I am so frustrated...

with ETTL.

I took pictures at 2 different events this weekend. One was mostly indoors with poor lighting the other was outdoors with some bright sunshine pictures and some in the shade. I mostly shot this pictures in my camera's P mode and left the flash (Sigma 500DG Super) in ETTL mode because I did not have time to setup most of these shots. They were shooting opportunities that required quick decisions on the shots. Just about all of my pictures were underexposed. I had similar results in the past with the built-in flash as well. I know that this is a known problem with ETTL but I need help on getting more properly exposed shots. I need recomendations from those of you that have mastered this art. Most of the pictures could be rescued in PS but when you correct an underexposed shot you inevitably end up with noise and this requires more editing time. Please help.

Ovi

(1) You are shooting RAW, aren't you?

(2) How far underexposed?

---Bob Gross---

Bob,

Yes I am shooting raw but even with raw you do lose a lot when you adjust them. They are underexposed by 1 to 2 stops. I will post some examples tonight after I get home.

Ovi

What camera?

I don't know if you did this or not. When I shoot flash I always check the histogram with the first couple of shots. I make an adjustment with FEC( Not on 300D ) and leave it unless I change rooms/setting and then I check again. That usually works.
Scott

It is a 300D/DRebel. I have the Sigma 500 DG Super so I do have access to FEC. I guess my biggest complaint seems to be the lack of consintency with the results that I am getting. If I crank the FEC up to +1 I'll usually get decent pictures but sometimes they will still be underexposed and on rare occasions they may be overexposed.

Do you guys normally shoot Manual when using flash?

Ovi

Almost never.

---Bob Gross---

If you haven't read this it's required reading to understand how E-TTL works:

http://photonotes.org/​articles/eos-flash/

When I had a Digital Rebel I'd usually shoot in P mode and do a flash exposure lock (FEL) on what I want properly exposed, usually a face or shirt. I'd get very consistant results.

dtrayers,

I've had good results with the method you suggested. However, when shooting at an event with people walking around, they usually think you took the shot already and walk away.

Ovi