Custom White Balance

[Little Man]

Could one of you nice people explain custom white balances to me, ie. 18% grey cards etc.

I've had a look around the net, and can't seem to find anything actually explaining what to do, how to set it up, when to use it etc.

The subject is in the 'confused' area of my brain at the moment.

Any help is much appreciated.

[Shutterman]

I do not use the custom white balance setting on the camera I find it easier to have grey card in the first image I take and then set the white balance in PP as I can do a batch update of he white balance for that location and all the shots.

When you change lighting or location just get card out and take another shot for that group. I find it quicker in the long run.

You could also look at using a ExpoDisc or EzyBalance white/grey card.

[dinorock]

check out this weeks amateur photography magazine its all there !! hope this helps if i tried to explain it my self it would take my two fingers 10 days to type ha ha

[dinorock]

try www.astropix.com/html/i_astrop/customwb.htm

[dinorock]

click astrophotography techniques scrol down to custom white balance

[Little Man]

Cheers guys, much apprecaited.

[JumboBeef]

I never bother with white balance in the camera as I shoot in RAW...................

[as-i-said]

i always shoot raw, does that negate the need for a white balance then?

[foodpoison]

I shoot in RAW, too. I have my camera set to automatic white balance. Usually it works flawlessly, but if it does cock it up, I can fix it in PP.

[robmiller]

i always shoot raw, does that negate the need for a white balance then?

It doesn't "negate the need for a white balance", it just allows you to change the white balance in post which largely negates the need to set it on location.

[JumboBeef]

It doesn't "negate the need for a white balance", it just allows you to change the white balance in post which largely negates the need to set it on location.

That's what I said! :p

I never bother with white balance in the camera as I shoot in RAW...................



Anyway, what is the most single important thing when setting WB?

Answers on a postcard please................