Wow! Great explanation, examples, and graphic. This was by far the easiest and straightforward video ever. I have looked through so many videos, but none was as interesting as this. Thank you!
This is such a simple uncomplicated item that actually works very well. Unlike many gimmicky camera accessories that are way overpriced and go straight in the bottom draw. For achieving a very close WB under artificial light I highly recommend the Expodisc. Especially for JPEG shooters.
I understand the usefulness when doing run and gun. If you are using the same light source as in team photos or class room type of phototgraphy, the grey target is still very viable. I take my readings before the subjects are on scene. When outside and using HSS the grey target will help with proper exposure. Just my .02 worth.
What you are trying to say One Should Stand beside model and then aim toward his/her camera position from where the picture will be taken. Then adjust the exposure, so that my meter reading should be "ZERO" irrespective of my aperture & shutter value, ISO. Then SWITCH it to MANUAL FOCUS & then put ExpoDisc & Click it. Right? Thereafter select that image in your custom white balance & start shooting from your position...Did i get it Right? My Second question is how one use ExpoDisc with flash in a farmhouse sort of wedding where one cant bounce flash from wall or ceiling or doesn't have any umbrella/reflector etc? Third Question is if you are in indoor wedding with lots of lights on stage & in hall then how one should use ExpoDisc? Thank You
I plan to buy this and use it for upcoming weddings. Knowing you have to be ready for key moments and moving around constantly in a venue to get different angles, how do you use the disk accurately with so much moving around? Also, without being disruptive by trying to get the initial wb disc shot from the direction of the light hitting multiple subjects? I do plan on using on camera flash and plan on bouncing it off a wall, but I’m worried about the consistency while moving around. Thanks in advance!
Most cameras will store multiple custom white balance settings, for example Nikon uses D0, D1, D2, D3, etc to store multiple white balance correction values. Photographers who are moving between different locations at a venue will sometimes assign the white balance correction for each of the different lighting zones to these camera settings. With regards to your questions about timing and practicality at a fast moving event, you've got to decide for yourself whether or not you have the time or ability to set a custom white balance at any given moment. You can set a WB very quickly with the ExpoDisc (about 15 seconds), but if you simply don't have the time, or if you cannot get into position, then you may just have to temporarily switch the camera over to Auto WB to get the shot. This is going to be true for any white balance tool.
Hi, after having heard so much about it, I bought the Expodisc ... I was wondering how I should behave if the light comes from a different point than where I am photographing (for example from the side of the subject I am photographing?). Thanks for your kind reply.
Good question. It is sometimes helpful to think of the ExpoDisc as if it were an incident light meter sitting on the end of your lens. With this in mind, the best way to use the ExpoDisc when you're starting out is to point it from the position of your subject back towards the location you intend to stand when you take the picture. This will ensure that you are setting your white balance, or metering for exposure against the color and intensity of light reflecting off your subject back towards you and the camera.
Good morning, @expoimaging What if im in the same room and not leaving the location but move about in different areas within that same room. Do i have to adjust the wb for every place i move in the room? Also how does this work with using strobes like my ad200 and various softboxes and beauty dishes? Looking forward to hearing from u?
Detailed & to the point. I was having issues where when I took the pic with the disc it was’t coming out & I could not figure out why. I did not set the camera to MF. In your video, you detailed every single step. All the other videos I watched skipped over this. Tyvm. New subbie. ❤
Hi there, great video. I've just picked up the Expodisc, is there a tutorial specific for the Nikon Z6? I just can't seem to find one, and the DSLR methodology doesn't seem to work. Like I said, excellent video, very clear and I love the enthusiasm.
Hi, i have the same problem... I could find the settings but It just doesn't work... My WB is always 5000 after measuring. Have you find a video or can you use the Expodisc already James?
When you are getting your exposure to "0" in camera meter what subject or light source should you reference? For example, if we look at this video above as our scene should we use your face or skin as our main source to adjust exposure to "0" or use the camera's default overall evaluation as the source to adjust exposure? I ask this because the exposure for the people above, the shadows to left, and the window light are all different. My guess is the face of the subject??
