topic Re: T5i View Finder Meter in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

T5i View Finder Meter

sisabell — Wed, 11 Dec 2019 06:04:21 GMT

Hello, new here and new to Canon. Recently purchased a used T5i with 18-55 kit lens. I am new to DSLR cameras but learning. Realized I'm having an issue and wanted to make sure I'm not being dumb.

In live view, I can take photos in any mode and the exposure meter seems to work as designed. With live view off and trying to take photos through view finder the camera meter things everything is WAY under exposed. if you adjust enough to bring the meter up to even -2 the picture is terrible and blown out.

With the camera in auto mode inside a well lit room it tries to take pictures with a 20-30 second shutter.

Just curious if anyone else has every ran into this and what the remedy was...

Thanks for any help

Re: T5i View Finder Meter

jrhoffman75 — Wed, 11 Dec 2019 10:35:21 GMT

LiveView reads exposure directly via the sensor. When using the optical viewfinder you are using a different metering system.

First thing to do is reset camera to factory settings following steps 1 and 2 below:

Then let us know what is happening.

Re: T5i View Finder Meter

sisabell — Wed, 11 Dec 2019 13:25:32 GMT

Hi thanks for the reply.
I have reset the camera several times to make sure it wasn’t a goofy setting.

And I do understand that they use different metering systems, that’s my concern actually, that the meter in the camera that works with the view finder is damaged in some way or another.

Re: T5i View Finder Meter

jrhoffman75 — Wed, 11 Dec 2019 13:27:44 GMT

Since you reset the camera and have that problem you should contact the seller.

Re: T5i View Finder Meter

kvbarkley — Wed, 11 Dec 2019 14:13:13 GMT

What mode are you in?

Try it in green square outside on a sunny day.

Re: T5i View Finder Meter

sisabell — Wed, 11 Dec 2019 14:48:18 GMT

It doesn’t seem to matter what mode I’m in. Manual is the only way I can get usable pictures with the viewfinder but the meter tells me it’s way under exposed even though it’s not. Any of the other modes it does all sorts of wacky stuff trying to get it “right” and if you take that picture it’s blown out bad.
I searched for a few hours on different forums and couldn’t really find anyone with the same issue.

Re: T5i View Finder Meter

kvbarkley — Wed, 11 Dec 2019 15:03:12 GMT

I don't consider dialing in +2 of exposure compensation to be wacky stuff, but it is still not right. It appears the camera is defective.

We have occasionally had people here with the same problem, but it is rare, and involves repairing the camera.

Re: T5i View Finder Meter

ebiggs1 — Wed, 11 Dec 2019 16:07:38 GMT

"Recently purchased a used T5i with 18-55 kit lens"

You need to return it today. Rebels with kit lens can be a good buy used but you must test them out carefully. They are not fragile but certainly not super strongly built. Easy to damage and or abuse.

Re: T5i View Finder Meter

sisabell — Wed, 11 Dec 2019 16:55:33 GMT

Private sale so no returning. Thought I was getting a steal as I only paid $150 for it and had three batteries and battery grip. Sucks it’s not working 100% but at least live view works as it should.

Re: T5i View Finder Meter

kvbarkley — Wed, 11 Dec 2019 17:26:01 GMT

You can do a "cleaning" without the lens and see if you see anything obvious in the mirrorbox.

Re: T5i View Finder Meter

kvbarkley — Wed, 11 Dec 2019 17:27:20 GMT

Hmm, have you tried it without the battery grip?

Re: T5i View Finder Meter

kvbarkley — Wed, 11 Dec 2019 17:43:09 GMT

You might just see how much a Cleaning from Canon would cost. If you go to the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta next year, you can get it for free!

I don't see anything obvious in the firwware updates that would cause this, but you can check that, too.

Re: T5i View Finder Meter

sisabell — Wed, 11 Dec 2019 18:19:45 GMT

Yeah I actually haven’t even used the battery grip. I’ll do some research on cleaning and look into the option of sending it in. Balloon festival sounds cool!

Re: T5i View Finder Meter

ebiggs1 — Wed, 11 Dec 2019 18:28:44 GMT

"I’ll do some research on cleaning and look into the option of sending it in."

If you get it for free I guess it isn't a bad idea but don't count on it helping. If it truly has internal failure it isn't worth spending too much repairing it. I have seen what you got go for $200 bucks routinely. Bodies alone for even less.

Re: T5i View Finder Meter

RobertTheFat — Wed, 11 Dec 2019 18:30:31 GMT

@kvbarkley wrote:
You might just see how much a Cleaning from Canon would cost. If you go to the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta next year, you can get it for free! ...

Are you sure? In some such cases Canon has been known to require that you be actually accredited to photograph the event.

Re: T5i View Finder Meter

kvbarkley — Wed, 11 Dec 2019 18:39:28 GMT

I am not sure what you mean, Bob, it is a public event open to everyone. Canon sponsors it so they have a big tent where you can borrow the latest equipment. I never borrow anything because I am afraid it will give me GAS. They also have techs on site that perform a cleaning. I have done it two years in a row, now. 8^)

As far as a cleaning fixing the issue, I am assuming that something is on the exposure chip.

Re: T5i View Finder Meter

ebiggs1 — Wed, 11 Dec 2019 18:44:20 GMT

"...Canon has been known to require that you be actually accredited to photograph the event."

This is for borrowing gear. I don't know if it also involves sensor cleaning which is all they do. They don't tear the camera apart to get deeper inside.

Re: T5i View Finder Meter

Stephen — Wed, 11 Dec 2019 18:59:03 GMT

Usually at AIBF, we offer free clean and check for all Canon gear as long as it's in service life. You don't need to be a member of CPS or anything special! It's just a benefit of being a member of #TeamCanon.

Also, regarding borrowing of equipment (again, at AIBF), there isn't any special requirement, it's first come first served, as long as gear is available. It's a great way to try out something new!

I hope this helps!

Re: T5i View Finder Meter

kvbarkley — Wed, 11 Dec 2019 19:02:29 GMT

Stephen:

I have long thought - probably because I live in ABQ 8^) - that we should have a Canon Community meetup at the Fiesta. Or at least a swag bag or T-Shirt or something.

Re: T5i View Finder Meter

Stephen — Wed, 11 Dec 2019 19:12:18 GMT

That's not a bad idea. When AIBF gets closer, remind me, and we'll talk about making something happen!