New 5D2 underexposing

Hi,

I'm looking to compare notes and get some advice.

I just got a 5D2 recently (yay!) but since messing around with it for the past week, I've found that most of the pictures it takes are underexposed by a bit more than 1/2 stop (based on histogram). My comparison is against my 50D using the same lens and same lighting condition. Metering on both cameras are the same mode.

Is this normal? Or should I send it in to Canon? Or is this something you would deem acceptable?

Fwiw, I shoot RAW and can adjust in post.

Thanks in advance for any feedback.
Nik.

i wouldn't bother sending it in.
it happened a lot with nikon body before i sold it...
just a little EC and its good to go.

If it presents a problem in practice, have it serviced. If it doesn't, don't.

Mine does as well... 2/3 underexposed to be exact. I called Canon about it, and they wanted me to send it in, as well as send comparison photos. Seeing as how I just got the camera and would rather be out taking photos, I decided to just live with it and use EC, hoping that they will release a fix in the next firmware. If not, I will send it in.

I think the 5DII meter is actually pretty accurate, though it tends to underexpose a bit (maybe 1/3 stop) compared to other Canon cameras. With general indoor lighting, evaluative metering, I'll often use a +2/3 EC as kind of my base point (I generally use +1/3 on the 20D/5D).

Thanks all. Considering it only takes a little EC, and also that its brand spanking new, I'd rather not send it in yet - maybe later. But its strange that it behaves this way. My 450D (already sold) and my 50D had no variance - at least none that were immediately obvious. But the 5D2 was pretty obvious. Without even looking at the histogram, I could tell that pictures were darker. The histogram only validated it. Its still a heck of a camera tho. I've still not gotten over how much better pictures turn out on this body.

Yeah mine underexposes as well and my friends does the same. I always have EC like +2/3.

nik.hisham wrote in post #8511103
Thanks all. Considering it only takes a little EC, and also that its brand spanking new, I'd rather not send it in yet - maybe later. But its strange that it behaves this way. My 450D (already sold) and my 50D had no variance - at least none that were immediately obvious. But the 5D2 was pretty obvious. Without even looking at the histogram, I could tell that pictures were darker. The histogram only validated it. Its still a heck of a camera tho. I've still not gotten over how much better pictures turn out on this body.

You may be surprised but the variance over bodies (well, not specific bodies, but moreso models) can differ quite a bit. I recall the hordes of people complaining that the 400D underexposed by an average of 2/3rds of a stop, and it was just a case of the metering there being programmed to preserve highlights whenever possible. Dial a little EC and be happy!

The only way to know whether your meter is underexposing is to do gray card shots.

Collin85 wrote in post #8511328
... the metering there being programmed to preserve highlights whenever possible. Dial a little EC and be happy!

Hmmm.. you've hit something with that. I do have highlight tone priority enabled and wonder if that is what is causing it to go 1/2 stop under. Will have to play around with that.

wickerprints wrote in post #8511342
The only way to know whether your meter is underexposing is to do gray card shots.

Would just comparing histograms of photos from two bodies and same lenses not be just as good, or will grey cards be more conclusive?

Thanks.

nik.hisham wrote in post #8511437
Hmmm.. you've hit something with that. I do have highlight tone priority enabled and wonder if that is what is causing it to go 1/2 stop under. Will have to play around with that.

Would just comparing histograms of photos from two bodies and same lenses not be just as good, or will grey cards be more conclusive?

Thanks.

Grey cards will be conclusive.
Comparing bodies may not be since, for example, it is generally impossible to create exactly the same image using the same lens with the same settings with different formats.

I have two 5DII and I have no issue with proper exposition other then my error. Do not forget that black or white background have an issue on your lightmetering unless you use spot!