MO: WarmCards White Balance Reference System

[sgdavid]

WarmCards White Balance Reference System



Why should you have to settle for an ordinary white balance when it's so easy to get the warmer and richer images that clients and audiences prefer? For professional cameramen, videographers, and digital photographers a "true" white balance is rarely acceptable any more.

The WarmCards White Balance Reference System is a sophisticated set of white balance cards that make it easy to get a warmer white balance, and then to keep the "warm balance" consistent throughout the shoot -- with exact precision. WarmCards are the fastest, easiest, and most consistent way of manipulating your camera's white balance to improve skin tones and eliminate the cold electronic look that CCDs provide.

WarmCards work with all professional TV/video cameras, most digital cameras, all lenses, and are as easy to use as an ordinary white card. With several different grades of warming to select from, the WarmCards System gives you exacting control over the color balance of your camera.
Once you've seen the difference WarmCards can make, you'll probably never use an ordinary white balance ever again. Clients love the warm look!

The concept of white balancing is relatively new for still photographers, but television cameramen have been using WarmCards for years. In fact, WarmCards are used regularly on just about every network news magazine, nightly news program, and all the major cable channels.

If you watch TV, you've seen the effects of WarmCards in action. Literally thousands of television cameraman, videographers, and digital photographers around the world use WarmCards every day because they have proven themselves to be an indispensable tool for high-end video production and digital photography.

Without WarmCards, cheating the white balance is difficult to control and risky. If you rely on crude hit-or-miss warming methods, you'll likely end up with unpredictable results that can't easily be repeated or matched with other shots. WarmCards have been engineered to provide an easy and consistent method of shifting the white balance no matter where you shoot, when you shoot, or who is doing the shooting.

For video editors, WarmCards can save a lot of time color correcting and enhancing your footage in post. And remember, any changes that you have to make to your footage will always add to the time it takes to render. That's why it's always preferable to shoot the video as close to perfect as you can.

For photographers, WarmCards can save hours of painstaking work color correcting and matching colors with Photoshop.


1. The Original WarmCards System

* (1) full-size 6"x10" Warm-1 Card
* (1) full-size 6"x10" Warm-2 Card
* (1) full-size 6"x10" Warm-3 Card
* (1) pocket-size 3"x4" Warm-1 mini-Card
* (1) pocket-size 3"x4" Warm-2 mini-Card
* (1) pocket-size 3"x4" Warm-3 mini-Card
* Normal white reference on backside of all cards
* A heavy-duty zippered carrying case
* Matte finish on all cards to eliminate reflections
* A convenient WarmCards lanyard for carrying the cards
* Grommet holes in each card for hanging by lanyard
All WarmCards are fully water waterproof, rigid, washable,

and will hold up to rugged use in the field.

2. The Digital Camera Pack (DCP)

* (1) pocket-size 3"x4" Warm-1/2 mini-Card
* (1) pocket-size 3"x4" Warm-1 mini-Card
* (1) pocket-size 3"x4" Warm-2 mini-Card
* (1) pocket-size 3"x4" Warm-3 mini-Card
* (1) pocket-size 3"x4" Minus Green mini-Card
* (1) pocket-size 3"x4" Genuine Kodak Gray Card
* Normal white reference on backside of all cards
* A light-weight zippered carrying case
* Matte finish on all cards to eliminate reflections
All WarmCards are fully water waterproof, rigid, washable,

and will hold up to rugged use in the field.

3. Bundle:

The Original WarmCards System with Plus Pack Cards

* (1) full-size 6"x10" Warm-1 Card
* (1) full-size 6"x10" Warm-2 Card
* (1) full-size 6"x10" Warm-3 Card
* (1) pocket-size 3"x4" Warm-1 mini-Card
* (1) pocket-size 3"x4" Warm-2 mini-Card
* (1) pocket-size 3"x4" Warm-3 mini-Card
* Normal white reference on backside of all cards
* A heavy-duty zippered carrying case
* Matte finish on all cards to eliminate reflections
* A convenient WarmCards lanyard for carrying the cards
* Grommet holes in each card for hanging by lanyard
All WarmCards are fully water waterproof, rigid, washable,
and will hold up to rugged use in the field.

With PLUS PACK CARDS

The +PlusPack Cards increase your range of white balancing options. The +PlusPack includes both large and small Warm-1/2 cards (for times when even a Warm-1 is a little too strong) and large and small Minus Green cards that are used to eliminate the greenish tint associated with common fluorescent lighting. Even if you think your camera gives you a decent white balance under fluorescents, you'll be very surprised with the results you'll get with the Minus Green card. It's amazing.

* (1) full-size 6"x10" Warm-1/2 card
* (1) pocket-size 3"x4" Warm-1/2 mini-card
* (1) full-size 6"x10" Minus Green card
* (1) pocket-size 3"x4" Minus Green mini-card
* Normal white reference on backside of all cards
*The +PlusPack is not sold separately.

