Custom White Ballance?

[Markw]

I just bought the Hoya R72 filter and I know that you set your cameras white balance manualy when shooting in infrared, but I cant figure out if my camera has tha capability, and if so, how to do it. I have the Nikon D90. If I cant do this, what white balance would it be best to switch my camera to when shooting infrared? Thanks

Mark

 

[Markw]

Ok, so the camera has a PRE whitebalance mode where (as I read) you can take a picture of a gray card and the camera will use a new, custom white balance to produce wanted results. Would I just do the same thing for the infrared, but take a picture of sme nearby grass?

Mark

 

[farmerj]

I don't try to set my custom WB without a white balance Grey card. I specifically have a WhiBal grey card.

It's in the manual on page 100. I have tried it on occassion without the WhiBal card, but it just works better with it.

 

[Markw]

Even when taking infrared photos? Ive always heard to take it set to the grass or nearby foliage?

 

[farmerj]

Never shot with an IR filter or even looked at how it's done. Can't help you with that aspect.

A google search came for white balane infrared came up with this:
http://thegistofit.org/custom-white-balance-using-lab/
http://infra-redphotography.blogspot.com/2008/06/setting-correct-white-balance-point.html

Reading those, Yes, you need to meter for the Grey level and it adjusts for you. There are other things happening as well that I would need to better understand before I comment.

 

[Josh66]

Even when taking infrared photos? Ive always heard to take it set to the grass or nearby foliage?

Yes, WB on the grass. Make sure it's properly exposed though - you may have to do a couple test shots to get the exposure right. The grass & leaves should be white.

You could also shoot RAW and WB later, that's what I do. I just do a click WB on the grass, or leaves on a tree.