WhiBal vs. Preset

[mcanyes]

I bought WhiBal and have used it for a while, but I have gone back to using the lighter grey card to preset the camera. After trying it both ways, the preset method seems easier to me. Am I missing something useful?

PS I use Photoshop, not C1.

Michael

[MichaelT]

By preset do you mean Custom White Balance. If so I can discuss the reasons why that is not as useful, or why you should use both..

[mcanyes]

Sorry bad choice of terms. I do mean custom white balance.

[MichaelT]

There is nothing wrong with Custom White balance except for the time that must be used to take the shot...and if the lighting changes AT ALL, the CWB is rendered ineffective.

However by using the CWB your JPEGs will be as close as possible to correct WB and the RAWs will have a perfect starting point.

So my advice to you, is to set a CWM, and then shoot some WhiBal shots along the way so that you will have a record of lighting changes. If the lighting was perfect and did not changem then you are set. If it did (and most likely will except for studio work), the the WhiBal shots will save the day.

These are all just tools and we all have our methods and operating procedures.

Also be careful when shotting a CWB that the surface that you shoot is truely neutral (a white piece of paper or foamcore is not assurred of being neutral). And make sure that the camera has taken the reading properly. Some cameras do not give adequte warning about a "bad" CWM setting shot.

I hope that this helps. We will have a CWB product shortly.

[mcanyes]

Michael,
Thanks, I understand what you are saying, but perhaps I need to put the question this way: It takes me about the same time to shoot WhiBal as it does to do a CWB. Do I gain anything by having the 4 WhiBal cards in an image? Otherwise, I would rather have the white balance correct in the camera, rather than taking an extra Photoshop step to make a correction.

[MichaelT]

I agree that if shooting JPEG it is good to have the CWB set. The WhiBal shots (a few along the way) are your insurance policy incase the lighting changed subtley or greatly and you did not do a CWB. It also allows you to set the CWB, and then slip inside, shot a WhiBal and some indoor shots, without having to mess up your CWB or take the time to reset it.

So my advice is to do both as I said. Definately a good thing to have the CWB set. But also good to shoot WhiBals along the way as insurance. Also having the Black and White points can save some time when you do have to make adjustments.

I just find CWB too risky to rely on it 100%. But to use both is ideal.