If one uses a white/grey balance card for in camera custom balance, does the card need to taKe up the whole picture frame to get an accurate reading/setting? I would imagine that this would be difficult to do with a mini-card in the field. What percentage of the frame does the card need to take up for setting an in-camera white balance? (This question is concerned when shooting in jpeg)
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=184189\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
I like the MiniMacbeth CC Card for close-up and macro work. As Andrew says, you get more than just the white balance that way. It is small enough to easily fit in your pocket. It comes with a small plastic pouch to keep it dry.
It is pricey. Pretty much the same price as the full size Macbeth CC Card.
Unless you need precise colors for a subject, there really is little reason to hassle with an Expodisc, Macbeth CC Card, etc. Not if you shoot RAW. You can always adjust the WB in ACR or whatever RAW processor you use. Then adjust the tone and color as you would for any photograph.
Color calibration is important when you shoot commercial subjects. Vendors pay a lot for their logos and other branding, and those colors need to be accurate. Using something like a Macbeth CC Card is standard practice.
But for landscapes and such, working with a Macbeth CC Card is generally a PIA that slows you down *A LOT*. Same with an Expodisc. I have one. Neat tool. But I can adjust white balance when I load my RAW files. Unless I was doing a catalog shoot for a flower catalog, whether I got the exact color for a tulip I'm shooting is not something I much care about. I aim for a color that pleases my creative eye.
Cheers,
Mitch