Hi Andrew, When metering for exposure with the ExpoDisc it is important to stand at your subject's position and point the camera back towards your intended shooting position. This will give you an 18% incident light reading at the physical location of the ExpoDisc (end of your lens). If you have any other questions please contact our office directly. Send your email to support@expoimaging.com, or call (800) 446-5086. Our offices are open Mon-Fri from 8:30am to 5:00pm PST. Best Regards,
You can use the ExpoDisc when lighting your subject with a flash off-camera. You can also use the ExpoDisc to set your white balance with the flash on-camera when you are bouncing the flash off a nearby ceiling or wall.
How does ExpoDisc measure when you use flash studio stobes or speedlights? Maybe I'm putting too much thought into this. Do you know if it will work in getting a custom white balance when dealing with flash, studio stobes/speedlights, or multilight setups? have tips for this?
Hi Jeff - Thanks for your interest in the ExpoDisc. Yes, the ExpoDisc can be used when shooting with flash. Off-Camera Flash. Set your custom white balance from the subject position while aiming the camera back towards your main (key) light. On-Camera Bounce Flash. Aim the camera and flash towards the bounce surface to set your custom white balance. This technique will correct for any changes introduced by the color of the bounce surface itself, e.g. a yellow ceiling or wall. On-Camera Direct Flash. We do not recommend setting a custom white balance with the ExpoDisc when directly lighting subjects with on-camera flash. The ExpoDisc is an incident light metering tool and requires your ability to aim it directly at the main (key) light source. Hope that helps! Please let us know if you have any other questions.
Ok. Thanks for the quick response. What's your experience with doing this...Since using direct flash on your subject is not recommended as you say, but using on camera bounce flash would work as you describe, would using something like a Rogue Flashbender work for establishing a proper custom white balance?
@@jeffdegregorio7391 Hi Jeff, That's a thoughtful question. Yes, you can use the white surface of the Rogue FlashBender to set a custom white balance. Simply hold the FlashBender in front of your subject as if it were a white card to set your custom white balance. We designed the white fabric to be neutral so as not to change the color temperature of the flash, and while it is not as consistently neutral as the ExpoDisc, in a pinch you can still use it to get an acceptable white balance. I hope this information is useful. If you have any other questions please contact us directly. Send your email to support@expoimaging.com, or call (800) 446-5086. Best Regards,
I have few doubts which i want to know..After watching Zach & Brody and now this Video... Doubts 1) When Shooting outside with SUN as your only Light Source, One should simply meter the camera reading to Zero on manual mode with ExpoDisc & focus directly straight to our CAMERA Position (where it can be pole or tress or simply sky behind photographer back) and click the pic and set that IMAGE as custom WB. Now when a photographer moves back to his/her position, and camera in built reading shows +- exposure then should I consider camera reading or should one remain at the same exposure when shooting from the model position (if model is standing in tree shade or standing under the sky or cloudy day) as in Zach & broody Video, it was mentioned, if a camera meter reading changes from photographer position, ignore that. and shoot only on ur previous exposure when taking from model position. 2nd) when we shoot outside and using off camera flash & reflector...Then should we meter the camera to a photographer position with expo disc? and should be flash be in ETTL mode or in Manual mode? Please Clear this part..as in Zach & broody Video, it says Flash should b in Manual mode... 3rd) Now when shooting Inside and using 2-3 light, off camera & on camera and sometimes strobes too with umbrella like in wedding... and reception is dj light...So how one should measure WB from expodisc... As i saw the video of Zack & broody with flash on camera and bouncing off the wall/ceiling, it says to use ETTL mode..So really getting confused.. Please elaborate this part properly with demonstration if it's possible...
