How to do white balance?

[OUScubaGrad07]

I have a canon sd870is and underwater enclosure. What do i need to set the white balance? I know how to do it in the camera settings...but do i need a just point it at anything white or what? I've heard someone talk about a grey and white slate? where can i find those and which do i use a grey or white one.

Finally any tips on setting white balance for best efficiency?

 

[AndyT]

I generally use the sand, but anything white will do. I have used the lid of an ice cream container before. You will need to re-set the WB around every 3m change in depth - up or down. Make sure that whatever you are using is in the available light, not in shadow.

 

[diver 85]

Sand here also & even very light colored coral works fine for me.....

 

[Rynomar]

I have used sand as well. A slate works well too, but you have to make sure that you fill the frame with the slate. You can also adjust the white balance with some post processing software like photoshop or Canon Digital Photo Professional. Also, make sure not to overexpose the photos because it makes it much more difficult to get the white balance adjusted properly.

 

[friscuba]

I wad up an old white shop rag and keep it in my BC pocket in case I can't find anything off white to use for a white balance, it works quite well for me as long as there's not too much surge.

 

[Mike Veitch]

wearing a glove with a grey palm on the left hand works a charm. i like the colours i get from a grey benchmark better than i like a white one

 

[OUScubaGrad07]

ok everyone seems to agree on sand for a good white balance...what about lake diving. i live in Oklahoma and most of my dives are in lakes with dark, silty, or rocky bottoms...what would you suggest for white balance in this case?

 

[Rynomar]

Try to find something that is white or light gray. I have used dive tanks occasionally if I cannot find anything white to shoot. A slate, white or gray rag, or something similar would be easy to carry and it is easy to do with some practice.

Also, I have found that it does not seem to make a big difference adjusting the white balance at various depths. I will set the white balance on my cameras custom setting at about 25-30 feet and leave it for the entire dive and reset it if it looks funny or after a few dives to make sure that it has not been changed.

It is nice to have the white balance set on a custom setting if available so you can switch back and forth if you are using a flash sometimes or shooting on the surface and don't want a really red picture.

 

[Gilligan]

In addition to all the previous suggestions keep your eye on this website for a firmware hack that will allow you to get RAW images with your camera and then you won't have to calibrate the white balance. Currently there is no hack for your model on the site:

FAQ - CHDK Wiki