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White Balance? ExpoDisc.
Posted 7 months ago.
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ExpoDisc. Carry it everywhere. Also XRite's ColorChecker target, fits into a camera bag. ExpoDisc is good for pointing at your light source, for white balance. ColorChecker gives you a reflective 18% gray and two color charts. One of the charts is read by ColorChecker software to generate camera/light/lens profiles that you can use to adjust RAW images. In my experience, YMMV with the color chart. Sometimes it has helped me nail a color balance, other times its results are a little strange. Note that both accurate WB and a color profile are needed to get good results with ColorChecker.
Posted 7 months ago.
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Another alternative; UniWB (google it).
Posted 7 months ago.
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Thanks a LOT Guys,
This is really helpful.
Actually what I had in mind was adjusting the RAW RGB levels to accurately match the real color, as in the ACRs' Camera Calibration section.
I recently calibrated my monitor with a spyder, there was a big improvement but I still was not satisfied with the color rendering compared to other PRO work I've seen. So when I start searching I got to know that there is also a thing called camera calibration with color charts as Ignotus pointed out. I was playing with the ACRs Camera Calibration sliders and got fantastic color renditions that I couldn't have done without.
, as I understand, to get this sensor color calibration I need to get this XRite's ColorChecker target bundle and get reference images of these charts with proper white balance. For that I'll need to get the Expo Disc. Then from the software I can get an accurate color corrected profile for each of my lenses + sensor combination. Am I right? Also are these profiles could only be applied to ACR? or can they be applied as Picture Controls in CNX? Also I'd like to know whether you need to take those reference shots in multiple lighting situations or only once in roughly D65 Daylight?
,
That's an awesome tool to get the RAW DR. The part that I'm unhappy about is dull JPEG Preview and the double shooting. I wish Nikon would give us FW update to see the RAW Histogram as said in here,
www.malch.com/nikon/UniWB.html
This is new to me, and thanks a lot for telling.
Again, Thanks a LOT Guys.
Posted 7 months ago.
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The ColorChecker will let you set WB with its 18% gray target, using reflected light. The advantage of the ExpoDisc is that you can point it at the (primary) light source. The ColorChecker can do everything you need, but ExpoDisc can be real handy in some situations.
Posted 7 months ago.
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I haven't worked with the ACR Color Calibrator. I see that www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/accessories/dig-calib-... has some information on it. The Gretag Macbeth ColorChecker target referred to there is included with the XRite ColorChecker targets. You can buy the XRite software with the targets and use it to generate profiles. You do need a separate profile for each lens/camera/lighting situation if you want to be as accurate as possible, but you can also create profiles for standard situations (D65 lighting or noon sun in summer, whatever). The XRite software can use either one or two images with the target present in each to calculate a profile. You can also buy the targets separately (XRite recommends getting new ones every two years) and use them with other software.
I haven't used CNX, but I suspect that the profile can be applied there too. It's a standard format (.dcp, DNG Camera Profile) that can be used with many applications.
Posted 7 months ago.
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Thanks a LOT
Have a few things to get clarified,
When using the ExpoDisc, would it be sufficient to just point at your actual intended final framing to get the WB or need to point at some light source first to get the WB and then reframe to get the shot. Ex: In a daylight Portrait what will be the steps?
Is this the product that we are talking about,
X-Rite ColorChecker Passport
www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/651253-REG/X_Rite_MSCCPP_C...
It looks CNX can't do the color calibration with this, except only the WB.
www.flickr.com/groups/adobe_lightroom/discuss/72157622571...
BTW,
Which RAW converter you are using?
Posted 7 months ago.
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You point the ExpoDisc from your subject back at the incident light. Outdoors or with controlled studio lighting, where I am in position to point back at the light more or less from the point of view of my subject, the Expodisc is really handy. The ColorChecker works as an additional tool to improve color adjustments, just include it in one of your shots. The ColorChecker grayscale target can be used instead of the ExpoDisc to set white balance.
The product on B&H is exactly what we're talking about.
I'm using Adobe Bridge for my RAW workflow, almost always working with the Adobe RGB color space.
Posted 7 months ago.
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pointing the expodisk at the Subject will include all light souces[including reflections which may contribute colour shift]
that can illuminate your subject and reflect light from the subject back to the camera
pointing straight at the lightsource can eliminate some of those reflected souces which may distract from the Ambience of the scene
religously following a given technique closes the door on Variations which may bring refreshing differences to your Rendition of the Subject
personally i try to keep that door open YMMV
{:-)
Originally posted 7 months ago.
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radiorabbi edited this topic 7 months ago.
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That makes sense . I'll have to experiment.
Posted 7 months ago.
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Thanks a LOT,
&
I think I get the point.
Point the ExpoDisc at the light source or at the dominant incident light!
I like your way
Thinking outside the box
Also another question to you all,
What do you think about the color accuracy of the D300 Sensor, (On the CNX2 Neutral PC[Latest rendering] output)? and what are the lenses that need serious color corrections (I'm having 35mm 1.8DX / 85mm 1.8D / 105 VR / 17-55 2.8 / 70-200 VR II)?
Is it the LCH tool that we need to correct color issues after detecting, in CNX (Is it that you adjust the LCH values in the image that you took with the color chart to match with an accurate JPEG version of the color chart) or what else?
Posted 7 months ago.
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I use one of these and it works like a charm. no more adjustments to make. It costs less than 5 dollars!
www.ebay.com/sch/Camera-Photo-Accessories-/15200/i.html?r...
If you already have a lens filter, then you can directly snap it on and off.
Originally posted 7 months ago.
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raghu.gollapalli edited this topic 7 months ago.
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Thanks,
Posted 7 months ago.
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