ltouchstone Loc: Maryville, Tn.

I bought a Canon 5D Mk4 a couple of months ago and have spent quite a while in the manual unraveling the menus and getting acquainted with this camera. Last night I tried to photograph the "pink moon" and was baffled by its response. Knowing I could not use the meter in the camera for this I set the 5D to full manual and adjusted it to make the photo as if it was a bright sunny day, which it was up there. But, the camera would not make the exposure. Checking the manual, I found on pg. 251 instructions on how to use manual mode. Strangely, it seems that it will not function if your setting is more than 3 stops above or below what it thinks is the "standard exposure". I may have overlooked other instructions somewhere else in the manual but I've spent several hours looking for it. Can anyone shed more light on this subject? Manual mode is not manual if you cannot override what the camera "thinks." I realize the dark sky is fooling the meter but manual mode should override any electronic metering and allow me to control my exposure, at least it has been that way for the last 40 years.
I'd appreciate any ideas on what is going on.
Thanks

MtnMan Loc: ID

You might need a Nikon.

In the mean time set metering on spot and put the moon in the center.

With Nikons spot metering follows the selected focus point. I read somewhere that isn't the case with Canon: spot metering only uses the center spot.

haroldross Loc: Walthill, Nebraska

I don't quite understand your question. My 5D MK IV will take the photo even if I over or under expose more than 3 stops. The manual is referring to the exposure meter.

(Download)

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

I'm guessing that the "<" and ">" are just indicators that the exposure is outside of the limits of the metering indicator display. Is there an additional setting in another menu that inhibits a picture if certain exposure conditions are not met??

ltouchstone Loc: Maryville, Tn.

When I depress the shutter nothing happens. This happens in other modes as well. I have noticed this trait when checking the extreme ends of exposure compensation. It will not make an exposure too far outside its std. range.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

Are you using auto focus or manual focus? I'm not familiar with Canon, but on Nikon you can set the AF to Focus Mode or Release Mode. With Focus Mode the shutter will not release unless the subject in in focus, with Release Mode the shutter will release whether or not the subject is in focus. If Canon offers the same options, could it be you were in focus mode and the camera didn't think the subject was in focus and thus wouldn't allow the shutter to release?

ltouchstone Loc: Maryville, Tn.

I quickly scanned the AF section of the manual to no avail. I see where you are coming from as it does seem like I have a related setting in the menus out of sync that is not allowing a gross over or underexposure to be made. But again, in full manual the sensor should not take precedent, or so it seems to me. I have seven 35 mm film Canons as well as an older Rebel body and this 5D has required me to get into the manual and experiment which has led me to be very impressed with the capabilities of new digital cameras but this is a strange occurrence. Since I have not seen other problems I'm thinking I am at fault but I cannot find where I have gone wrong. It is a puzzle to me.
Thanks

TMcD Loc: Minneapolis, MN

I just tried this with my 5DmIV. In manual mode I set ISO, aperture and shutter speed so that I was underexposed by 5 stops. This takes the meter 2 stops below the -3 mark, showing < on the meter. No problem. It took the shot, appropriately underexposed. I'd suggest you check your other settings. The suggestion about auto focus was a good one as you can set things up so that the camera will not take the shot if it can't focus.
A tip for the moon, start at f11 and 1/125 second at ISO 100. That should get you close. Good luck!

ltouchstone Loc: Maryville, Tn.

Since the camera operates normally every other way I think the problem lies with me and your suggestion does indeed seem to be logical. So, I have spent a while trying to find the link to no avail.

ltouchstone Loc: Maryville, Tn.

I will indeed turn off autofocus and try it again. Sounds like it may be the solution.
Thank you.

TMcD Loc: Minneapolis, MN

On page 136 of the manual it describes how when in AI Servo mode if 1st image priority is set to Focus Priority that you will not be able to take a pic until focus is achieved.

ltouchstone Loc: Maryville, Tn.

That is exactly what is happening. Thank you my friend! I knew it had to be me but could not find it.

TMcD Loc: Minneapolis, MN

Glad you solved the issue! Happy shooting.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

Do you have it set to long exposure noise reduction, and if, at what setting? This may be something you're experiencing.

ltouchstone Loc: Maryville, Tn.

I really appreciate the input and will delve into these possible fixes. I suppose complexity increases along with capability but I am unfortunately old school and I suppose I am rather late getting to class as well. Thanks for the help!