PhotoVision 14" Pocket One-Shot Digital Calibration Target with DVD, Collapsible Disc Exposure Aid for Digital Cameras Review

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(More customer reviews)This "target" comes with an instructional DVD containing good material to learn how to use it both indoors and outdoors. The target can be used to both set a correct white balance as well as to set your exposure correctly (in particular, manually).
Once you take your shots and you download them to your computer you can further adjust the white balance with tools like Photoshop by "eye dropping" the three colors (white, gray, black). This is especially true when shooting RAW. With other tools, you can "eye drop" the gray bar to get similar results.
This target is very useful when you shoot indoors, where you have more control over the lighting. However, you can end up having to use the target many times when you use it outdoors.

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Loss of Highlight or Shadow detail is reduced or eliminated by the use of this 14" Digital Target which has black, white & 18 % gray panels that feedback through the camera's histogram providing correct exposure with predictable results.Still large enough to fill the frame in most situations but folds to just 6 inches to allow carrying in your pocket or instant access when using with the included belt pouch slip case. Soft silver fabric on the backside creates an efficient reflective surface to open up the shadows.Created by photographer Ed Pierce, perfect for the Digital Image Maker both in the studio or on the go. The Panel feeds back through the camera's Histogram. Rather than using a single middle tonal value, you can customize your exposure based on the histogram spikes that record the highlight & shadows. The Neutral 3-Tone Panels allow for custom white balancing, accurate metering and exposure monitoring through the camera's histogram function all with a single shot. Vastly improves setup time over the original target, minimizing the need for post correction to your image files.Drastically reduce your workflow on the back-end by getting it right on the front-end. By using the Digital Calibration Target, you can achieve perfect exposures and white balance every time.Included is a One Hour Instructional DVD featuring Ed Pierce, the Target's inventor. The DVD provides an in-depth understanding of di

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Digital Grey Kard Premium White Balance Card / Gray Card for Digital Photography Review

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(More customer reviews)This card has three cards, white, black, and gray, so you can use it for RAW or for JPEG (see more below). The user's guide is helpful, but not super technical. The price is unbeatable for what you get. Shipping is fast. I used this card to shoot a friend's wedding and the results were fantastic! Basically this is a cheap and easy way to get perfect colors in your digital pix.
Before I got this white balance card, I got a whIbaL card, which was a lot more expensive. I was disappointed because it has only one card, and the user's guide on CD-Rom they show in the picture either is out of stock or never existed because they wouldn't send me one when I asked. My colors have been super accurate with the DIgital Grey Kard - I don't think it's worth spending more than twice as much to get the wHibAl card.
I shoot RAW files mostly, and in Photoshop or Photoshop Lightroom I use 1-click white balance in the RAW converter. During a photo shoot I simply shoot an image of the gray card under the same lighting conditions as my subject. Then in post-production (using Lightroom) I open the image of the Digital Grey Kard in the RAW converter. I use a 5 pixel white balance dropper to get a good sample of the color of the gray card. Then I select all of the images that were shot under those same lighting conditions, and click the 'sync' button, making sure I sync the white balance only. That's all I have to do to get perfect color. Fast, accurate, easy.
When shooting JPEG, Adobe Photoshop Lightroom will still allow me to do some white balance correction, essentially using the same steps as outlined above. But with JPEG, the image quality is degraded somewhat by the process, so RAW is a better way to go.
There is another way to get great white balance for JPEG using this card. The Digital Grey Kard is also perfect for setting in-camera white balance, which actually is the best way for JPEG photographers to get perfect colors without having to use Photoshop or Lightroom.
I use the white card and the black card sometimes to set levels in Photoshop. To set the white and black point in the Photoshop "levels' control, I shoot an image of all three cards, and open the image in Photoshop. I go to image->adjust_.levels an use the highlight dropper tool on the white card and the shadow dropper tool on the black card, finally I use the midtone dropper tool on the gray card. This technique is great for setting up a JPEG for maximum dynamic range - which allows you to take advantage of the full capabilities of the output printer or display device.
Get this white balance card - it's great for the money.

