5D III Underexposing - Is there a fix?

So my 5D III consistently underexposes and it is by quite a bit (over one stop). Basically I keep EC at +1 stop to get properly exposed photos. The thing that bugs me about this the most is that unless I look at the histogram constantly, I won't know that the camera underexposes as the images look good on the LCD. That means that for every image I take, I have to keep the preview window on the histogram and I don't like that as it is the only reliable way to gage exposure. On my old 5D II I also used the histogram too but a lot less as the camera exposed properly for the most part and I din't have to depend on the histogram for proper exposer for every single shot.

What are my options? If I send it to CANON, will they be able to calibrate it or do I have to suck it up and get used to the +1 EC?

Have you shot an 18% gray card to check that the meter is actually off?

What metering mode are you using? Sample shots?

I prefer to leave histogram up because that's the important thing to look at when reviewing anyway.

Odd. How are you metering? Spot, center point?

gonzogolf wrote in post #15986876
Have you shot an 18% gray card to check that the meter is actually off?

No, but if I'm constantly dialed +1 EC or more for the majority of my shots ... Wasn't like that on the 5D II...

Numenorean wrote in post #15986878
What metering mode are you using? Sample shots?

I prefer to leave histogram up because that's the important thing to look at when reviewing anyway.

I could do that but then I also have to look at the actual image to see things like composition and focus so now I'm flipping back and forth way too many times ...

I'm using the default spot metering mode ...

well if you dont run a test using a measurable tool you cant be sure whether its the camera or some change in the settings or technique.

pixel_junkie wrote in post #15986886
I could do that but then I also have to look at the actual image to see things like composition and focus so now I'm flipping back and forth way too many times ...

You look at composition and focus through the viewfinder. Not the LCD after you've already taken the shot.

pixel_junkie wrote in post #15986888
I'm using the default spot metering mode ...

Spot metering is only useful for certain situations and is not the idea metering mode in most cases. Try using center weighted average or evaluative mode.

I'd shoot a gray card and check the histogram on that image to see what's happening. And remember with a gray card the histogram won't be all spread out like with a "normal" image but will just be a peak in the middle.

Under what lighting conditions would you set up a gray card shot to get the most accurate results? I use my gray card for color correction mainly ...

The 5D2 averages the scene to be three stops below the sensor maximum. The 5D3 averages the scene to be 3.5 stops below maximum. If the scene had 7 stops of dynamic range, the 5D3 would capture it perfectly, whereas 5D2 would clip the highlights.

frugivore wrote in post #15987011
The 5D2 averages the scene to be three stops below the sensor maximum. The 5D3 averages the scene to be 3.5 stops below maximum. If the scene had 7 stops of dynamic range, the 5D3 would capture it perfectly, whereas 5D2 would clip the highlights.

Is there a way to adjust that in anyway? I hate it...

Numenorean wrote in post #15986920
Spot metering is only useful for certain situations and is not the idea metering mode in most cases. Try using center weighted average or evaluative mode.

I don't have a 5D3, but isn't the spot meter tighter than that of the 5D2? If so, that's going to up the rate of errors for someone who isn't using it properly.

RDKirk wrote in post #15987110
I don't have a 5D3, but isn't the spot meter tighter than that of the 5D2? If so, that's going to up the rate of errors for someone who isn't using it properly.

I don't have one either so I'm not sure on the coverage differences if any between the two.