CUSTOM WHITE BALANCE..... How does one set the camera

[Richard Lane]

Hi guys,

Need your help again. CUSTOM WB.... how does one set the camera to shoot the "sample image" to be used by the camera for it's CUSTOM WB??

usually they say to set camera to AWB and set mode to that "green square" to get the picture. They don't tell you how to set the ISO.So question is does ISO speed affect the "sample image"?

Hi jks,

Yes, the ISO will affect the custom white balance, because it will affect the color rendition of your gray card. Program mode or Auto ISO will automatically set the ISO.

You need a gray card or medium gray colored object, then "take a picture of the gray card" with the camera meter facing your subject. You can use; Program Mode, Auto ISO and AWB to take the picture (if you know your settings, then you can also use; AV, TV or Manual Mode, with AWB and Auto ISO or fixed ISO). Once you take the gray card picture, then go into the cameras menu and choose "Custom WB" it should be beneath White Balance in the Menu, and you should see your image on the card, then press set, then OK. Now, go back up to the "White balance" setting in the menu and make sure you select custom white balance. The choices will be AWB, Clouds, Shade and so forth.., Custom WB is the weird looking icon that looks like a head wearing a bow-tie. Ok.., so I have a vivid imagination.

Once you have taken your "test image by using AWB", it doesn't matter if you "set" the test image first, and then select the Custom WB icon, or you can select the Custom WB icon first, and then "set" the test image.

Once you're finished shooting at that venue, then I would reset your white balance back to "AWB" so that you don't forget the next time you shoot.

You can take pictures around the house using tungsten or AWB and then take the same pictures using Custom WB that you set for your home lighting, and you will be amazed at how much more accurate the custom WB is, compared to AWB. I'm usually pretty happy with AWB outside when there is plenty of light. Keep in mind that Custom WB is the most accurate, however the most accurate does not always look the best.

Rich