EOS R6 Mark III Engage AWB lock before or after pressing record?

[jaba22]

When using the AWB lock function in video recording, should I engage the lock before or after pressing the record button or does it matter?

[jrhoffman75]

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@jaba22 wrote:

When using the AWB lock function in video recording, should I engage the lock before or after pressing the record button or does it matter?

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I think you should set up all your desired settings before you start recording.

[shadowsports]

Greetings,

I agree with John 💯 

For video I wouldn't use AWB without lock in the majority of shooting situations.  You could get some dramatic fluctuations in color cast.  The R6 mkIII has a great arsenal of white balance settings.

Default AWB is best suited for outdoor lighting.  It favors a warm color cast.  

AWBw Is similar to the above but shoots a little cooler In favor of "whiter" whites and less warmth.  It's best for indoor incandescent or tungsten lighting that usually has warmer tones.  

You can use presets for custom WB temperatures outdoors, sunny or cloudy conditions and K presets to define your own.

Shockless white balance minimizes the color shifts when moving between different lighting conditions.  You can also specify the speed at which color shift occurs using AWB response. 

To use AWB lock effectively, you can choose AWB or AWBw, then lock the AWB In whichever mode you've selected.  It might be best to let the camera take a meter reading, engage the lock and shoot 15 or 30 seconds of test footage.  Then review.  If you like what you see, start your actual filming.  

If you want to take it a step further, you can use false color to ensure the color cast and skin tones of a subject is good.

I would use waveform if I was shooting nature, panoramas or landscapes.

[Waddizzle]

My colleagues have given you sound advice.

I would only add / ask about your shooting scenario(s). Will you be capturing video under constant lighting conditions? If lighting changes, then WB may also need to be adjusted as the lighting changes.

[jaba22]

I'll be shooting mostly outside, so lighting will probably change at least between shoots. Thats is why I was thinking to use AWB with the lock. However I was not sure if the camera is constantly measuring the WB before starting the recording or is it measured only while recording. If I understand correctly I should frame the scene, then lock the AWB and then start recording. The WB will then stay in the value it was, when I activated the lock.