Reading mode: Light Dark

What exposure compensation on your 400D / Xti?

Go to last post
For the most part, mine is zero'd, but use + or - when the scene calls for it (ie; a "black" scene gets a little -, a "white" scene gets a little +).

--
I wanna be an amateur when I grow up.
 
As others have said, it depends on the subject - and for me the lens.

Generally, when using the 17-85 i use 0 EC. Often when using the 70-200 IS, especially when shooting in bright light, I need to dial in -1/3 or -2/3 as it tends to blow highlights a little.

--
its gonna get easier, its gonna get tough

My Pbase (slowly adding to it): http://www.pbase.com/luketanner/photography
 
Mine is constantly set at + 1/2 & sometimes + 1/3.

I guess it's just personal preference at the end of the day not the camera.
 
Zero, unless the scene requires differently, or I just want to intentionally right-shift a scene with PP in mind.
 
Gary Hunt said:
Mine is constantly set at + 1/2 & sometimes + 1/3.

I guess it's just personal preference at the end of the day not the
camera.
Click to expand...
Always on +1/3 .. sometimes on +2/3 .. I tested the camera with a grey card exclusively .. the metering on my 400D stinks .. period.

Despite the answer I got from Canon support that this ux is intentional the whole matter stinks, there is no pattern in the metering behaviour, it seems to behave completely randomly (and I have hundreds of pictures of identical frames to prove it). In every scene/frame I have to fool the camera metering by moving around into the frame and deciding myself what would produce the best average metering for the given frame. So much for an "automatic" metering system ..

oh .. & before people start me the "get it repaired" statement .. I contacted the repair shop and they say they are not aware of any problem at all, but I will be obliged to crack that nut too and take another plunge in the dark ! .. looks like Canon was only interested in my money and cover up their backs by telling nonsense to their inquiring customers. Interesting lesson for the future.

oh & BTW .. for the die-hard non-believers .. check all the nice 400D picture series posted here lately .. they are all showing the typical ux, if, between all the "oooh's" and "wow's", one is not critical enough to see that then there 's even no need for further discussion.
Case closed for me.
--
if needed, email me at : [email protected]
Horum Omnium Fortissimi Sunt Belgae !
(CanFT-QL)Can400DSonH5CanA520-M3358-DH1758
 
Mine is almost always set at +1/3. Sometimes I'm tempted to put it to +2/3 inside, but I will occasionally get blown highlights if I do that so I stick with +1/3.
 
imbsysop,

I have no doubt that yours is UXing & along with many others I believed mine was to & when I first got it I sent it back to Canon but it was returned saying it was within limits.

I can say for sure that if I use Auto or set the EC to 0 I will not be happy with the results 9 times out of ten so that is why + 1/2 & 1/3 is constantly set on my 400d & I do not use Auto that often. I can see that what some people see as a normal exposure might look Under to me but that is my preference so I + EC but the difference is slight & in my case + 1/2 EC which is not much.

Canon have told me that the 400d is set slightly under my camera shop told me that it will slightly meter under so if Canon sent mine back saying it's all working normal then what can I do. I am now not saying it UX or it OX's what I am saying is that I have got used to how it meters & love using it so I do agree people have UX issues that are real but the solution for me was to + the EC to how I like it & just accept that what I see as UX others might not.

I don't doubt you have a problem but the way I see it is you have two options.

1. Keep on at Canon until you get a result.

2. Just + the EC like I have & enjoy it which I know can be hard if you think it's not working as it should.
 
For me it depends on the lens more than anything else...

Kit lens= +2/3 EV most of the time
50mm/1.8= 0 EV most of the time
new 17-85= +1/3 EV most of the time (maybe +2/3)

And I've turned myself into a chimp, checking the histogram after shots... but that said, it's pretty consistent on my camera so I think of it as just a learning curve.

john
 
imbsysop said:
Gary Hunt said:
Mine is constantly set at + 1/2 & sometimes + 1/3.

I guess it's just personal preference at the end of the day not the
camera.
Click to expand...
Always on +1/3 .. sometimes on +2/3 .. I tested the camera with a
grey card exclusively .. the metering on my 400D stinks .. period.
Despite the answer I got from Canon support that this ux is
intentional the whole matter stinks, there is no pattern in the
metering behaviour, it seems to behave completely randomly (and I
have hundreds of pictures of identical frames to prove it). In
every scene/frame I have to fool the camera metering by moving
around into the frame and deciding myself what would produce the
best average metering for the given frame. So much for an
"automatic" metering system ..
oh .. & before people start me the "get it repaired" statement .. I
contacted the repair shop and they say they are not aware of any
problem at all, but I will be obliged to crack that nut too and
take another plunge in the dark ! .. looks like Canon was only
interested in my money and cover up their backs by telling nonsense
to their inquiring customers. Interesting lesson for the future.
oh & BTW .. for the die-hard non-believers .. check all the nice
400D picture series posted here lately .. they are all showing the
typical ux, if, between all the "oooh's" and "wow's", one is not
critical enough to see that then there 's even no need for further
discussion.
Case closed for me.
--
if needed, email me at : [email protected]
Horum Omnium Fortissimi Sunt Belgae !
(CanFT-QL)Can400DSonH5CanA520-M3358-DH1758
Click to expand...
Well,

Instead of constantly whining on here...why not return it, as (according to you) it is obviously 'not fit for purpose' then buy something that will suit you better

Regards SiG

--
'We are the Pilgrims, Master: We shall go
always a little further: It may be
Beyond the last blue mountain barred with snow,
Across that angry or that glimmering sea.

