wda Posted May 14, 2007 Share #1 Posted May 14, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) I searched the forum and was overwhelmed with threads discussing white balance, mostly in the context of M8 problems. However, although several people mentioned one or other of the two subject solutions, there was no definitive argument for which is the better solution. I also looked at the WhiBal forum which is quite helpful, but I wonder whether Leica users have any comparative views on these products? David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted May 14, 2007 Posted May 14, 2007 Hi wda, Take a look here White Balance: WhiBal v. Expodisc. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
hiphop Posted May 14, 2007 Share #2 Posted May 14, 2007 I have recently bought Digi Grey and I am very happy using it. Not expensive at all, very easy to use and various options to match your needs. You can have a look at : http://www.digigrey.com Nice service on top of everything... I hope it will help. Pierre-Olivier Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted May 14, 2007 Author Share #3 Posted May 14, 2007 I have recently bought Digi Grey and I am very happy using it.Not expensive at all, very easy to use and various options to match your needs. You can have a look at : Digi Grey Nice service on top of everything... I hope it will help. Pierre-Olivier Thank you Pierre-Olivier. I couldn't find an English version of this site so could not easily find out what material was used for the device. With extras it is a similar price to WhiBal. Could be a solution. David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hiphop Posted May 14, 2007 Share #4 Posted May 14, 2007 David, unfortunately the website is not in english. If you want you can send an email to their address ( jeanluc.ernst@versateladsl.be )The guy is very helpful and might answer you in english. The card is build in plain plastic so no problem with water nor scratches. Pierre-Olivier Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted May 15, 2007 Author Share #5 Posted May 15, 2007 David, unfortunately the website is not in english. If you want you can send an email to their address ( jeanluc.ernst@versateladsl.be )The guy is very helpful and might answer you in english.The card is build in plain plastic so no problem with water nor scratches. Pierre-Olivier Pierre-Olivier, thank you. I will bear that suggestion in mind. I hope to receive some experience reports on the two subject methods. David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shootist Posted May 15, 2007 Share #6 Posted May 15, 2007 Look at this way. With a White balance card you have to place that somewhere in the image you are taking or shoot only the card with the light reflecting off it that you will be shooting in. With a Expodisc you hold it in front of the lens and use the manual setting on the M8 to take a shot with the camera. That sets the WB for that particular scene and can be easily changed by taking another manual WB shot. Personally I use a Expodisc. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rclompus Posted May 15, 2007 Share #7 Posted May 15, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) Try this url for a white balance card. http://www.rawworkflow.com/products/whibal/index.html Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted May 16, 2007 Author Share #8 Posted May 16, 2007 Try this url for a white balance card. WhiBal Gray Card for Digital Photo White Balance - RAW Workflow Richard, thank you. I have studied that site and found it extremely educational and persuasive. Really I was seeking an equally persuasive counter-argument from members so as to form a balanced judgment. We are lucky to have a rich store of experience among our members. David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamie Roberts Posted May 16, 2007 Share #9 Posted May 16, 2007 They both have their uses, too. For the M8, which is uber-sensitive to WB, I also mostly prefer the Expodisc pro (neutral version). But you need to be able to shoot the (key) light source or have a white target nearby. For the WhiBal or other gray cards, you need to be able to reflect the lights, and you get the average of all the lights. Sometimes (usually for me) being able to set the WB for the key light is most important, since it's that light which is defining the subject. This works in very weird environments, such as when you have multiple coloured spot lights on a subject. You don't want to average out the colour (because that will just provide a weird cast--the lights have colour already! So you shoot the main key light. This is true for tungsten / daylight too, where one is higher and more important than the other. Advantage: Expodisc In very nast situations when the lights are different but equal (eg. tungsten and fluourescent) then a gray card can help a lot. Advantage: WhiBal. But--personally, now--I find the Expodisc faster, easier and for the first situation, the only option. Since I'm most often looking for key lights anyway, it's the right one for me. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlesphoto99 Posted May 16, 2007 Share #10 Posted May 16, 2007 Jamie, What size would you recommend for the Expodisc? ie, if I have two lenses that are 55mm, and four that are 46mm, could I get the 55mm disc and use on the 46's (do they even make a 46?). Looks like a good product, albiet a bit steep to buy several in different sizes. Also, I take it, one needs to remove hoods before using? Might slow down some situations a bit. