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The only time I go off of Auto is incandescent lighting, which I find is still off (and in every other camera I have ever used too by the way), so I will sometimes do a custom WB for that. I find the preset WB choices not very useful.

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I am shooting with an M240 rather than an M-P; for mixed lighting, I will use the graycard setting and calibrate using the white side of this tool Lastolite EZYBalance Grey/White Card - 20" LL LR2050 B&H

 

I used to shoot in auto WB and have come to regret it; for the files where I used auto, the fiddling to get the color balance to look right gets old; if you are processing 50-100 files, it is endless and time consuming.

 

For single source lighting, I choose the WB setting that corresponds to the kind of light I'm shooting in.

 

I always shoot in RAW and process in Lightroom; I really can't see much of a purpose to shooting in any mode other than RAW.

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With my M9 I used the 'Expodisk' exclusively, every change of location and light conditions, never relied on auto white balance, just too quick and easy on the M9 to set custom white balance rather than have incorrect colour.

Always found the 'Expodisk' accurate compared to any other device, highly recommended, completely trustworthy.

M240, hardly ever use it now, only in the most difficult conditions, otherwise just leave it on Auto WB.

At all times, shoot raw.

regards,

JRB

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Raw plus either Daylight or Tungsten. I used auto for years but read somewhere that using daylight as a start point with the M9 made life a bit easier. After testing I agreed and kept the habit for the M.

 

Gordon

 

p.s. I bought an expodisk. And I really should use it as I think it would yield superior results.

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Whi Bal card. I set the different profiles up for different WB settings, sun, tungsten, flash etc.

 

Camera is profiles with Adobe profile editor using the dual range2800K to 7000 or the top.

 

Camera raw is set to open using the profile for that particular camera serial number.

NO muss, no fuss. No trying to eyeball adjustments which are never exact. No trying to find a grey to white object to balance on.

 

Use auto in dire circumstances. Auto is over influenced by dominant colors and is usually wrong.

 

For severe issues, balance in PS using hi and low threshold for each of RGB and and appropriate droppers. This is guaranteed is if you are not off too far and like to work hard, really hard. You do get a perfect balance.

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I never use auto - I'd rather a set was off and consistant, then I can fix one image and fix them all. At home mostly Kelvin. I use greycard if I'm uncertain and have time.

 

Never shoot RAW. Life's too short. Unless what comes out of the camera is a disaster you can't tell the difference.

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Unless what comes out of the camera is a disaster you can't tell the difference.

 

For me it's not just what comes out of the camera, but what comes out of the printer, and for that reason I always want as much data in the file as possible. Plus I want to be able to re-process the files if needed or desired years down the road. RAW/DNG for me.

 

Oh, and daylight setting in daylight, and if indoors either fixed Kelvin or use of WB card or Passport. The goal is to get close, but tweak in PP as needed.

 

Jeff

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