1) You are metering the ambient light with the ExpoDisc when shooting outside in ambient light. This means you meter from your subject position pointing the camera with ExpoDisc back towards your intended shooting position. You do not reset the camera when pointing the camera towards your subject. To help you with this think about what would happen if your subject were back lit? If you meter while facing your subject you are metering the light that is coming towards you from behind your subject, which might be very different than the light illuminating the front of your subject. 2) The primary variable to consider when using flash is the camera's shutter speed because slower shutter speeds incorporate more ambient light while fast shutter speeds eliminate ambient light. If your ambient light is warm and your camera flash is cool, then the color of the metered light will change as you change shutter speeds and incorporate more or less of the ambient light in your image. This means you need to meter using the same shutter speed that you will use when you photograph your subject. When using a flash with a reflector you should meter from subject position back towards your camera shooting position. 3) With regards to your event photography scenario where you are using 2-3 on-camera and off-camera flashes using direct and bounce flash with and without reflectors. There are too many variables to address in a forum like this and so many variables that need to be considered for each scenario. Are your lights stationary, or are you constantly moving and repositioning yourself. Is the ambient light constant or changing. Are you changing your shutter speeds? Direct flash, off-camera flash, bounce flash, rapidly changing DJ lights, etc. will all influence what you choose to do and how you choose to set your lighting equipment at the event. Do you even have time to meter your exposures in this kind of event? Best Regards,
@@ExpoImagingInc Thanks for response...It cleared my doubt alot.. For Part 2, Does it matter whether Flash is in ETTL or Manual mode? Or is it depend upon location? Like Indoor or outside? For Part 3 3) In India, and mainly in rural area, we usually decorate Stage with constant light or sometimes with changing light.. & We as a photographer shoots with 2 umbrella, each on the either side of stage. And trigger with camera...So i wanted to know about the part when i was shooting towards the stage where the groom & bride ll b standing as that ll my main focus. I understand what you said about other parameters like photographing apart from stage direction where lights are changing...But i want to correct my white balance towards stage part only...as my umbrella ll b fixed towards stage only on d stand rather moving here & there... So please guide me about this...If i have two umbrella on either of stage on strobe/flash, How to meter then? Will the process be same? Even if the ambient lights are changing like green,red,blue etc? Explain this part please if lights are fixed or if lights are in multiple colour like pubs...
@@PraveenKumar-xc5tl 2) So long as your camera's shutter speed is fixed it shouldn't matter whether or not your flash is set to Manual or TTL. 3) If your lights are fixed in terms of location and output (constant and flash), and your subjects will be in a predictable location relative to the lights, then you should be able to set your white balance to the subject's position before the event begins. You can then assign that specific white balance reading to one of your camera's custom white balance settings. You will need to set a new white balance when the following conditions occur: your lights change position relative to your subjects, your ratio of flash to ambient light changes due to changes in shutter speed, or (depending on your shutter speed) the color temperature of the ambient light changes. If you've got crazy color disco lights (red, green, blue, etc.), then you're going to have a hard time with white balance unless you're shooting with a shutter speed that's fast enough to exclude the ambient light. You will need to shoot with a faster shutter speed to eliminate the influence of the disco lights. Is the color temperature of your two on-stage flashes balanced? I ask because it is quite common to have different brand/model flashes with different color temperatures, especially if your light modifiers aren't matched. I think the safest thing to do in this kind of scenario would be to meter from the anticipated subject position on stage while aiming the camera back towards your intended camera shooting position, and use a shutter speed that's fast enough to eliminate the influence of the crazy colored disco lights (1/125 or faster). This is presuming that your on-stage umbrella lights are positioned at least at 45 degree angles so that you care capturing the light from the umbrella flashes through the ExpoDisc when you set the white balance.
@@ExpoImagingInc Thanks a ton...FYI, I am using Godox Ad400 Pro with Westcott 7ft Std umbrella with Diffuser on either side of stage...for the rest part of hall (opposite of stage) like guests or anyone, I use off flash camera with magmod with the help of assistance...
Hi Nick - If you are already shooting in manual focus, you will not need to switch to auto focus. For photographers who are shooting in auto focus, some cameras will not allow you to snap the shutter during the custom white balance procedure because the camera cannot focus through the opaque material of the ExpoDisc. If shooting in manual focus, this would not be an issue. Thanks for your interest in the product!
I have a question, what if i take a video on a street with these yellow streetlights and i want to keep it like that. When im using my expo disk, the light turns white after custom white balance, why is that?
Your camera will adjust the color and tint of the light to neutral when you use the ExpoDisc to set a custom white balance, i.e. yellow street lights will become white street lights. To keep the street lights yellow you would set your white balance to a fixed color temperature, i.e. the 'Sunny' setting. This would however result in the yellow street lights also making your subject look yellow. If you want white light on your subject and yellow lights in the background, then you need a separate light on your subject, i.e. a flash or speedlight. If you have any other questions please contact us directly by sending your email to support@expoimaging.com. Our offices are open Mon-Fri from 8:30am to 5:00pm PST. Best Regards,
Yes, you can use the ExpoDisc to set a custom white balance when shooting video. Cameras may produce a "no good" error message during the Preset white balance procedure if the exposure is incorrect (over or under exposed), or if the color temperature of light is out of range of the camera's ability to correct, e.g. campfire light is too warm (yellow). Generally, most "no good" white balance errors can be fixed by correcting the exposure during the white balance capture. If shooting in ambient light, set the camera to Aperture Priority and try the Preset white balance procedure again.
