Overexposure by Canon EOS 450D

[squicky]

Recently got a 2nd hand Canon 450D to use as a first DSLR camera (previously only ever used compacts).

I seem to be struggling to be able to take any pictures with it that aren't overexposed.

However given my rather novice status with a DSLR; I can't help wondering what I'm doing wrong though googling for this issue shows a lot of other people complaining about the same issue.

I was hoping for a camera which would give me control to tweak the settings as I felt necessary/required certain effects but would be able to trust the automatic settings as a fallback/default starting point. Am I wrong to have this expectation?

Assuming that this a problem with this camera (google unfortunately seems to suggests so); does anybody have any recommendations for similarly priced cameras?

[itsnotarace]

What method of metering are you using?

[minky monkey]

Just checking, you haven't upped the exposure compensation, have you?

What settings are you using? AV, TV, Full auto etc? What is the lightmeter in the viewfinder indicating, when you look at it, is it in the middle?

[14-7]

I'm sure there's an option in the menu to return everything to factory settings.

[minky monkey]

With my Canons, I usually dial in about 1-2/3rds underexposure anyway depending on what I'm shooting.

[minky monkey]

Post an example picture with the EXIF data, it might be easier to see what's going on.

[squicky]

Sorry for the lack of details - I'm pretty much a novice with DSLR's

I've been trying the various automatic modes on the camera without much success in solving the issue yet - I've tried adjusting the various settings allowed to be changed during the automatic modes such as F-stop/white balance/meter point without too much success.

I've seen recommendations when googling for the issue about adjusting the EV settings to work around the issue; but this answer feels wrong to me - I shouldn't have to tell it to underexpose everything as a default setting should I?

Also I've seen people saying that there is enough detail left in the RAW files to be able to post-process the images however I don't really want to have to do this to every shot I take.

I don't have any pictures to hand (work computer vs home computer) - but without meaning to be awkward, I don't see how that would help - Whilst I can continue playing with the fully manual settings and learn that way I was hoping I could generally use the automatic settings (whether that's the fully automatic mode or the mixed automatic/manual control of some settings).

Edited to say; perhaps a return to factory settings is a good idea in case the previous owner's set something that's persistent.

Edited by squicky on Wednesday 23 June 14:22

[bonsai]

squicky said:

I don't have any pictures to hand (work computer vs home computer) - but without meaning to be awkward, I don't see how that would help

It would help because, unless it's been stripped out, the photos will contain meta data showing the various exposure settings and if it is the case that something simple like +EV compensation is on then that will be quickly identified and fixed.

[GetCarter]

squicky said:

Sorry for the lack of details - I'm pretty much a novice with DSLR's

I've been trying the various automatic modes on the camera without much success in solving the issue yet - I've tried adjusting the various settings allowed to be changed during the automatic modes such as F-stop/white balance/meter point without too much success.

I've seen recommendations when googling for the issue about adjusting the EV settings to work around the issue; but this answer feels wrong to me - I shouldn't have to tell it to underexpose everything as a default setting should I?

Also I've seen people saying that there is enough detail left in the RAW files to be able to post-process the images however I don't really want to have to do this to every shot I take.

I don't have any pictures to hand (work computer vs home computer) - but without meaning to be awkward, I don't see how that would help - Whilst I can continue playing with the fully manual settings and learn that way I was hoping I could generally use the automatic settings (whether that's the fully automatic mode or the mixed automatic/manual control of some settings).

Edited to say; perhaps a return to factory settings is a good idea in case the previous owner's set something that's persistent.

Edited by squicky on Wednesday 23 June 14:22

My D2X suddenly started to overexpose, but rather than go through the faff of sending off getting fixed (it was quite old), I just dialed in a bit of -EV and It's stayed like that ever since. I know it's not 'right', but if a table is a bit wonkey, as long as you put a few beer mats underneath the offending leg, the results will be just as good!

ETA... but def 'Return to factory settings' first.

Edited by GetCarter on Wednesday 23 June 14:33

[itsnotarace]

squicky said:

I've tried adjusting the various settings allowed to be changed during the automatic modes such as F-stop/white balance/meter point without too much success.

Leave white balance to auto and set metering mode to centre weighted or spot (or whatever Canon's version is)

squicky said:

I've seen recommendations when googling for the issue about adjusting the EV settings to work around the issue; but this answer feels wrong to me - I shouldn't have to tell it to underexpose everything as a default setting should I?

My guess is you're metering off the wrong subject so it's giving the camera the wrong exposure settings.

[Simpo Two]

ISO set to 1600 etc?

[minky monkey]

bonsai said:

squicky said:

I don't have any pictures to hand (work computer vs home computer) - but without meaning to be awkward, I don't see how that would help

It would help because, unless it's been stripped out, the photos will contain meta data showing the various exposure settings and if it is the case that something simple like +EV compensation is on then that will be quickly identified and fixed.

Exactly...

[Simpo Two]

Have we worked it out yet?

[SamHH]

Do you have more than one lens so that you can rule out that being at fault?

[andy-xr]

Simpo Two said:

Have we worked it out yet?

Crop the corners

[F-Stop Junkie]

Is the camera screen/computer screen set too bright and an old camera would underexpose?

[Simpo Two]

andy-xr said:

Simpo Two said:

Have we worked it out yet?

Crop the corners

Right answer, wrong question!

[Simpo Two]

Cone on OP, I want to know if I was right!!