[sgdavid]

Product Images

1. The Original WarmCards White Balance Reference System



2. The Digital Camera Pack (DCP)


3. The Original WarmCards White Balance Reference System with PLUS PACK CARDS.
+

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE +PLUSPACK CARDS
Warm ½ Card:
This card is similar to the other WarmCards, but not as strong. It is used for times when some "warming" is wanted, but not as much as the Warm-1 would provide. This card is also excellent for outdoor use.
Minus Green Card:
This unique card removes the greenish tint you typically get while shooting under common fluorescent lighting. If you think ordinary white balancing compensates for the green hues of fluorescent lighting, you'll be very surprised to see the difference the Minus Green makes. Colors are truer and skin tones look healthier.
Cheap fluorescent lighting usually has a green cast - distorting colors and making people look sick. This is a common problem at places such as car dealerships, factories, airports, schools, retail stores, office buildings, supermarkets and hospitals. Many shooters work under the mistaken assumption that a "normal" white balance compensates for the greenish tint of these lights -- but it does not.

[sgdavid]

Frequently Asked Questions :

What is the WarmCards System?
The WarmCards System is a sophisticated set of white balance cards that make it easy to get a warmer white balance, and then to keep the warm-balance consistent throughout the shoot -- with exact precision.


Why do professionals need WarmCards?
Today's video cameras just don't deliver the warm beautiful images that television cameras used to have, and even the best digital SLRs don't have the same tonal qualities of film.
CCDs have made cameras less expensive, smaller, and more reliable, but they have also made the pictures colder and harsher. Compared to the tube cameras of yesteryear, today's video cameras simply don't have the same warm, rich-looking pictures.

Diffusion filters, ProMist filters, warming filters, matte boxes, and soft lighting techniques have never been more popular. Why? Because these tools are necessary to combat the harsh, cold, electronic look of modern CCD cameras.

An ordinary white balance is rarely acceptable these days in professional video production or photography. By tricking the camera's white balance into producing better colors, it is possible to get the "warm look" that audiences prefer -- but today's cameras can't deliver without some help. The problem is that cheating the white balance is difficult to control and risky. The WarmCards System changes all that by providing an easy-to-use and consistent way of getting a warmer white balance. WarmCards can turn ordinary shots into extraordinary shots.


What are the benefits of WarmCards?
* Designed for professional use by experienced shooters
* Perfect for extending the "golden hour" look throughout the day.
* Eliminates wasted time color correcting/matching footage in post.
* As easy to use as ordinary white cards.
* More cost effective and easier to use than glass warming filters
* Does not interfere glass filters used at the same time.
* Ensures a consistent "look" from different crews working separately.
* You don't need a monitor to know what the warming effect will look like.
* Different grades (strengths) for different needs.
* Available in two card sizes -- large and pocket-sized.
* Strong, durable, water-proof, unbendable, and are easily wiped clean.
* Grommeted for easy carrying or hanging.
* Designed to improve skin tones for interviews and on-camera talent.
* Easier to use than adding "warming" gels to your lights.
* Clients and audiences love warmer video.


What cameras work with WarmCards?
WarmCards work perfectly with any television, video, or digital camera having a manual white balance. Unlike filters, WarmCards System will work with any camera, any lens, with or without other camera accessories. They are as easy to use as ordinary white cards. Many producers, freelancers, and directors of photography -- (even without their own camera equipment) -- have their own personal WarmCards System to take to shoots because they know that it will be 100% compatible with any camera package they use.


Is a monitor needed?
No. Once you have experimented with WarmCards and have an understanding of how they will affect the video you shoot, a monitor is no more or less necessary than if you weren't shooting with WarmCards. Unlike haphazard "warming" techniques, the results you get with WarmCards are very consistent. You'll feel confident in white-balancing with WarmCards without checking the results on a monitor.


What cameras work with WarmCards?
WarmCards work perfectly with any television, video, or digital camera having a manual white balance. Unlike filters, WarmCards System will work with any camera, any lens, with or without other camera accessories. They are as easy to use as ordinary white cards. Many producers, freelancers, and directors of photography -- (even without their own camera equipment) -- have their own personal WarmCards System to take to shoots because they know that it will be 100% compatible with any camera package they use.


How do I decide which WarmCard grade to use?
WarmCards can be an important part of the "look" of a production, and the extent of warming you need won't always be the same. That's why they come in several grades of differing strengths so that the extent of the "warming" can be tailored to suit the needs of any production. The higher the number, the stronger the effect.
The original WarmCards System includes a total of six cards in three different strengths: Warm1, Warm2, and Warm3. There is a full-size 6"x10" card and a corresponding smaller 3"x4" pocket-sized card for each grade.

By adding the optional +PlusPack cards you can expand the original set of cards by adding two Warm1/2 cards for milder warming, and two Minus Green cards for white balancing under greenish flueorsecnt lights.

