You don't want an 18% grey card! 18% grey is a holdover from the old print days. Modern digital cameras are calibrated to an ANSI standard which has roughly a 12% luminance. You want a 12% grey card for proper exposure on a modern digital camera. If you meter off of an 18% grey-card, you should open up a half-stop to achieve correct exposure.
On my Canon M41 you put the gray card in the scene without filling the screen and then just touch the screen where the card is. Beware that on some cameras the aperture will change as you zoom.
Question: If I am using a prime lens, would I have to move close to my subject and fill my screen with the grey card, auto-expose, and then move back to where I will shoot?
so I ordered the grey card but when it came its like the size of something you fit on a keychain, and its a piece of wood. are you sure you had the right link?
@willtruslow Yes, it is a piece of laminate. Use the drop down menu to select size. The choices are 2x3", 3x5" and 8x10". Pick the big one if you want the most coverage. Some people like the small size for portability, but I like the largest ones.
great vid, i'm getting my cards soon, hopefully... i don't know how long it will take for them to come in... but this will help me out a lot because at times i have a hard time telling if i'm overexposing just to get the talent
This is really helpful. Well done. We need someone to do an unboxing or review of our new digital white balance/ color correction / exposure product - works with FCP, Premiere, Aperture, Las Vegas, Lightroom, video, in-camera custom WB, DSLR, etc. See us at digitalimageflow(dot)com - we will ship you a free one if you are interested...check the listing for new product (DKC-Pro) on our home page and contact us ..thanks!
Hi! Thanks for the trick but I don't understand if I have to use the grey card for the white balance or for the exposure? I am a filmmaker and never use grey card. And how do you do with long distance subject?
@sylvainnaessens You definitely use it for the exposure, but it works for white balance, too! If the subject is long distance this won't work as the whole point is to completely fill the screen with the card so he camera can auto-expose.
@thefrugalfilmmaker No. You can do it even if your model is holding the card in the first photo even from far away, as long as you test read with your camera focused on the grey card in the scene, then remove the card and shoot.
Yes! I just ordered a grey, black, and white (to test the effect of each one) for FREE! I think you have to make yourself a "Designer" and not an "architect" in your profile info to get them for free, but I'm not positive. Thanks for the help guys! I tested it on my hand and it worked great :D
I'm loving your vids, but... you should mention that besides perfect exposure, you really shouldn't be shooting at 1/30 shutter speed unless you're trying to achieve a cool effect. Most consumer cameras only shoot at 30fps, therefore you should keep your shutter speed at 1/60. If you're shooting 24p, you should keep the shutter at 1/48. 1/30 will add unwanted motion blur during shots with movement.
@theryaner You're correct sir! However, Canon camcorders seem to look best in the Cine mode, which defaults to 1/30 when shooting 30fps and using the gray card. Not sure why, but it does. I've shot lots of stuff this way and never had any nasty motion blur. Go figure.
Yes, this is true. Sorry if I was unclear. One thing I really like about this camera is that you can turn gain off and leave it off. Adding light is always the better solution, although I realize not always the most practical one (as when shooting a wedding reception). I hate gain. It always makes your picture look worse.
why do you look like a CGI character?
elitestar 1 month ago
Thanks for the tip, I just ordered mine!
JonathanBCormier 1 month ago
You are a godsend! I ordered the biggest ones and the 3x5. i will make a clapper board and use them to help to white balance.
MeleeTV 1 month ago
Hey, the cards showed up for free today, thanks for the tip!
AlmostCriminals 1 month ago
Just got my free 18% grey card in the mail! Thanks for the tip :D
drjaywhiz 2 months ago
you look like you're a dave hill photo
SGwizard1 2 months ago
You don't want an 18% grey card! 18% grey is a holdover from the old print days. Modern digital cameras are calibrated to an ANSI standard which has roughly a 12% luminance. You want a 12% grey card for proper exposure on a modern digital camera. If you meter off of an 18% grey-card, you should open up a half-stop to achieve correct exposure.
BloatedSensations 2 months ago
ordered mine about a week ago, according to the site they should be coming in within the next few days, thanks so much for the link.
Gortess 2 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
with what white balance should you take photo from a gray card?
khashy87 3 months ago
On my Canon M41 you put the gray card in the scene without filling the screen and then just touch the screen where the card is. Beware that on some cameras the aperture will change as you zoom.
SteveHovland 3 months ago
I have a Canon 60D, can't I just use the metering that it comes with on the camera?
kaninda3 4 months ago
wish i lived in the US as they dont ship to the uk but great video anyway :)
TakingHippo 4 months ago
They don't ship to Australia! :'( Excellent tip, really helped me out! :)
ConnerWilsonMedia 5 months ago in playlist More videos from thefrugalfilmmaker
I cant even afford a camera that has manual focusing.
bigdima3 6 months ago
I just ordered my free gray card. Thanks Mr. Frugal!
