Can grey card be used to set up white balance? at DVinfo.net

Rami Golan · March 8th, 2007, 10:58 AM

Usually I set up the white balance focusing on A4 white paper. Yesterday my photographer suggested to try and do it with Kodak Grey Scale card. Its wasnt big enough to focus on it, but I did the maximum and pressed AWB button.The result looked somehow even better that my usual WB. Can grey card can be used instead of white? I mean do they neutral same?

Bill Ravens · March 8th, 2007, 11:36 AM

ABSOLUTELY!!!
The only difference between 18% gray and white is the luma signal. IN fact, in many ways an 18% gray card is better suitted. In fact, the camera's exposure meter is probably calibrated against a gray card.

Greg Boston · March 8th, 2007, 11:45 AM

I have one also and I use it to WB with. I agree with Bill, many camera metering systems are calibrated to an 18% gray scene.

-gb-

Rami Golan · March 8th, 2007, 12:20 PM

Thanks guys, so my "subjective" preference for that kind of WB is approved..:-)
Need to buy big grey card, its difficult to focus on the photo small card.

Mark Holland · March 8th, 2007, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rami Golan

Need to buy big grey card, its difficult to focus on the photo small card.

Let us know where you get one in the size you need. I'd like to try it, too.

Mark

Dean Sensui · March 8th, 2007, 01:24 PM

You can use a white card and set the camera's exposure to a point where it's about the same brightness as a grey card. Use your camera's "marker" feature to confirm the exposure level if necessary. The results will be identical.

Matt Burton · March 9th, 2007, 02:51 PM

I use grey all the time, it gives a nice warm glow to the image :O)

Bill Ravens · March 9th, 2007, 08:39 PM

A grey card should add NO coloration to the white balance. If, in fact, you're getting a warming effect, either your process is flawed or your grey card ain't gray.

Thomas Hartz-Olsson · March 11th, 2007, 09:56 AM

I'd like to get my hand on a grey card. What's the exact term for the card? Grey card?

Mark Williams · March 11th, 2007, 11:14 AM

Here you go.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search

Regards

Thomas Hartz-Olsson · March 11th, 2007, 11:24 AM

Thank you. Grey/gray. That's why I couldn't find it on B&H ;)

Tom Hardwick · March 11th, 2007, 11:44 AM

You know it all now, but of course you can white balance on anything from pure white through to jet black.

And if you haven't a clue what setting to use (sodium lighting in a street scene at night, say) then go to wide angle and push the manual white balance button - like me you could well be surprised art what a huge range of colour balance options are built into your camera, and how well it copes. It could well make post CC unnecessary.

tom.

March 8th, 2007, 10:58 AM	#1
Rami Golan New Boot Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: SEA Posts: 11	Can grey card be used to set up white balance? Usually I set up the white balance focusing on A4 white paper. Yesterday my photographer suggested to try and do it with Kodak Grey Scale card. Its wasnt big enough to focus on it, but I did the maximum and pressed AWB button.The result looked somehow even better that my usual WB. Can grey card can be used instead of white? I mean do they neutral same?

March 8th, 2007, 12:20 PM	#4
Rami Golan New Boot Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: SEA Posts: 11	Re Thanks guys, so my "subjective" preference for that kind of WB is approved..:-) Need to buy big grey card, its difficult to focus on the photo small card.

March 8th, 2007, 01:24 PM	#6
Dean Sensui Inner Circle Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 2,054	You can use a white card and set the camera's exposure to a point where it's about the same brightness as a grey card. Use your camera's "marker" feature to confirm the exposure level if necessary. The results will be identical. __________________ Dean Sensui Exec Producer, Hawaii Goes Fishing

March 11th, 2007, 09:56 AM	#9
Thomas Hartz-Olsson Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark Posts: 63	I'd like to get my hand on a grey card. What's the exact term for the card? Grey card? Last edited by Thomas Hartz-Olsson; March 11th, 2007 at 09:57 AM. Reason: email notify activated

March 11th, 2007, 11:14 AM	#10
Mark Williams Trustee Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Deep South, U.S. Posts: 1,526	Here you go. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search Regards __________________ Mark videos: http://vimeo.com/channels/3523 Stock: http://www.pond5.com/artist/mark29

March 8th, 2007, 11:36 AM	#2
Bill Ravens Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: santa fe, nm Posts: 3,264 Images: 10	ABSOLUTELY!!! The only difference between 18% gray and white is the luma signal. IN fact, in many ways an 18% gray card is better suitted. In fact, the camera's exposure meter is probably calibrated against a gray card.

March 8th, 2007, 11:45 AM	#3
Greg Boston Wrangler Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: DFW area, TX Posts: 6,117 Images: 1	I have one also and I use it to WB with. I agree with Bill, many camera metering systems are calibrated to an 18% gray scene. -gb-

March 9th, 2007, 02:51 PM	#7
Matt Burton Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: leeds uk Posts: 38	I use grey all the time, it gives a nice warm glow to the image :O)

March 9th, 2007, 08:39 PM	#8
Bill Ravens Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: santa fe, nm Posts: 3,264 Images: 10	A grey card should add NO coloration to the white balance. If, in fact, you're getting a warming effect, either your process is flawed or your grey card ain't gray.

March 11th, 2007, 11:24 AM	#11
Thomas Hartz-Olsson Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark Posts: 63	Thank you. Grey/gray. That's why I couldn't find it on B&H ;)

March 11th, 2007, 11:44 AM	#12
Tom Hardwick Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Billericay, England UK Posts: 4,711	You know it all now, but of course you can white balance on anything from pure white through to jet black. And if you haven't a clue what setting to use (sodium lighting in a street scene at night, say) then go to wide angle and push the manual white balance button - like me you could well be surprised art what a huge range of colour balance options are built into your camera, and how well it copes. It could well make post CC unnecessary. tom.