---- James Elroy Flacker----------

('The Golden Journey to Samarkand)

Kodak P880
Canon EOS400D
 
imbsysop said:
oh & BTW .. for the die-hard non-believers .. check all the nice
400D picture series posted here lately .. they are all showing the
typical ux, if, between all the "oooh's" and "wow's", one is not
critical enough to see that then there 's even no need for further
discussion.
Click to expand...
What needs calibration... your monitor or eye? Unless you are knowingly exaggerating, people can make their own judgement by the kind of generalization you have drawn and ALL the pictures that have been posted here
imbsysop said:
Case closed for me.
Click to expand...
So what are you doing now? Besides posting? Are you using your 400D? Are you taking any pictures? Are you using some other equipment? The case is closed and verdict is here, but whats the action?

--
PicPocket
http://pictures.ashish-pragya.com

 
dan_d said:
Continental Phil said:
Hi,

Would people using the 400D Xti be kind enough to post what
exposure compensation they use?
I seem to need at least +2/3.

Thanks!

--
Phil
http://www.wallior.zenfolio.com
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
I can't really understand why anyone would think this is a "dumb" thread. The reality of the situation is that a lot of people get their Xti, start shooting pictures and think "damn, why do all my pictures look so dark." They come here to ask, "is it just me, or...?"

I can see why everyone would get tired of these kinds of posts, because they're are so many of them. The fact that they're are so many pretty much speaks for itself.

To answer the original question, when I originally got my camera I usually had to set my EC to +1/3 to +2/3 when outdoors and my FEC to +1/3 to +2/3 indoors. After sending my camera to Canon for repair, I typically leave both of these settings at 0 and get proper exposure.

I really like my Xti, but in my opinion it's biggest weakness is it's ability to handle scenes with high contrast. I understand that this a challenge for all cameras, but my previous cameras seemed to do a better job of evaluating the whole scene and coming up with an exposure that is in the middle of the road that balances eveything out. The Xti seems to ping hard on either the extremely light area of the pictures leaving everything else particularly dark, or pinging on the darker part of the scene and blowing out the lighter parts. I understand that all cameras have their quirks and that you have to understand them and incorporate techniques to overcome these quirks. It's just my opinion that this is one of the quirks of the Xti. I have 3 different lenses and each one seems to handle this quirk a little differently.

Keith
 
keithk42 said:
I can't really understand why anyone would think this is a "dumb"
thread. The reality of the situation is that a lot of people get
their Xti, start shooting pictures and think "damn, why do all my
pictures look so dark." They come here to ask, "is it just me,
or...?"

I can see why everyone would get tired of these kinds of posts,
because they're are so many of them. The fact that they're are so
many pretty much speaks for itself.
Click to expand...
Thanks Keith, this is exactly my situation. I was getting tired of all the underexposure threads myself, but then I got my own 400D to replace the 350D. I only had it a few days and I'm slowly getting to grips with it. I got some pretty good results with it today, but I have been using +2/3 EC. I just want to reassure myself that other users are doing the same adjustment rather than my camera requiring a trip back to Canon.

Again, thanks a lot for your precious input!

--
Phil
http://www.wallior.zenfolio.com
 
Obviously, different scenes require different amounts of exposure compensation. But do all your photos fall evenly between -2 to +2 EC or do the majority fall within one or 2 stops.

I think the OP is asking what EC setting everyone is using by default or what setting do people use most often. In his case, he uses +2/3 EC most often.

The second question should be, do you post process your photos and if you do, do you modify exposure? Some people may shoot with no exposure compensation at all but just adjust exposure while post processing.

The third question should be, what do you shoot most often. If you live on in Antarctica and shoot polar bears for a living, I wouldn't be surprised if the majority of your photos were shot at + EC.

Personally, I'd also like to know who here "exposes to the right".
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

M
Sony A1, exposure compensation dial does not change the exposure no matter what mode I'm in, auto IS
Replies
14
Views
16K
dazzerfong
D
L
Aperture priority command dial for exposure compensation.
Replies
4
Views
6K
LFCFanatic
L
I
OM-1 - Direct Function - Exposure Compensation
Replies
5
Views
5K
iwaddo
I
M
Does using DR 200 or 400 increase noise if all exposure variables are constant?
2
Replies
31
Views
35K
Erik Baumgartner
Erik Baumgartner
E
How does the Nikon FE2 communicate with the SB-15 flash unit?
2
Replies
30
Views
24K
Plankowner110
P

Keyboard shortcuts

f
Forum
m
My threads
Mobile site
About
Editorial content
Cameras & Lenses
Community
All content, design, and layout are Copyright © 1998–2025 Digital Photography Review All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction in whole or part in any form or medium without specific written permission is prohibited.
When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission.
©GPS Media - Guides, Products, Services.
Back
Top