Super NOOB here with an XTi question

[chairmnofthboard]

Hello all, i just got an XTi about 2-3 weeks ago. I've been noticing my images being under exposed. I've heard the XTi having that problem. what can i do about it?

I was thinking returning the XTi and biting the bullet and getting the 30D. I rather not spend the money for something I use as a weekend hobby.

What do you guys think?

Thank you!

[bonneyda]

I think you can get the 20D for the same price as the XTi. That would be my suggestion.

[orisky]

You can either shoot raw and fix the exposure there, or just set dial the exposure up 1/3-1 stop.

[chairmnofthboard]

I didn't know you could still buy new 20d's

Originally Posted by bonneyda

I think you can get the 20D for the same price as the XTi. That would be my suggestion.

[chairmnofthboard]

What exactly is raw?

I can't adjust the exposure in AUTO mode right? I've trying to compensate the exposure in P. is that correct?

I have so many questions, I'll start with this one for now!

Originally Posted by orisky

You can either shoot raw and fix the exposure there, or just set dial the exposure up 1/3-1 stop.

[orisky]

Originally Posted by chairmnofthboard

What exactly is raw?

I can't adjust the exposure in AUTO mode right? I've trying to compensate the exposure in P. is that correct?

I have so many questions, I'll start with this one for now!

I apologize as I don't know the control differences between the 5D and the XTi. If you shoot in Av or Tv you can set the exposure. And with M you can effectively do the same thing.

As for "what is raw", http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAW_image_format

I shoot in RAW for better control of the photos, since I don't get exposure and white balance correct all the time.

[Just Be]

The XTi is a fine camera. Mine does not have the exposure problem. I do get some under-exposed and some over-exposed images which are easily fixed in photoshop. I would have bought the 30D, but the XTi was in my price range and I'm very happy with it.

I have no idea what your experience in the DSLR world is, but proper exposure is a skill that takes time. At least it did with me. Good luck!

[StewartR]

chairmnofthboard, most exposure problems are caused by the user rather than by the camera. Or, more precisely, by the user not knowing how the camera will react in any given situation and therefore not knowing when to trust the camera and when not to. Obviously this is a skill that takes some time to pick up!

The single best way to start to get a grip on exposure is to get a copy of Bryan Peterson's book "Understanding Exposure", and read it carefully. Many people here recommend it and with good reason. It's not expensive, highly readable, and enormously helpful.

Other than that, I suggest posting a coule of pictures that you took and which you think are underexposed. Then the experts here will be able to see whether it is your camera or your technique.

[dave kadolph]

Had the same problem but had an XT and a 1d hanging around for a direct back to back comparison so I knew the problem was in the camera.

I have to disagree with some of the people here--exposure compensation and RAW should not be required to compensate for a possible defective product.

Here is an example of a shot in program mode before my XTI was sent to Canon service and after

Hope this helps and welcome to the forum.

[vic6string]

I can tell you from my experience that when I first got my XTi (coming from the P&S world), I thought there was something wrong with it. Then I read everything i could get my hands on, from the web, to magazines, to books and after a while of playing around with it and learning as much as I could, my camera all of a sudden got better. If all you do is shoot in automatic (or even P) you are basically turning the XTi into a point and shoot camera (a great one, but still a P&S) and it will inherit all of the limitations of a point and shoot. Maybe the first few shots you took were backlit, or shots with little contrast, or other things that make the autoexposure tough on the camera's processor. I say read a little and learn a little first, because if that is what happened then buying a 20d or 30d and using it on fully auto mode will give much of the same results. You could buy a 5d and it wouldn't make much difference (except that shots that do come out nice come out really nice). Your XTi may indeed be defective, but you can't know that until you know a little more about how to use it properly.

[Just Be]

Originally Posted by dave kadolph

Had the same problem but had an XT and a 1d hanging around for a direct back to back comparison so I knew the problem was in the camera.

I have to disagree with some of the people here--exposure compensation and RAW should not be required to compensate for a possible defective product.

Here is an example of a shot in program mode before my XTI was sent to Canon service and after

Hope this helps and welcome to the forum.

It looks like you are metering off the white wall. White walls behind dark objects can fool the camera. You need to compensate in conditions like this. After owning the XTi for 6 months, I just know when to add or subtract exposure. I only use Av, Tv or M modes and rarely have a problem.

[chairmnofthboard]

ok I'll post some pix and you tell me what you guys think.

[led hed]

Originally Posted by orisky

You can either shoot raw and fix the exposure there, or just set dial the exposure up 1/3-1 stop.

would YOU do this if it was yours? prolly not.

that's like buying a new car and only driving it during the day because the headlights don't work.

[MagentaJoe]

Underexposure is either caused by a defective camera or inexperience. Some practise and you should be able to tell which it is. As stated earlier some samples would be great for us to use to judge for ourselves and give you better advice.

[chairmnofthboard]

Originally Posted by SmuckerS2

would YOU do this if it was yours? prolly not.

that's like buying a new car and only driving it during the day because the headlights don't work.

That's how I'm seeing it.