HELP - Confusion about white balance

[raamakants]

I have Canon 7D. Previously I used to shoot with AWB but I found that all photos in one series had different white balance setting so I had to change WB settings in all images in post production.

So I thought I have to do something for consistent white balance.

Now I have 18% Gray card, Digital color card and white balance lens cap all these are giving me different WB setting and now I am more confused that whichever I should use.

Today I took 4 shots using same light condition and these three things gave me different white balance settings. All these shots are taken within 5 minutes near window.

Image 01 - Gray Card
Temperature: 4700
Tint: +10

Image 02 - Digital Color Card
Temperature: 4450
Tint: 0

Image 03 - White Balance Lens Cap
Temperature: 4600
Tint: +16

Image 04 - Camera Auto (AWB) Plain wall
Temperature: 5050
Tint: +7

Here are all 4 images:



I am extremely confused. Please help me what should I do or which setting I should go with?

[Jim Poor]

What sort of light are you using?

If the light itself is inconsistent setting WB isn't going to help you.

Sodium / Mercury Vapor lights are the worst, they flicker and phase shift so that in a series of 8 shots, you'll get 4 different colors.

Cheap or malfunctioning flashes won't be color consistent either.

Outdoors, the color of the light can range from fairly constant to rapidly changing.

Basically, we need more info.

[raamakants]

Originally Posted by Jim Poor

What sort of light are you using?

Basically, we need more info.

Hi, I am using Elinchrom FX 400 Ri strobe lights with softbox.

[sk66]

In a studio setting I'd probably use the gray card. Next best was the cap.
No need for Auto since you are controlling everything. Problem with Auto is it doesn't set color balance for the strobes (unless it knows flash is being used, i.e. attached)