ExpoImaging ExpoDisc 77mm Digital White Balance Filter - Neutral

by ExpoDisc

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 3.2 x 3.2 x 0.5 inches ; 2.2 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0002GFOSU
• Item model number: EXPOD77
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
  • #22 in Camera & Photo > Accessories > Filters
• Date first available at Amazon.com: June 17, 2003

Product Description

The ExpoDisc white balance filter allows digital photographers to quickly and easily set an accurate custom white balance. Each ExpoDisc is individually assembled, calibrated and certified for neutrality in the visible spectrum, and for 18% light transmission. The ExpoDisc can be used on-the-fly to set a white balance in-camera when shooting JPEG, or later in post production when shooting RAW. Using an ExpoDisc to set a custom white balance results in consistently balanced color and eliminates many of the yellow, red and blue color casts commonly seen in digital photography. The ExpoDisc is easy to use. Setting a white balance with the ExpoDisc eliminates many of the inconsistencies and inconveniences associated with using white balance cards and targets, including unwieldy size, unwanted reflectivity, improper angling, and shadows. To set a white balance with an ExpoDisc, simply take a photograph of the light source (incident light) through the ExpoDisc, then follow your camera's instructions to set the camera's custom white balance. Because the ExpoDisc is calibrated for an 18% light transmission, you can also use it as a reference tool for manually determining proper exposure. The ExpoDisc is available in a variety of sizes to fit most popular lenses. The ExpoDisc does not thread into the lens; instead, its quick mount design can be pushed-on and popped-off to facilitate a quick white balance.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely great time saver. Very accurate. Easy to use., April 1, 2007

By 

ppmd "Professional" (Arizona, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: ExpoImaging ExpoDisc 77mm Digital White Balance Filter - Neutral (Electronics)

If you struggle trying to "fix" your images' white balance after your digital capture, this item is your answer. Put it on over your lens, point it toward the dominant light source (such as that funky incandescent / fluorescent light mixture in most homes), take a photo, and set the Custom White Balance in your camera. That's it! I have captured photos using home/indoor lighting, stage lighting, etc. NO MORE TWEAKING WHITE BALANCE IN PHOTOSHOP! It's dead-on every time.

I take this with me wherever I know there will be mixed lighting and use it before I photograph. You will be impressed as I am.

37 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An amazing tool for obtaining correct color balance., August 24, 2009

By 

Sam (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: ExpoImaging ExpoDisc 77mm Digital White Balance Filter - Neutral (Electronics)

I don't remember how I came to learn about this tool, but I bought it in a store for my Nikon D300 without reading any reviews. I did try it out in the store and I was immediately impressed with the results so I bought it on the spot.

The disk is amazingly well packaged. It's packaged just like an iPod that I received some years back. It doesn't have the scrimpy, we-don't-care Made-In-China feel. It comes with a lanyard, a semi-rigid pouch that you can attach to your belt, a CD with all of the PDF instructions in multiple languages and a how-to video.

Their web-site also has instructions on how to set the Nikon D300 pre settings.

For years, from the time I got my first DSLR I've been plagued by color balance issues. It seems that I have to color correct each and every photograph in Photoshop. I shoot in RAW so that I have more control but it takes so much more work and time. I'm also not very good with color correctly with PS. I have all the instructions and I follow them carefully, but I always had problems getting the hang of it.

I own gray cards but they're bulky and I don't walk around with one. I also haven't had very good luck with them either. I'm sure it's my technique but I never did get the hang of it.

Shooting under artificial light is a real pain. Auto WB never really works.

I first tried the ExpoDisk in a room lit with CFs (Compact Fluorescent) bulbs. I used the ExpoDisk as directed and I received absolutely perfect results the first time. Then I tried another room lit with LEDs. Again, perfect results. I put a Gretamacbeth colorchecker chart in each of my test shots. Every time, the whites are whites and the blacks are black. Zero color cast.

I've never been able to photograph granite and achieve the correct color. After using the ExpoDisk, the granite color perfectly matches the first time. When photographing faces, I'm utterly clueless obtaining the correct tones unless I have a Gretamacbeth colorchecker chart in the photograph and fiddle around with Photoshop. Again, ExpoDisk to the rescue.

Maybe it's the camera or maybe it's me, but I also have problems with color casts using a flash with the color balance set to flash. The ExpoDisk washed those problems away.

Shooting under different lighting sources is a challenge. Which do I aim at? Unfortunately, the ExpoDisk never addresses that issue. I probably have to use colored gels on the flash (I have the SB-900 and SB-800's) to neutralize the fluorescent bulbs.

I don't intend to use this while casually walking around but when I want to be certain that the color balance is perfect, then I use the ExpoDisk. Even at 77mm (the size of my largest lens so that it will fit all my other lenses) it's small enough to carry around in my pocket. I don't know if I'm dorky enough to put it on my belt.

The hardest time I had with this was getting the lanyard cord through the hole. The only way I could get that thick cord through the tiny hole was to take a sewing thread to make a loop and pull the lanyard cord through the hole.

I've spent thousands of dollars on camera equipment but I've had so many problems getting the color balance correct and this relatively small investment has already saved me a lot of grief. So perhaps I'm incompetent with Photoshop and gray cards, but this resolves so many of my problems to begin with.

I can now shoot in RAW/JPG and directly use the JPGs when I don't need to adjust the exposure. Another time saver.

I strongly recommend the ExpoDisk if you're serious about photography and want perfect color balance the first time.

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WOW! Images are so much more pleasing to look at when they don't have color casts!, January 27, 2008

By 

David A. Morehead (Lockport, IL 60441) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: ExpoImaging ExpoDisc 77mm Digital White Balance Filter - Neutral (Electronics)

I read a lot of reviews of the expo disc and decided to give it a try. It is so easy to use and the results are sooooo much better than auto white balance. Like anything else in this world, it is only a tool; it doesn't do miracles. But, when it is used correctly, it helps make your photos look fantastic. Initially, I hated having to pay $100 dollars for it. I thought, "What a rip-off for such a little lens" But, after I saw the results I quickly realized how valuable it is to me. Once you get accurate colors, you'll never want to go back to auto and presets again!!! Imagine being able to shoot jpgs that have correct color. I hate shooting Raw because the file sizes are huge and there is always the extra step of converting them to a format that anyone can view. When I use the expo disc I can get the color right the first time and not have to sit in front of a computer tweaking the color of thousands of photos! Even if you like to shoot Raw, it still saves you time because you won't have to edit the white balance on every photo taken indoors.

This is a lot more convenient than using a gray card and it is more accurate.