khorinek

I've been shooting with the Canon 5d Mark IV for a year now. It is a great camera and am glad to have made the upgrade from my 5D Mark III. I have noticed one issue the camera seems to have that the 5D Mark III didn't. That is skin tones, or the lack of. The 5D Mark IV seems to "blow out" lighter or pale skin tones. There seems to be a lack of detail or definition in light or pale skin tones. To correct this problem I have to underexpose the shot and fix in Lightroom. I prefer to have my photos correct right out of the camera. I might add, these are shots without flash. I have started using a circular Polarizing filter and that seems to have corrected the problem. Has anybody else experienced this problem with the Canon 5D Mark IV.

www.thespottedguy.com

Haydon

If you want color accurate skin tones consider using a color checker passport so your camera is profiled correctly along with applicable white balance. Each model and camera will have variations.

RRS Loc: Not sure

I have to wonder what light you are shooting in, how bright. A CP filter will reduce the light up to about 3 stops. Have you tried a negative exposure compensation. Have you gone through the menu and looked to see how your color is set up. Do some testing with a gray card. Is the problem only with skin tones and how is the overall exposure on everything else without the CP filter? Do you get the same results if and when using a different lens?

Largobob

Wow....lots of questions without any solutions? Yes, my questions end with question marks.

RRS Loc: Not sure

So then what is your solution??? Not knowing all the info I thought I would ask some thought provoking questions. Why a CP filter, loss of three stops and what does that loss do to the rest of the image, now good skin tones and everything else is 3 stops too dark? I haven't seen anything back from the OP. As a good problem solver I need more info and even then I may not be able to help at all.

Largobob

Yada, yada, yada, yada. Point is...why comment (offer endless questions) if you don't propose a solution.

I don't shoot Canon and make no claim to know. Perhaps, based on your response here, you shouldn't claim to know either?

RRS Loc: Not sure

Like I said, what's your solution, none, take your own advise and don't comment. I've shot Canon for years and now shoot four different Canon bodies. I still have not heard anything back from the OP. Without more info I can't offer a solution. You said it all when you said " I don't shoot Canon and make no claim to know".

Largobob

Yup. I have no solution, and neither do you. When faced with a question/problem that I can't solve....I just don't comment. Perhaps that might be some advice (notice that I spelled 'advice' correctly) that you may consider in the future. This site already has WAY too many pontificators. Please don't pile on!

khorinek

I was using a Exposure Compensation of -1/3 to -2/3 stop with good success. I think outside shots in bright sun are overexposed as well. I've underexposed some when outside. It may be more of an exposure issue.

khorinek

I'm wondering if there is a color and/or exposure setting I may be using that could be adjusted. I can usually get a good exposure in lightroom but I would like to get the images correct out of the camera. Anyone familiar with the color settings that could be adjusted in a Canon 5D mark IV?

Brokenland

Fotodiox soft diffuser filter which will soften skin tones.

If you're having an issue with the color adjusting within the camera and not post processing, then locate your manual and reset the camera to it's default settings. if nothing changes, then your camera needs to be adjusted by canon or a reputable camera shop. All cameras have presets before leaving the factory but once in a while one camera might slip through as the colors are off.

RRS Loc: Not sure

Thanks for the added info. As to an exposure problem, what metering are you using, evaluative, partial, spot or center-weighted average? Have you tried several to see if it makes a change? There is an adjustment in the menu to compensate if your meter's reading is not correct, I doubt that's the problem but it is there. If you have made adjustments to the camera you could reset it to default and see if that helps. You could test your camera by going to "M" set an aperture to f/5.6 or f/8.0 and a shutter speed of 1/125 to 1/250 and ISO to auto. Shoot outside in good light and check your results. What lens are you shooting with most with this problem? Maybe a dumb question but are you using a lens shade, trying to rule out lens flare. Do you still have the MKIII? If so you could see if you set this one up differently. Do you shoot with anyone else that shoots the MKIV that you could compare their settings against yours. Lots of questions but since I can't take some test shots with your camera I have to ask. Could you post a picture with no EC or CP. I shoot with several that always shoot with an EC of -1/3 to -2/3, they like the rich color. That goes against the grain of those that shoot ETTR (exposure to the right). I was frustrated with Canon when I bought a 300mm f/2.8 and a 7DMKII and had soft pictures until I was forced to learn about micro adjusting. You have a great camera and I'm sure you will get some help on this. If you can't resolve this you could call Canon and see if it needs to be sent in, I hope not. Have a Happy New Year and maybe a posted picture may bring more help from others here.

Largobob

Wow, RRS....more questions and still no answers. You are certainly the most helpful pontificator on this site!

khorinek

I use the canon 24-70 f/4 L IS lens. I had the 24-70 f/2.8 L II but didn't like using f/2.8 so switched to the f/4 model. I've thought about resetting the camera settings but I have the camera set up to my style of shooting and don't want to lose all my custom settings. I will do that if I can't figure out how to fix this. I still have my 5d Mark III and still use it on my 70-200 f/4 lens. That's when I see a difference in skin tone, between the two cameras. Before I started using a Circular Polarizing filter, I used a UV filter and am wondering if that may have contributed to the problem? Also, I use evaluative metering. This photo was take outdoors, f/4.5, 1/400, with a UV filter.

RRS Loc: Not sure

This picture looks pretty good to me for skin tones. So the difference your seeing is between shooting the MKIV with a 24-70mm f/4.0 and the MKIII with a 70-200 f/4.0. Are you using the same "Picture Style" on both cameras? Is there a difference in color if you shoot several with the 70-200 with the MKIII and then shoot the same set up with the MKIV also with the 70-200. Next try shooting with the UV filter and again the same set up without the UV filter and again check for color or skin tones. What brand UV filter are you using, there are good ones and not so good ones. I bought UV filters 77mm for my smaller lenses and after testing decided not to use them, I use the lens shade for protection for the lens.