ChzBrgrChzBrgr 6 months ago
Question: If I am using a prime lens, would I have to move close to my subject and fill my screen with the grey card, auto-expose, and then move back to where I will shoot?
lexdimond1 7 months ago
so I ordered the grey card but when it came its like the size of something you fit on a keychain, and its a piece of wood. are you sure you had the right link?
willtruslow 7 months ago
@willtruslow Yes, it is a piece of laminate. Use the drop down menu to select size. The choices are 2x3", 3x5" and 8x10". Pick the big one if you want the most coverage. Some people like the small size for portability, but I like the largest ones.
thefrugalfilmmaker 7 months ago
@thefrugalfilmmaker oh oops. I didnt notice that drop-down bar. well thanks anyways, I really enjoy the show.
willtruslow 7 months ago
@thefrugalfilmmaker i ordered the 2x3 and 3x5 after i was pleased with the 8x10 i had ordered. i love it
randomisoty422 2 months ago
Hello! I'm unable to find the free 18% grey card, using the link posted. Help?
ActsOfElegance 7 months ago
@ActsOfElegance Hmmm...all the links worked for me. Try again?
thefrugalfilmmaker 7 months ago
Press 2, and 5 two see the difference between the two exposures.
TerriblyIvan 7 months ago
great vid, i'm getting my cards soon, hopefully... i don't know how long it will take for them to come in... but this will help me out a lot because at times i have a hard time telling if i'm overexposing just to get the talent
mreedy02 8 months ago
This is really helpful. Well done. We need someone to do an unboxing or review of our new digital white balance/ color correction / exposure product - works with FCP, Premiere, Aperture, Las Vegas, Lightroom, video, in-camera custom WB, DSLR, etc. See us at digitalimageflow(dot)com - we will ship you a free one if you are interested...check the listing for new product (DKC-Pro) on our home page and contact us ..thanks!
hdegroothdegroot 10 months ago
Thank you very much! I am waiting for more videos!
sylvainnaessens 1 year ago
Hi! Thanks for the trick but I don't understand if I have to use the grey card for the white balance or for the exposure? I am a filmmaker and never use grey card. And how do you do with long distance subject?
sylvainnaessens 1 year ago
@sylvainnaessens You definitely use it for the exposure, but it works for white balance, too! If the subject is long distance this won't work as the whole point is to completely fill the screen with the card so he camera can auto-expose.
thefrugalfilmmaker 1 year ago
@thefrugalfilmmaker No. You can do it even if your model is holding the card in the first photo even from far away, as long as you test read with your camera focused on the grey card in the scene, then remove the card and shoot.
hyperfocus2011 2 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Hello Dear Filmmakers
If you're ever in need of a professional and affordable soundtrack / score for your projects, please check out my royalty free collection under :
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soniccube 1 year ago
@memento313 Thanks for the detailed explanation. It explains a lot.
thefrugalfilmmaker 1 year ago
why the hell is the link not working
locustskater 1 year ago
@locustskater Try again. It worked fine for me.
thefrugalfilmmaker 1 year ago
@thefrugalfilmmaker Yea I got it to work....must've been a temporary bug or something O__o
locustskater 1 year ago
Yes! I just ordered a grey, black, and white (to test the effect of each one) for FREE! I think you have to make yourself a "Designer" and not an "architect" in your profile info to get them for free, but I'm not positive. Thanks for the help guys! I tested it on my hand and it worked great :D
SlicedFilms 1 year ago
Comment removed
SlicedFilms 1 year ago
I'm loving your vids, but... you should mention that besides perfect exposure, you really shouldn't be shooting at 1/30 shutter speed unless you're trying to achieve a cool effect. Most consumer cameras only shoot at 30fps, therefore you should keep your shutter speed at 1/60. If you're shooting 24p, you should keep the shutter at 1/48. 1/30 will add unwanted motion blur during shots with movement.
theryaner 1 year ago
@theryaner You're correct sir! However, Canon camcorders seem to look best in the Cine mode, which defaults to 1/30 when shooting 30fps and using the gray card. Not sure why, but it does. I've shot lots of stuff this way and never had any nasty motion blur. Go figure.
thefrugalfilmmaker 1 year ago
that was really helpful!!!! thank you
FaLLeNaNg3L82 1 year ago
The canon HF S series cameras do allow you to control the amount of gain being added to the picture by adjusting the automatic gain control
dylan3246 1 year ago
Yes, this is true. Sorry if I was unclear. One thing I really like about this camera is that you can turn gain off and leave it off. Adding light is always the better solution, although I realize not always the most practical one (as when shooting a wedding reception). I hate gain. It always makes your picture look worse.
thefrugalfilmmaker 1 year ago
the sidebar with thr free gray card info is missing. how do i get one? thanks, nice tutorial.
ReidVV 1 year ago
Click on "more info" in the margin to reveal the link about getting a free gray card.
thefrugalfilmmaker 1 year ago
@thefrugalfilmmaker did you get matte or LINEARITY 18?
aaronbwcollins 6 months ago
can u do a video about the mic control
nene213 1 year ago