Hey, nice Video. I use the Expo Disc for a long time. But what i´m not find out is: Do you use ( before you make the custom White Balance Settings) the Auto White Balance to take the shot with the Expo Disc on the lens ? That would be reaally interesting for me. Hope to hear from you :-) THX
Alexander, that's what I do and it seem to work nicely. I set my WB to Auto before using the ExpoDisc ... then change the WB setting to Custom afterwards.
Thank you for purchasing an ExpoDisc. What we have found is that when you are taking the white balance measurement, it does not actually matter which white balance setting you are using. We used to tell photographers to set their camera to AWB when taking the white balance measurement through the ExpoDisc, but that was for consistency sake and not because the setting actually effects the custom white balance. Please send us an email at info@expoimaging.com if you have any other questions about the ExpoDisc that you need help with.
@@ExpoImagingInc, great to know. THANK YOU. By the way, I decided to buy v.2.0...and I love it. The skin tones are just amazing. (I use the warming filter with it.)
@@ExpoImagingInc Hi, another Question: I mostly use the 70-200 on my canon. On which length should i go for read the ambient light ti calibrate with my expo? or is there no difference ? And most of the time i shoot against the sun. First i stand on the Modelposition and make my white balance, then i shoot from my Position. So the sun is behind the model. No always but most of the time the images are really yellowish. is there something wrong in my workflow ? Would be nice to hear from you.
The point of using the ExpoDisc is to save you time while providing an accurate white balance reference. If you apply the white balance in-camera, then the images on the camera's LCD will be accurate, and would simply import the images "As Shot" to your image editing software. If your preferred workflow is to shoot in RAW and edit in "Post", then you would capture a "gray frame" reference image using the ExpoDisc that you would use in post.
Hi Wayne - Here are the instructions for your Sony A7 R III: 1. Install the ExpoDisc and set the camera to Manual Focus mode. 2. Allow the camera to set an automatic exposure using the “P”, “S” or “A” modes or set the correct manual exposure in “M” mode. 3. From the MENU navigate to the Camera Settings1 screen and select White Balance and then Custom Setup. 4. Aim the camera in the appropriate direction for the given lighting condition and press the center of the control wheel. See the ExpoDisc Instruction Manual for more information on where to aim the camera. 5. After the shutter sound beeps, the calibrated values (Color Temperature and Color filter) are displayed. 6. Press the center of the control button again. The monitor returns to the recording information display with the memorized white balance retained. The custom white balance setting registered in this operation is effective until a new setting is registered. 7. If you get the message “Custom WB error” this indicates that you need to adjust your exposure and reattempt to set your white balance. 8. From the White Balance menu, select (Custom 1). 9. Remove the ExpoDisc, return the camera to auto focus if desired and start shooting. Please reach out to us directly at info@expoimaging.com if you have any other questions we can help you with.
Out of all of the dozens of ExpoDisc videos that I have watched, this is by far the most useful video. Thanks For making it!
Thanks for your feedback. Glad to hear you like the video!
Wow! Great explanation, examples, and graphic. This was by far the easiest and straightforward video ever. I have looked through so many videos, but none was as interesting as this. Thank you!
This is such a simple uncomplicated item that actually works very well. Unlike many gimmicky camera accessories that are way overpriced and go straight in the bottom draw. For achieving a very close WB under artificial light I highly recommend the Expodisc. Especially for JPEG shooters.
You Guys rock. Loved the presentation. Huge content you both delivered there. Loved your poses too.... Learned a ton from this. Really appreciate🙏
I understand the usefulness when doing run and gun. If you are using the same light source as in team photos or class room type of phototgraphy, the grey target is still very viable. I take my readings before the subjects are on scene. When outside and using HSS the grey target will help with proper exposure. Just my .02 worth.
