[ Wedding Digital Photography Guide ]

[De Paula]

Here we, digital wedding photographers, can share our knowledge about the Wedding Photography with Digital Canon Cameras.

We can talk about the common problems with this "new" technology, tips and tricks for this category.

[De Paula]

First of all, I would like to relate my problem:
At March I bought 2 D. Rebel to change my equipment to Digital. I was using Canon EOS 5 to photograph the weddings - and the photos were pretty good.
Then I start to be very unhappy with the D. Rebel results - The photos were very very dark with very inconsistent exposure - Sometimes was underexp. another times was overexposures.
I though: "Maybe buying Canon 10D my problem will be solved"
NO ! I bought 2 10D and my problem continues. I take at least 500 photos in each wedding and I can't spend a lot of time just to correct them into photoshop.
Now I'm with 2 cameras that happens the same problem: Underexposure.
Searching in the internet I found a lot of links:
Take a look at the following:

http://www.robgalbraith.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=227234&page=&view=&sb=5&o =&fpart=all&vc=1
"My frustration with the combination of the 550EX flash and TWO DIFFERENT 10D digital SLRs continues to grow. I've spent hours combing through the web, trying to discover the "magic bullet" that would, once and for all, eliminate the single-most frequent problem I have with this demonic photographic combination: underexposure"
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http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=30998&postdays=0&postorder=asc&hi ghlight=wedding&start=0
"I've noted that images are underexposed when I use my Canon 420EX flash with my 10D. I can set the flash exposure to overexpose slightly to fix this, but I'm wondering why this is?"
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http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=26852&highlight=underexposure
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http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=26961&highlight=underexposure
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http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=27307&highlight=10d+underexposure
"It seems I'm not alone with underexposure problems when using flash..."
"I've checked out the excellent sites explaining ETTL systems, and I understand the system now, but every flash photo I've taken so far in EVERY mode is consistently underexposed."

My question: With MARK TWO with its E-TTL II technology, Does this problem happens too ?

Sorry my english. :)

[robertwgross]

This was suggested before. Maybe it can be applied this time. You are shooting RAW, aren't you?

You can change your workflow of how the RAW files are taken in and converted. Depending on which app you use to accomplish this, you can "crank in" an f-stop of exposure. Try that.

Does it make it better or worse?

If it makes it worse, then delete all of those converted files and go back, change the f-stop exposure correction and try again. If you are consistently underexposed, then this is one way to go. If you are not consistently under, then there are other alternatives. Change your metering mode. Try to see the trend of whether it is the black tux target that causes the problem, or if it is the white gown that does it? [Typically, it is that combination that causes us to pull our hair out.]

"If the job was easy, then they could have hired just anybody."

---Bob Gross---

[De Paula]

Note: I'm in a wedding and I can't do any test :(

May you help me...
"I was thinking:
"Maybe the problem can be solved if I change Canon for Nikon..."

If I buy a D100 my problem will be solved ?
How is the flash metering system on a Nikon D100 ? Is it better than Canon E-TTL ?
Is it like E-TTL 2 ? "

[robertwgross]

This is probably the wrong forum to be asking Nikon questions.

---Bob Gross---

[CanonUser]

If you haven't figure out the the difference in shooting digiatal vs analog, then no matter which camera brand or body you switch to, you'll get the same result. First of all, prosumer camera tends to have a little underexposure dialed in by the mfr to prevent blown hilights. With Canon, you really have to pay attention to where the active focus point get lit up at. If you have the focus point on the white bridal gown, you will get under exposure, and vice versa for the tux. Use manual focusing and the metering will be center weighted. The underexposure and flash use problems had been disected thouroughly many tiimes over. I did have the same problem you have, but lurking at various forums and reding articles available on the Internet helped me in adjusting to the oddities of digital photography. I'm shooting with a 10D, a DRebel, wireless flash with a 550EX and a Sigma 500DG Super, 100% RAW, C1 Pro, and the images look great. Here are some link...
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=200831&highlight=#200831
http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/board/48
http://www.robgalbraith.com/ubbthreads/postlist.php?Cat=&Board=UBB13
http://photonotes.org/articles/eos-flash/
http://www.camera.canon.com.my/archive/photography/art/art14/index.htm

Regards,
Alan
*PS: There is no "Magic Bullet". Just alot of trial & error, reading, more reading, and more trying.

[Brianbar]

Going back several years ago, I did Weddings, Sports Team Photos etc. using Canon AE1's with the older version of the Metz 60CT series, I think it was a 402, never ever a problem.
It out lasted many cameras.
When I decided to do photography as a hobby I sold this flash, BIG MISTAKE.
I now have a Canon 10D and a G3 with a 420 EX, and like so many members mentioned, I'm having problem too.
I guess what I am asking is, are the 420 and 550EX flashes under powered, I would like to hear from anybody that's using the Metz 60CT series.
I sure hope that nobody mentions the price, as that should not be the issue, either they work or they don't.

Brian

[De Paula]

I contacted Canon about the problem when we use 10D/D.Rebel with 420ex/550ex
They said that they have never heard about that issue even I showing the many discussions about this.