White Balance

White balance ensures that colors are unaffected by the color of the light source. Auto white balance is recommended for most light sources; if necessary, other values can be selected according to the type of source. The following options are available in P, S, A, and M modes (auto white balance is used in auto and scene modes):

 

Option

Color temp. (K)

Description

 

 

 

 

Camera sets white balance automatically;

 

F Auto

3,500–

recommended in most situations. For best results,

 

use type G or D lens. If built-in or optional flash is

 

 

(default)

8,000*

used, white balance reflects conditions in effect

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

when flash fires.

 

 

 

 

 

J Incandescent

3,000*

Use under incandescent lighting.

t

I Fluorescent

 

Use with the following seven light sources:

 

Sodium-vapor lamps

2,700*

Use under sodium-vapor lighting (found in sports

 

 

venues).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Warm-white fluorescent

3,000*

Use under warm-white fluorescent lights.

 

 

White fluorescent

3,700*

Use under white fluorescent lights.

 

 

Cool-white fluorescent

4,200*

Use under cool-white fluorescent lights.

 

 

(default for Fluorescent)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day white fluorescent

5,000*

Use under daylight white fluorescent lights.

 

 

Daylight fluorescent

6,500*

Use under daylight fluorescent lights.

 

 

High temp. mercury-vapor

7,200*

Use under high color temperature light sources (e.g.

 

 

mercury-vapor lamps).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

H

Direct sunlight

5,200*

Use with subjects lit by direct sunlight.

 

N Flash

5,400*

Use with built-in or optional flash.

 

G Cloudy

6,000*

Use in daylight under overcast skies.

 

M Shade

8,000*

Use in daylight with subjects in the shade.

 

K Choose color temp.

2,500–

Choose color temperature from list of values (pg. 99).

 

10,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LPreset manual

—

Use subject, light source, or existing photograph as

 

reference for white balance (pg. 100).

 

 

 

 

 

* All values are approximate. Fine-tuning set to 0.

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