How do I set a custom white balance using a gray card in-camera?
Asked 2/13/2013
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I’ve seen gray card workflows that rely on post-processing, but I want to set white balance in-camera. Can I photograph a gray card and use that shot to save a custom white balance for later photos? If so, how is this typically done?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
13y ago
2 Answers
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That depends on camera make and model.
On my Canon 7D and 500D, it requires me to actually take a picture of neutral gray. Then I need to go into the menu, select custom WB, and select the picture that I took. From now on, when the camera's white balance setting is set to custom, the white balance from this picture will be used.
AFAIK, this process is common on DSLRs.
On my Canon Ixus 700 compact, I don't have to take a picture first. When I select custom WB, I have to point the camera at neutral gray, and then press the menu button. This white balance will be used until I change it into something else.
Originally by user4559. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user4559
13y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes—many cameras let you set a custom white balance in-camera using a neutral gray or white card, but the exact steps depend on the camera model.
A common DSLR workflow is:
- Photograph the gray card under the same lighting as your subject.
- Open the camera menu and choose Custom White Balance.
- Select that image as the reference.
- Set the camera’s WB mode to Custom.
From then on, the camera uses that reference until you change the white balance setting.
Some compact cameras use a more direct method: choose custom WB mode, fill the frame with the gray/white card, and confirm the setting without first saving a separate photo.
You can also judge color casts manually in live view on some cameras, but there generally isn’t a universal automated “gray-card while shooting” method beyond the camera’s built-in custom WB feature.
Important: take the gray-card reference in the same light as your actual photos, and redo it whenever the lighting changes.
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