18% gray card prices

[tecboy]

Why some 18% gray cards are super cheap and some are crazy expensive?

 

[mommy-medic]

Free market economics.

 

[STM]

What are you calling "crazy expensive"? Amazon has Koday Gray cards for around $15.

And just like pretty much anything related to photography, you get what you pay for.

 

[480sparky]

Is it a printed paper card, or something more durable?

 

[tecboy]

Oh okay, I shopped around at B&Hphotovideo.com. There is one costs $2.49. Another costs $159. Just wanna know the differences in price range. The cheapest one, I don't know is a printed paper card. Is it worth to spend more money for better ones. White Balancing Accessories

I'll check out amazon.com.

 

[IByte]

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/330874-REG/Lastolite_LL_LR1250_EZ_Balance_Grey.html

I bought this which comes Monday. Hoping it will be put to a lot of good use lol.

 

[480sparky]

Oh okay, I shopped around at B&Hphotovideo.com. There is one costs $2.49. Another costs $159. Just wanna know the differences in price range. The cheapest one, I don't know is a printed paper card. Is it worth to spend more money for better ones. White Balancing Accessories

I'll check out amazon.com.

Try getting the printed paper one wet, and let us know what you think it's worth.

The one I use is solid plastic, colored all the way through. I can soak it all night long and it will simply dry off with a clean cloth. Scratched or stained? No problem..... use some 220 grit sandpaper and it's good as new.

 

[tecboy]

Oh okay, I shopped around at B&Hphotovideo.com. There is one costs $2.49. Another costs $159. Just wanna know the differences in price range. The cheapest one, I don't know is a printed paper card. Is it worth to spend more money for better ones. White Balancing Accessories

I'll check out amazon.com.

Try getting the printed paper one wet, and let us know what you think it's worth.

The one I use is solid plastic, colored all the way through. I can soak it all night long and it will simply dry off with a clean cloth. Scratched or stained? No problem..... use some 220 grit sandpaper and it's good as new.

I could buy a large gray sheet at the art store and cut it to little squares. LOL!

I think I'll get the Photovision. Photovision 6" Mini One Shot Digital Target DT6020 B&H

 

[kundalini]

Lastolite EzyBalance Gray Card LL LR1250 B&H Photo Video


Why you should use an EzyBalance « Lastolite School of Photography

 

[tecboy]

Alright, I changed my mind. I'll get the Lastolite. Someone mentioned that Photovision is better.

 

[tecboy]

Hey, look at that. I could print these out for free. I don't how accurate are they. Gray Card, 18% Gray Card for Photography, White Balance

 

[IByte]

I also bought the 5-1 oval reflector, my toys are growing...stupid B&H with their great products and fast shipping.

 

[Helen B]

Hey, look at that. I could print these out for free. I don't how accurate are they. Gray Card, 18% Gray Card for Photography, White Balance

Unless your printer is very well calibrated for greyscale, you would probably be better off using a piece of unprinted white paper (preferably one without optical brighteners), or even a white Styrofoam (expanded polystyrene) plate or cup. The claims about percentage reflectivity in the link you gave need to be taken with a pinch of salt because they will depend on the density range of the ink and paper combination you use to print the cards with.

Here's the spectral reflectivity of some common white items - you want a line that is as flat as possible:

Compare that with some commercial grey cards:

and some commercial white targets: