ExpoDisc

[Joseph A]

I have a Canon 40D and use mainly a Canon EF 70-200 mm 2.8 IS lense. I'm interested in purchasing an ExpoDisc. I want to be able to use the Disc with other lenses as well. Which is the best size to purchase?

[ohenry]

Purchase the 77mm size .... it will fit over any lenses with smaller diameter front elements, as well. It doesn't screw on, but rather it can be held in place while you take the shot.

[Joseph A]

Thanks, I appreciate the info.

[afterburn]

I use a translucent Pringles lid. Cheap and works great. Too bad the lids are clear nowadays and unusable, so I can't get any new spares.

[Julio]

Try using coffee filters for white balance
Mmmmmm........
I cut and use one into a 77 filter , perfoms 100%

[Jacco]

I use RAW.
It's built in. It saves me spending good money on ridiculous tupperware thingamejigs, or scrounging around for Pringle's lids or coffee filters. And it saves me juggling and fidgeting around on location with those 'aids'...

Expodisks are snake oil.

[EOS_JD]

I use RAW but also use the expodisc. Expodisc makes editing slightly quicker but I'm not sure it's worth the cost.

[Julio]

Originally Posted by Julio

Try using coffee filters for white balance
Mmmmmm........
I cut and use one into a 77 filter , perfoms 100%

Try my sugestion and use your $$$ wisely

[kgphoto]

Originally Posted by Jacco

I use RAW.
It's built in. It saves me spending good money on ridiculous tupperware thingamejigs, or scrounging around for Pringle's lids or coffee filters. And it saves me juggling and fidgeting around on location with those 'aids'...

Expodisks are snake oil.

Perhaps you could explain yourself a little more fully?

I agree that there are other tools I prefer to Expodisc's, such as the Whi-Bal card, due to it's ability to set a custom white balance or be used in post, and it being verified neutral as to color reproduction, but snake oil?

I also agree that, for most of us, pleasing color is more important than accurate color, but using a single click on a Whibal( for example) is a much faster work flow than any other method of doing it in post that I am aware of.

[Julio]

Ok
you cut 2 round papers from a coffee filter , the whithest one you can get
you sandwich it between two uv cheap filter(hong Kong) , mine is 77
and take the WB reading , and voila!!!
perfect
I like to point the shoot for the WB to the sky , perfect gray , files come out perfect pleasing color
You can try using the coffee filter alone

[ohenry]

So, which coffee filter company makes color balanced filters so that you get true color balances like you would with a calibrated Expodisc (or similar device that has specifically been calibrated) ?

Your method certainly works, as does the old Pringle can lids, white card stock, and likely many other sources, and I'm not discouraging anyone from going that route. But to label Expodisc as snake oil is a bit far fetched. Professionals that demand critical color probably will like a little more assurances than "close enough".