Dialing Kelving Temperature vs White Cards for white balance? at DVinfo.net

Douglas Wright · January 15th, 2009, 12:00 PM

I was shooting yesterday and I was dialing in the white balance by manually shifting the color temperature on the dials.... what are the advantages/disadvantages of doing this compared to white cards?

Jonathan Shaw · January 15th, 2009, 04:29 PM

If you use a white card you will get the correct WB for that time of the day, by dialing in the K you can manually change that. For example if you are shooting in the middle of the day but you want the light to appear warmer then you can dial in the desired temp. This can also be done by using WB cards... i.e use a slightly blue card to make the shot warmer or use a slightly red card to make it cooler.

Cheers

Jon

Douglas Wright · January 16th, 2009, 03:16 PM

thanks for the info

Benjamin Hill · January 17th, 2009, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Douglas Wright

I was shooting yesterday and I was dialing in the white balance by manually shifting the color temperature on the dials.... what are the advantages/disadvantages of doing this compared to white cards?

Advantage: Greater degree of control over color temperature in your image.
Disadvantage: If you don't know what you're doing you can get into trouble. Also, doing a normal WB with a warm card is probably quicker.

Depends on your shooting needs.

Brandon Freeman · January 21st, 2009, 10:55 AM

I personally prefer dialing in the temperature. The result is, in my experience, far less color correction to match two shots together from different days. Maybe that's just because I suck at card WB. :)

Don Xaliman · January 21st, 2009, 02:25 PM

Brandon
I'm curious what modifications to white balance and other setting do you perform to match up the XH-A1 to the Z1.?

Petri Kaipiainen · January 22nd, 2009, 02:38 AM

Using a white card also takes possible non-kelvin related color hues into account. Like light from fluorescents, reflections from walls etc. Can not correct & adjust for those with color temperature adjustments only.

January 15th, 2009, 12:00 PM	#1
Douglas Wright Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 61	Dialing Kelving Temperature vs White Cards for white balance? I was shooting yesterday and I was dialing in the white balance by manually shifting the color temperature on the dials.... what are the advantages/disadvantages of doing this compared to white cards?

January 15th, 2009, 04:29 PM	#2
Jonathan Shaw Major Player Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sydney Posts: 552	If you use a white card you will get the correct WB for that time of the day, by dialing in the K you can manually change that. For example if you are shooting in the middle of the day but you want the light to appear warmer then you can dial in the desired temp. This can also be done by using WB cards... i.e use a slightly blue card to make the shot warmer or use a slightly red card to make it cooler. Cheers Jon __________________ www.ginclearfilm.com www.facebook.com/ginclearfilm

January 21st, 2009, 10:55 AM	#5
Brandon Freeman Major Player Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 226	I personally prefer dialing in the temperature. The result is, in my experience, far less color correction to match two shots together from different days. Maybe that's just because I suck at card WB. :) __________________ Canon EOS 7D, Final Cut Studio 2

January 16th, 2009, 03:16 PM	#3
Douglas Wright Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 61	thanks for the info

January 21st, 2009, 02:25 PM	#6
Don Xaliman Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Vancouver BC Posts: 96	Brandon I'm curious what modifications to white balance and other setting do you perform to match up the XH-A1 to the Z1.?

January 22nd, 2009, 02:38 AM	#7
Petri Kaipiainen Major Player Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Espoo Finland Posts: 380	Using a white card also takes possible non-kelvin related color hues into account. Like light from fluorescents, reflections from walls etc. Can not correct & adjust for those with color temperature adjustments only.