topic Re: [6D] exposure différence between LiveView (well exposed) and Viewfinder (underexposed -+3Ev) in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

[6D] exposure différence between LiveView (well exposed) and Viewfinder (underexposed -+3Ev)

pouloutos — Fri, 03 May 2013 13:07:34 GMT

Hello everyone,

I have a problem with my 6d. When i am in extremely low light, I have +-3EV between liveview and Viewfinder.

I took pictures with LiveView and viewfinder, and the pictures with viewfinder are underexposed about +-3Ev (with or without the eyepiece), but only in low light conditions. In normal light conditions, the two metering modes are exactly the same. I rebooted with factory settings but the problem still to solve.

For example in AV or P mode, the 6D can show the following settings with the same parameters :

- 0.3 second with Viewfinder => Underexposed +- 3EV

- 1 second with liveview => Well Exposed

Other exemple, with lenscap, 100 isos, f4 :
- Viewfinder 15 seconds
- Liveview 30 seconds + (flashes)

Is there anyone have the same problem or have an idea ?

I Made a litlle Video to explain my Problem :
www.flickr.com/photos/pouloutos/8704349196/

We didn't see finals pictures in the vidéo but, the picture with viewfinder is underexposed about 2-3 Ev.

Thanks for your reply

Re: [6D] exposure différence between LiveView (well exposed) and Viewfinder (underexposed -+3Ev)

hsbn — Fri, 03 May 2013 16:20:01 GMT

Is the photo come out differently? or just on the back of the LCD.

Can you try this one and let us know:

Go to Menu -> Live View Shooting 1 (RED) -> Exposure Simulation -> DISABLE.

Then try again to see if 2 of them giving the same expsoure, ignore how it dispalys on the LCD.

Re: [6D] exposure différence between LiveView (well exposed) and Viewfinder (underexposed -+3Ev)

Skirball — Fri, 03 May 2013 16:43:53 GMT

I guess I don't fully understand how you compare the exposure of the viewfinder to the Liveview.

But a couple of notes:

First and foremost, I never trust the image I see on the LCD. Always use the histogram if you're unsure of your exposure.

Secondly, I wouldn't shoot in P mode when diagnosing a problem, there are too many variable when shooting on full auto. Use Av, or better yet M.

Lastly, I do find that my 6D exposes a little darker (nowhere near 3 eV) than my 400D did, simply based off the picture on the LCD. But I found I just needed to recalibrate my judgement of the LCD, and even the histo a little bit. I just chalked this up to the difference between a dated crop camera and a relatively modern full frame. I've found I have a lot more room in post to pull things up if I want, and hot highlights aren't quite as hot, which is nice.

Re: [6D] exposure différence between LiveView (well exposed) and Viewfinder (underexposed -+3Ev)

pouloutos — Fri, 03 May 2013 19:18:16 GMT

Sorry for my english but, the problem is that : automatic exposure underexpose about 3 ev with viewfinder on the final picture versus live View. I only compare pictures on my computer. Histogramm is strongly on the left with viewfinder.

Thanks in advance

Re: [6D] exposure différence between LiveView (well exposed) and Viewfinder (underexposed -+3Ev)

hsbn — Fri, 03 May 2013 20:23:59 GMT

that's a different issue then. I miss read your post. Like Skirball set, try M mode.

Re: [6D] exposure différence between LiveView (well exposed) and Viewfinder (underexposed -+3Ev)

HDCamTeam — Fri, 03 May 2013 21:17:47 GMT

@pouloutos wrote:
Sorry for my english but, the problem is that : automatic exposure underexpose about 3 ev with viewfinder on the final picture versus live View. I only compare pictures on my computer. Histogramm is strongly on the left with viewfinder.

Thanks in advance

Hi,

By any chance are you using a manual lens which does not communicate with the camera body?

In such case, the Live View (and viewfinder's metering system) will give you a wrong exposure metering (unless in video mode).

There are some work arounds, but I don't know if the situation you mention is that case.

Regards.

