Chrome balls and grey balls for film television and photography [email protected] WhatsApp +852 5966 5756
12.6cm VFX HDRI chrome and grey balls in an open case with a colour chart
12.6cm VFX Balls

12.6cm VFX HDRI Ball Chrome and Grey Ball

Chrome and grey captured at the same moment for HDRI stills

This 12.6cm set captures chrome and grey at the same time, which is the usual way HDRI stills are shot.

VFX Ball products are produced for film and television post production, where grey scale accuracy decides whether a CG element sits in the plate.

The ball surface is treated more than 20 times to hold specular reflection.

Ball diameter: 12.6 cmUse: HDRI stillsSurface treatment: More than 20 processesGrey scale: Post production tested

Key Benefits

  • Both references share one exposure set and one timestamp
  • Grey scale is held to a level tested in post production, not guessed
  • The mirror surface stays clean of distortion across the whole sphere
  • Works with the same handles and threads as the rest of the 12.6cm range

Application Scenarios

  • HDRI stills for lighting CG elements
  • Digital double lighting reference
  • Environment capture for set extensions
  • Colour and exposure reference on multi camera days

Who It Is For

  • Post production houses building their own HDRI libraries
  • On-set VFX crews shooting between takes
  • Studios that need a repeatable reference across a long schedule

Problems It Solves

  • References shot minutes apart no longer describe the same light
  • Cheap mirror balls distort the reflection and corrupt the HDRI
  • Grey balls with the wrong reflectivity push the whole grade off

Technical Features

  • 12.6cm chrome ball and grey ball captured together
  • Produced for film and television post production
  • More than 20 surface treatment processes
  • Grey scale tested for post production accuracy
  • Compatible with standard camera and tripod fittings

Specifications

Ball diameter12.6 cm
UseHDRI stills
Surface treatmentMore than 20 processes
Grey scalePost production tested
ThreadTBC
Supplied withTBC
Net weightTBC

Values marked TBC are not published on the source material we work from and are confirmed in writing before an order is placed.

Materials

Polished stainless steel chrome sphere and a painted grey sphere.

Manufacturing Process

Long term testing in post production sets the grey scale target, and more than 20 surface steps hold the specular reflection on the chrome sphere.

Quality Control

Reference balls are compared against post production test results before they are released for sale.

Certifications

We do not publish certification claims for this product. If your procurement process needs documentation, ask us before ordering and we will tell you exactly what we can supply.

Customization Options

Other diameters in the range are 6cm, 20cm, 25cm and 30cm.

Comparison With Other Products

The 12.6cm half mirror half grey ball puts both surfaces on one sphere. This listing keeps them separate, which reads more cleanly when the two balls are photographed side by side.

Use Guide

How Crews Work With This Product

  1. Set the camera on a tripod and lock exposure between brackets
  2. Frame both balls at the subject position
  3. Bracket until the brightest highlight on the chrome ball holds detail
  4. Repeat the capture whenever the lighting setup changes
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Related Reading

Guides That Cover This Product

Telescopic stretch handle for VFX reference balls
Guide

Looking After a Chrome Ball and a Grey Ball

Cleaning, handling and storage for VFX reference balls, including why fingerprints and scratches show up directly in the HDRI.

Read more
Solution

On Set HDRI Capture

A repeatable capture routine from call time to dispatch of the reference.

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Category

12.6cm VFX Balls

Compact chrome and grey references that travel in one case

Read more
FAQ

12.6cm VFX HDRI Ball Chrome and Grey Ball FAQ

Why capture chrome and grey together

Both references then describe the same light at the same moment, which is what HDRI stills work needs.

How accurate is the grey scale

It is held at a professional level through long term testing in post production.

Why does the surface treatment matter

More than 20 processes are used to maintain specular reflection, so the reflected environment is not distorted.

Do you supply to studios outside China

Yes. Shipping by FedEx, DHL or a similar service is included in the price with a tracking number on dispatch.

Quote the 12.6cm VFX HDRI Ball Chrome and Grey Ball

Send the quantity and the delivery country and we will confirm price packing and dispatch window in writing.