Posted by Bruce Palla on January 5, 2009 at 4:38 PM
http://photojojo.com/store/awesomeness/white-balance-lens-cap/12-15-email
I was forwarded this from someone I work with who is just getting into photography and wanted to know if I knew anything about it and its worth. I said no,but I know where to get a plethora of feedback. Please don't disappoint me, let's hear those reviews.
Thanks,
Bruce
It looks a little gimmicky to me. Also, the plastic dome may discolor over time, or get scuffed...and that would wreck havoc with WB.
Judging the white balance setting to use is a creative one, in my opinion.
Given the price of the thing, your friend would be better off purchasing CF cards, or other accessories he will really use,
The foregoing is just my $0.02.
-P
Posted by John Mumaw on January 5, 2009 at 7:34 PM
Unlike Preston, I think that this may do a rather good job of creating a custom white balance (which is not a 'creative' decision as much as a quest for an accurate white balance under less than optimal circumstances), as do several other hardware sources (e.g. ExpoDisc, WhiBal cards, etc.).
However, I've found that the common white coffee filter works just as well as these expensive devices at a fraction of the price. Easy enough to store a couple in the ol' bag, too!
Better to spend the $$$ on some good beginner photography books ('Understanding Exposure', etc.).
Posted by Phillip Noll on January 5, 2009 at 9:14 PM
I have to agree with Preston. What white balance setting to use is a creative decision. Since I'm not doing documentary photography I will try various white balance settings and the first things I adjust in the raw converter are the color temp and tint to suit my tastes. As long as your white balance is close, that should be a good enough starting point. So if you are in daylight--set your WB to "daylight", etc. On the point of "correcting hundreds of images"---correct one and sync your settings to the other 99! Not a big deal. I don't see the need to buy another gizmo. YMMV!!
Posted by John Mumaw on January 5, 2009 at 9:24 PM
I was thinking of less than optimal circumstances like shooting in gymnasiums, concert lighting, indoor flash, etc. Not nature photography situations per se.
In less than optimal circumstances, getting a correct WB via using a custom WB setting in the shooting environment such as I noted above is far more preferable than correcting it in the 'darkroom' later.
Posted by Phillip Noll on January 5, 2009 at 9:38 PM
In less than optimal circumstances, getting a correct WB via using a custom WB setting in the shooting environment such as I noted above is far more preferable than correcting it in the 'darkroom' later.
Agreed. I was talking about nature/landscape photography only.
Posted by Ed Cordes on January 5, 2009 at 10:27 PM
I also agree that in nature photography the WB is creative. Besides, if yo are in warm early morning or evening light you want to preserve the warm white tones. The situation you mentioned with gym lights could be custom set using the procedures in your camera manual. Hate to spend $$ if you don't have to.
Posted by John Mumaw on January 5, 2009 at 11:20 PM
Looks like we can all agree....a waste of money!
Posted by Bruce Palla on January 6, 2009 at 10:01 AM
Thank you for the feedback as it confirms my initial thoughts as well. I will share your opinions with my co-worker. This site and its members ROCK!!
Bruce
Many years ago Michael Reichman at Luminous Landscape made the case for using a gray card rather than white for setting white balance. I don't remember the details of his argument, but I've used the method ever since in weird lighting. I don't have the time to search the articles or tutorials to find it, but it's worth passing along to your friend. Works really well for me, and I always carry a piece of Kodak gray card for that purpose. Really cheap and consistent.
Posted by John W. Wall on January 6, 2009 at 12:46 PM
"With your camera's exposure set to match your light meter (in my case 125sec @ f/10) get your subject to hold the Gray card with the WHITE side facing the camera."
Read on John. You're only half way there. In the very next section of that tutorial, he explains how and why to use the gray side of the card. Here it is for anyone else to read.
Posted by John W. Wall on January 6, 2009 at 7:20 PM
Seems like a nifty idea, although I've never really had any white balance problems. But for 65 bucks?!?! forget it! My old fashioned lens cap is just fine, tenk yew vedy much.
In a succession of "generations" they've pimped the concept and the products really hard at all the photo trade shows I've attended over the years. Sure enough you eventually see individuals walking up and down the aisles with ones they've bought. But I'm yet to see a pro using one in the field, on location, or in a studio. It might be a good idea for someone starting out, but as you become more experienced I doubt you would need it. If what I saw at the trade shows has been any indication, "product placement" seems to be part of their marketing strategy. Talk it up, and someone will buy it.
Discussion
14 repliesI was forwarded this from someone I work with who is just getting into photography and wanted to know if I knew anything about it and its worth. I said no,but I know where to get a plethora of feedback. Please don't disappoint me, let's hear those reviews.
Thanks,
Bruce
Judging the white balance setting to use is a creative one, in my opinion.
Given the price of the thing, your friend would be better off purchasing CF cards, or other accessories he will really use,
The foregoing is just my $0.02.
-P
However, I've found that the common white coffee filter works just as well as these expensive devices at a fraction of the price. Easy enough to store a couple in the ol' bag, too!
Better to spend the $$$ on some good beginner photography books ('Understanding Exposure', etc.).
In less than optimal circumstances, getting a correct WB via using a custom WB setting in the shooting environment such as I noted above is far more preferable than correcting it in the 'darkroom' later.
Bruce
Many years ago Michael Reichman at Luminous Landscape made the case for using a gray card rather than white for setting white balance. I don't remember the details of his argument, but I've used the method ever since in weird lighting. I don't have the time to search the articles or tutorials to find it, but it's worth passing along to your friend. Works really well for me, and I always carry a piece of Kodak gray card for that purpose. Really cheap and consistent.
From: http://www.luminous-landscape.com/tutorials/dig-exp.shtml