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johan-Lukas Posted August 7, 2007 Share #11 Posted August 7, 2007 Thank you Pierre-Olivier. I couldn't find an English version of this site so could not easily find out what material was used for the device. With extras it is a similar price to WhiBal. Could be a solution. David Hi David, the Digi Grey site has now been translated in English: Digi Grey The material used for the device is almost the same as the material used for the WhiBal (a synthetic material). The WhiBal is lighter. An illustrated comparative test made by Benoît Marchal (Déclencheur, la photo comme vous ne l'avez jamais entendue) shows that both greycards react the same way and show very little difference between each. Cordialement, Jean-Luc Ernst Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PMendes Posted August 7, 2007 Share #12 Posted August 7, 2007 Hi David I have both (Whibal and Expodisc) with my Leica R9+DMR . I found that the ED can be used in situations where the Whibal would be less convenient. Note however that the ED is more expensive.Otherwise the results are similar. Cheers Pedro Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Pope Posted August 7, 2007 Share #13 Posted August 7, 2007 Jamie, What size would you recommend for the Expodisc? ie, if I have two lenses that are 55mm, and four that are 46mm, could I get the 55mm disc and use on the 46's (do they even make a 46?). Looks like a good product, albiet a bit steep to buy several in different sizes. Also, I take it, one needs to remove hoods before using? Might slow down some situations a bit. Charles, From memory, I think the smallest they do is a 49mm. My lenses have either 39mm or 46mm threads (at least that was the case until I bought a CV 75mm which is 43mm ). I bought a 58mm Expodisc and some step up rings to enable it to be fitted to the lens. However, in reality, I haven't used the step up rings, preferring to hold the disc in front of the lens. The Expodisc BTW doesn't have a filter thread, rather it it has a couple of spring-loaded catches so it's fitted like a lens cap to the lens. In retrospect, I wish I'd gone for a bigger expodisc as I do need to remove the hood on my 35mm 'cron. The expodisc is very good - I use one with my 20Ds too - that is the square version that fits the Lee type holders. Again, I rarely mount the expodisc into a holder - I just hold it in front of the lens. That said, one time I would fit the thing properly is to pre-flash sheet film - (when by back's strong enough to let me start using LF again:mad:) not that this is particularly relevant to this thread... So to summarise - a) they are very good - they do what they say on the tin. I'd go for a 58mm minimum (and some step-up rings if you deem them necessary. They would be very handy if say you decided to have a go at IR photography - you can't get easily IR filters in 39 or 46mm sizes, but you can in more common ones.) Hope that helps All the best, Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlesphoto99 Posted August 8, 2007 Share #14 Posted August 8, 2007 Thanks Mark! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted August 8, 2007 Author Share #15 Posted August 8, 2007 Hi DavidI have both (Whibal and Expodisc) with my Leica R9+DMR . I found that the ED can be used in situations where the Whibal would be less convenient. Note however that the ED is more expensive.Otherwise the results are similar. Cheers Pedro Jean-Luc and Pedro, many thanks for your input and observations. I have now gone firm on the WhiBal which proves ideal in mixed or doubtful lighting conditions. David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHAG Posted February 16, 2008 Share #16 Posted February 16, 2008 Look at this way. With a White balance card you have to place that somewhere in the image you are taking or shoot only the card with the light reflecting off it that you will be shooting in. With a Expodisc you hold it in front of the lens and use the manual setting on the M8 to take a shot with the camera. That sets the WB for that particular scene and can be easily changed by taking another manual WB shot.Personally I use a Expodisc. Meaning the WhiBal is more for post-process workflow, while the Expodisc allows you to fix your white balance "live" during shooting. Right ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephengilbert Posted February 17, 2008 Share #17 Posted February 17, 2008 Meaning the WhiBal is more for post-process workflow, while the Expodisc allows you to fix your white balance "live" during shooting. Right ? I think that's a fair statement. When you include the WhiBal in a shot, it doesn't change anything about the shot; the camera applies whatever WB setting is manually or automatically selected, even by an ExpoDisc. If you're really compulsive (none like that here), you could use both. Set the WB with the disc, and include the WhiBal card in your shot. Even if you're less crazy, that would be a good way to see the effect of the two tools. Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHAG Posted February 17, 2008 Share #18 Posted February 17, 2008 I think that's a fair statement. When you include the WhiBal in a shot, it doesn't change anything about the shot; the camera applies whatever WB setting is manually or automatically selected, even by an ExpoDisc. If you're really compulsive (none like that here), you could use both. Set the WB with the disc, and include the WhiBal card in your shot. Even if you're less crazy, that would be a good way to see the effect of the two tools. Steve Stephen, WhiBal and post-process is alright with me, but in very tricky light, I would feel more at ease with both, checking my white balance during the shooting. In fact, WhiBal itself recommands to choose the closest possible WB, even if correcting ex post. I wonder though if you could set a manual WB with the WhiBal. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kcg Posted February 17, 2008 Share #19 Posted February 17, 2008 Save yourself some money. Use a white coffee filter and get the same results. Coffee filter is smaller, lighter. fits any size lens and is just as effective. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHAG Posted February 17, 2008 Share #20 Posted February 17, 2008 Save yourself some money. Use a white coffee filter and get the same results. Coffee filter is smaller, lighter and just as effective. And use the WhiBal instead to make coffee ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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