Need Help!!! Setting custom white balance

[Mctrician]

How do you set your custom white balance? Do you use a 18% gray card, white balance filter and what role does the histogram play in doing this? I'm tired of post processing and need to focus on the WB while shooting inside sports.

Thanks for the help!!!

[mandt]

I have an xti, but I'm pretty sure the 50d is similar. Put the lens in manual focus and take a picture of the gray card, making sure that your are getting the correct exposure on the meter and snap. Then go to the menu, choose white balance and the previous picture will show, choose "set" and it's set.

[dave kadolph]

Some suggestions.

I carry a double sheet of 88 brightness typing paper in my hard case.

Others put a couple of bleached white coffee filters over the lens--a white balance cap for a fraction of the cost.

And the dividers of lowepro bags are 18% grey--if you use one.

[mrfixitx]

I use a 18% grey card, put it in the same lighting your subject(s) will be in and adjust your exposure until the grey card is properly exposed. Then manually focus on it, take a picture, and in settings set your manual WB to use that photo.

Once thats done as long as your lighting doesnt change your WB should be dead on. Keep in mind if you either start or stop using flash, it will affect your WB even if there are numerous other non daylight balanced light sources providing the majority of the light.

[tzalman]

You don't have focus on the card, manually or otherwise. Focus does not affect color. Just fill fill more than the central 9% area of the viewfinder.

The card doesn't have to be properly exposed. As long as the under or over exposure is not so extreme as to cause clipping it does not affect color cast. However, if you use a white object you should let the camera automation (in Av, Tv, P) underexpose it rather than correcting the exposure and risking clipping.

The histogram plays no role at all.

[ryant35]

I use an expo disc. Perfect WB every time, well worth the money.

[Mctrician]

I also saw something in pop photo called a lally cap. More cost effective and fits all lens diameters. Anyone try one of these?

Thanks for your help

[AustinRoepke]

I also saw something in pop photo called a lally cap. More cost effective and fits all lens diameters. Anyone try one of these?

Thanks for your help

I think that'd get expensive, unless your lenses all have the same filter size...

Edit: Nvm, I was thinking of a lens cap that could be used for wb... lol

[DealsGapCobra]

I use a piece of white paper. Take a photo of it then got to custom white balance in the menu and select the photo. Then change the white balance on the camera to the little icon with the two ramps.

I was taught to manually focus on the card but could never figure out the need for focus...but I always followed "orders" :)

tzalman - thanks for stating what I have always assumed. I wonder if I will be able to break my habit? :confused:

Edit - not much cheaper than a piece of paper.

[DigitalSpecialist]

I have a couple of ways I get WB. But mainly I use the photovision products!

[birdfromboat]

I tried a lally cap and then lost it. But I did have it long enough to learn its dirty little secret- it is made from gray ripstop nylon available at about one gazillionth of the price. I bought a couple of yards worth at the yarn barn, now I have lots and lots of 10x10 nylon handkerchiefs in my pockets and camerabags and on top of the washing machine back home. I cut the stuff witha soldering iron, set the autofocus lenses to manual, stretch it over the hood and shoot at the light source ( REFLECTED LIGHT FROM THE SUBJECT IS THE 'SOURCE') and use the image to set the custom white balance. Pretty close, close enough for raw and batch processing most of the time.

[PhotosGuy]

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

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)