Paint chips for white balance cards?

[JustJazzie]

I know grey cards are cheap, but I just can't spend anymore on picture stuff for a while. So I'm wondering if anyone has used a paint chip as a grey card, would it work? Would it be better to choose a grey one that looks "right" or better to choose a white card?

 

[SnappingShark]

ooh picture stuff tapped out.

What Body did you go for in the end?

 

[JustJazzie]

ooh picture stuff tapped out. What Body did you go for in the end?

Oh you didn't see my update?! I FINALLY got it to work. I had to turn off live view, turn off my af lamp, clean my lens, change focus peaking settings, and use my stronger modeling lamp as a key light!

I was cringing at the thought of going back to a dslr. Ive come to rely on focus peaking and being able to focus at 100% crop far to much to ever love another DLSR again. Not to mention that a smaller body feels better between my tiny fingers. I'll be on edge until the a7 take two comes out!

 

[KmH]

The reflectivity of a gray card is a critical feature as is being sure it is color balanced so each of the red, green. and blue color channels the camera uses all record the same luminosity value (neutral gray) so there is no color cast.

So you would want a color chip that gives each RGB color channel a value of right about 209 - R = 209, G = 209, B = 209.
Hopefully you can get a large enough color chip.

When you can afford to buy a quality gray card I highly recommend the GENUINE WhiBal G7 Certified Neutral White Balance Card - Studio Kit (3.5"x6")

For doing portraiture and display calibration I also recommend X-Rite CMUNDISCCPP ColorMunki Display and ColorChecker Passport Bundle (Black)

 

[snowbear]

In the interim, some bodies (my D40, for example) will allow you to shoot a featureless white or black surface to set a custom WB. For a quick exposure target, I've read that you can use the palm of your hand.

 

[table1349]

A kodak gray card is about $2.00. Cheap and pretty reliable. Paint chips just like paper may appear a certain color to your eyes however your eyes are much easier fooled than a sensor will be.

 

[JustJazzie]

In the interim, some bodies (my D40, for example) will allow you to shoot a featureless white or black surface to set a custom WB. For a quick exposure target, I've read that you can use the palm of your hand.

I can do this, but I thought having a grey card would make it "fool proof" I was hoping there was a free way to accomplish it.

 

[Ysarex]

If you're not trying to use it for exposure and all you want to do is set a custom white balance then a piece of white Styrofoam (grocery store salad bar) is ideal and it's free.

Joe

 

[runnah]

I just use my pasty white Maine skin.

 

[480sparky]

Forget paint chips.

Use the Formica sample chips from the Kitchen & Bath section.

 

[runnah]

Forget paint chips.

Use the Formica sample chips from the Kitchen & Bath section.

All this talk of chips is making me hungry...

 

[480sparky]

 

[JustJazzie]

If you're not trying to use it for exposure and all you want to do is set a custom white balance then a piece of white Styrofoam (grocery store salad bar) is ideal and it's free. Joe

perfect!! I also just tried a coffee filter which worked okay, but foam would certainly hold up longer!

Forget paint chips. Use the Formica sample chips from the Kitchen & Bath section.

Brilliant! Were at Home Depot way too often! I'll sneak a peek next time we are there!

 

[KmH]

Not everything that looks white to the human eye looks white to the camera.
Our brains often adjust our color perception so we see what we expect to see.

 

[table1349]

Not everything that looks white to the human eye looks white to the camera.
Our brains often adjust our color perception so we see what we expect to see.

Geeee.......I wish I'd said something like that.:lmao::lmao: