D2X preset WB using sensor-inconsistent?

DavidBabcock · #1 09-07-2005, 06:51 PM

We use a grey card nearly all the time for preset WB's, but while the obvious advantage with the body sensor of not having to get out a grey card and framing it properly seems to be a great idea for some quick situations, I have found it frustrating in how often the "nogood" message comes up though. There are two D2X's in the studio, and in messing around this afternoon, they behave identically, ie I'm sure that its not just one body's foibles.

My question then, do any of you find this to be the case? I've used it recently with success in an arena with strange mecury-sodium stuff, but then with a fairly obvious tungsten lamp right in front of me, it doesn't want to cooperate.

btw, I find the grey card to be more accurate overall, but it bugs me that the sensor is inconsistant in working or not.

Tom_Parkes · #2 09-07-2005, 08:20 PM

Yes, a work in progress as it was in the D2H. It seems to be particularly averse to tungsten as you found. The only times I've found it to work under that light is to hold the camera within inches of the fixture. Give it plenty of light and it works but the WB it gives is very warm even in daylight and is not to my taste. Now, if they could make it set WB with flash, that would really be useful!

Tom

tony_field · #3 09-07-2005, 09:21 PM

No problem with anything except flash and fluorescent light - the sensor was made for continuous light source. Cool mountain high altitude to low tungsten seem comfortable for the built-in sensor on the d2x and d2h.

tony
http://www.tphoto.ca

Warren_Sarle · #4 09-08-2005, 02:30 AM

Do you ever have any brightly colored objects near the camera? That can throw auto WB off.

BobMcCarthy · #5 09-08-2005, 05:45 AM

One has to be very careful with wearing a ball cap. The bill can throw off a false WB.

Bob

DavidBabcock · #6 09-08-2005, 01:51 PM

good hints about caps etc. In reality, I'm used to matching wb to the situation, so the sensor problems don't really affect me that much. Whether I'm shooting outdoors or something like theatre work, my wb choice with the D2X has been pretty well a carry over from experience with the D100 and D1X.

Makes me think that with recent bodies, flash consistency and battery performance has been greatly improved, and I imagine that this will be the next big advance, that we can shoot as if with colour neg film and not really think too much about the colour temp-especially changing colour temps. One day it will be nice when it happens, but for now "if it aint broken' I aint gonna fix it" and keep on doing what I do which works workflow wise etc.