Manual White Balance - Sony PMW 500 Operator's Manual

5.2 Preset White Balance (PRESET)
This option fixes the white balance to a point on the orange – blue colour scale, rather than opening up
the whole spectrum of colour as when doing a manual balance. Preset white balance can be useful and
is possible if a full colour grade is planned, but better overall quality will be obtained if a manual white
balance is done on location whenever the colour of the light changes.
Only use preset if:
1. There is no time or it's not practical to do a manual white balance
2. Daylight or tungsten (incandescent) lighting is being used
N.B. Preset may give colour tinted results under low energy, LED or fluorescent lighting.
The Preset value IS NOT reset when the menus are loaded so it will remain the value the last user set.
To set the Preset value:
 Set the WHITE BAL. Switch to
 Use the Colour Temp button to select either 5600 or 3200

5.3 Manual White Balance

Performing a manual white balance will usually give the best and most consistent result. Note that
although the switch says Auto W/B it is generally referred to as a manual white balance.
To perform a Manual White Balance:
 Select the toggle switch to A or B.
 Slide the IRIS switch to 'A' (Auto)
 Hold a white piece of paper in the main light source.
 Fill the frame with the white piece of paper.
If the light is bright the camera may suggest an appropriate ND filter. Insert ND as instructed.

Return to 'M' (Manual) Iris

While ensuring the piece of paper is still filling the frame, press the White Balance switch up.

Remember there is a colour screen; does it look right?
London & HQ: 02 26161 (Option 2)
Bristol: 01 47911
Salford: 01 60200
Production Support Online
Email: production.support@bbc.co.uk
Emergency Tech Support: 07786 171250
PRESET
Advice
Sony PMW 500
Operator guide
Support Innovation
■ Production Support ■
Page 24
Acquisition