E-400 white balance

[Paul Shields]

So far from my limiting playing around with this camera I have to say that auto WB seems to be slightly erratic. It certainly doesn't have the consistency of the E-1, though it also doesn't have the E-1's dedicated WB sensor so I guess that's to be expected. Looks like I'll have to stop being lazy and manually adjust the WB when using the E-400. An A5 card should suffice I guess.

As an example of what I mean, the first shot has an AWB of 5500, and seems very close to the temperature I typically get from the E-1 which tends to lean towards the reds (this is also nice and clean at ISO400. I'm starting to think that there is a reasonable improvement in noise despite my initial doubts. The E-1 would show a bit of noise even at this relatively low ISO).

Both shots are unprocessed apart from converting to sRGB and a touch of sharpening.



The next image, taken soon after has an AWB of 4100

[Mr. Pickles]

A big difference for sure. My Canon did stuff like that too, so your reasoning is probably correct. The E-1 does WB pretty well (to me anyway).

Perhaps the difference is the inclusion of more background in the 2nd? The green or the bright light probably tips the scale to the cool side. If you take #2 and run it up to 5500 in SP or PS does it look okay?

[Paul Shields]

Ah yes - that was what I'd intended to do in the first post but forgot ! Below is the WB 4100 shot converted to 5500 in ACR. I'm pretty sure you're right about the background having a big influence on the WB, though I also found that almost identical shots would display quite a difference in WB :-\.

[Paul Shields]

and another example - this time pretty similar shots and within a few seconds of each other:

first shot: AWB 3850
second shot: AWB 5500

Some serious differences. It really is time I got round to setting WB - or just use the E-1 as a WB monitor .

[Mr. Pickles]

Yikes. That is a big difference in similar images. Wonder how them darn little thingies do what they do?

[Paul Shields]

Originally Posted by Mr. Pickles

Yikes. That is a big difference in similar images. Wonder how them darn little thingies do what they do?

I don't know, but I'm going to send these on to Olympus for comment. Doubt it would make any difference, but if a firmware update occurs soon then I'll happily take the credit .

[Max@Home]

... : some nice examples up there, BTW

...AWB is bound to change if only the slightest 'other light' influences the image, like in the first two, so I am not thàt surprised by that difference :P , the second series troubles me more, as the shots are almost identical, but for a change in camera position ('landscape' to 'portrait')... and a question: if you run a preset (not necessarily a 'custom set') WB, do you get consistant results then

Thanks for taking the time & sharing,

Kindest regards,

Max@Home

[Paul Shields]

I agree that we should see some fluctuations in WB if the overall scene changes (though I have to say, I've not seen such dramatic shifts when using the E-1 - or even the 5D ). I've not tried out the custom WB yet, but will definitely give it a go (just looking around to make a poor-man's Expodisk as we speak ).


I've contacted Olympus Europe support to see if they can shed any light on this. I don't see it as a fault as such, just something that needs to be understood. Below is the EXIF data from the two shots that I've included in my support call to Olympus.

First shot:

Auto WB 3850

EXIF:
Camera:
Olympus E-400
Exposure:
0.01 sec (1/100)
Aperture:
f/5.6
Focal Length:
50 mm
ISO Speed:
400
Exposure Bias:
-3/10 EV
Image Description:
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
Exposure Program:
Aperture priority
Date and Time (Original):
2007:01:07 12:04:14
Shutter Speed:
6643856/1000000
Metering Mode:
Center Weighted Average


A few seconds later, a similar shot:

Auto WB is now 5500

EXIF:
Camera:
Olympus E-400
Exposure:
0.01 sec (1/100)
Aperture:
f/5.6
Focal Length:
50 mm
ISO Speed:
400
Exposure Bias:
-3/10 EV
Image Description:
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
Exposure Program:
Aperture priority
Date and Time (Original):
2007:01:07 12:04:17
Shutter Speed:
6643856/1000000
Metering Mode:
Center Weighted Average

[Mr. Pickles]

Two coffee filters ....

[Paul Shields]

Originally Posted by Mr. Pickles

Two coffee filters ....

Hmm, I recall a long thread on this on the camel (linky). Probably best not to go there* .

[Mr. Pickles]

Probably is right, but two filters will work, and probably better than the E-400 auto WB....

[Paul Shields]

I'm not a big coffee drinker, but I shall invest in some filters and see how I get on!

[digiguy]

I had the odd random AWB funnies on my Canon. I think it depends on the scene (doh) as well as how the AWB is sampled. The E-1 has a separate WB sensor? That would explain its consistency maybe. Anyway, I always shoot in RAW and use the WB eyedropper in post to correct.

[Malakor]

I would have thought that two coffee filters would be more like a 'warm-up' technique .

I've just tried the new Pringles lid btw, (the white translucent type) and it doesn't do a bad job at all - perhaps rendering the scene a little on the cool side but would be invaluable with multi-coloured lights I would think. Only problem is, as soon as you whip the lid out to set the WB, everyone thinks you're going to hand them round..........