Why use PTFE for white balance?
- Highly reflective: PTFE reflects all wavelengths of light equally, which is important for accurate white balance.
- Very even surface: The surface of PTFE is very even, which helps to ensure that the light is reflected evenly.
- Durable: PTFE is very durable and can withstand repeated use.
- Accurate: PTFE provides accurate white balance results, even in difficult lighting conditions.
- Forgiving of positioning errors: If PTFE is not perfectly positioned in front of a camera, it will still provide a relatively accurate white balance.
- Resistant to ambient light: PTFE is resistant to ambient light, which means that it can be used in varying lighting conditions without producing inaccurate white balance results.
- Versatile: PTFE can be used for a variety of applications, including photography, videography, and colorimetry.
- Use for exposure monitoring: PTFE has a specific reflectivity of 96%, which makes it ideal for use with exposure monitoring tools, such as zebras, spot metering, and waveforms.
- Non-toxic and safe to use: PTFE is non-toxic and safe to use, even in food applications.
- Weatherproof: PTFE is weatherproof and can be used in outdoor conditions, even in rain or snow.
Overall, PTFE is a versatile and reliable material that can be used for a variety of white balance and exposure monitoring applications. It is non-toxic, safe to use, and weatherproof, making it a great option for photographers and videographers who need a white balance target that can be used in any conditions.
Why use a spherical target
- They more closely mirror the real world. Flat targets can only measure light from one direction, while spherical targets can reflect light from all directions. This means that spherical targets provide a more accurate representation of the light that is hitting a camera sensor.
- They’re more forgiving of positioning errors. If a spherical target is not perfectly positioned in front of a camera, it will still provide a relatively accurate white balance. This is not the case with flat targets, which can produce inaccurate white balance results if they are not positioned perfectly.
| Feature | PTFE sphere | Flat white balance target |
|---|---|---|
| Reflectivity | Highly reflective | Less reflective |
| Surface | Very even | May not be as even |
| Durability | Very durable | Less durable |
| Accuracy | More accurate | Less accurate |
| Forgiveness of positioning errors | More forgiving | Less forgiving |
| Versatility | More versatile | Less versatile |
| Use for exposure monitoring | Can be used | Cannot be used as easily |
So how can I make a spherical PTFE white balance target?
Simple. Just wrap a compressible ball such as a stress ball, with PTFE tape. Cover it with approximately 5 layers of tape. You now have a super accurate, weatherproof and semi indestructible white balance and exposure target for less than the price of a coffee. Enjoy!