5D2 metering: anyone else need +2/3 or +1 all the time?

anthony11 wrote in post #9354851
My understanding is that spot metering can be useful when eg. the subject is backlit by a window or such, to avoid the bright bg underexposing the subject.

As long as the subject is wearing a shirt that is 18% grey I suppose that would work. Seems like such a rare event that I would not think too much about it.

If the subject is wearing a black/navy turtleneck or a white T-shirt then spot metering is going to screw that shot just as much as evaluative.

bohdank wrote in post #9353668
I find that, in anything but very good light, my 5DII seems to underexpose at least 1/3 stop. I often find myself at +2/3 or +1.

My default is +1/3 in good light.

Ditto, I often have to use +1/3 with my 24-70L, however, I have the older 16-35L and it appears to work just fine at 0 but it was one of the few lenses known to over expose on my prior bodies so I think it might just the optic.

The plus side is exposing to the right really helps cut down the shadow noise.

I should add, it's usually worse with flash. +1 on the flash +1 on the camera. I had the same issue with the 5D. The 40D seemed to work fine with more nuetral settings.

PS: I should add, that those settings are in my living room where there are a lot of light colors.

anthony11 wrote in post #9352781
I've been trying for some time to figure out if I'm doing something stupid, but I can't find anything wrong that I'm doing or have set.

When shooting with available light, my 5D2 consistently needs +2/3 to +1 EC for the shot to come out looking roughly right. In fact when I shoot at +2/3, I often need to boost exposure in PP, so it's probably fair to say that it needs +1 EC all the time.

Does this ring a bell with anyone? Should I send the thing in to Canon yet again?

Do you feel you need to compensate the EC after looking your LCD or check it out from computer ?
There's no problem with me with its metering, as in available light.

There's been a few threads on this. Here's one: https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=660213

After close to a year I have just got used to adjusting mine.

Look up the term "zone system" and you'll have a better idea about how cameras meter the ambient light. Understanding how your camera metering system works will save you many important shots later on.
And you might need more than just looking at LCD or monitor to be sure your camera under/over exposure, I would get a light meter and compare with your camera at certain situation to find out.

To answer your original question, YES. My first 5d2 exibited this behavior, I was shooting at +2/3 to +1 almost all the time. My second 5d2 is not as bad, +1/3 to + 2/3 ec but usually +1/3. This is consistent with all my lenses.

Mine was in for a service and clean not that long ago under CPS terms and I had them check the focus and metering functions. Everything was in spec no adjustment to the meter. So the 1/3 I dial in is just normal sometimes I guess.

i have to dial +1/3 or 2/3 all the time too

bohdank wrote in post #9355581
I should add, it's usually worse with flash. +1 on the flash +1 on the camera. I had the same issue with the 5D. The 40D seemed to work fine with more nuetral settings.

PS: I should add, that those settings are in my living room where there are a lot of light colors.

What lens or lenses?

I support this thread, I use +1/3 most of the time.

jetcode wrote in post #9356298
What lens or lenses?

28-75/50/85/135 and probably all the rest. Those are the ones I have used recently.

To be honest I am thinking it might be a flash problem (connection on the flash).

bohdank wrote in post #9357773
28-75/50/85/135 and probably all the rest. Those are the ones I have used recently.

To be honest I am thinking it might be a flash problem (connection on the flash).

I have no experience with flash but I often had to compensate exposure with 35,85,135L. Check out the 50/1.7.

It's the same on all my lenses. One thing I have noticed is that the lighter the image, the more EC you need.

it all depends on what you are shooting, I had the problem of always shooting a stop over and have lost some hightlights. You have to understand how the ec works and make a decision based on that. Always watch your histogram as well.