Wow! White balance...

Travis · 01-12-2004, 02:24 AM

You have GOT to check out this thread on a pro photography forum.

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/64826/0

Basically, it involves using a simple coffee filter over your lens, pointing at your subject and metering your custom white balance.

I'd be willing to bet this will work for any digital camera.

Make sure you check out the sample pics. I'll try this out on a reef tank and upload some results.

BTW, "expodisc" mentioned costs about $120 and apparently is 5% more effective than 3 stacked coffee filters.

T

LuckyInk · 01-12-2004, 08:57 AM

Neat. Thanks Travis.
When I go to the Keys next month I am going to take a few filters with me down below. Do you have to set the CWB everytime you take a pic of a new subject? I hope my digital camera can use a picture to reference CWB.

Scooterman · 01-12-2004, 09:14 AM

Cool!

Pro_builder · 01-12-2004, 09:24 AM

thanks for the tip Travis.

mwrager · 01-12-2004, 10:38 AM

Yes Travis, thanks for the tip

reefrunner · 01-12-2004, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Make sure you check out the sample pics. I'll try this out on a reef tank and upload some results.

Can't wait to see them. Does your Nikon have a custom WB? If so can you post some with that? What I read was explaing taking a pic with the filters and then assigning that pic asyour reference WB, I assume I would just take the reference/sample using the filters for the Nikon. I'll buy some filters at the store today and try it this afternoon, will try to post some as well.

Curtswearing · 01-12-2004, 01:05 PM

Cool info. On our way back from Indianopolis, Rachel and I were discussing the possibility of buying a digital camera. All of the sudden these great photography hints are taking on new meaning.

Thanks for sharing.

Travis · 01-12-2004, 01:29 PM

Yeah, I’ll definitely try it on the coolpix and the 10D. Really the principle is the same…on Canon SLRs you can take any shot on your CF card and make that your white balance-setting shot. With most digicams (including my coolpix) you have to tell the camera you’re going to measure, then press the shutter button. I’m interested to see how this works myself. : )

Playa · 01-12-2004, 02:04 PM

Awesome Travis. I have a camera with no white balance, no wonder why I stink so much at taking photos.

Did you see reefrunner pictures?

Those are crystal clear. I am sure he used a filter or for sure white balance. Do you happen to know what kind of camera he is using Travis?

reefrunner · 01-12-2004, 02:40 PM

Playa, I mentioned in the other thread I am using a Nikon Coolpix 995, the only thing I do for white balance is to take a custom sample in the tank of the sandbed, I use that to tell the cam what white is. For aquarium shots one of THE most important things for your digicam to have is a manual white balance, some WB issues can be overcome in photoshop, but it is much easier to get true colors with a custom white balance. WB IMO is more important than macro, you can get as close as you want to, but if the color isn't right it doesn't matter.

What cam are you using Playa, I thought you were using the Nikon 5700, if so, it has the ability to manually sample the WB.

01-12-2004, 02:24 AM	#1 (permalink)
Travis Smilie Bartender Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 6,557 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Wow! White balance... You have GOT to check out this thread on a pro photography forum. http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/64826/0 Basically, it involves using a simple coffee filter over your lens, pointing at your subject and metering your custom white balance. I'd be willing to bet this will work for any digital camera. Make sure you check out the sample pics. I'll try this out on a reef tank and upload some results. BTW, "expodisc" mentioned costs about $120 and apparently is 5% more effective than 3 stacked coffee filters. T

01-12-2004, 08:57 AM	#2 (permalink)
LuckyInk Reef Painter Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 565 View Gallery Karma Komment	Neat. Thanks Travis. When I go to the Keys next month I am going to take a few filters with me down below. Do you have to set the CWB everytime you take a pic of a new subject? I hope my digital camera can use a picture to reference CWB. __________________ When you can feel the humidity pouring off the canvas and the salt spray on your face, my job is done.

