I have had some issues with white balance recently (colors off in some pictures because I couldn't trust the auto-WB or myself to select the right temp color) so I have been looking for a simple solution. AND I didn't want to change too much in my almost non-existing workflow for my "normal" pics (Jpeg, some sharpening, curves if necessary) and have a good result from the beginning.
I discovered the expodisc, found the price a bit ridiculous, and posted a question about it recently. Tom Hicks posted a solution (C) to this quite some time ago, and has very kindly PM'd me the procedure to follow to build a simple expodisc yourself. I am on a business travel (again ) in Singapore, with a photo shop (two words) almost next to my hotel (close to Lucky Plazza for those who know the place). I found two supercheap 77mm UV filters, had a step up ring with me (72-77 to put on my 18-200VR) and here is what I did (all shots in my hotel room, improvised mini-workshop/studio ):
BTW all three shots with the D200, 18-200VR and an SB-600 wireless slave shooting on the ceiling
Here is a test with the resulting combo:
First, the auto-WB of the D200, colors totally off.
Second, what I would normally do: tungsten WB - close to reality
Third, disc in front of the lens -PRE- mode selected (pressing a few seconds on the WB button, shooting, getting a -Good- message and you're all set)
To me the white of the sheets and the colors of the magazine seem much better on the last one (white is white...)
#1auto
I think I found the cheap solution to my problem.
Hope this can help other people as well.
and, off topic, since I was shooting in my hotel room, an example that you can get nice stuff, even in a stupid hotel room... D200+18-200VR+SB-600 (my P&S travel combo)
hm maybe my monitor is wrong, but I like the second image. From the third image, I see too much blue tint, hmm. Only the magazine looks good Dont listen to me anyway
What is the filter used for? Just to preset PRE without any card?
nice DIY Guy! however i also like the 2nd one best, the hicksodsic is to blue. Dunno if my monitor shows the right colors but i have calibrated it just a week ago... I also did some clicks in photoshop to chek color and blue always seem to be prominent mostly 20+ above red and 15+ above green.
Guy: Since I have the D1X I am shooting most everything RAW but when I have to do the occasional JPEG, I do a pre-set (my favorite) or I shoot through 2 white coffee filters placed on the lens and directing the camera to the source of light.This seems to work pretty well.
The Expodisc is a ripp-off. You can find a white piece of paper or a white object almost anywhere to take a pre-set reading. Almost anyone will give you 2 white coffee filters for nothing.
I also like the Hickspodisc and will hurry to make one before it is patented.
William Rodriguez
Miami, Florida.
Tom Hicks wrote:
Guy the last is a little on the blue side , with the right 3m filter material , it will be spot on .
Would you mind identifying the "right" 3m filter material? I tried doing a search for the historical stuff on this, but came up dry. Couldn't get the links to open.
Tom Hicks wrote:
Guy the last is a little on the blue side , with the right 3m filter material , it will be spot on .
hey Art , I can't believe you still have that old photo. hope all is well with you. Happy Thanksgiving my friend.
I have to agree, but it was quite late in the evening (in fact 1 am) when I posted this. Since then, my brain is again half-operational (it is 9:30 am here) and I saw that my filter was slightly yellowish, explaining the blue cast. I'll check other materials (coffee filters for instance) when I'll be back home.
Kerry Pierce wrote:
Would you mind identifying the "right" 3m filter material? I tried doing a search for the historical stuff on this, but came up dry. Couldn't get the links to open.
) in Singapore, with a photo shop (two words) almost next to my hotel (close to Lucky Plazza for those who know the place). I found two supercheap 77mm UV filters, had a step up ring with me (72-77 to put on my 18-200VR) and here is what I did (all shots in my hotel room, improvised mini-workshop/studio 
Dont listen to me anyway 