Colorrite Pro test shots

[cyman1964uk]

Hi,

This is my first question for ages on here, so please go gentle on me. I hope this hasn't been asked before.

My question concerns the Colorrite Pro - particularly when more than one use is made of it per shoot. Steps for use, according to the manufacturer are as follows:

1. Turn off Autofocus on lens (if needed)
2. Hold the Colorrite Pro over the lens and take one photo
3. a) Press MENU button b) Open Custom WB c) Select photo just taken, if prompted
4. Turn Autofocus back on (if needed).

My question really concerns Step 2. What WB setting should be used for taking that test shot? Does it matter?
Moreover, if the light should change, it would be necessary to take another test shot - at this point, the camera WB will be set to Custom. Does it need to be set to a non-Custom WB setting before the next test shot?

I guess the exact same question could be asked of using a grey card to set Custom WB. I still haven't done this yet - I have used a grey card, but only to be able to set the WB in postproduction.

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[StewartR]

What WB setting should be used for taking that test shot? Does it matter?
Moreover, if the light should change, it would be necessary to take another test shot - at this point, the camera WB will be set to Custom. Does it need to be set to a non-Custom WB setting before the next test shot?

I'm not familiar with this particular product but I think I know enough about how cameras work to be able to help you.

I don't think it matters at all what WB you have set when you take the test shots.

The reason is that the WB setting doesn't have any effect on the way the sensor captures data. (If you shoot RAW, you'll know that the WB can be set or changed to your heart's content after you've downloaded the images. The WB setting is more of a serving suggestion than an integral part of the recipe.) So I'm very confident that the camera will ignore your current WB setting when analysing the test image to set a new custom WB.

Does that make sense?

 

[cyman1964uk]

Thank you, StewartR, that does make sense, but I assume the test shot cannot itself be shot in Custom WB mode? Sorry for the stupid questions, I am just trying to be very clear. I think what you are saying is that ANY non-Custom WB can be used for the test shot and then for all the shots at the lighting conditions of the latest test shot are taken using Custom WB with the latest test shot selected. Is that right?

So, the procedure would be as follows using Auto WB (AWB) as an example of a non-Custom setting ...

Set AWB
Take test shot
Use MENU to open Custom WB and pick the test shot just taken
Take the shots using this CWB as long as the lighting stays the same

(Lighting changes)

Set AWB
Take test shot
Use MENU to open Custom WB and pick the test shot just taken
Take the shots using this CWB as long as the lighting stays the same

(Lighting changes)

Rinse and repeat ...

 

[HoppyUK]

This thing? Sorry, but that's an astonishing waste of $130 http://colorright.com/colorright_flashright_store/colorright-pro-white-balance-170.html

You can use any white-balance setting when taking a test picture, including custom. The camera ignores it, because it's working off the Raw file that has no correction added. It then makes the appropriate adjustment, and that's your custom WB set and ready to be applied to JPEG output (the Raw is left untouched). You must make another custom WB whenever the light changes.

A white card is recommended for WB setting, or grey is usually okay so long as it's neutral. Some grey cards are not neutral, as they're primarily intended for exposure control. But if accurate colour is important, then you should really be shooting Raw and applying correction in post processing. Bear in mind that good colour balance is often more subjectively correct than technically correct, ie setting by eye often gives the most pleasing result, as much art as science. Also, colour consistency shot to shot is more important than strict accuracy - our eyes are very sensitive to that.

 

[StewartR]

I assume the test shot cannot itself be shot in Custom WB mode? Sorry for the stupid questions, I am just trying to be very clear. I think what you are saying is that ANY non-Custom WB can be used for the test shot...

No. What I said was this:

I don't think it matters at all what WB you have set when you take the test shots.

I drew no distinction between custom settings and non-custom settings. And Richard agrees:

You can use any white-balance setting when taking a test picture, including custom.