MichaelT
11th July 2004, 02:12 PM
Uwe Steinmuller ran a very cursory review of a few Gray Card Products, no doubt spurred by the tremendous response to the WhiBal.
http://www.outbackphoto.com/workflow/wf_46/essay.html
Unfotunately the review does not say much and does not discuss the several advantages of the WhiBal over the others. So let me say some more about the products that he mentions...in his order...
1 - Mini Color Checker - This used to be my standard before the WhiBal. It is small enough to carry in your shirt pocket which is key to using a Wb card in my opinion. But the Mini CC gets dropped or stepped on and it is over. And the sqaure of interest is very small. On the other hande it does have a few grays and black and white. The black and whites are not quite as good as the WhiBal, but like I said it used to be my standard. You can buy them here at RW.com.
2 - Robin Meyer's Digital Gray Card. Basically a larger version of the WhiBal dark gray card. Not the best color for RAW usage, but perfect for JPEG. It is too large for a shirt pocket (IMHO) and does not offer any other way to hold it. But it is inexpensive, so very good value.
3 - WhiBal - Technical specs are equal or better than the others. 4 large colors provided, yet small enough to fit in your shirt pocket (it is the same size as a business card, 2x3.5 inches) based on unique fanout design. Black is blackest of all. Comes with lanyard so it can also be hung around your neck and snapped off easily. So this card will get used. Most versitile and can be used for RAW and JPEG workflows, as well as dynamic range setting.
4 - Gretag Gray Scale Card - Nice card, but big. Uwe cut his. That is OK and you get a high quality 3 piece card a little better than the mini color checker because the swatches are big. The Gray should be lighter for RAW. But other wise it is good. Just do not get it wet or drop it or step on it. We sell it here at RW.com
5 - Coffee Filter. Too White. Cannot guanentee color from batch to bath. Check out spectral response on our WhiBal comparison page:
http://www.rawworkflow.com/products/whibal/WhiBalCharts.html
All of the above are shown for the spectral response and absolute values. I wonder why Uwe doe not have a link to this chart? Any way now you have it.
Summary according to me:
1 - Mini Color Checker - too small and fragile, but a good utility to have. $50 for next week at http://www.rawworkflow.com/brands/gretag.html
2 - Robin Meyer's - Too Big and limited usage and not ideal for RAW. But good quality and value. 2 sizes available as well as custom.
3 - WhiBal - Most versitile, equal to smallest size, comes with lanyard, equal or better technical quality, 2 sizes available..$39.95 (2x3.5) $49.95 (3.5x6) and custom. Watch for new versions!
http://www.rawworkflow.com/products/whibal/index.html
4 - Gretag Gray Scale Checker - great for Studio use, but wrong Gray for RAW. $50 for next week.http://www.rawworkflow.com/brands/gretag.html
Note bundles of WhiBal and Gretag cards at special pricing. Get the best of all virtues...
http://www.rawworkflow.com/products/whibal/index.html
All of the above is my obviously biased opinion as the above is what drove me to create the WhiBal. But the technical charts do not lie, and a Gray card in your camera bag will never help you WB your images. It must be on your person and used as the light changes and be as convenient and rugged as can be. That is the biggest strength of the WhiBal.
http://www.outbackphoto.com/workflow/wf_46/essay.html
Unfotunately the review does not say much and does not discuss the several advantages of the WhiBal over the others. So let me say some more about the products that he mentions...in his order...
1 - Mini Color Checker - This used to be my standard before the WhiBal. It is small enough to carry in your shirt pocket which is key to using a Wb card in my opinion. But the Mini CC gets dropped or stepped on and it is over. And the sqaure of interest is very small. On the other hande it does have a few grays and black and white. The black and whites are not quite as good as the WhiBal, but like I said it used to be my standard. You can buy them here at RW.com.
2 - Robin Meyer's Digital Gray Card. Basically a larger version of the WhiBal dark gray card. Not the best color for RAW usage, but perfect for JPEG. It is too large for a shirt pocket (IMHO) and does not offer any other way to hold it. But it is inexpensive, so very good value.
3 - WhiBal - Technical specs are equal or better than the others. 4 large colors provided, yet small enough to fit in your shirt pocket (it is the same size as a business card, 2x3.5 inches) based on unique fanout design. Black is blackest of all. Comes with lanyard so it can also be hung around your neck and snapped off easily. So this card will get used. Most versitile and can be used for RAW and JPEG workflows, as well as dynamic range setting.
4 - Gretag Gray Scale Card - Nice card, but big. Uwe cut his. That is OK and you get a high quality 3 piece card a little better than the mini color checker because the swatches are big. The Gray should be lighter for RAW. But other wise it is good. Just do not get it wet or drop it or step on it. We sell it here at RW.com
5 - Coffee Filter. Too White. Cannot guanentee color from batch to bath. Check out spectral response on our WhiBal comparison page:
http://www.rawworkflow.com/products/whibal/WhiBalCharts.html
All of the above are shown for the spectral response and absolute values. I wonder why Uwe doe not have a link to this chart? Any way now you have it.
Summary according to me:
1 - Mini Color Checker - too small and fragile, but a good utility to have. $50 for next week at http://www.rawworkflow.com/brands/gretag.html
2 - Robin Meyer's - Too Big and limited usage and not ideal for RAW. But good quality and value. 2 sizes available as well as custom.
3 - WhiBal - Most versitile, equal to smallest size, comes with lanyard, equal or better technical quality, 2 sizes available..$39.95 (2x3.5) $49.95 (3.5x6) and custom. Watch for new versions!
http://www.rawworkflow.com/products/whibal/index.html
4 - Gretag Gray Scale Checker - great for Studio use, but wrong Gray for RAW. $50 for next week.http://www.rawworkflow.com/brands/gretag.html
Note bundles of WhiBal and Gretag cards at special pricing. Get the best of all virtues...
http://www.rawworkflow.com/products/whibal/index.html
All of the above is my obviously biased opinion as the above is what drove me to create the WhiBal. But the technical charts do not lie, and a Gray card in your camera bag will never help you WB your images. It must be on your person and used as the light changes and be as convenient and rugged as can be. That is the biggest strength of the WhiBal.