Handy white balance tool at DVinfo.net

Dan Carter · June 5th, 2011, 09:39 PM

I've been experimenting with this inexpensive white balance cap for the last three months. Recently used it on a week long project will lots of mixed lighting and it performed very well. I've only had it fail in one extremely difficult lighting situation.

Mennon White balance lens cap 72mm ($5.07) at Amazon.com

Simply compose your shot, hold the cap over your lens and perform manual white balance.

You may wish to purchase a size bigger than your largest lens.

Jeff Harper · June 6th, 2011, 02:19 AM

Dan, I had read the Mennon caps tended to give a bluish cast. I bought a grey card today, but the cap would be easier, for sure.

I used to use white cards, but had mixed results. With these GH2s and the horrible auto white balance, I needed something. My photos and video camer out perfectly today, so happy. I am hooked on my grey card.

Anyway, I may order the Mennon if you recommend it. At $5 you can't go wrong.

Is the WB cap how you have setting the white balance for your outdoor stuff? Based on that it sure looks good.

Kevin McRoberts · June 6th, 2011, 11:02 AM

BHPhoto sells some $5 microfiber cleaning cloths that happen to be 18% grey... Handy, plus they have a grippy side to help wrestle off recalcitrant filters and the like. I keep two in every camera bag.

Most times I dial in 3200 or use one of the daylight presets. Usually only manual wb if there are fluoros I can't kill.

Jeff Harper · June 6th, 2011, 11:20 AM

Kevin, my problems, as I experienced on a shoot last week, was things were too red in the sun, and too cool in the shade.

I might have not had WB set properly, but I remember checking it. Things came out so weird, that yesterday I used the card everytime I moved, and it gave me confidence, as I cannot be sure with colors based on the LCD when I'm outdoors. To make matters worse, I have trouble with colors anyway.

You mentioned 18%, which is what my local store had available yesterday, I have but I've read that 10% is better for digital and that 18% is a throwback to film days, but I don't know.

June 5th, 2011, 09:39 PM	#1
Dan Carter Major Player Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Scottsdale, Arizona Posts: 366	Handy white balance tool I've been experimenting with this inexpensive white balance cap for the last three months. Recently used it on a week long project will lots of mixed lighting and it performed very well. I've only had it fail in one extremely difficult lighting situation. Mennon White balance lens cap 72mm ($5.07) at Amazon.com Simply compose your shot, hold the cap over your lens and perform manual white balance. You may wish to purchase a size bigger than your largest lens. __________________ Dan Carter: HDC-TM700, DMC-GH2 and DMC-GH3, Sony RX100II and RX10, Final Cut Pro X http://www.vimeo.com/user582748

June 6th, 2011, 02:19 AM	#2
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Re: Handy white balance tool Dan, I had read the Mennon caps tended to give a bluish cast. I bought a grey card today, but the cap would be easier, for sure. I used to use white cards, but had mixed results. With these GH2s and the horrible auto white balance, I needed something. My photos and video camer out perfectly today, so happy. I am hooked on my grey card. Anyway, I may order the Mennon if you recommend it. At $5 you can't go wrong. Is the WB cap how you have setting the white balance for your outdoor stuff? Based on that it sure looks good. __________________ "The horror of what I saw on the timeline cannot be described." Last edited by Jeff Harper; June 6th, 2011 at 08:28 AM.

June 6th, 2011, 11:02 AM	#3
Kevin McRoberts Major Player Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Charlottesville, VA Posts: 700	Re: Handy white balance tool BHPhoto sells some $5 microfiber cleaning cloths that happen to be 18% grey... Handy, plus they have a grippy side to help wrestle off recalcitrant filters and the like. I keep two in every camera bag. Most times I dial in 3200 or use one of the daylight presets. Usually only manual wb if there are fluoros I can't kill. __________________ Freelance pudgy bearded lighting camera operator www.mcbob.tv

June 6th, 2011, 11:20 AM	#4
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Re: Handy white balance tool Kevin, my problems, as I experienced on a shoot last week, was things were too red in the sun, and too cool in the shade. I might have not had WB set properly, but I remember checking it. Things came out so weird, that yesterday I used the card everytime I moved, and it gave me confidence, as I cannot be sure with colors based on the LCD when I'm outdoors. To make matters worse, I have trouble with colors anyway. You mentioned 18%, which is what my local store had available yesterday, I have but I've read that 10% is better for digital and that 18% is a throwback to film days, but I don't know. __________________ "The horror of what I saw on the timeline cannot be described."