Re: [6D] exposure différence between LiveView (well exposed) and Viewfinder (underexposed -+3Ev)

pouloutos — Sat, 04 May 2013 07:28:09 GMT

Viewfinder
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pouloutos/8706927094/

Live view
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pouloutos/8706927072/

Same parameters.

Is there anyone can make a little test ? Difference appears when time exposure is nearly 1s.

Thanks.

Romain

Re: [6D] exposure différence between LiveView (well exposed) and Viewfinder (underexposed -+3Ev)

hsbn — Sat, 04 May 2013 20:16:37 GMT

Is this a raw or jpe? I cannot seem to replicate the issue with my 6D. is there a way you upload straight out of camera photos to public size like dropbox or something? I just want to look at the full exif data.

Re: [6D] exposure différence between LiveView (well exposed) and Viewfinder (underexposed -+3Ev)

pouloutos — Sat, 04 May 2013 21:24:46 GMT

Thanks HSBN for your help :

To summarize, the problem is that my camera is underexposing significantly (3 eV) when doing long exposures in the dark, through the viewfinder.
I made a test in M mode, and i tuned parameters (aperture, time, iso) until the meter level is at 0ev. After i switched to liveview with same parameters and meter level indicate -2ev.

After two links to download pictures :
- The underexposed with viewfinder in Av mode :
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B9T0XOdig-RpdjRZeG1POTYxS1E/edit?usp=sharing
- The well ewposed with Live View :
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B9T0XOdig-RpTUlRMkpsMWRvZlk/edit?usp=sharing

I remain at disposal for further

Romain

Re: [6D] exposure différence between LiveView (well exposed) and Viewfinder (underexposed -+3Ev)

HDCamTeam — Sun, 05 May 2013 01:47:31 GMT

@pouloutos wrote:
Thanks HSBN for your help :

To summarize, the problem is that my camera is underexposing significantly (3 eV) when doing long exposures in the dark, through the viewfinder.
I made a test in M mode, and i tuned parameters (aperture, time, iso) until the meter level is at 0ev. After i switched to liveview with same parameters and meter level indicate -2ev.

After two links to download pictures :
- The underexposed with viewfinder in Av mode :
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B9T0XOdig-RpdjRZeG1POTYxS1E/edit?usp=sharing
- The well ewposed with Live View :
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B9T0XOdig-RpTUlRMkpsMWRvZlk/edit?usp=sharing

I remain at disposal for further

Romain

Hi,

I checked both pictures. They were taken at same aperture and ISO, but one at 1/4 and the other at 1". And there are some ambient light coming from somewhere.

According to the pictures and this data, you must be using a tripod or some support to avoid blurry shots.

Both are in very dim light conditions which leads me to ask:

Are you covering the viewfinder when metering and shooting? If not, then that's probably the reason of this metering difference and there is no issue on your camera at all.

- When shooting in low light conditions (also in normal light, but in those cases you're usually looking through the viewfinder so your eye should cover it) if you are not putting your eye next to the viewfinder, you MUST cover the viewfinder with the rubber eyepiece cover attached to the camera strap (or anything else).

Please check the User Manual, page 166 (English version).

Otherwise some light will get into the metering system and may make big influence over it. This difference may be even more than 3EV depending on each situation.

In Live View mode this is not likely to happen so noticeably (or at all, but it's also recommended to cover the viewfinder in those lighting conditions).

Hope this helps!

Regards

Re: [6D] exposure différence between LiveView (well exposed) and Viewfinder (underexposed -+3Ev)

hsbn — Sun, 05 May 2013 04:14:00 GMT

I'm trying to figure out what is happening. I'm trying on my camera. I took 3 photo each for around 2''. First photo, no live-view, uncover viewfinder and viewfinder also facing the light source. Second photo, same setting, covered viewfinder. Third photo liveview. All 3 of them, the Av mode gives me exact same setting. The photo without viewfinder cover seems to be a tad brighter according to the histogram but not enough to change the expsoure setting (like HDcam said). I think there is some setting that effect your photo. Let me look further into this.

