color temperature presets

[PEDiamond 0]

does anyone know a) what color temp most manufacturers use for their "underwater" settings; or b) what do you suggest for color temp when you cant do a custom WB? I am shooting RAW so I know it is a moot point for stills but was wondering about using a compact camera to shoot video where I dont have the option of RAW and have only limited light source, i.e. sola 500,effective only with very close objects......mahalo...peter

[adamhanlon 0]

Hi Peter,

 

If possible, I would always choose to use manual WB settings rather than one related to an "underwater" setting. If you are using the camera with an external light source, it is best to set the WB to the source's WB which in the case of the SOLA 500 is 6000 to 6500°K. I think a degree of experimentation is a good idea, but if I am not using an external light source, I have had good results using Auto WB in situations where a manual WB is not possible.

 

Adam

[PEDiamond 0]

thanks for the quick reply...I do use manual, but was concerned about what temp to set in situations where the camera wont register a custom WB...its a new camera and I havent tried it yet, but opinions seem to vary as to how likely getting a custom WB is, and certainly wont be able to below 50 feet..I will try both AWB and the 6000 range when using the sola for video...as I said, I dont expect a lot of light from the sola but have gotten reasonable results with it using a gopro on deeper dives......will be using strobe and RAW for stills so not an issue there....thanks again for the help.....aloha,,,,peter

[Mark K 5]

I brought a white lens cap 67mm underwater and use it for WB setting...underwater. Fine for a trip. Sometimes, the diffuser for flash also works great

[PEDiamond 0]

thanks Mark...I bought white palmed diving gloves and that worked well today, was able to custom WB down to 40 feet ....lens cap is a good idea as well.....aloha....peter

[rtrski 20]

To answer your original question, I think most 'underwater' modes simply set WB to "cloudy" (6500K or so).

 

Like others, I'd suggest sticking with RAW and setting "auto" (which means the WB setting really only applies to the JPG the rear screen shows you, but you can still easily adjust with no loss with your RAW develop program of choice). I do find with good strobe light and mostly nearfield subjects the value that the camera reports as the "as shot" WB is often pretty close to what look pleasing to me.

[PEDiamond 0]

thanks greatwhite....I do use RAW for stills,either shoot AWB or do custom WB as I go, in either case use Lightroom and dropper to fix in post...I was wondering about the underwater settings for shooting available light video with my Olympus E-PL5 in situations where I cant do a custom WB...I have the option of setting a specific color temp with that camera, so wanted a ballpark idea of the equivalent of a magic filter...will try 6500 or so and adjust from there....mahalo for your help....peter

[Mark K 5]

I am so dump...to notice the 6000K reading... well, despite I always shoot raw, it seems not possible to take one with correct colour temp without good lighting.