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The Digital Grey Kard is the #1 selling White Balance Card for three reasons: 1) Certified performance and quality. Our tests show the performance of Digital Grey Kard is superior to the other card. 2) Guaranteed satisfaction - We guarantee you will be 100% satisfied with your Digital Grey Kard or your money back! 3) Unbeatable Value. You get the best card at the best price. Professional photographers, Adobe Photoshop Certified Instructors, and Digital Photography Review Site Editors use the Digital Grey Kard for their personal white balance tool, and you should too. Spectrophotometer measured Lab color values of L* 63.8 a* -1.6 b*-0.4 are perfect for white balance and RAW image converters. Works with all digital cameras, as well as both JPEG and RAW files. Item Includes: Premium Digital Grey Kard consists of three color calibrated reference cards, a premium lanyard with detachable clip, and a user's guide that makes it easy to achieve perfect color balance. The premium lanyard makes it easy to detach the Digital Grey Kard during use while keeping the lanyard around your neck or on your camera bag. Digital Grey Kard is proudly made in Boston, Massachusetts USA. Perfect digital color every time(tm) - guaranteed. Why pay more? Don't take our word for it- Here is a sample of the 100% positive feedback our product gets: "This is the best customer service I have ever had buying from the internet. Absolutely the best!" "Incredibly fast shipping - less than three days from order to delivery." "I'm very pleased with the results I'm getting from this Digital Grey Kard so far. The results under tungsten lights are amazing. THANK YOU." "these cards work wonderfully...a must for any photographer!" The Digital Grey Kard gives you perfect digital color every time. We guarantee your colors and we guarantee your savings!

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Seculine PD201 Prodisk II Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Many ways it comes in handy to save your shot. One of the most useful items. Take shot and as long as you are in focus color balance is saved correct now in camera and or on computer later against a comparable standard.

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The Prodisk is one of the most useful tools in the kit bag, used as a reference point for color management and setting the correct white balance under difficult lighting situations where camera would be easily fooled. First you should set the exposure correctly using the grey card by placing it in the scene to be photographed. Adjust in Photoshop or similar with level's Secondly place the color checker card in the scene and adjust in Photoshop or similar by using the Grey, black and white squares in the images with the levels color balance tool to remove color casts. When used under Tungsten or Fluorescent lighting you will be amazed at the difference when compared to your cameras automated settings. By using the built in White Balanced filter on the Prodisk in combination with you Preset functions on your camera, you will achieve perfect white balance under almost all challenging lighting conditions. Each Prodisk kit comes with full instructions and a handy neck

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GENUINE WhiBal G7 Certified Neutral White Balance Card - Studio Kit (3.5"x6") Review

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(More customer reviews)Or, more correctly, does exactly as shown on the video. I cannot recommend the manufacturers video highly enough. Having tested the product the lift it gives to my photos is worth every penny of the fairly substantial price.
I already have the equivalent Lastolite product which was only rarely used as it is not convenient to have available at all times. This one I slip into my shirt product and use whenever the lighting conditions alter.

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With more than 40,000 customers, the Genuine WhiBal has become the standard in the industry for precision WB Reference "Gray Cards". Each and every card is measured with a precision spectrophotometer to assure you that *your* card meets our industry leading specification of +/-0.5 within the a* and b* channels. Do not be fooled by RGB measurements (they have no meaning in this context). Very simply, WhiBal combines all the best features of all available White Balance cards, and meets or exceeds their technical performance in a unique package that can be used conveniently in all your shooting situations. In addition, WhiBal provides convenient neutral White and Black reference areas for setting dynamic range in your digital capture using the Black and White Eyedroppers available in RAW conversion software, PhotoshopTM, and most other editing software. Check out the educational videos on-line. (Search for WhiBal). They tell the entire story.Feature Summary:? It fits in your shirt pocket.(3.5x6 inches)...so you will actually use it rather than have it in your bag! ? It is basically indestructible, waterproof, etc ? Both Pocket and Studio versions come with convenient stand for ease of setup on tables or flat surfaces. No need for someone to hold the WhiBal. ? All 4 reference "colors" are essentially equal to or better than all tested "reference cards" for neutrality and spectral flatness. ? All cards are designed for low reflectivity, except the BlackPoint sticker which intentionally is highly reflective so that maximum Blackpoint level may be achieved. ? Larger are smaller sizes are available ? Can be used to set white balance reference, Black point and White point. ? Fits shirt pocket or can hang on studio hook or lanyard, or set on a table with included table stand. ? WhiBal is a product of PictureFlow LLC, is patent-pending and proudly made in the USA.

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Opteka Premium Reference Color & White Balance Grey Card Set With Quick-Release Neck Strap for Digital Photography Review

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(More customer reviews)These color cards are only a thin veneer of color on a white core. Don't even think of keeping loose in a pocket. My cards are already transfering colors between cards from slight rubbing together. The gray card has also picked up a brown tint (making it useless for white balance) by simply sitting next to my leather wallet--and try as I might, I cannot clean this tint--it is pemanently stained it seems.
White card has black splothes that won't come off, black card has white showingvthru from wear, gray card stained. Pretty sad--especially since I kept these iny pocket just once.

