life even easier with the large ones.

[safehaven]

Another for whibal

in fact i'm thinking of getting the larger ones...the small ones are fine, but you can make life even easier with the large ones.

I have the medium sized one. I opted for that one so that it was easier to use the in camera custom white balance.

[boog69]

I have a quick queston for Whibal. I've got one and love it. How does everyone take their Whibal shot? I found best way for me is to place on floor and take shot? Better ways?

[Balliolman]

Whibal is a first rate product. (If you are a NAPP member you can get a discount on a Whibal.)

[safehaven]

I have a quick queston for Whibal. I've got one and love it. How does everyone take their Whibal shot? I found best way for me is to place on floor and take shot? Better ways?

That is what I do if I am in a gym. I cannot ask any of the basketball players to hold the Whibal card for me so I can set white balance. If I am taking a portrait, I ask to person to hold the card for a shot.

[Balliolman]

That is what I do if I am in a gym. I cannot ask any of the basketball players to hold the Whibal card for me so I can set white balance. If I am taking a portrait, I ask to person to hold the card for a shot.


Likewise.

I do take care to look at the black patch and check there is no glare from it.

[chevysales]

I have been thinking about getting a grey card to cut PP time....

I am in Aus and havn/t had much luck finding one on a google search....

Any got any advice on which one to get and how much it should be ???

Or any advie on an alternative solution....


an 8 x11 from b and h along with a pocket size one which is probably 3 x 5.

i use them both wether shooting raw or jpeg... for custom white balance even if shooting raw it's quicker for me in dpp. and for exposure it helps me a lot.

[PhotosGuy]

I found best way for me is to place on floor and take shot? Better ways? It doesn't have to be in focus. I just hand-hold mine.

[LeuceDeuce]

Not that it needs it, but one more happy customer for WhiBal!

[jayhova]

Ok I've never used a grey card either and have a few newbie questions.

1. Do you simply hold the grey card out in front of your lens and take the shot with whatever aperture and shutter speed you want or should this be the same as what you will end up using?

2. If you have your subject hold the card do, should you zoom in on the card? So the card fills more of the frame so you can use it for custom WB setting?

3. If holding it yourself should you tilt it to catch the light (if from above)?

4. If you are shooting something far away (sports, nature etc) is this still an accurate way to set the WB?

Thanks for entertaining the questions.

[2hotford]

Hey,

I use the Delta 18% Gray Cards. They are about 8"x10" which seem to work for me. :)

I have never tried the Expo-disc but some people really like using them...

Tim

[amonline]

WhiBal... it's priceless.

I do fine art reproduction and it's dead on 100% of the time. I can set, shoot and print in under 7 minutes - accurately. :)

[safehaven]

Ok I've never used a grey card either and have a few newbie questions.

1. Do you simply hold the grey card out in front of your lens and take the shot with whatever aperture and shutter speed you want or should this be the same as what you will end up using?

2. If you have your subject hold the card do, should you zoom in on the card? So the card fills more of the frame so you can use it for custom WB setting?

3. If holding it yourself should you tilt it to catch the light (if from above)?

4. If you are shooting something far away (sports, nature etc) is this still an accurate way to set the WB?

Thanks for entertaining the questions.

1. Yes, it is that easy. From there you either tell the camera to use that as the white balance via the menu, or adjust in Photoshop.

2. Yes or no. Yes if you want to set the white balance in camera. To set it in camera, the white balance card should completely fill the inner circle when looking through the view finder. No, if you want to adjust in photoshop. It just needs to be in the picture somewhere so that you can get an eye dropper on it.

3. If you use a WhiBal card, it has a white and black section of the card that shows glare. If it is glaring, simply tilt the card so that the glare goes away.

4. For indoor sports, the gyms I've been it seem to have the same horrible lighting throughout. So, I just take a picture close to me and it has worked fine. Nature I imagine would be the same. It you are too far away from your subject to get the card close to it, then you are far enough away that the white balance settings will more than likely be the same for both close and far.

I highly recommend going to the WhiBal website and watching their tutorial videos found at the bottom of the left hand column. They are actually pretty informative. Here is the website.

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

[jayhova]

Safehaven,

Thanks a lot for taking the time to reply. I'll have to pick up one of the different types and give this a try. I will be shooting a couple motor sports events soon hopefully so I'll give it a try in outdoor conditions.

[iNfEk]

whibal whitebalance show better on color corrected screen?

I'm currently using a Mac Book Pro and have NOT had the opportunity to color correct my monitor.. I'm using the whibal and it's ok for the most part but wanted to know if it'll make much more of a difference if my monitor is color corrected?

I'm thinking about getting the huey.

[Souwalker]

Whibal does not work for jpegs, correct?
Rgds
Pat

[amonline]

Sure it does, if you know how to do it right. ;)

There are plenty of tuts out there on Google.

[DerekRob]

I have been thinking about getting a grey card to cut PP time....

I am in Aus and havn/t had much luck finding one on a google search....

Any got any advice on which one to get and how much it should be ???

Or any advie on an alternative solution....I use a white card does that count? And my photo's turnout really well.

[PhotosGuy]

I use a white card does that count? Missed post #7, did you?
If you shoot white paper ON THE METER READING, it will photograph gray, just what the cam needs for Custom WB. Use that exposure for the Custom WB set-up in the camera.

[strmrdr]

Whibal does not work for jpegs, correct?
Rgds
Pat
sure does...
http://www.pictureflow.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7782

[SlowBlink]

Can't remember how much these were but under $20.00 I think. Work like a charm.

[sunnygirl]

All Scott Kelby Adobe books come with a multi combo white balance, highlight, Midtone and shadow attached inside the back cover, I have found quite useful.

On occasion some of the Photography magazines will come with a free white balance card.

[acchildress]

It depends on what you want to use it for.

For white balance is use Whibal and am very happy with it. I got the small card with the spring loaded lanyard that I clip on my vest.

For exposure you need something else.

[antifire]

whibal here. Works great! It is made out of a solid grey material with a black and white sticker on one side I use to set my curves in CS3.

Hmm I was wondering about the black and white stickers. How do you use them to set curves in CS3?

Dan