Expodisc - How many people here use it?

[vinny82]

Ive been tempted to buy an expodisc. I know it may be overpriced for what you actually get but i also hear that it works like a charm. There are cheaper alternatives out there like coffee filters but im looking for something a little more sturdy and i like the idea that you can hang it off your neck in for quick white balance changes.

This brings up the question. How many people on this board use the Expodisc and how would you rate it?

[joove]

The expodisk is an incident light WB aid. Did your research indicate that it is superior to a reflecting-target type WB aid (Whibal etc) ?

The site lists the disadvantages of reflective-target WB aids as "unwieldy size, unwanted reflectivity, improper angling and difficulty of filling the frame" out of which the only issue I found irritating was the size issue. I'd have thought that they would push the incident/reflective aspect more. The Filling the frame aspect seems to be useful only for Jpeg shooters as a small taget is enough for ClickToWB software (LR etc).

I don't actually use an expodisk. I had read about it but never really considered it. I had considered a whibal card first and then after the pain (Hiking with it on slippery Kauai slopes, with it in my pant pocket, damn card was digging into my legs and half the time I would forget to carry it) switched to precision cap stickers. http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=450104&highlight=whibal+precision+cap

I however am also interested in finding out if other people have found ExpoDisks to be superior in function in practice. I find myself not always going for accurate WB and use the precision-cap's WB as an initial point and tweak it to warmer or colder as dictated by scene lighting.

[tvphotog]

Use it every time I go out. Excellent results. Fast. Point it at the light source, snap and set that shot as your grey.

[BluewookieJim]

I have one, an 82mm neutral one. I use it very specific circumstances.

For example, this gallery :
http://photos.kodanja.net/f732207507

Whenever I shoot in that room, somewhat frequently, I set my iso/aperture/shutter speed, then hold the expodisc over my lens (specifically why I bought the 82mm version), point my camera up towards the ceiling (lots of flourescents) take a shot, set my custom WB, and thats it. I don't even think about WB when it comes time to post process.

If you look at the gallery, you can see that whites are very important to what I'm trying to do there. This tool just makes it that much easier.

[SkipD]

Three problems I have with the Expodisc:

1 - They are darned expensive for what you get.

2 - If you don't have one for each size lens' filter thread you have, you may have trouble handling them on the smaller sized lenses.

3 - You cannot use the Expodisk like you can a gray card - placing the card as a reference in the scene you are about to shoot. You shoot a test shot with card in the scene and the lighting the way it will be for the real shots. Shoot in RAW. Use a software "eyedropper" to sample the gray card in the test image, then make any further adjustments you may prefer for the test image's color, contrast, etc. Then transfer the numbers to the rest of the images in the group for a batch RAW conversion.

A good gray card can be used to set up custom white balance or used the way I described in (3) above.

[yokotas13]

not everyone PP every picture they do. id rather have my white balance right than have to spend an hour Pp 100 images form a car show or something. Thats why i use my Expodisk

[Bob Sherwood]

I had 2...77mm... a normal and a warm one. Sold them both on e bay for $125 total. I now shoot everything in raw and do my corrections in DPP. Much cheaper and just as accurate. My personal thoughts are these white balance aids are for beginners.

[DeCeccoNET]

For what its worth I had one for a while too, but once I became more familiar with custom white balancing and p/p I ended up finding it unnecessary for my needs.

[vinny82]

for those that stopped using after finding a fix in PP work - would you suggest for someone who wanted to minimize the time spent on fixing WB?

[SkipD]

not everyone PP every picture they do. id rather have my white balance right than have to spend an hour Pp 100 images form a car show or something. Thats why i use my ExpodiskYou can just as easily use a gray card to set up in-camera "custom white balance". The problem with the Expodisc is that is ALL you can do with it.

A gray card is a lot more versatile. You can use it as a reference in a scene.

You can also use a gray card for light metering - emulating an incident light meter when all you have is a reflected light meter (such as the one built into your modern camera).

[Jon]

And a grey card works in mixed-light situations. An Expodisc is only going to give you a reading based on the light that it sees, which may not include all the lights in the area. A reflective card at the subject's position will be lit by all relevant light that will be striking the subject. An Expodisc is like an Incident-only light meter - good at what it does, but less versatile than a light meter that'll do both incident and reflective readings.

[dennisatmph]

i have 82mm. Beginner level. Works great. Easy to use. Expensive, but for me it is mainly to save time on post processing. I don't have a adobe photoshop.
I carry expodisc with me in my camera bag and use it when I need to.

[ryant35]

I love it. Works great!

[TheFloridaShooter]

I have a 77mm Expodisc I'm willing to sell

[sphillips45]

I use the Dot Line White Balance Cap , the Dot Line is made a lot like the Expodisc works great .

[wantone]

I have the 77mm and use it everytime too. I've never tried using a grey card before though

[tmonatr]

I use a Photovision Digital Calibration Target (http://www.photovisionvideo.com/store/shop.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=P&Product_Code=DT14010&Category_Code=DCT). I can set both exposure and WB with it.

[Cpt.Vanquisher]

I have a DIY-expodisk and it works great. The material comes from a large soft drink manufacturer. I use my greycard when I can reach the setting, like for modelphotography. The expodisk is used if I can't reach the subject, like in zoo's or for landscape photography.
each system works great for it's own purpose

[silvex]

I don't leave home with out it. Worth every penny. I did a small test with it and a grey card. Clicking on the grey card give accurate results. There are times the expodisc ir more versitle, like take readings of the sun at various times. I just set lens to MF and cover it with expodisc.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=638402

[vinny82]

got this in the mail the yesterday and it works like a charm. id recommend to anyone that wnats to get an accurate wb to cut down on pp work...