20D Photos Underexposed

[jwhite461]

Help! I am consistently getting underexposed photos with my 20D, no matter what mode I shoot in. I have tried auto, program, manual, aperture priority, shutter prority, flash with a 580EX, exposure and flash compensation. The underexposure is evident in all of my histograms. I shot the same shot going from 100 ISO up to 1600 ISO, still dark. Also what was strange was at 1600 ISO I was getting quite a bit of noise, and did not see an appreciable amount of difference from 100 thru 1600 ISO. I have tried using the 17-40, 85/1.8, 28-135, and 50mm. Is there something I am doing wrong or might there be a problem with my camera? I know this a vague question, but any advice would be appreciated. I am not posting any photos as I am on my way out the door for work.

Thanks in advance for everyone's help,
Jeff

[megaweb]

care to share some underexposed shots with EXIF ?

[scottbergerphoto]

It's hard to help without seeing the results and settings. Your camera's meter can be fooled by many things and be working normally. I have to ask the old "Is it plugged in?" question. Did you by any chance turn the Quick Control Dial and inadvertently dial in -EC?
Regards,
Scott

[mr.photoguy]

Well I hope my post is not to long.
Anyway, I had to do a nightclub shoot for a friend that was throwing a party. I would be using my 20D and my 550 ex. I have been conversing with Scott (ScottBergerPhotography) during that week, and he gave me a lot of tips that really helped.

One, I shot in manual. Kept the Flash in Ettl.
Although the images may look a little dark, you quickly realize that they are not blown out and the colors are natural. .

Two, You have to shoot Raw.
This way you can make adjustments later on.

Three, your shooting environment.
If the ceilings are black as in my case. Then you will most likely have to point the flash at the subject. However, if you have white ceilings you can bounce the flash.

As for Noise.
As it was told to me. You will always have some noise. even with iso 100 photo's you can run them through the noiseware to be cleaned a bit.


So how do I tend to set up with dark area flash shooting.
iso 200-400 depending on distance.
flash on ettl
Camera set on manual
usually f8,9 or 10..
Time at a little above focal length.

here is a sample shot of one all cleaned up, and I opened the exposure up a bit, due to shooting Raw and to get a bit more detail. After I did this sample. I did another one and blured out the background, and brightened up the woman a bit more. It really made her stand out.


http://protosportracing.tripod.com/images/npt.jpg

The best thing also I can tell you..
Is to read Scott's stick (Flash sticky post) and also search the forum.. You have to put in your practice time with the flash and also your time behind the PC LCD..

Hope this helps.
Bruce