I just bought an Expocap Custom White Balancing Aid

TaDa

And I have to say that the results are pretty dramatic. I took these pictures in my home office and the first picture is using my XT's Automatic White Balance, and the second is using the Custom White Balancing from the Expocap. I'm pretty amazed at the difference in the images (yes, I know they're crappy images, I'm just using them as an example )

As you can see, the one with the custom white balancing lets in a lot more of the blue from the sheets that were set up on the guest bed. But like I said, I'm just amazed at the difference in the images. None of the photography books that I've read have harped on how important white balance is in the final image

NeilL

Thanks for posting this! I agree correct (custom) WB is a foundation for good images.

Would be very interested to read about experiences with this & similar.

jonh68

I like the pringles plastic lid. I tend to lose things and I know I would lose an expodisc. If I lose this, I just buy another can of peanuts. These are straight out of the camera.



AWB



Plastic lid WB set by placing over lens and pointing at kitchen light.

mr peas

Its like the difference spandex and silk, they work the same way. But when it comes to bras, you don't give your wife spandex material. In this case, the wife is the camera.

Haha.

Either way works though. Some of these white-balance caps work double as lens caps which is great. Beats lugging around a white balance card. But hey, I carry pringles on shoots sometimes, whatever works... right?

jonh68

I feel better losing essentially a free lid to a $60-100 WB tool.:D

NeilL

jonh68 wrote:

I like the pringles plastic lid.

Hey! I'll give this a try, just for the fun of it, and if it works, well, great!

Thanks.

Neil

TaDa

I bought mine for 10 bucks, so if I end up losing it, the pringles route is next . Once again, I'm stunned at how dramatic the results are. It's like I was shooting through a yellow filter the whole time. I'm loving the natural pictures now that I'm getting.

jonh68

NeilL wrote:

Hey! I'll give this a try, just for the fun of it, and if it works, well, great!

Thanks.

Neil

If you do try it, I believe Pringles have gone with a clear lid. It needs to be a frosty white lid. I got this from a peanut can. Coffee filters seem to work as well. I have seen people online sandwich a coffee filter between two UV filters to make a custome WB tool.

I bought mine for 10 bucks, so if I end up losing it, the pringles route is next . Once again, I'm stunned at how dramatic the results are. It's like I was shooting through a yellow filter the whole time. I'm loving the natural pictures now that I'm getting.

I was suprised as well. I recommend some type of WB tool fro anyone who wants better color.