Railfan Technology > Headlight white balance for photo editing

Hi,

I'm wondering if anyone knows the correct white balance(K) temperature for a locomotive's headlight. I have some night shots that are illuminated completely by headlight and want to get the most accurate colors I can.

Thanks!

Top_bullfrog
Sacramento, CA

Not enough info. It depends what the bulb's technology is. What is the locomotive? A steamer? A diesel? What age? Incandescent, Quartz Halogen? HMI? Sodium vapor? Kerosene? Whale oil?
Older technology would place the color temp in the 2200 range. Brand new maybe 5500.

I5464J3 Wrote:
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> Not enough info. It depends what the bulb's
> technology is. What is the locomotive? A steamer?
> A diesel? What age? Incandescent, Quartz Halogen?
> HMI? Sodium vapor? Kerosene? Whale oil?
> Older technology would place the color temp in the
> 2200 range. Brand new maybe 5500.


Modern locomotive. Probably a GEVO, so I'd say Incandescent.

Thanks

Top_bullfrog
Sacramento, CA

I am not up on the new tech, which the GEVO certainly is.
As such, I think it must be quartz or Metal Halide since they are far superior to incandescent (which dates from Edison.)
Guessing, 5500 degree kelvin or fairly blue.

You should be able to eyeball it on your screen as you adjust the WB.