What you are trying to say One Should Stand beside model and then aim toward his/her camera position from where the picture will be taken. Then adjust the exposure, so that my meter reading should be "ZERO" irrespective of my aperture & shutter value, ISO. Then SWITCH it to MANUAL FOCUS & then put ExpoDisc & Click it. Right? Thereafter select that image in your custom white balance & start shooting from your position...Did i get it Right?
My Second question is how one use ExpoDisc with flash in a farmhouse sort of wedding where one cant bounce flash from wall or ceiling or doesn't have any umbrella/reflector etc?
Third Question is if you are in indoor wedding with lots of lights on stage & in hall then how one should use ExpoDisc?
Thank You
I plan to buy this and use it for upcoming weddings. Knowing you have to be ready for key moments and moving around constantly in a venue to get different angles, how do you use the disk accurately with so much moving around? Also, without being disruptive by trying to get the initial wb disc shot from the direction of the light hitting multiple subjects? I do plan on using on camera flash and plan on bouncing it off a wall, but I’m worried about the consistency while moving around. Thanks in advance!
Most cameras will store multiple custom white balance settings, for example Nikon uses D0, D1, D2, D3, etc to store multiple white balance correction values. Photographers who are moving between different locations at a venue will sometimes assign the white balance correction for each of the different lighting zones to these camera settings.
With regards to your questions about timing and practicality at a fast moving event, you've got to decide for yourself whether or not you have the time or ability to set a custom white balance at any given moment. You can set a WB very quickly with the ExpoDisc (about 15 seconds), but if you simply don't have the time, or if you cannot get into position, then you may just have to temporarily switch the camera over to Auto WB to get the shot. This is going to be true for any white balance tool.
Hi, after having heard so much about it, I bought the Expodisc ... I was wondering how I should behave if the light comes from a different point than where I am photographing (for example from the side of the subject I am photographing?). Thanks for your kind reply.
Good question. It is sometimes helpful to think of the ExpoDisc as if it were an incident light meter sitting on the end of your lens. With this in mind, the best way to use the ExpoDisc when you're starting out is to point it from the position of your subject back towards the location you intend to stand when you take the picture. This will ensure that you are setting your white balance, or metering for exposure against the color and intensity of light reflecting off your subject back towards you and the camera.
Good morning, @expoimaging
What if im in the same room and not leaving the location but move about in different areas within that same room. Do i have to adjust the wb for every place i move in the room? Also how does this work with using strobes like my ad200 and various softboxes and beauty dishes? Looking forward to hearing from u?
I wouldn't mind a smaller version of the Expodisc. Today's APS-C mirrorless lenses are quite compact with smaller filter diameters.
You don’t need to put it on, just hold it in front.
Detailed & to the point. I was having issues where when I took the pic with the disc it was’t coming out & I could not figure out why. I did not set the camera to MF. In your video, you detailed every single step. All the other videos I watched skipped over this. Tyvm. New subbie. ❤
Hi Sandra, Thanks for watching the video! I'm happy to hear you found it helped you with your white balance. :)
erik
Hi there, great video. I've just picked up the Expodisc, is there a tutorial specific for the Nikon Z6? I just can't seem to find one, and the DSLR methodology doesn't seem to work.
Like I said, excellent video, very clear and I love the enthusiasm.
For questions regarding the ExpoDisc, including camera specific instructions, please send an email to info@expoimaging.com for help. Thank you!
Hi, i have the same problem... I could find the settings but It just doesn't work... My WB is always 5000 after measuring. Have you find a video or can you use the Expodisc already James?
When you are getting your exposure to "0" in camera meter what subject or light source should you reference? For example, if we look at this video above as our scene should we use your face or skin as our main source to adjust exposure to "0" or use the camera's default overall evaluation as the source to adjust exposure? I ask this because the exposure for the people above, the shadows to left, and the window light are all different. My guess is the face of the subject??
Hi Andrew,
When metering for exposure with the ExpoDisc it is important to stand at your subject's position and point the camera back towards your intended shooting position. This will give you an 18% incident light reading at the physical location of the ExpoDisc (end of your lens). If you have any other questions please contact our office directly. Send your email to support@expoimaging.com, or call (800) 446-5086. Our offices are open Mon-Fri from 8:30am to 5:00pm PST.
