EOS 1Ds

[scotgasch]

Does anyone use this camera?
I just recently bought one along with a 10d and using the 550ex flash I get MUCH better results with the 10d.
I use all the same settings comparatively on each camera. It appears the metering is off a full stop and a half. I have to dial in one stop over on the flash and on the exposure on the camera. I have noticed this the most on weddings because of the high volume of shots. I need consistancy in my wedding shots and I am not getting it with the 1ds. The problem is erratic and has no apparent pattern. The histogram shows a "perfect" exposure but when viewed on the (calibrated) monitor and printed they are about one to two stops underexposed. Out of about 800 shots, 300 or so need photoshop help. This is unacceptable and attempts to get any help from Canon are futile. Anyone else experiance this?

Thanks,
Scot

[philw]

Does anyone use this camera?
Yes. Nice isn't it?

using the 550ex flash I get MUCH better results with the 10d. [...] It appears the metering is off a full stop and a half. [...] I have to dial in one stop over on the flash and on the exposure on the camera.

A 1.5 stop consitent exposure error? Terrible in a £6,000 body. Send it back immediately.


The problem is erratic and has no apparent pattern.

Is this the same body as the one with the consistent one-stop problem as above?


The histogram shows a "perfect" exposure but when viewed on the (calibrated) monitor and printed they are about one to two stops underexposed.

Consistent or inconsistent, this is a fault which you need to get fixed, assuming you're reading the histo correctly. What does a "perfect" exposure look like on the histo? Shoot it with your 10D and post a sample?


attempts to get any help from Canon are futile.

;-) I'm not sure you're going to do that much better here. Any chance of describing the specific problem (is it consistent or not); posting some sample images; listing the settings you're using; describing your technique.

If the camera's actually calibrated correctly, then it's entirely possible to get apparently inconsistent results depending on how you use the camera. The manual isn't particularly good on this, and particularly people experienced with other flash systems (eg ttl) sometimes find it hard to adjust.


Phil

[scotgasch]

I will get some samples as soon as I can.


Yes the problem is inconsistant...with the 1.5 stop adjustment I SOMETIMES get a good exposure and SOMETIMES I don't.

A "perfect" exposure to me is when there is NO clipping on either side of the histogram...so there is detail in the highlights and shadows.

The problem disappears when I shoot availible light, so it is only when I shoot with the strobe. It is more apparent in big group shots...some of them will be fine, others blown out, and others to dark. I have two of these strobes and both produce the same inconsistancy.

[dwdmguy]

I have this camera and you have a problem.
1.5 off? Without a doubt, a problem.
Best,
Tom

[vkendall]

I have 3 EOS 1Ds and don't have any problems when shooting in RAW: however, when using JPEG, whether large or small, it is always underexposed. Like you it is inconsistent and I'm getting very frustrated!!

[dwdmguy]

Why would anyone NOT shoot RAW with this camera?
Anyhoo, my exposures are bang on in RAW and I don't
shoot JPEG so I can't comment.
NJ support is awesome if your close by.
Best,
Tom

[philw]

Why would anyone NOT shoot RAW with this camera? Anyhoo, my exposures are bang on in RAW and I don't shoot JPEG so I can't comment.

I shoot JPEG and RAW and it's bang on. As per previous, at this price I would accept nothing else. Cameras have to be calibrated correctly.

Why not shoot RAW: If you're taking several hundred images a day and you want the subjects to proof them quickly, and the quality is entirely adequate (to A3) then it's a solution. If I had microdrives bigger than 1G then I may shoot RAW+L as and occasionally resort to the RAW. For low volume stuff I shoot RAW at the moment.

Flash inconsistency: the manual's rubbish on this, and the 1Ds E-TTL algorithm is much smarter than the 10D's averaging system. Search and read up on that, especially if you're an old-timer used to TTL etc. With a 1Ds you shouldn't need much FEL, but you need to know what you're metering off.

I use both single and multiple guns without any surprises.. I just love the whole thing. Just don't focus and recompose!

You shouldn't have to systematically compensate at all. I very occasionally compensate exposure or flash exposure, but it's obvious why that's necessary.

[The_B]

Very new to this camera. (2 weeks) A few observations. The lens is everything. I have tried 3 different ones with this camera. If your not shooting an IS lens cut your losses and get one. I too have had the exposure issue. I shoot over 2/3 both inside and out now. Because of the exposure I can't imagine why anyone would trust anything important to a peg instead of a raw.

That being said I am very impressed with this camera so far.

Bric

[oliver]

I am just about ready to purchase a 1Ds. I have no access to a camera store and would like to know some trustworthy online stores. I have used cameraworld.com and have been reasonably happy with their service. I also have one more question - is the RAW image size 11mb? I guess I will need a 1gb microdrive.

[sgiansakidis]

i have post a letter months ago about problem with my new 1d.the 550 flash underexposures about 1 to 2/3 stop .i m wondering what canon can say about.

[brunz]

Oliver, I don't know of a better store than B&H in NYC. I have never had bad luck with them. They, in my opinion and that of many others, are the best camera store in the world. No,I don't work for them even though I probably am a good source of profit for them. Returns are handled without question. I have had good success with Adorama in NYC too.

[LMSpiccolo]

oliver wrote:
I am just about ready to purchase a 1Ds. I have no access to a camera store and would like to know some trustworthy online stores. I have used cameraworld.com and have been reasonably happy with their service. I also have one more question - is the RAW image size 11mb? I guess I will need a 1gb microdrive.

I agree that B&H is extremely reliable - but their price on the 1Ds is high. I decided to go with State Street Direct. Their rating on resellerratings.com is higher than B&H's (granted, with less feedback) and they periodically run a 10% off sale. I had no problems with the transaction, and their rating seems to indicate good customer service if needed.

And the camera is fantastic.
LMS