Sometimes a particular card might be used for just one shot to get a certain look. But more often, a chosen grade of card is used throughout a production to provide a very precise and consistent warming effect during the whole shoot. As the production moves through different lighting conditions, various locations, and even indoor and outdoors -- using the same grade of WarmCard will consistently shift the color balance from shot to shot. The WarmCards System gives you exacting control over the color balance of your camera.

WarmCards can also be useful for matching colors on multi-camera shoots. By experimenting with different cards for each camera, it is easy to get matching colors without the need for CCU's.

[solarii]

Interesting product... for david.

Useful for those who can't afford/don't have professional lighting and have to make do with tinted lighting which can be a nightmare to balance.

[jcho]

1 set for me, when will the cards be ready for collection?

Originally Posted by sgdavid 1. The Original WarmCards White Balance Reference System S$104 1. 2. 3. 2. The Digital Camera Pack (DCP) S$70 1. Jcho x 1 set 2. 3. 3. The Original WarmCards White Balance Reference System with PLUS PACK CARDS.S$144 1. 2. 3.

[willyfoo]

The 6x10 warm cards will come in very useful in tricky lighting situations...
Good luck for the MO!!

[sgdavid]

1. The Original WarmCards White Balance Reference System

1.
2.
3.

2. The Digital Camera Pack (DCP)

1. Jcho x 1 set
2. sljx x 1 set
3.

3. The Original WarmCards White Balance Reference System with PLUS PACK CARDS.

1.
2.
3.

[alechim]

hey bro..just curious, how do you use these warm cards???

[nightwolf75]

Originally Posted by alechim hey bro..just curious, how do you use these warm cards???

same as the traditional white cards. take a pic of it, save it as jpg, turn to custom WB and select it as ur WB setting.

[sgdavid]

Originally Posted by alechim hey bro..just curious, how do you use these warm cards???

Hey Bro....these WarmCards help you to do Manual White Balance.

Flash the card in the lighting condition you are in, take a snap shot of the card in that lighting condition. Use your camera manual white balance select the warm card as the reference point for your white balance.

Hope its helps

[alechim]

I was thinking around that too...well just to confirm...

Thanks NW and david

[fengwei]

Okay, I'm quite interested. But wanna know how well do they compare with those WhiBal cards:

http://www.rawworkflow.com/products/whibal/index.html

I'll be using them for digital SLR and mostly I prefer shooting jpg as much as I can.

Thanks for the help and cheers.

[sgdavid]

Originally Posted by fengwei Okay, I'm quite interested. But wanna know how well do they compare with those WhiBal cards: http://www.rawworkflow.com/products/whibal/index.html I'll be using them for digital SLR and mostly I prefer shooting jpg as much as I can. Thanks for the help and cheers.

If you notice, all 3 pack comes with normal 18% grey white reference card on the backside of all cards.

These are Warm Cards...it enhances your pics with a warm tone depending on the grade of warm cards being used.

[agape01]

What about the difference between these warm cards and the expodisc?

[saperboy]

Originally Posted by agape01 What about the difference between these warm cards and the expodisc?

I guess the really big diff is the price... expodisc is more expensive.

[hwchoy]

Originally Posted by willyfoo The 6x10 warm cards will come in very useful in tricky lighting situations... Good luck for the MO!!

willy, doesn't the 3×4 cards do as well? I assume the full-size card caters to video crew usage.

[hwchoy]

1. The Original WarmCards White Balance Reference System S$104

1.
2.
3.

2. The Digital Camera Pack (DCP) S$70

1. Jcho x 1 set
2. sljx x 1 set
3. hwchoy x 1 set

3. The Original WarmCards White Balance Reference System with PLUS PACK CARDS.S$144

1.
2.
3.

[ipin]

1. The Original WarmCards White Balance Reference System S$104

1.
2.
3.

2. The Digital Camera Pack (DCP) S$70

1. Jcho x 1 set
2. sljx x 1 set
3. hwchoy x 1 set
4. ipin x 1 set

3. The Original WarmCards White Balance Reference System with PLUS PACK CARDS.S$144

1.
2.
3.

[sgdavid]

1. The Original WarmCards White Balance Reference System

1.
2.
3.

2. The Digital Camera Pack (DCP)

1. Jcho x 1 set
2. sljx x 1 set
3. hwchoy x 1 set
4. ipin x 1 set
5. splim x 1 set

3. The Original WarmCards White Balance Reference System with PLUS PACK CARDS.

1.
2.
3.

[willyfoo]

Originally Posted by hwchoy willy, doesn't the 3×4 cards do as well? I assume the full-size card caters to video crew usage.

The 3x4 doesn't do it for me as they are too small to use for events..
Since my general lens for event is the 17-55mm, the card will have to be very close to cover the full surface area.. and being too close will affect the direct flash/bounce flash/ambient light ratio which affects the accuracy of the WB..

A 6x10 should solve the problem.