I update the WB on a regular basis during shooting because it takes about 1 second. The WB is dead on practically every time (certainly near a 100 percent). Never really understood why these gimic products exist, but maybe it’s different on non-Olympus cameras or something and there is a market. The explanation of how complicated it is to set custom WB on a Canon (needing a menu) certainly explains a lot.

One package of grey cards cost less than ten bucks and cuts up into twenty or so pocket size cards. Basically, if you sense a change in light, reshoot the WB and you never have to deal with it in post processing or otherwise. WB is really a non-issue when you keep it up to date.

I will mention, good article though with real content.

FWIW, 18% gray cards are terrible for white balancing. They’re seldom really neutral (most I’ve seen have a decided blue cast) and they’re too dark. They’re meant for setting exposure, not white balance. “White” paper has a similar problem–most “white” paper is really somewhat blue, in order to appear more “white” to our eyes. (Anyone remember using “bluing” in laundry with whites?)

Sara Frances makes good points, except for one thing: as InfernoX pointed out, the camera’s white balance setting does NOT affect a RAW image. The best mode with RAW is a reference color that you know, like a WhiBal card that is very, very close to neutral. One click and the white balance is instantly set.

Jay_S has good advice, but, again, if you can have a reference in the same light as the photo, RAW processing can work nicely. Lightroom, Adobe Bridge, Canon DIgital Photo Professional, etc., can make the same correction to a series of photos in one action.

For RIch and Frank: those are cheap, but they’re NOT neutral. Put them in the same photo with a truly neutral reference and you may be shocked at how far off they are. Our eyes automatically correct for many lighting conditions, so white paper and Pringles lids appear neutral, but they’re not. (White paper is especially not neutral in transmission; it’s designed to look white in reflection.)

Finally!! I was waiting for someone to say that when I was going through the comments. :D

I don’t think people know enough about all the functionality and ease of use their photo software provides them (specifically, Aperture, LightRoom).

And yes why believe in this magical hocus pocus when you can easily do the same thing with a home made option???

No offense but doesn’t this post have the uncanny resemblance to an advertorial? Come on, there’s a little too much gushing over this piece of glass without a more critical analysis.