topic Re: Overexposure issue with SL1/100D in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

Overexposure issue with SL1/100D

Artemiy — Tue, 10 Jun 2014 14:19:32 GMT

Hey everyone!

I just bought an SL1/100D, for now I use it with a stock 18-55 mm DC III lens. I seem to have an overexposure issue as I go from 18 to 55 mm, this is illustrated well by these two images below. I shot this in P mode but it's the same in auto or Av.

At 18 mm, the camera sets 1/60 s exposure and ISO 800. At 55 mm, it bumps to 1/30 s and ISO 6400. Is this normal behaviour for SL1/100D with this lens? Or do I have a faulty camera?

The diaphragm does work correctly, I tested it. I have also run through all four metering modes, swiched the lighting optimizer on and off, etc.

Would appreciate your advise guys.

Thanks!

Re: Overexposure issue with SL1/100D

Skirball — Tue, 10 Jun 2014 15:00:21 GMT

Well it's certainly overexposed. Did you check your exposure compensation? It might simply be bumped up.

The changing of the exposure is normal, and could be more pronounced depending on which metering mode you're using:

By changing the focal length you change the composition, which in turn changes how the camera analyzes the scene and decides the settings. In the wide angle shot there is far more of the white wall in the scene, which brightens the scene and requires less "exposure". When you zoom in on the dark desk the camera has to change the settings to up the exposure.

Re: Overexposure issue with SL1/100D

Artemiy — Tue, 10 Jun 2014 15:03:36 GMT

Thanks for the reply! Nope, the compensation is zero. And I actually reset the camera to factory settings just in case...

BTW I have noticed that when I use Live View the closeup photos end up nearly perfectly exposed all the time, while the same exact frame will be overexposed by a huge margin when I use the viewfinder. Why is that?

I did try different metering modes but they always overexpose, just with a different grade. Always "too much", unfortunately.

I am trying to understand whether this is normal for this model or I have a faulty unit.

Re: Overexposure issue with SL1/100D

Artemiy — Tue, 10 Jun 2014 15:11:27 GMT

Here is the same scene shot at 15 mm in live view and with the viewfinder. Notice that the first one is perfect and the second one is clearly overexposed!

Re: Overexposure issue with SL1/100D

Skirball — Tue, 10 Jun 2014 15:28:05 GMT

Have you checked your exposure compensation? Please confirm that it isn't set to over-expose before we go chasing rabbits down holes.

Second, with the LiveView, try holding your thumb over the viewfinder when taking a photo. The ambient light that leaks in through the viewfinder and throw off the exposure, it can lower it a stop or two.

Try addressing both of these, if it's still different, I think you'll be needing to call tech support. That's a significant difference in exposure you're getting and you're definitately over-exposed.

Re: Overexposure issue with SL1/100D

Skirball — Tue, 10 Jun 2014 15:29:27 GMT

Also, are you shooting RAW or jpg? BTW, including your EXIF data in your photos would negate our need for these details.

Re: Overexposure issue with SL1/100D

Artemiy — Tue, 10 Jun 2014 15:29:39 GMT

As I wrote in my previous post, yes, exposure compensation is 0. I did already try to cover up the viewfinder when shooting in live view mode, makes no difference...

Re: Overexposure issue with SL1/100D

Artemiy — Tue, 10 Jun 2014 15:30:24 GMT

I am shooting in RAW, posting unprocessed. If I shoot in JPEG, the issue persists.

Re: Overexposure issue with SL1/100D

hsbn — Tue, 10 Jun 2014 15:35:38 GMT

can you post both photo with full EXIF intact?

Re: Overexposure issue with SL1/100D

Artemiy — Tue, 10 Jun 2014 15:38:21 GMT

Okay, here are the originals:

http://www.sineshine.com/tmp/100d/IMG_0665.jpg

http://www.sineshine.com/tmp/100d/IMG_0668.jpg

Re: Overexposure issue with SL1/100D

TCampbell — Tue, 10 Jun 2014 15:45:48 GMT

Considering that it's new and you've gone into the menus to perform a factory reset, I'm thinking this is likely the fault of the camera -- not in the nature of a Canon SL1 -- but something wrong with that particular SL1.

For example... if something is is wrong with the mirror and/or somehow blocking the transmission of enough light into the metering array, then the camera could *think* it's not getting enough light and it needs to compensate.

When you use "live view", the imaging sensor does the metering and focusing. When you use the viewfinder (normal use), the reflex mirror is bouncing light into the AF sensor array as well as into the 63 zone metering array.

I'm guessing something is failing to bounce the light into the meter or something is wrong with the meter which has desensitised it.

You may want to contact Canon or if it really is brand new, just exchange it -- by my reading, it sounds like you have not done anything that should result in the over-exposure.

Re: Overexposure issue with SL1/100D

Skirball — Tue, 10 Jun 2014 15:55:38 GMT

@Artemiy wrote:
As I wrote in my previous post, yes, exposure compensation is 0. I did already try to cover up the viewfinder when shooting in live view mode, makes no difference...

Sorry, I passed over that post for some reason.

Based on what you posted I'd be inclined to suspect the camera. I can't think of anything that would cause this much of a difference. You can either open up a dialog with Canon, or if it's still in the return window simply send it back and get a new one. I'd lean toward the latter just because it's quicker.

Re: Overexposure issue with SL1/100D

Artemiy — Tue, 10 Jun 2014 15:57:19 GMT

Thanks for the help everyone! I just bought it yesterday so it won't be a problem to exchange it.

Re: Overexposure issue with SL1/100D

Skirball — Tue, 10 Jun 2014 15:59:49 GMT

Sorry you had a bad experience with a new camera... I can imagine the disappointment. Unfortunately all mechanical things can fail. I haven't used an SL1, but it looks like a fun little camera, I hope you like your second version better.

Welcome to the community.

Re: Overexposure issue with SL1/100D

Artemiy — Tue, 10 Jun 2014 16:01:17 GMT

Yes, it's pretty bad since we're leaving for a two-month vacation this Friday... I really hope that my store can sort this out quickly! But I will make sure to check two cameras (mine and the replacement) side by side.