WhiBal Card / S90

[OBXDIVEGUY]

I am piecing together my Canon S90 system. I have the camera (love it) and a new Inon S2000 strobe that I've been testing out on my old Olympus stylus. I'm waiting to figure the camera out a bit, and save up some moola, for the FIX housing.

In the meantime, I know next to nothing about underwater/digital/anything photography. I couldn't tell you what the difference between an f-stop and ISO speed are, but I'll figure it out eventually. Thats what books are for.

What I do know is white balance seems to be a key element. I've played with the manual white balance setting on the S90, and think I have it figured out. Would you more knowledgable folks recommend something like this:
Digital Photography - RawWorkflow.com - WhiBal Certified Gray Card for White Balance
Or, can I use just a typical white slate? Since I'm new to this, I admit I'm susceptible to worthless gadgets and gizmos, as a new diver is atracted to the tank bangers and super dry snorkels

Thanks,
OBX

 

[Nemrod]

Don't worry over the white balance if you shoot RAW. And you are using a strobe! Even if you shoot JPEG you can alter the photos in PE or Picasa. I usually just set to either the UW setting or the shade setting. Not saying that is right, just what I do. Your S90 came with software for RAW and some other things. At least mine did.

N

 

[shawrg]

I wouldn't go so far as to call the gadget you're interested in buying totally worthless. However, when I want to set white balance underwater, I use a dive slate. It's something I carry anyways. I've tried a white light switch cover & it works just fine & it's less than a dollar. Although it's tiny, it's an extra piece of gear to deal with. I've also set it by just pointing the camera at a patch of sand with acceptable results.

 

[OBXDIVEGUY]

Thanks for the help! I've never done anything in RAW. From what I can tell when I played with the setting, is it appears to be a huge file, as opposed to a JPEG. I did get the software with the camera, but have yet to goof with it.

Thats exactly what I was trying to avoid, spending $30 on something that can be accomplished another way. Although, 30 bucks isn't that bad in scheme of things with u/w toys. I'll try the u/w setting and maybe the sand trick, especially on the shallow beach dives.