Looking to purchase a grey card...

[Methodical]

I am looking at this particular model http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/375202-REG/Lastolite_LL_LR2050_EZYBalance_Grey_White_Card_.ht ml. What do you think. Or should I be looking elsewhere.

Thanks

Al

[mike_d]

That's a lot of money for a grey card. I picked up an 8x10 cardboard one locally for $5+tax.

[chauncey]

The only time that I use a gray card is for people/portraits and I use a cheap one for that.

[Wilt]

Just a point of awareness...

Some gray cards can be used to set exposure, but are NOT NEUTRAL to set White Balance
Some gray cards are neutral and can be used to set White Balance, but are NOT 18% gray to set exposure
Only a few products can be used to set both WB and exposure!

[SkipD]

What do you want the gray card for - exposure or white balance? The Lastolite advertising says that the gray side is 18% gray (great for exposure measurement) but it does not say that the gray side is truly neutral. The white side is advertised as neutral. This leaves you with a less-than-ideal tool.

I use the WhiBal cards for white balance standards because they are a gray color and can be put in a scene along with the regular subjects for a test shot. Since I shoot in RAW mode all the time, the gray standard in the test shot lets me use an "eyedropper" tool while doing RAW conversion to balance the color just right. Then, I transfer numbers to the rest of the shots in the series (all done in the same light) and all are correct. This is far easier for me than doing a "custom white balance" procedure.

[nicksan]

I use the WhiBal card as well for my White Balance.

[Methodical]

I want a grey card for white balance as wells as exposure. Any suggestons?

Skip D according to their instructions, it can do both. See here: http://www.lastoliteschoolofphotography.com/pdfs/010.pdf


Thanks

[SkipD]

I want a grey card for white balance as wells as exposure. Any suggestons?

Skip D according to their instructions, it can do both. See here: http://www.lastoliteschoolofphotography.com/pdfs/010.pdfI agree that the "lesson 10" writeup seems to say that. I'm surprised, though, that the specs and advertising brochure do not specifically state that both sides of the Lastolite tool are guaranteed to be color neutral.

Quite frankly, I would suggest that you look for a different product that has advertising emphasizing the color neutrality of their product. I can use a 40-year-old Kodak (18%) gray card and get what I suspect are very similar results for color balance.

I'm also concerned as to the ruggedness of the color surfaces of the product. Nothing in the advertising says anything about durability. The WhiBal, for example, is made of a product that has the same color completely through the cards. If you scrape a WhiBal card's surface off, you have not changed the color.

Just food for thought....

[Methodical]

Yeah I see what you say. I am watching the videos now. Do they have a card for exposure?

Also, which WB do you select when you shoot the Whibal card (i.e AwB, custom etc.). And can you set a Custom white balance in camera with the WhiBal card?

Thanks

I agree that the "lesson 10" writeup seems to say that. I'm surprised, though, that the specs and advertising brochure do not specifically state that both sides of the Lastolite tool are guaranteed to be color neutral.

Quite frankly, I would suggest that you look for a different product that has advertising emphasizing the color neutrality of their product. I can use a 40-year-old Kodak (18%) gray card and get what I suspect are very similar results for color balance.

I'm also concerned as to the ruggedness of the color surfaces of the product. Nothing in the advertising says anything about durability. The WhiBal, for example, is made of a product that has the same color completely through the cards. If you scrape a WhiBal card's surface off, you have not changed the color.

Just food for thought....

[FlyingPhotog]

I have both a WhiBal that I use indoors and that same Lastolite product that I take out in the field with me.

If the Lastolite isn't perfectly neutral...it's not off by very much. ;) The think I like about it is if it gets schmutz on it, you can hose it off.

[Wilt]

Quite frankly, I would suggest that you look for a different product that has advertising emphasizing the color neutrality of their product. I can use a 40-year-old Kodak (18%) gray card and get what I suspect are very similar results for color balance.....

From the Lastolite web site comes this description...

"EzyBalance (greycard)
The EzyBalance ‘point and shoot’ allows you to concentrate on the important part of photography, composition and ‘capturing the moment’. This handy double sided ‘pop up’ 18% grey/white card simplifies the complex technical issues surrounding exposure and colour correction when working in different lighting conditions."

PS Skip, I ordered one of those Douglas cards a few days ago!

[krb]

I know many people who like the lastolite collapsible disk but IMO it is too bulky for normal carry in my camera bag. I carry http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/560273-REG/Digital_Image_Flow_DGK_E_Digital_Grey_Kard_.html because it's color neutral, durable, and it fits easily into the bag so I can carry it everywhere. I use Domke bags and just slip the card between the outer bag and the padded inserts.

[Methodical]

So which card can be used for exposure...is it the 18% grey card? I'd like to have both

Also, I noted that my PSE6 book by Scott Kelby has four perforated cards at the back of the book - black, white, grey and one called raw white balance. Has anyone ever used any of these?

Again I would like to have a card for white balance and one for exposure.

Thanks for all the input; gives me some options

[Wilt]

White balance and exposure...

Photovision....http://www.photovisionvideo.com/store/CTGY/DCT/

Douglas grey card...http://www.photo-software.com/greycard.htm

Lastolite...http://www.lastolite.com/ezybalance.php

[PhotosGuy]

Again I would like to have a card for white balance and one for exposure. Don't try to make the decision hard? I have several & don't use them anymore since I went to RAW & digital. Try this:
Need an exposure crutch? (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=89123)

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

[Wilt]

Don't try to make the decision hard? I have several & don't use them anymore since I went to RAW & digital. Try this:
Need an exposure crutch? (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=89123)

So how do you set WB from your palm? :confused: :)

[PhotosGuy]

Wilt, I added a link while you were typing that. But just for the sake of argument, unless I'm shooting for an anal AD who needs dead-on neutral, I don't care how close I get "...since I went to RAW".
Usually I'll start with a pre-set. But generally, regarding WB generally, reality isn't everything. Would we try to make a sunset neutral? The "Correct" WB may not be the "Right" WB for a image. Remember, we're the judge of our own images. We used to use gels to add "romance" to our car shots for ad agencies, & now with PS, life is good. ;)

[Methodical]

I've read your post and find that interesting. For exposure that is a good, quick and cheap tool. I am exploring all options

Don't try to make the decision hard? I have several & don't use them anymore since I went to RAW & digital. Try this:
Need an exposure crutch? (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=89123)

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

[Wilt]

Wilt, I added a link while you were typing that. But just for the sake of argument, unless I'm shooting for an anal AD who needs dead-on neutral, I don't care how close I get "...since I went to RAW".
Usually I'll start with a pre-set. But generally, regarding WB generally, reality isn't everything. Would we try to make a sunset neutral? The "Correct" WB may not be the "Right" WB for a image. Remember, we're the judge of our own images. We used to use gels to add "romance" to our car shots for ad agencies, & now with PS, life is good. ;)

No disputing your points. I don't aim for perfect WB either, unless I am trying to reproduce color accuracy! As you point out, sometimes the mood of the scene is better presented if you DON'T do perfect WB, and in other cases deliberate overaccentuating the WB in the wrong direction improves the artistry of the shot.

I was yanking your chain when I asked about WB from the palm! :lol:

[PhotosGuy]

I was yanking your chain when I asked about WB from the palm! I thought so, but you gave me the chance to say some more. ;)