Best Regards,
What if you use a Flash either On or Off Camera?
Can you still use the Expodisk?
You can use the ExpoDisc when lighting your subject with a flash off-camera. You can also use the ExpoDisc to set your white balance with the flash on-camera when you are bouncing the flash off a nearby ceiling or wall.
Thank you for a concise video, just what I was looking for.
Glad it was helpful!
What white balance mode do you have set when you take the actual photo you're using to set custom white balance to? Thanks.
It sounds like you might be using a Canon camera, in which case you can just leave the camera in the setting for custom white balance.
@@ExpoImagingInc Thanks!
How does ExpoDisc measure when you use flash studio stobes or speedlights? Maybe I'm putting too much thought into this. Do you know if it will work in getting a custom white balance when dealing with flash, studio stobes/speedlights, or multilight setups? have tips for this?
Hi Jeff - Thanks for your interest in the ExpoDisc. Yes, the ExpoDisc can be used when shooting with flash.
Off-Camera Flash. Set your custom white balance from the subject position while aiming the camera back towards your main (key) light.
On-Camera Bounce Flash. Aim the camera and flash towards the bounce surface to set your custom white balance. This technique will correct for any changes introduced by the color of the bounce surface itself, e.g. a yellow ceiling or wall.
On-Camera Direct Flash. We do not recommend setting a custom white balance with the ExpoDisc when directly lighting subjects with on-camera flash. The ExpoDisc is an incident light metering tool and requires your ability to aim it directly at the main (key) light source.
Hope that helps! Please let us know if you have any other questions.
Ok. Thanks for the quick response. What's your experience with doing this...Since using direct flash on your subject is not recommended as you say, but using on camera bounce flash would work as you describe, would using something like a Rogue Flashbender work for establishing a proper custom white balance?
@@jeffdegregorio7391
Hi Jeff,
That's a thoughtful question.
Yes, you can use the white surface of the Rogue FlashBender to set a custom white balance. Simply hold the FlashBender in front of your subject as if it were a white card to set your custom white balance. We designed the white fabric to be neutral so as not to change the color temperature of the flash, and while it is not as consistently neutral as the ExpoDisc, in a pinch you can still use it to get an acceptable white balance.
I hope this information is useful. If you have any other questions please contact us directly. Send your email to support@expoimaging.com, or call (800) 446-5086.
Best Regards,
I have few doubts which i want to know..After watching Zach & Brody and now this Video...
Doubts
1) When Shooting outside with SUN as your only Light Source, One should simply meter the camera reading to Zero on manual mode with ExpoDisc & focus directly straight to our CAMERA Position (where it can be pole or tress or simply sky behind photographer back) and click the pic and set that IMAGE as custom WB. Now when a photographer moves back to his/her position, and camera in built reading shows +- exposure then should I consider camera reading or should one remain at the same exposure when shooting from the model position (if model is standing in tree shade or standing under the sky or cloudy day) as in Zach & broody Video, it was mentioned, if a camera meter reading changes from photographer position, ignore that. and shoot only on ur previous exposure when taking from model position.
2nd) when we shoot outside and using off camera flash & reflector...Then should we meter the camera to a photographer position with expo disc? and should be flash be in ETTL mode or in Manual mode? Please Clear this part..as in Zach & broody Video, it says Flash should b in Manual mode...
3rd) Now when shooting Inside and using 2-3 light, off camera & on camera and sometimes strobes too with umbrella like in wedding... and reception is dj light...So how one should measure WB from expodisc...
As i saw the video of Zack & broody with flash on camera and bouncing off the wall/ceiling, it says to use ETTL mode..So really getting confused.. Please elaborate this part properly with demonstration if it's possible...
1) You are metering the ambient light with the ExpoDisc when shooting outside in ambient light. This means you meter from your subject position pointing the camera with ExpoDisc back towards your intended shooting position. You do not reset the camera when pointing the camera towards your subject. To help you with this think about what would happen if your subject were back lit? If you meter while facing your subject you are metering the light that is coming towards you from behind your subject, which might be very different than the light illuminating the front of your subject.
