Canon 6D Problem

Greetigs everyone.

I am here to ask everyone about a problem on my 6D and im wondering wheter anyone else have the same problem.

I shoot with a 17-40 f4. And when i shoot at the meter level of 0 which should be the correct exposure, its just too dark. But when i increase the meter level to +1 it shows the brighter and more pleasing-to-the-eye photos.

Is this a problem with my camera? Do any of you have the same problem that I do? I really appreciate any help because I just bought it and I could ask the store.

Thanks a lot.

God bless you

Are you noticing the under exposure on the camera's LCD screen or on a computer monitor after downloading? What does the histogram look like? Posting an example with EXIF attached would help, as under exposure can have numerous causes.

I think you have a normal Canon DSLR. I have had the 450D, 500D, still have the 60D and 5Dc. My default setting on them is +2/3 EC. All of them. If I have the head-room, or the scene is pretty evenly lit, I'll go to +1, and rarely +1-1/3. Just dial it it and forget it. It does get annoying when I (rarely) shoot manual. I have to remember to aim for +1 EC. I think all Canon bodies act like this. All 4 of the ones I've owned do.

It gets even more interesting when using flash.

Its both on the lcd monitor and on my macbook. The histogram is pretty evenly spread out but the +1 exposure is better on the eyes.

Im so confused about this.

Regarding the all canon bodies acting this way. I have had the canon 550d and 70d. Do i have a faulty camera? I could return it today.

Thanks a lot guys for your reply

The meter could be mis-adjusted. It can't hurt to have it checked. Is it still under warranty?

Every Canon camera I have had tends to under expose. It is fairly normal to have to adjust EC with Canon.

I usually shoot in Av and I almost always have EC set to +1.

This has been my policy on the T2i, 60D, 6D, and EOS M. I think it's just a personal preference thing.

Seriously? All of it underexpose?

I had the 550d and 70 d but the exposure is just right. What is your opinion on that ?
I really think its faulty. Should I exchange it?

My 550d, 60d, and T3i all seem to be just a tad underexposed when comparing the meter to the final shot. Not something I think too much about, I just bump up the exp comp or just exp it a little to the right. I never thought of it as being a problem.

Michael, what are you shooting, what's your subject?
Canon cameras, and most cameras in general are trying to expose in a way to produce a 18% gray image. They are set to expose to mid-gray. This means that even if you're shooting a snow covered landscape or a white wall, the camera, by default, will make it look like gray. The opposite is true with dark scenes. A very very dark scene will come out much brighter and more gray than what it is in reality since the camera is "shooting" for an 18% gray. This is the nature of cameras.
So if you shoot a lot of test images with bright scenes, the camera may seem to underexpose. Images containing dark scenes, the camera may seem to overexpose.

that's why I was asking what you're shooting

Are you saving RAW or JPEG? Post images, histograms, EXIF info. The 6D doesn't often get criticised for its light metering. Perhaps the camera is to blame or perhaps there is a simple explanation. But without images, EXIF data no one can give you an informed opinion.

When I first had my 300D I sent it back to Canon under warranty for exactly the same issue. Got it back with Canon saying it was fine, but still underexposing by the same amount. I now shoot a 20D and that meters exactly the same as the 300D. I ETTR, but have to remember when shooting in manual to add both the meter error plus the amount needed to push the the Histogram to where I want it, from where it should be compared to where Canon seems to put it.

Alan

Without pictures pretty hard to judge. Also correct AE mode helps too, a lot of people leave it in evaluative all the time, when often another setting it better, for example portraits, it will often compromise exposure on your subject to get the background right as well....not always a good thing.

I have noticed my 6D under exposes a little bit in certain situations, often when using flash and in dark indoor conditions, although in this situation it seems it is doing it to retain highlights.

You upgraded from a 550D to a 70D and complained in another thread that it gave you blurry pictures. Others requested you post samples in that thread. What ISO was used was one question that could have been addressed. Instead, you returned the 70D and got a 6D and now complain it is too dark, even though the 70D was good. All this in just a couple days. Thinking you bought 2 bad cameras in just 2 days. Hmmm....

Personal preferences do influence how we like our pictures to look. Our minds are still better than the camera in difficult situations, I adjust exposure to compensate when the camera has a different thought than I do for "how" I want a particular scene to look. You need to not look at your cameras being "faulty", and slow down to get lots of experience with your present camera body. You have excellent equipment to shoot with! Even the 70D. It is not a camera issue you continue to have, but one of simply experience. Posting the photos with the EXIF File will help you tremendously. Lots of guidance is available with some very experienced people here. Please share your pics, and they will be there for you.

Purchase the book "Understanding Exposure" by Scott Kelby. Study it thoroughly and you will come to a better understanding of the part you play in making good pictures. "Cameras don't create good pictures, photographers do" is a trustworthy old saying. Your system is fine, just be patient in learning it. By the way, I generally shoot both my 40D's at +1/3 EV.

Excellent advice but I think that should be ..

CanonCameraFan wrote in post #16401911
Purchase the book "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson.