There have been several long threads on FM about the Expodisc. These should be available with the search function. In addition, the Expodisc has been reviewed at many photog sites, including:
I just shoot RAW, so I don't see much value in the Expodisc. Cheap Chinese copies have started to appear on eBay, too. You'll also see posts about free alternatives, like Pringles can lids.
I shoot raw too, but I think the expodisk will give me more time shooting more accuratly, and less time correcting wb at the computer. Yeah, I may need to tweek it as lights change / move or whatever, but it's gotta be better than nothing?
Perhaps, but If I'm in a real tough lighting situation, I'd rather use a white/gray card near the subject, and I carry a WhiBal card (yet another overpriced accessory) in my bag. I see the Expodisc versus WhiBal as average versus spot metering.
One thing to note is that with the ExpoDisc, you have to read incident light and with a grey card, you read reflected light.
So if you're going to be moving around a lot in different light or you can't get in the position where your subjects are going to be (let's say on a stage that you don't have access to), the ExpoDisc won't do you any good. But if it's a situation where you can read the incident light, the ExpoDisc works very well, IMO.
You make a good point Martin. I think for me, the chances are pretty slim of shooting something that I couldn't physically approach, that would need "more" attention to propper WB. The rest, for the time being, I can use a grey card or an environmental target. Since I'm just getting started, and keeping in mind that I'm getting married this summer, I have to consider where to invest my money. I know an expodisk isn't much, but if I have to prioritize, I would rather put those funds into a grad ND filter or two, as I see potential income being generated from landscapes before any other genre.
My post may not seem uninterested, but the request for info on WB became the main preocupation of photographers in my seminars and lectures, I've developped a standard target, that was tested and approved by Jim DiVitale, Joseph and Louise Simone (on Leaf Aptus 75S) among others. it is the ColorBalanceCoach it includes the features of an incident transluscent reading, the reflective reading of a greycard and the calibration features of a multizone target. It cal also fit in the photobag and fits all of your lenses. For the RAW user the target can be used as a postproduction tool if shot on any frame during the shoot.
This tool is for me a simple way to go, but I still refer to a good greycard from time to time and would strongly suggest the wing-lynch grey card (but its price is prohibitive)
FYI: Pringle lids are off in the blue range,
feel free to communicate with me for more details.
jfokane
I do not intend to do direct publicity for my product but the features do answer all preoccupations expressed on this page.
Edited by jf OKane on Jan 01, 2007 at 11:09 PM GMT
Although not perfect the Expodisc has been a valuable addition to my camera bag in that it saves me hours in processing. I use it and shoot RAW as well. I don't use it all the time, especially when outdoors during the day and I am just having fun but if I am setting up for a money making shot I take the extra minute required and set the custom white balance. It took me a year before I actually tried one and only after a buddy of mine showed me his in use. Since then I have carried it in my bag everywhere I go!
HI William, yes from the grey card you get the exposure and the white balance. BUT your card needs to be clean and less than a year old if it is a Kodak cardboard card. Products like the Wing Lynch card the reference8 or the Whibal are more durable.
You may watch this video on reading the histogram:
jf OKane wrote:
HI William, yes from the grey card you get the exposure and the white balance. BUT your card needs to be clean and less than a year old if it is a Kodak cardboard card.
jfokane
The Kodak card is *not* guaranteed to be an accurate source for WB - it is strictly a reflectance device (18%) for setting exposure. The expodisc works well for what it is intended but as noted it isn't all that useful under mixed or changing lighting.
Regards,
Jon
jf OKane wrote:
My post may not seem uninterested, but the request for info on WB became the main preocupation of photographers in my seminars and lectures, I've developped a standard target, that was tested and approved by Jim DiVitale, Joseph and Louise Simone (on Leaf Aptus 75S) among others. it is the ColorBalanceCoach it includes the features of an incident transluscent reading, the reflective reading of a greycard and the calibration features of a multizone target. It cal also fit in the photobag and fits all of your lenses. For the RAW user the target can be used as a postproduction tool if shot on any frame during the shoot.
This tool is for me a simple way to go, but I still refer to a good greycard from time to time and would strongly suggest the wing-lynch grey card (but its price is prohibitive)
FYI: Pringle lids are off in the blue range,
feel free to communicate with me for more details.
jfokane
I do not intend to do direct publicity for my product but the features do answer all preoccupations expressed on this page.
Edited by jf OKane on Jan 01, 2007 at 11:09 PM GMT...Show more →
Not to rain on your product, but you've basically reinvented the wheel. Wescott has an almost identical product (Photo Vision 24" Digital Calibration Target) and Shootsmarter has a very similar one called the Balancesmarter. Both for quite a bit less. I've also found that using a tri-tone target less effective for cutting post production time on the front end. I'd rather use something like the Expodisc or solid color Balancesmarter to get the white balance nailed before I click the shutter.
rcooper wrote:
Not to rain on your product, but you've basically reinvented the wheel. Wescott has an almost identical product (Photo Vision 24" Digital Calibration Target) and Shootsmarter has a very similar one called the Balancesmarter. Both for quite a bit less. I've also found that using a tri-tone target less effective for cutting post production time on the front end. I'd rather use something like the Expodisc or solid color Balancesmarter to get the white balance nailed before I click the shutter.
Yes,
I know that many other products are on the market, I tried them all. With 500 units of the ColorBalanceCoach and over 300 "Reference" collapsible grey cards sold in 3 months and piles of incredible comments, relating at the non rubber coating, non-yellowing and accuracy, I feel very confident. It may not be a product for you and you are not raining on my product, you are just saying that it is not a product that you would buy. To show your support to any of these inventors, you may buy one or invent one.
Many restaurant offer hamburgers as their main dish (maybe you do not like hamburgers and have many good reasons for it) but all these sandwiches have a different taste, and you can still go to Boston Pizza for a non-hamburger meal. Price also seem to be important to to you, but all meals do not cost or have the same value.
I thank you for letting me know why you will not buy a ColorBalanceCoach.
Jean-Francois.
jf OKane wrote:
With 500 units of the ColorBalanceCoach and over 300 "]Reference]" collapsible grey cards sold in 3 months and piles of incredible comments, relating at the non rubber coating, non-yellowing and accuracy, I feel very confident.
Jean-Francois.
I think this forum has always operated under a policy which prohibited commercial vendors from hawking their wares. Seems to me that you are coming close if not actually violating that practice. For example, your signature is in clear violation of the forum rules, which state:
"Links to commercial sites are NOT allowed in signatures. Allowed exceptions are: Photography related sites selling photography, sharing of your personal work or hosting workshops. However this can't be marketed or advertised in forum posts."
Mr Brown,
I have not opened a thread on any subject. I answered in my field of competence. I mentioned other suppliers and other products with diligence and respect. I invented one and still think it's the best. My long answer would have been the same on PM, but you have chosen to do it in public. With all the respect I have for you and all the readers. I will make an end to this exchange. And would like also to send apologies to Mike Kalcevic the originator of the thread for hacking on his subject.
Jean-Francois O'kane.
I'm basicaly a photographer: visit ODCPhoto
I use one and I love it. And you do not have to place anything (grey card) in the frame associated witht the light your subject is in, you point the lense back at the light source. This single tool has kept me in digital photography and my EOS 3 and refrigerator with Fuji film is once again on second base. I have great results in pointing the lense at the shot and using it for the reference frame. Anything but Canon presets or AW is a huge improvement. I use it in flash photography and bounce flash off of high tinted ceilings. Do that with a whibal!
