Customer Reviews

KODAK Gray Cards (Black and White Photography)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

If you are a beginning or experienced photographer, who works with black & white or color film, Kodak Gray Cards are indispensable.

For Zone System work, film speed tests, checking your light meter(s), and taking exposure measurements for critical color work, every photographer should have the Kodak Grey Cards as part of their photographic arsenal. With care, the cards will last for many years.

A must for every photographer from beginners to professionals. A reference point for all photographic equipments, including films (Do you know that your camera is calibrated to 18% gray value).

This package includes a 4X5 size gray card, which fits nicely into your shirt pocket or your camera bag.

... The bronw paper bag from your lunch is 1.2 stop brighter than a grey card. Your hand is a full stop brighter (the back of your hand is better). You don't need an SLR but can also use point and shoot cameras that allow you to lock in exposures by hlding down the shutter button after looking at a grey card thru the viewfinder. Get the card, read the instructions, and enjoy better photos.

After having had a cereer as a photographer, my advice is for anyone who wants to end up with "bang on" exposures,,, get yourself a pack of those cards. It's really the only way to GUARANTEE the correctness of your exposure. Using them is both easy and fast.

Do yourself a favour! You'll be glad you did!

...

I can't live without them any more. Yes, sure, my hand's palm (and anyone else's) also does it, sort of, and might wean me out of the grey cards, in spite of the required correction factor (much as the "sunny 16" rule is doing it). And no, you won't get "proper" exposure if you don't have a manual camera or know how to hold the hand or card. Yes, you can find yourself free or [inexpensive] substitutes provided you can compare them with the card. Read the instructions, then practice. (And I don't work for Kodak, as we're at it.)

Could use white card, and color card. Larger would be nice.

Beware reviews where ALL give 5 stars. That often means the publisher's advertising people have been hard at work.

Yes, cameras are set to determine exposure based on the reflectivity of 18% grey. That's because this is the reflective value of common objects such as people, grass, bricks and grey concrete.

Grey cards are helpful to determine the correct exposure when you're photographing something brighter or duller than this 18% grey. For example, in snow, on water, or in a really dark environment. But, they're no good if you can't alter the exposure on your camera. Sp, if you don't have an SLR camara, don't bother.

Plus, for a lot less money, a brown paper bag - like the one you used to get your school lunch in, or even the hand on the end of your arm, will give you exactly the same result!