10D overexposure - expert opinions, please?

[lluscombe]

Hi,

I seem to notice that the 10D will overexpose, if left to itself (AUTO), in P and Av i just set it 1/2-1 stop under (depending on the situation) and it turns out fine. Very even, low contrast scenes are usually OK with the meter, but moderate to high contrast scenes are a real problem for overexposure, completely blowing out highlights. And often times it will bleach skin (not completely white, but over-exposed), at which point there is no return.

I would be interested if anyone else has had that problem, expecially those of us who know how to meter manual cameras and understand exposure. I can deal with it (I could not trust the meter on my Nikon F3 either, so comensated), but if it is a meter problem, I should have it looked after soon. Thanks.

[Webster]

The D60, and presumably the 10D also, will make an effort to avoid overblown areas in the picture. This will result in the image being darker than we would want in teh final print, but it will contain the most actual image data. On the D60, if you look at the image info, you can see the blown-out areas blinking. Auto exposure minimizes this.

This horse has been beaten to death in the D60 threads.

[lluscombe]

Webster,

Thanks for your reply. The D60 uses a different meter altogether than the 10D. The D60 is known for its under exposure, and the 10D was supposed to correct for that. However, I think it may have been OVER corrected.

[Dan_mobile]

lluscombe wrote:
Webster,

Thanks for your reply. The D60 uses a different meter altogether than the 10D. The D60 is known for its under exposure, and the 10D was supposed to correct for that. However, I think it may have been OVER corrected.

Same 35-segment meter as the D60. Much improved algorithms. Make sure your not in partial (spot) or average (center weight). Or maybe you should be in partial or average? Conditions will influence the metering style – that’s why it’s selectable. I find the 10D metering pretty much right on. However, any high key complex image can fool reflective type light meters.
Dan
http://www.pettusphoto.com

[justme_dc]

I don't know how expert I am but I too have noticed that when confronted by a tricky lighting situation my 10D leans toward overexposure by about 1/2 to 1 stop. Initally I was a little upset by it but it's pretty predictable so I just allow for it with my exposure. I always carry a pocket meter in my kit and usually check important shots against that.

Every Camera has quirks. The meters in my Canon film cameras often differ in opinion by as much as a stop and a half when viewing the same scene with the same lens and focal distance. (Yes, I shoot mutliple camera set ups fairly often.)

In camera meters are not the end all be all. The 10D's is no exception. I don't think it is a manufacturing defect but more a part of the 10D's character. Unless canon issues a recall, that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Good luck to ya!

[lziering]

I think the best way to judge digital exposure is to review the histogram. If you have a nicely distributed histogram curve with no clipping at either end, then you have a well exposed shot. The best way to use a digital camera, IMHO, is to set it to provide the LDC to give you a review with info, check the histogram, and adjust exposure, if necessary, to get a good histogram.

[Roger_Cavanagh]

Before I sent my 10D away for recalibration because of focus issues, I was generally using -1/3 or -2/3 in Tv and Av modes. Whether it will be the same when it comes back...

Regards,

[lluscombe]

I gave the 10D a workout yesterday, in Stratford, Ontario by beautiful lake Victoria and the Avon river. They have a variety of waterfowl there, and they are quite tame, so I was able to get some very decent shots with the 100 f2.8 macro (borrowed, used as a tele, I am waiting for my orders of Canon lenses to arrive). Settings were Program mode, without compensation or fill-flash. Exposures were remarkably accurate in direct sunlight (white swans on water, etc,) with almost no overblown highlights.

Unfortunately, I forgot to bring a polarizer to cut the reflections on the water, but still, the results were quite good. If anyone is interested, I would be willing to post some of the pictures on my web site.

So at this point, everything seems to be working well.

[lluscombe]

Here are a couple of pictures. They have not been manipulated, other than resampling to 800 pixels and a small amount of required sharpening. The camera (Canon 10D) was in Program mode, with the camera in complete control of exposure and focus. The original full-size images show much more detail, bordering on the extraordinary. Lens used was a 100mm macro (used as a telephoto).

http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=1439447&size=lg

http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=1439454&size=lg