Re: [6D] exposure différence between LiveView (well exposed) and Viewfinder (underexposed -+3Ev)

hsbn — Sun, 05 May 2013 04:44:38 GMT

After further testing, I can replicate your problem. Earlier, it was ok because it's not extremely low light (it was dark but not almost pitch black). In extreme low light condition, the camera cannot meter well via viewfinder because it is beyond the camera limit. But with live-view, seems like the metering is a little more sensitive (could be because it is cummilative). Just my theory. I have tried other camera and get the same result. I think nothing we could do. This is just my theory.

Re: [6D] exposure différence between LiveView (well exposed) and Viewfinder (underexposed -+3Ev)

pouloutos — Sun, 05 May 2013 06:04:25 GMT

Hdcam, thanks for your help, my viewfinder was covered.

hsbn can you tell me about your parameters (like isos, shutterl speed, aperture) when you replicated the "problem"?

I often take pictures in very lw lights conditiond and i made tests with decreasing lights. I noticed the automatic exposure changed for example from 3 seconds to 1/4 even if light less. I don't remember my old rebel working like this.

Thanks all for your help,

Re: [6D] exposure différence between LiveView (well exposed) and Viewfinder (underexposed -+3Ev)

hsbn — Mon, 06 May 2013 02:26:23 GMT

I use Av mode, ISO800, F2.8 and the shutter speed is around 4'' using viewfinder. The room was dark but the shutter speed doesn't go slower than 4''. If I switched to Liveview, it the shutter speed goes to 25''.
If I used Tv mode, and it's too dark, the meter will blink to indicate that it's way to dark to get proper exposure. The Av mode was supposed to blink too but for some reason it doesn't. I recall it did back in the day but I haven't used Av mode in a long time.

Re: [6D] exposure différence between LiveView (well exposed) and Viewfinder (underexposed -+3Ev)

pouloutos — Tue, 07 May 2013 08:50:39 GMT

Ok so we have the same behavior. Now is it a problem that must be addressed to Canon's customer service or do you think it is "normal" behavior?

Re: [6D] exposure différence between LiveView (well exposed) and Viewfinder (underexposed -+3Ev)

Skirball — Tue, 07 May 2013 14:43:36 GMT

I don't know that it's a function I'd ever use (if I'm in that dark of a situation or long shutter speed I'll usually be in full manual)... however, Liveview should give the same exposure as looking through the viewfinder. By the way you're describing it, I'd say it's a bug and therefore should be fixed.

Re: [6D] exposure différence between LiveView (well exposed) and Viewfinder (underexposed -+3Ev)

pouloutos — Tue, 07 May 2013 15:11:08 GMT

Is there any Canon people who follow this forum?

Re: [6D] exposure différence between LiveView (well exposed) and Viewfinder (underexposed -+3Ev)

Stephen — Tue, 07 May 2013 15:24:24 GMT

hi pouloutos!
Welcome to The Canon Forums, and thank you for your inquiry! We appreciate your participation, however we need to let you know that the Canon Forum is hosted and moderated within the United States by Canon USA. We are only able to provide support for Canon products manufactured for and used within the US market. If you live outside the United States, please click here and select your country or region for your support needs. Feel free to discuss Canon products sold outside of the United States, but please be aware that you will not receive support directly from Canon USA.

Re: [6D] exposure différence between LiveView (well exposed) and Viewfinder (underexposed -+3Ev)

Skirball — Tue, 07 May 2013 15:39:40 GMT

I own a 6D and live in the United States, and therefore I have this problem too.

Re: [6D] exposure différence between LiveView (well exposed) and Viewfinder (underexposed -+3Ev)

hsbn — Tue, 07 May 2013 15:41:17 GMT

I'm not really concern about it. First of all, it has to be extremely low light to the point of almost pitch black. Second, even Liveview exposure is brighter but it is still not the "right" expsoure. Third, like Skirball said with low light shooting it's always best to use Manual mode anyway because auto is just not reliable at all.

To Canon: same here, we have the US Model and experience same problem.