EOS Rebel T3i dark in manual mode

[Trissw09]

Hello,

I have a Canon T3i Rebel and for some reason, my photos are dark when I am in this mode. I have tried everything possible feature to try to make the photos brighter, but nothing works. I even tried the flash and it only added a bit of lighting. The strange thing is that this mode worked perfectly before, but for some reason it doesn’t work now. I really hope this camera is not broken. 
thank you!

[deebatman316]

Are you sure you're using the correct settings for the current ambient lighting. Where are pictures being taken in a dark area or bright area. What are the settings you're using. Have you used Manual Mode before.

[FloridaDrafter]

If it's not to much trouble, post some of your dark photos to a sharing site like DropBox, Google drive,etc. Just be sure to make them sharable and please include EXIF data so we can see what your camera settings are.

Newton

[rs-eos]

The next time this happens, put the camera in Auto mode and take another photo. In Auto mode, is the photo also dark? If not, compare the settings that Auto used vs the settings you used in Manual.

Another possibility is that the current scene you're in is just too dark.

[LeeP]

Intriguing issue.

On a tangent, what kind of situation are you shooting that needs manual?

I used to have a T3i and its automatic exposure was sufficiently precise that I rarely went to manual.

Some hobbyists act as if manual is the Holy Grail and without it, "you're not a real photographer", which is nonsense.

While you are awaiting a possible solution, hop to automatic exposure and if the results are OK--you can do exposure bias very easily--then don't worry about the glitch with manual.

With the T3i being as old as it is, getting use out of it is probably the main goal.

[Trissw09]

I have used manual mode before and it has worked perfectly. The pictures are being taken in a bright area and even with the flash, but they are still dark. I have turned the ISO all the way up and it only makes a small difference. I have messed with exposure but that failed as well.

[Trissw09]

I can try this thank you

[Trissw09]

This is part of the problem. What's strange is that in all of the other modes, the camera works perfectly. But for some reason only in manual it doesn't work properly. I have been in a decently bright room even using the flash and it still is dark.

[Trissw09]

Well, I don't for sure need to use manual mode for everything, it's just disappointing to have a camera that doesn't work completely. I agree with you saying that manual mode isn't necessary, and yes the camera is older haha.

[rs-eos]

Did you perform the experiment I outlined? When you next use Manual mode and the image turns out dark, switch to Auto and take another image. Compare the settings used for each (aperture, shutter and ISO). Share the results here so we can better assist you.