HarryLally
Senior Member
With the second one, did you take the lens cap off?
Michael
Michael
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Brand New 400D/xti Underexposure problems :(
- Thread starter Mbaddah
- Start date
bkirstein
Well-known member
I was recently at an EOS Discovery event held by Canon in London, and had a chat with a guy from Canon UK product Management.
I spoke with him about my own experience, which is that my 350D used to overexpose 1/3-2/3 of a stop on most occasions, whereas I find the 400D to be spot on where I expect the exposure to be.
His response was that both the 300D and 350D had exposure systems designed very much with in the vain of a P&S to get instant gratification, and punchy images. The 400D however, has had its exposure system designed to sit in-line with all the other EOS digital SLRs, in that it is designed to protect highlights, and expose in a way that a serious photographer would want. In other words, anyone who knows anything about photography will know that it is far easier to lighten a slightly dark image than it is to rescue blown highlights.
His response seems pretty genuine to me and fits with my own experience. I was never happy with the exposure system on my 350D, but love the 400D.
I spoke with him about my own experience, which is that my 350D used to overexpose 1/3-2/3 of a stop on most occasions, whereas I find the 400D to be spot on where I expect the exposure to be.
His response was that both the 300D and 350D had exposure systems designed very much with in the vain of a P&S to get instant gratification, and punchy images. The 400D however, has had its exposure system designed to sit in-line with all the other EOS digital SLRs, in that it is designed to protect highlights, and expose in a way that a serious photographer would want. In other words, anyone who knows anything about photography will know that it is far easier to lighten a slightly dark image than it is to rescue blown highlights.
His response seems pretty genuine to me and fits with my own experience. I was never happy with the exposure system on my 350D, but love the 400D.
JohnAugust
Senior Member
That's good to hear from an official Canon person. If you talk to Canon tech support, they know nothing of it.
IIRC, there were a few people who posted here mentioning exposure differences coming from the 30d.
Do you know which "line" the guy was referring to? xd series perhaps?
IIRC, there were a few people who posted here mentioning exposure differences coming from the 30d.
Do you know which "line" the guy was referring to? xd series perhaps?
The whole line of reasoning that Canon designed the exp. system to "protect the highlights" is absurd if that's what they did. Film cameras didn't do that....If the metering computer is "evaluative" it's supposed to take into account that a bright spec of liight somewhere in the frame is not the subject, and adjust accordingly.
If an exposure systems goal is to "protect the highlights" than any shot with a specular or otherwise insignificant highlight will come out vastly underexposed. The system should chose settings that take into account the entire frame, giving weight to what's in it's memory banks, and if the photographer thinks "hey, there's a highlight here I really need to keep from being blown out, I'll use some - exposure comp"....
If an exposure systems goal is to "protect the highlights" than any shot with a specular or otherwise insignificant highlight will come out vastly underexposed. The system should chose settings that take into account the entire frame, giving weight to what's in it's memory banks, and if the photographer thinks "hey, there's a highlight here I really need to keep from being blown out, I'll use some - exposure comp"....
art1sta
Leading Member
How magnanimus and altruistic of them to do that for us all. Especialy considering that this camera is an ENTRY level DSLR!!!! and most of the users, as reflects some of theses posts, want to use this camera ALSO as a point and shoot.
P.
bkirstein
Well-known member
I personally think it was very wise of Canon, and as for those who want to use their dSLR as a P&S should stick to a P&S. To buy a dSLR and use it on full Auto is a complete waste.
I am personally sick of hearing that Canon designed the 400D as a lead in to dSLR's for P&S users and blah blah blah......get real.
The 400D is an amazing piece of kit, and those who think it is a toy etc are either snobs of Nikonians!!
A lot of people on this forum need to stop all the whinging and testing, and just go out and take some photo's, after all, thats why we bought the cameras in the first place.
I am personally sick of hearing that Canon designed the 400D as a lead in to dSLR's for P&S users and blah blah blah......get real.
The 400D is an amazing piece of kit, and those who think it is a toy etc are either snobs of Nikonians!!
A lot of people on this forum need to stop all the whinging and testing, and just go out and take some photo's, after all, thats why we bought the cameras in the first place.
JohnAugust
Senior Member
That sounds like genuine DSLR "snobbery" if I've ever heard it.
That's what it is whether we like it or not. This forum is a perfect example. How many "first time DSLR" posts do you see here a day. This forum is just a microcosm of the the real world. The xxd and xd series forums are probably better if you'd rather not deal with the newbies.
Yes it is.
This is an equipment forum so testing and equipment discussion should be expected. Luckily there are other forums available that are strictly for "picture taking" for those who are looking for that.
JohnAugust
Senior Member
If anything, provide 2 metering modes. One that "preserves highlights" and another that does true evaluative metering.
Personally, I think this is a bad move for Canon if what BK heard was true. Based on demographics alone, we know that many newcomers to DSLRs will buy this camera (whether we like it or not). Many people not familiar with the intricacies of metering and exposure will come running back to their favorite b&m complaining about "dark photos". Inevitably, many 400ds will either be returned or exchanged. Those who are unhappy with their "highlight preserving" DSLR may never look to Canon again.
They may instead look to other manufacturers like Nikon or Sony. The overexposing tendencies of d80 would be something a DSLR newbie would probably be comfortable with. They buy into the Nikon system and then become permanent Nikonians. Canon loses out in the long run.
The entry level DSLR market is extremely crucial . Once you buy into a system, it's extremely difficult to switch. It would make sense to cater to your P&S shooter since they aren't committed yet. But Instead, Canon chose to "preserve highlights" catering to those already invested in their system?
Perhaps Canon really cares about their loyal customers putting them above others? That would be great for us but bad for Canon. And I have yet to see any profitable business put their customers above themselves.
Personally, I think this is a bad move for Canon if what BK heard was true. Based on demographics alone, we know that many newcomers to DSLRs will buy this camera (whether we like it or not). Many people not familiar with the intricacies of metering and exposure will come running back to their favorite b&m complaining about "dark photos". Inevitably, many 400ds will either be returned or exchanged. Those who are unhappy with their "highlight preserving" DSLR may never look to Canon again.
They may instead look to other manufacturers like Nikon or Sony. The overexposing tendencies of d80 would be something a DSLR newbie would probably be comfortable with. They buy into the Nikon system and then become permanent Nikonians. Canon loses out in the long run.
The entry level DSLR market is extremely crucial . Once you buy into a system, it's extremely difficult to switch. It would make sense to cater to your P&S shooter since they aren't committed yet. But Instead, Canon chose to "preserve highlights" catering to those already invested in their system?
Perhaps Canon really cares about their loyal customers putting them above others? That would be great for us but bad for Canon. And I have yet to see any profitable business put their customers above themselves.
Nope.......amateurs worry about equipment, professionals worry about money, good photographers worry about light.
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Packy
http://homepage.eircom.net/~vmax ; for my pic stuff
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Packy
http://homepage.eircom.net/~vmax ; for my pic stuff
No, definitely no. On marketing point of view Canon (and others) are highly interested pushing people to buy dSLR's instead of P&S as marginals are higher and once you have trapped somebody there is certain future proffit coming from additional lenses and stuff sellings. BTW, cutting RAW from G7 is one step towards that trend. P&S owners are not so loyal to brand as dSLR owners. Thus, concluding, an entry level cameras is a gatway to the future money flow and making mistaks is bad for them. More, what new D40 is thought for?
You personally may be but marketing unit should think on growing profit.
Amazing or not amazing depends on reference system.
That's a draam of company - customers using but never complaining!
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