01-12-2004, 09:14 AM	#3 (permalink)
Scooterman Elegance coral Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lafayette, Louisiana Posts: 1,184 View Gallery Karma Komment	Cool! __________________ Scott Ardoin (Ard-Dwan)

01-12-2004, 09:24 AM	#4 (permalink)
Pro_builder DIY Moderator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Oxford, Iowa Posts: 1,746 View Gallery Karma Komment	thanks for the tip Travis. __________________ -Troy 180 gallon Reef, 3- 250 XM 15K MH Electronic ballast, 380 watts VHO Actinics, 2- 5 watt LED Moon lights, 100 gal rubbermaid sump, 75 gallon Fuge, ETSS 600 Skimmer, 4700-5400 gph pump for return, Octopus 3000 controller, Iwaki 40 RL skimmer pump, 2- 65w PC 10K fuge lights, 2 55 gallon barrels, Custom light oak stand and hood, misc pumps, extra 600 gallon rated tank size protein skimmer. Purple tang, yellow tang, pacific blue tang, 2 green chromis, 1 Sand sifting star, snails, hermit crabs, 2 mated perculas, pulsing Xenia, Anenome, mushrooms, ricordia, zoanthids, kenya tree 1 1/2" tall, misc other hitchhiker stuff. DIY is my dream... ...well OK the only way I can afford this Addiction!! Just as the light goes on in my head... ... I break the bulb!!

01-12-2004, 10:38 AM	#5 (permalink)
mwrager Elegance coral Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Gilbert AZ Posts: 1,068 View Gallery Karma Komment	Yes Travis, thanks for the tip __________________ Mark Some days I realy feel old! http://www.reefsanctuary.com/Banners/RS_banner3.gif

01-12-2004, 01:05 PM	#7 (permalink)
Curtswearing Golden Moray Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 2,596 View Gallery Karma Komment	Cool info. On our way back from Indianopolis, Rachel and I were discussing the possibility of buying a digital camera. All of the sudden these great photography hints are taking on new meaning. Thanks for sharing. __________________ In memory of Fluffy, please pause before hitting enter---being nice is free. Click for ReefKeeping FAQ'S Click for Product Reviews Click for Photo ID Gallery http://curtcpapfs.com/downloads/1Curt.jpg

01-12-2004, 01:29 PM	#8 (permalink)
Travis Smilie Bartender Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 6,557 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Yeah, I’ll definitely try it on the coolpix and the 10D. Really the principle is the same…on Canon SLRs you can take any shot on your CF card and make that your white balance-setting shot. With most digicams (including my coolpix) you have to tell the camera you’re going to measure, then press the shutter button. I’m interested to see how this works myself. : ) __________________ Help build the Encyclopedia of ReefKeeping Find over 1400 Reef Aquarium Articles at The Reef Aquarium Index

01-12-2004, 02:04 PM	#9 (permalink)
Playa Reef Lobster Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Palm Beach Gardens, FL Posts: 1,451 View Gallery Karma Komment	Awesome Travis. I have a camera with no white balance, no wonder why I stink so much at taking photos. Did you see reefrunner pictures? Those are crystal clear. I am sure he used a filter or for sure white balance. Do you happen to know what kind of camera he is using Travis?

01-12-2004, 02:40 PM	#10 (permalink)
reefrunner Contributing Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Cedar Key, FL Posts: 1,069 View Gallery Karma Komment	Playa, I mentioned in the other thread I am using a Nikon Coolpix 995, the only thing I do for white balance is to take a custom sample in the tank of the sandbed, I use that to tell the cam what white is. For aquarium shots one of THE most important things for your digicam to have is a manual white balance, some WB issues can be overcome in photoshop, but it is much easier to get true colors with a custom white balance. WB IMO is more important than macro, you can get as close as you want to, but if the color isn't right it doesn't matter. What cam are you using Playa, I thought you were using the Nikon 5700, if so, it has the ability to manually sample the WB. __________________ Kevin Check out my gallery!

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