Canon 60d-Exposure and exif queries

Hi,

I have just 'upgraded' from a Canon 20d to a 60d. I did this solely because I have marks/blotches on the 20d sensor that seem impossible to remove ( I took it to be cleaned and serviced and was told that the marks could not be removed and that it wasn't worth pursuing etc etc. Anyhow, generally I really liked the quality of the images that the 20d produced, I used the camera extensively for photographing larger fungi and have been very happy with the results. Admittedly I have only had the 60d a few weeks and have only used it a handful of times but I am really struggling to obtain results on a par with the 20d. I understand that they are two completely different beasts, with regard to the metering systems. I am having trouble controlling the exposure on the 60d, I've been taking pictures in quite shady places and still images are over exposed, to me anyhow. OK I am comparing it to the 20d, which is an obvious and natural thing to do as I have been using it for at least 10 years but why is this happening? I have taken pictures in fully automatic, live shot and aperture priority to cross reference exposure and there does seem to be little difference between them. Which brings me to my second point,the EXIF info. When looking back at the pictures, taken in these different modes each one of them, according to the camera was taken in Aperture Priority AE, shouldn't this display fully auto or aperture priority? I understand that the metering system is more complicated and therefore somewhat more sensitive and may need to be paid more attention than what I applied to the 20d.. Your thoughts, comments and help would be most welcome. Thank you.

Its always best to post a few sample photos. Are you using exposure compensation? The meter is only as good as the subject its metering (meaning the metering system doesnt know if its aimed at a white persian cat on a white rug, or a mime in a coal mine). You have to know to make your meter work for you.

I'm not using exposure compensation, no. I'll upload a couple of pictures. I suppose what I need to know is whether I'm just being impatient and just need to stay with it or whether I'm wasting my time. The first of these was taken in full auto mode, the second in aperture priority.

Andy O wrote in post #16758383
I'll upload a couple of pictures.

Unfortunately the Canon software (DPP) doesn't see much in the way of EXIF info on these two images. Simply file name and file size. Not much to go on as far as providing help.

The attachment will show you your EXIF vs. the EXIF from an image of mine.

John from PA wrote in post #16758396
Unfortunately the Canon software (DPP) doesn't see much in the way of EXIF info on these two images. Simply file name and file size. Not much to go on as far as providing help.

Neither any other of the Exif readers...

Is there anything I can do my end RE: EXIF data? What do you think of the exposures? the first is fully auto the second aperture priority.

Andy O wrote in post #16758433
Is there anything I can do my end RE: EXIF data? What do you think of the exposures? the first is fully auto the second aperture priority.

What software are you using? Apparently it is stripping off the pertinent data which is critical for us to provide help. Re read my post above as I've added an attachment shwoing the EXIF as obtained using Canon software.

John, the last pictures came from iPhoto so I've uploaded them again from the pictures folder that the Canon software put them in. Hopefully the exif data will be there.

Nope, it isn't.

You may have to look at the setup options of your program to prevent it from stripping the Exif

Cameras of different models just expose differently. On my old T3, I had to use -1/3 to -2/3 eV all the time; more at night. On the 70D, it gets it right most of the time, but occasionally I'll have to adjust. See if changing the exposure compensation gets the result you're after. You definitely have to use the controls available to you; the meter can only do so much...it's up to the person behind the camera to do the rest.

Which program, the software is Canon Utility?

Here are the exif for the two pictures.


Camera Model Canon EOS 60D
Firmware Firmware Version 1.1.1
Shooting Date/Time 03/14/14 11:57:56
Author A.S.Overall
Copyright Notice asoverall
Owner's Name
Shooting Mode Aperture-Priority AE
Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/60
Av( Aperture Value ) 5.6
Metering Mode Evaluative Metering
Exposure Compensation 0
ISO Speed 400
Auto ISO Speed OFF
Lens EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II
Focal Length 18.0mm
Image Size 1920x1280
Image Quality Fine
Flash Off
FE lock OFF
White Balance Mode Auto
AF Mode One-Shot AF
AF area select mode Automatic selection
Picture Style Standard
Sharpness 3
Contrast 0
Saturation 0
Color tone 0
Color Space Adobe RGB
Long exposure noise reduction 0:Off
High ISO speed noise reduction 0:Standard
Highlight tone priority 0isable
Auto Lighting Optimizer Disable
Peripheral illumination correction Enable
Dust Delete Data No
File Size 1358KB
Drive Mode Self-Timer Operation
Live View Shooting OFF
Camera Body No. 0111513464
Comment

File Name _MG_0091.JPG
Camera Model Canon EOS 60D
Firmware Firmware Version 1.1.1
Shooting Date/Time 03/14/14 12:05:38
Author A.S.Overall
Copyright Notice asoverall
Owner's Name
Shooting Mode Aperture-Priority AE
Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/320
Av( Aperture Value ) 6.3
Metering Mode Evaluative Metering
Exposure Compensation 0
ISO Speed 800
Auto ISO Speed OFF
Lens EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II
Focal Length 25.0mm
Image Size 1920x1280
Image Quality Fine
Flash Off
FE lock OFF
White Balance Mode Auto
AF Mode Manual focusing
Picture Style Standard
Sharpness 3
Contrast 0
Saturation 0
Color tone 0
Color Space Adobe RGB
Long exposure noise reduction 0:Off
High ISO speed noise reduction 0:Standard
Highlight tone priority 0isable
Auto Lighting Optimizer Disable
Peripheral illumination correction Enable
Dust Delete Data No
File Size 1042KB
Drive Mode Self-Timer Operation
Live View Shooting OFF
Camera Body No. 0111513464
Comment

The first image is shot at 1/60 f5.6 ISO 400 the second in 1/320 f6.3 ISO 800. Bringing the second photo in the same ISO, f-stop like the first you end up with

1/320, f6.3, ISO 800 = 1/160 f6.3 ISO 400 = 1/125 f5.6 ISO 400 one stop underexposed over your first photo.

We see this

So, its just me and not the camera?

Thanks for your help.

Andy O wrote in post #16758602
So, its just me and not the camera?

Thanks for your help.

You really need to get a grasp on how the reflective metering works, and how to use exposure compensation to adjust for it. I dont see a problem with the camera.