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The color values of Opteka Digital Grey Card set have been tested under varying light conditions and show a high degree of spectral neutrality. Using the industry-standard X-Rite spectrophotometer, LAB values of L* 63.8, a* -1.6, b* -0.4 are measured from the surface of the grey card under D50 standard illuminant. For optimum color correction, the black card achieves truly deep blacks (RGB 16,16,15). The grey card displays superior spectral neutrality with measured values of 162, 162, 160. The white card has a tested RGB value of (220, 224, 223). All three cards have excellent uniformity across a range of light sources.

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Lowepro Fastpack 250 (Red) Review

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(More customer reviews)
Almost just right..., April 10, 2008
By Brett Despain (Draper, UT USA) - See all my reviews

Still looking for the perfect bag...this one comes very close. I own a Lowepro Compurover AW and a Tamrac Adventure 9 bag. The Compurover is too heavy and you have to crack it open like an egg to get to the Camera compartment. The Tamrac is the perfect size, but you have to take the bag off and lay it on the ground or your lap to open the camera compartment, otherwise you risk spilling out all of your gear! Not good.
This Fastpack 250 intrigued me because the side access pocket allows access to your camera quickly without taking the backpack off. Guess what? it works. You really can get your camera out quickly while still wearing the bag.
I bought this as strictly a travel bag. I'm a pilot so I needed a medium sized bag that I could fit in the cockpit while carrying my 40D and 3 L lenses. I also need the top compartment of the bag to carry a few snacks, water and other supplies.
Okay here's the breakdown.
Pros:
1. Slim design, fits in cockpit and on top of my roller suitcase with ease. Also fits very nicely in the space underneath your seat in an airliner.
2. Side camera access in a serious advantage. I considered the sling packs, but I like the comfort and security of having a full backpack. The sling packs are uncomfortable after a while and hard to position to get your camera out without twisting up your clothes or coat.
3. It's lightweight and comfortable to wear. Significantly lighter than my other two bags.
4. Not as pricey as my two other backpacks. I paid less than $90.
5. Side pocket fits a good sized Nalgene water bottle.
6. Medium size and all black color doesn't shout "Camera Bag!" while wearing it.
Cons:
1. No all weather cover flap. A major oversight if you ask me. I took the one off of my Tamrac to use with the Fastpack.
2. No chest strap. I think it needs one.
3. It's almost a little small. I wouldn't go any smaller than this bag because you'll be leaving something home that you'll want later.
4. It needs a side or bottom strap that you can attach a monopod to. I'm thinking of having one sewn on. For now I've attached a carabiner to the top handle and strap on my monopod there.
5. Outside pockets are really worthless. They are sewn in flat and don't have room to expand. You can get a few filters and a flash card wallet in them but that's about it.
Like I said it's not perfect, but I'm giving it four out of five mainly because I like the overall size and design of the bag as well as the convenience of the side access camera pocket.

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On streets or trails, you can shoot all day when you wear the lightweight, comfortable Fastpack 250 backpack by Lowepro. It protects a digital SLR with an 18-55mm or 17-85mm kit lens attached, plus 15.4" Widescreen notebook, and extra storage for 2-3 additional 105mm f/2.8, 18-200mm f/3.5, or 70-300mm f/4.5 lenses, flash, and other personal accessories. You won't miss a shot, because side-entry compartments let you grab equipment and accessories, even while you're on the move or without taking the backpack completely off! Customize the easy-to-access main compartment with adjustable dividers, use the outer organizer to keep larger accessories handy, and manage memory cards with a built-in pocket. Brethable, contoured shoulder straps distribute weight evenly.

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Nikon EN-EL3a Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery Pack for D50, D70, D70s, and D100 Review

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(More customer reviews)This also works on D50, mine actually came with this unit instead of the EN-EL3. It's slightly higher capacity so that's a nice bonus, plus cheaper then the EN-EL3 so it's a win-win.
I took pictures all day on just one battery so it will last a while. It's good to have as a backup anyhow.
If you're planning to upgrade to the D200, I'd suggest their new EN-EL3e, since that also will work on D50/D70 (but the opposite is not true so don't try to force a EN-EL3 or EN-EL3a into the D200!).

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A high-energy rechargeable lithium-ion battery. EN-EL3a delivers the power to shoot up to 2,500 images on a single charge

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