2) The primary variable to consider when using flash is the camera's shutter speed because slower shutter speeds incorporate more ambient light while fast shutter speeds eliminate ambient light. If your ambient light is warm and your camera flash is cool, then the color of the metered light will change as you change shutter speeds and incorporate more or less of the ambient light in your image. This means you need to meter using the same shutter speed that you will use when you photograph your subject. When using a flash with a reflector you should meter from subject position back towards your camera shooting position.
3) With regards to your event photography scenario where you are using 2-3 on-camera and off-camera flashes using direct and bounce flash with and without reflectors. There are too many variables to address in a forum like this and so many variables that need to be considered for each scenario. Are your lights stationary, or are you constantly moving and repositioning yourself. Is the ambient light constant or changing. Are you changing your shutter speeds? Direct flash, off-camera flash, bounce flash, rapidly changing DJ lights, etc. will all influence what you choose to do and how you choose to set your lighting equipment at the event. Do you even have time to meter your exposures in this kind of event?
Best Regards,
@@ExpoImagingInc Thanks for response...It cleared my doubt alot..
For Part 2, Does it matter whether Flash is in ETTL or Manual mode? Or is it depend upon location? Like Indoor or outside?
For Part 3
3) In India, and mainly in rural area, we usually decorate Stage with constant light or sometimes with changing light.. & We as a photographer shoots with 2 umbrella, each on the either side of stage. And trigger with camera...So i wanted to know about the part when i was shooting towards the stage where the groom & bride ll b standing as that ll my main focus. I understand what you said about other parameters like photographing apart from stage direction where lights are changing...But i want to correct my white balance towards stage part only...as my umbrella ll b fixed towards stage only on d stand rather moving here & there... So please guide me about this...If i have two umbrella on either of stage on strobe/flash, How to meter then? Will the process be same? Even if the ambient lights are changing like green,red,blue etc? Explain this part please if lights are fixed or if lights are in multiple colour like pubs...
@@PraveenKumar-xc5tl
2) So long as your camera's shutter speed is fixed it shouldn't matter whether or not your flash is set to Manual or TTL.
3) If your lights are fixed in terms of location and output (constant and flash), and your subjects will be in a predictable location relative to the lights, then you should be able to set your white balance to the subject's position before the event begins. You can then assign that specific white balance reading to one of your camera's custom white balance settings.
You will need to set a new white balance when the following conditions occur: your lights change position relative to your subjects, your ratio of flash to ambient light changes due to changes in shutter speed, or (depending on your shutter speed) the color temperature of the ambient light changes.
If you've got crazy color disco lights (red, green, blue, etc.), then you're going to have a hard time with white balance unless you're shooting with a shutter speed that's fast enough to exclude the ambient light. You will need to shoot with a faster shutter speed to eliminate the influence of the disco lights.
Is the color temperature of your two on-stage flashes balanced? I ask because it is quite common to have different brand/model flashes with different color temperatures, especially if your light modifiers aren't matched.
I think the safest thing to do in this kind of scenario would be to meter from the anticipated subject position on stage while aiming the camera back towards your intended camera shooting position, and use a shutter speed that's fast enough to eliminate the influence of the crazy colored disco lights (1/125 or faster). This is presuming that your on-stage umbrella lights are positioned at least at 45 degree angles so that you care capturing the light from the umbrella flashes through the ExpoDisc when you set the white balance.
@@ExpoImagingInc Thanks a ton...FYI, I am using Godox Ad400 Pro with Westcott 7ft Std umbrella with Diffuser on either side of stage...for the rest part of hall (opposite of stage) like guests or anyone, I use off flash camera with magmod with the help of assistance...
Would this work well for a video work flow too?
i noticed you guys said you had to switch back to automatic focus. what if you were using manual to begin with?
Hi Nick - If you are already shooting in manual focus, you will not need to switch to auto focus. For photographers who are shooting in auto focus, some cameras will not allow you to snap the shutter during the custom white balance procedure because the camera cannot focus through the opaque material of the ExpoDisc. If shooting in manual focus, this would not be an issue. Thanks for your interest in the product!
I have a question, what if i take a video on a street with these yellow streetlights and i want to keep it like that. When im using my expo disk, the light turns white after custom white balance, why is that?
Your camera will adjust the color and tint of the light to neutral when you use the ExpoDisc to set a custom white balance, i.e. yellow street lights will become white street lights.
To keep the street lights yellow you would set your white balance to a fixed color temperature, i.e. the 'Sunny' setting. This would however result in the yellow street lights also making your subject look yellow.
