XM2 Translucent White Balance Lens Cap? at DVinfo.net

Graham Bernard · February 2nd, 2004, 10:48 AM

I remember my old Panasonic Analogue cammie had a translucent lens cap. The "clip" inside the cap acted as a "focus" point. It was very easy to focus and WB with the lens cap on. Anybody know of an equiv for the XM2? Would make life very easy indeed . . .. no searching for "white" items to WB against?

Grazie

Andrew Hogan · February 2nd, 2004, 09:50 PM

My old Panasonic MX300 had the same thing (translucent lens cap) and it worked well as I didn't need to carry a white cloth or card around. I wonder why all caps aren't like this, are they not accurate enough white balancing this way?

Graham Bernard · February 3rd, 2004, 01:33 AM

Thanks Andrew. How accurate is a white cloth or card? See my point? I could always rinse, clean and dry the cap. But yes. I feel the positive options far outstretch the possible technical downsides. I used to love that little WB thing . . it just worked!

Maybe one needs to have the "light" reflected rather than seen through. I don't know . .

Grazie

Ken Tanaka · February 3rd, 2004, 01:08 PM

I, too, remember those old caps. I suspect that the reason they're not around any more is because they didn't work well. Remember that the basic job of white balance is to normalize white against light reflected from a subject. In that regard, the placement of a white card target can be critical in a mixed light setting (most settings). Balancing on light refracted through a transluscent white plastic lens cap would not produce reliable results.

Graham Bernard · February 3rd, 2004, 01:43 PM

Yeah, Ken, my thoughts were corect on the "reflected" light front . . pity really . . .

Grazie

Evan Kubota · February 4th, 2004, 04:20 PM

I just use the back of an index card... cheap, light, and simple. Just throw a few in your camera case or keep one in your wallet.

Graham Bernard · February 4th, 2004, 11:55 PM

Oh yes, the ole "White Index Card" function!! Okay . . I'll do this instead . .

Grazie

February 2nd, 2004, 10:48 AM	#1
Graham Bernard Old Boot Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: London UK Posts: 3,633	XM2 Translucent White Balance Lens Cap? I remember my old Panasonic Analogue cammie had a translucent lens cap. The "clip" inside the cap acted as a "focus" point. It was very easy to focus and WB with the lens cap on. Anybody know of an equiv for the XM2? Would make life very easy indeed . . .. no searching for "white" items to WB against? Grazie

February 3rd, 2004, 01:08 PM	#4
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	I, too, remember those old caps. I suspect that the reason they're not around any more is because they didn't work well. Remember that the basic job of white balance is to normalize white against light reflected from a subject. In that regard, the placement of a white card target can be critical in a mixed light setting (most settings). Balancing on light refracted through a transluscent white plastic lens cap would not produce reliable results. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

February 2nd, 2004, 09:50 PM	#2
Andrew Hogan Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Canberra AUSTRALIA Posts: 169	My old Panasonic MX300 had the same thing (translucent lens cap) and it worked well as I didn't need to carry a white cloth or card around. I wonder why all caps aren't like this, are they not accurate enough white balancing this way?

February 3rd, 2004, 01:33 AM	#3
Graham Bernard Old Boot Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: London UK Posts: 3,633	Thanks Andrew. How accurate is a white cloth or card? See my point? I could always rinse, clean and dry the cap. But yes. I feel the positive options far outstretch the possible technical downsides. I used to love that little WB thing . . it just worked! Maybe one needs to have the "light" reflected rather than seen through. I don't know . . Grazie

February 3rd, 2004, 01:43 PM	#5
Graham Bernard Old Boot Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: London UK Posts: 3,633	Yeah, Ken, my thoughts were corect on the "reflected" light front . . pity really . . . Grazie

February 4th, 2004, 04:20 PM	#6
Evan Kubota Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Gainesville, FL Posts: 47	I just use the back of an index card... cheap, light, and simple. Just throw a few in your camera case or keep one in your wallet.

February 4th, 2004, 11:55 PM	#7
Graham Bernard Old Boot Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: London UK Posts: 3,633	Oh yes, the ole "White Index Card" function!! Okay . . I'll do this instead . . Grazie