Anyone use a white balance lens cap?

[OK_to_Point]

I saw these color calibration discs that are supposed to correct the white balance before you take the shot. These are the type you slip on the front of the lens. Does anyone use these and do they really work and worth the cost? In the B&H catalog they range from $20 to around $60. Appreciate any help here..........

[kencaleno]

I have placed a circle of coffee filter between two UV filters, and attached a rubber lens hood.

Purpose #1 To use as a custom White balance tool-Go into custom White Balance in camera menu,and point camera at dominant light source.And follow instruction in camera's manual(As per Expodisk)

Purpose #2 To use as an incident light meter(If you don't possess a hand-held flash/exposure meter): As you may be aware, your camera measures reflected light readings,which can vary according to tone of subject,because light reflects those tones.

Incident light is light falling on subject, which is consistent,whatever the tone of subject-You point camera,(with this gadget attached) from subject position towards where shot is to be made from. Use A/Av mode to get reading,transfer this reading to manual mode, detach gadget. Position yourself for shot, make exposure Voila! perfect exposure!-(Good for getting detail in white wedding dress and black tuxedo in wedding formal shoots)

Regards, Ken



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[OK_to_Point]

This is a great tip. Thanks for your response, Ken. I do have a wedding I'm shooting in August{ my daughter's} and this gives me plenty of time to practice this technique. It sounds so simple. Thanks again, Dan

[kencaleno]

a couple of Examples-Regards, Ken

[m.c.adams]

A cheap way, take a Pringles can lid, they're kind of white-ish, set your lens on manual focus, and hold the cap over the end of the lens, and then use it like you would the fancy, store bought kind. It works surprisingly well.
Mark

[kencaleno]

Originally Posted by m.c.adams

A cheap way, take a Pringles can lid, they're kind of white-ish, set your lens on manual focus, and hold the cap over the end of the lens, and then use it like you would the fancy, store bought kind. It works surprisingly well.
Mark

Sorry Mark, you are out of date - all pringle's lids are now totally transparent-cheapest way is a single coffee filter held in front of lens. I sandwiched my circle of filter between two UV filters to serve the dual purpose decribed before. The only reason I had these totally useless filters was because I buy and sell old 35mm cameras, and these filters came on the lenses,Ken

[m.c.adams]

I've still got an old Pringles lid in my case, somewhere, but I've also got a few old filters, too, and I know there are some coffee filters around here somewhere.
Mark