If you want white light on your subject and yellow lights in the background, then you need a separate light on your subject, i.e. a flash or speedlight.
If you have any other questions please contact us directly by sending your email to support@expoimaging.com. Our offices are open Mon-Fri from 8:30am to 5:00pm PST.
Best Regards,
My camera says, the light source is too high, if I’m doing the wb. Is it possible to use it for video?
Yes, you can use the ExpoDisc to set a custom white balance when shooting video. Cameras may produce a "no good" error message during the Preset white balance procedure if the exposure is incorrect (over or under exposed), or if the color temperature of light is out of range of the camera's ability to correct, e.g. campfire light is too warm (yellow).
Generally, most "no good" white balance errors can be fixed by correcting the exposure during the white balance capture. If shooting in ambient light, set the camera to Aperture Priority and try the Preset white balance procedure again.
Hey, nice Video. I use the Expo Disc for a long time. But what i´m not find out is: Do you use ( before you make the custom White Balance Settings) the Auto White Balance to take the shot with the Expo Disc on the lens ? That would be reaally interesting for me. Hope to hear from you :-) THX
Alexander, that's what I do and it seem to work nicely. I set my WB to Auto before using the ExpoDisc ... then change the WB setting to Custom afterwards.
@@nycvideoauditions Thank you. I will try it :-)
Thank you for purchasing an ExpoDisc.
What we have found is that when you are taking the white balance measurement, it does not actually matter which white balance setting you are using. We used to tell photographers to set their camera to AWB when taking the white balance measurement through the ExpoDisc, but that was for consistency sake and not because the setting actually effects the custom white balance. Please send us an email at info@expoimaging.com if you have any other questions about the ExpoDisc that you need help with.
@@ExpoImagingInc, great to know. THANK YOU. By the way, I decided to buy v.2.0...and I love it. The skin tones are just amazing. (I use the warming filter with it.)
@@ExpoImagingInc Hi, another Question: I mostly use the 70-200 on my canon. On which length should i go for read the ambient light ti calibrate with my expo? or is there no difference ? And most of the time i shoot against the sun. First i stand on the Modelposition and make my white balance, then i shoot from my Position. So the sun is behind the model. No always but most of the time the images are really yellowish. is there something wrong in my workflow ? Would be nice to hear from you.
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Thanks! Excellent explanation, complete and clear!
I'm happy to hear you enjoyed the video. Do not hesitate to reach out to us directly if you have any other questions.
3:48 instructions
why use expodisc if you shoot RAW - white balance can be fixed in post.
The point of using the ExpoDisc is to save you time while providing an accurate white balance reference. If you apply the white balance in-camera, then the images on the camera's LCD will be accurate, and would simply import the images "As Shot" to your image editing software. If your preferred workflow is to shoot in RAW and edit in "Post", then you would capture a "gray frame" reference image using the ExpoDisc that you would use in post.
I trying to figure out how to use this Expodisc with a Sony a7Riii. Can anyone help me?
Hi Wayne -
Here are the instructions for your Sony A7 R III:
1. Install the ExpoDisc and set the camera to Manual Focus mode.
2. Allow the camera to set an automatic exposure using the “P”, “S” or “A” modes or set the correct manual exposure in “M” mode.
3. From the MENU navigate to the Camera Settings1 screen and select White Balance and then Custom Setup.
4. Aim the camera in the appropriate direction for the given lighting condition and press the center of the control wheel. See the ExpoDisc Instruction Manual for more information on where to aim the camera.
5. After the shutter sound beeps, the calibrated values (Color Temperature and Color filter) are displayed.
6. Press the center of the control button again. The monitor returns to the recording information display with the memorized white balance retained. The custom white balance setting registered in this operation is effective until a new setting is registered.
7. If you get the message “Custom WB error” this indicates that you need to adjust your exposure and reattempt to set your white balance.
8. From the White Balance menu, select (Custom 1).
9. Remove the ExpoDisc, return the camera to auto focus if desired and start shooting.
Please reach out to us directly at info@expoimaging.com if you have any other questions we can help you with.
ExpoDisc is way too small for my lenses. My Sigma lenses have 86 mm and 105 mm filter diameter
Sell your lenses 😂