D200 white balance for flash

[jonchia]

Did some shots with D200 and SB-800 combo. Set the white balance at 'flash' and the shots were extremly warm, even at +3. Changed the WB to 'Auto' and it's perfect. Tried it at K '5300' and it looked even better. Is the 'flash' WB on the D200 that inaccurate?

[Squid]

IIRC. D200 + SB-800 combination allows communication of flash settings that affects white balance from the flash to be transmitted to the camera. See Nikon's thread below

http://nikonimaging.com/global/techn...flashcolor.htm

[gooseberry]

Originally Posted by jonchia Did some shots with D200 and SB-800 combo. Set the white balance at 'flash' and the shots were extremly warm, even at +3. Changed the WB to 'Auto' and it's perfect. Tried it at K '5300' and it looked even better. Is the 'flash' WB on the D200 that inaccurate?

If you find it warm, you should adjust the WB fine tuning to a -ve setting (-1, -2, -3) rather than a +ve setting.

[gooseberry]

Also, the "Flash" WB setting assumes a certain colour temperature (I think 5400K IIRC). Thus, you may get warmer (or cooler) colours if your actual flash unit does not actually output that exact colour temperature (or if you bounce your flash). Auto WB is recommended by Nikon when using their speedlights, the benefit is explained in the link posted by Squid.

[zac08]

I prefer Auto WB with or without flash... it's much more accurate.

[jonchia]

Thanks everyone for your inputs. Will try -ve setting as suggested by gooseberry just to see how it works out.....

[jonchia]

Originally Posted by Squid IIRC. D200 + SB-800 combination allows communication of flash settings that affects white balance from the flash to be transmitted to the camera. See Nikon's thread below http://nikonimaging.com/global/techn...flashcolor.htm

Thanks for the link.

[jeanie]

it's warm for sure.but a slight adjustment in LR or cs3 will make your subjects look more natural as compared to using autoWB which tends to whiten the face.
more like personal taste.

[Zerstorer]

Originally Posted by gooseberry Also, the "Flash" WB setting assumes a certain colour temperature (I think 5400K IIRC). Thus, you may get warmer (or cooler) colours if your actual flash unit does not actually output that exact colour temperature (or if you bounce your flash). Auto WB is recommended by Nikon when using their speedlights, the benefit is explained in the link posted by Squid.

Nikon Flash WB is typically set to vary around 6500K making any 5500k(daylight) lightsource look warm. IIRC negative adjustments to the preset WB settings actually increase the colour temp setting and make the image look warmer instead of cooler.

[gooseberry]

Originally Posted by Zerstorer Nikon Flash WB is typically set to vary around 6500K making any 5500k(daylight) lightsource look warm. IIRC negative adjustments to the preset WB settings actually increase the colour temp setting and make the image look warmer instead of cooler.

Yeah, you're right, a -ve adjustment will make the image warmer and a +ve will make it cooler (don't know what I was smoking last night...) , but I'm pretty sure the colour temperature for the "Flash" option on Nikon cameras is 5400K - which is confirmed in the manual, jsut checked, Flash - colour temp is 5400K.

[Artosoft]

Correct from beginning for WB will easier post processing process. But if in doubt, why not set WB to auto and record RAW? Adjust/set WB as you like on post processing.

Regards,
Arto.

[Artosoft]

Originally Posted by gooseberry Yeah, you're right, a -ve adjustment will make the image warmer and a +ve will make it cooler (don't know what I was smoking last night...) , but I'm pretty sure the colour temperature for the "Flash" option on Nikon cameras is 5400K - which is confirmed in the manual, jsut checked, Flash - colour temp is 5400K.

Remember, while it is look insignificant, the duration of flash also affect the color temperature of flash.

Regards,
Arto.

[Zerstorer]

Originally Posted by gooseberry Yeah, you're right, a -ve adjustment will make the image warmer and a +ve will make it cooler (don't know what I was smoking last night...) , but I'm pretty sure the colour temperature for the "Flash" option on Nikon cameras is 5400K - which is confirmed in the manual, jsut checked, Flash - colour temp is 5400K.

You may be right, I no longer have a D200 nor SB800 to verify now. That was from what recall seeing in RAW processing software. Setting WB mode to flash WB will usually result in warmer pics than using the D200 AWB on flash.

[calebk]

From experience, "Flash" colour temperature in Adobe Camera RAW is at 5500ºK. Not too sure about the colour temperature for the in-camera preset though.

[spazzer]

Originally Posted by zac08 I prefer Auto WB with or without flash... it's much more accurate.

i totally agree with this as auto wb seems much better