DSLR with the Best White Balance

[InsaneClownFish]

I'm curious about which camera you folks think has the best white balance function. I ask this because as most of you well know, the white balance is an absolute necessity in order to tune out enough of the blue in order to show a truer representation of animals in our tanks as they appear to the naked eye.

I'm not a camera expert, but after using a few different ones I've noticed that the one obstacle to my own picture taking abilities seems to be a functional white balance feature. Some seem to be mediocre in their functionality, or flat out useless for the amount of blue the lense is capturing.

So there it is. Is there a certain DSLR, or brand, that sports a superior white balance?

 

[Recty]

Not really, imo. Most "serious" reef and fish photographers just shoot in RAW which any even mediocre quality DSLR does nowadays, and then you use a software editing program to adjust the white balance as you see fit.

If you shoot in JPEG then the white balancing properties of the camera matter, but if you shoot in RAW it opens up so many more possibilities in getting your picture to look true to life.

 

[Reef Bass]

Shoot in RAW. Adjust color temperature during post. It's as easy as moving a slider until the colors look right. Boom, done. Fast and accurate color.

And shooting in RAW you can adjust exposure AFTER shooting. Try that with a jpg!

 

[InsaneClownFish]

Alright this is interesting. I guess things have changed. I thought the goal was to take as accurate of a picture without having to digitally adjust it or over expose it "after the fact."

 

[Recty]

I try to nail exposure every time, but white balance is totally adjustable in RAW. It's what a camera is doing when it makes it a JPEG, by shooting in RAW mode you take that out of the automatic process and you adjust it yourself.

 

[InsaneClownFish]

Do most DSLRs come with software like that standard? Also I have a pretty high end Sony HD camcorder that takes decent stills. Any idea if there is a way to set a camcorder to RAW mode? I'm guessing no.

 

[Recty]

I would do a google search on your model of camcorder, but I'd guess it's very likely you cannot set it to RAW.

I cant speak for Nikon but Canon DSLRs come with software for reading RAW files and making some basic adjustments. However, at the very least I'd at least buy Photoshop Elements, or wait until Adobe Lightroom 3 goes on sale again and get that cheap, you will be very happy with yourself for that.

 

[Dog boy Dave]

If you want to fine tune your color balance on your camera place a bleached coffee filter over the lens and point it at a light area of your tank. Hit the set color on your camera and the camera will adjust the filter to appear "white". This is quick and effective. Works especally well under the 20 k radiums.

 

[xtm]

Most DSLRs today have very accurate color representation - the only exception is if you use a very cheap lens or a very cheap filter, which can render flares, color fringing, and color casts.

If you want the most accurate color rendering, I suggest calibrating your monitor with something like a Spyder or an Xrite, and creating a custom profile for it. Remember that not all monitors are created equally. In addition, Shoot RAW using AWB and use an 18% neutral gray card and the eyedropper tool to set a correct WB profile for your tank shots. (You can do this on Lightroom easily) That should give you the most correct representation of your tank colors. It may or may not be pleasing to the eye, but it is accurate.

 

[InsaneClownFish]

Alright thank you all for the great advice here. When I went shopping a couple years back I ended up coming home with an HD camcorder instead of a DSLR- kinda regret the decision.

Is there anything out there, with a lens, in the sub $400. arena worth buying these days?
I haven't looked at cameras in over 2 years. :/

 

[dlp211]

You can easily pick up a Nikon D60 or better with a kit lens for 400 off of eBay. It won't be the best camera and far from the best lens, but it is what I started with.

I do not know the Canon line, otherwise I would also recommend you an entry level from their lineup.

I highly recommend Adobe Lightroom 3, best investment in my photography outside of my lenses.

 

[cody6766]

My little bro has a Canon T2i and loves it. I have an XTi and it's great as well. His is newer and more capable, but still affordable.

My mom has a Nikon D40 that I used before I got my Canon and it's also a nice camera. I like my Canon better, but it's not a quality issue. It's just a preference for the 'feel' of using the Canon.

 

[dlp211]

My little bro has a Canon T2i and loves it. I have an XTi and it's great as well. His is newer and more capable, but still affordable.

My mom has a Nikon D40 that I used before I got my Canon and it's also a nice camera. I like my Canon better, but it's not a quality issue. It's just a preference for the 'feel' of using the Canon.

I agree with you about feel. The best thing for you to do is go to a dedicated camera store and play with a Canon and a Nikon. You will see which feels better. A word of advice though, don't pick up a MKIV or D3, one of two things will happen, you will be overwhelmed, or you will be buying a 5000 dollar body.