Under exposure with my Canon 70D: Lost a day’s shooting. When I downloaded the card, all shots were grossly underexposed. No warning, worked fine the day before. Thought it might be a...

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Under exposure with my Canon 70D

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Jan 26, 2019 06:59:36 #

GilFrey1

Lost a day’s shooting. When I downloaded the card, all shots were grossly underexposed. No warning, worked fine the day before. Thought it might be a failed card. Substituded a know good card. Test frames were underexposed. Recharged the batteries (use the grip, so two). Same problem. Changed lens, same problem. Had been using the P mode so tried the others including manual modes, same problem.

Have used this 70D for years (got it when it first came out) always reliable. If it really needs to be replaced or repaired will probably go to the 90D which is due for release in near future and repair 70D and pass it on to grandson.

Any thoughts on what I may be overlooking?

Thanks,

GilFrey

Jan 26, 2019 07:17:17 #

Bultaco Loc: Aiken, SC

Have you checked your EV?

Jan 26, 2019 07:18:14 #

crazydaddio Loc: Toronto Ontario Canada

GilFrey1 wrote:

Lost a day’s shooting. When I downloaded the card... (show quote)

Wow. Sorry to hear that.
Assume you were shooting Auto mode?
If not, probably need more info on your settings and situation.

There are settings in the camera that will for sure cause this in modes other than Auto.
If you were shooting full Auto, then the photos should not be "grossly underexposed" unless the underexposed feeling is related to your targeted subjects for the photo being in the foreground with a very bright background. The camera will always do a poor job on Auto in these situations.

Jan 26, 2019 07:25:25 #

GilFrey1

Was not just the targeted subject that was underexposed, but the entire frame and every frame, could still see details, but just barely

Gil

Jan 26, 2019 07:29:13 #

abc1234 Loc: Elk Grove Village, Illinois

I would first look at the exposure compensation. It stays in effect for all the creative modes. Next, I would try some of those automatic modes such as the green one, closeup or sports. These turn off exposure compensation. Finally, I would make sure to shoot raw since you have such wide latitude for underexposure.

From what you say, I would not suspect the camera, card, battery, or lens because the camera will give you an error message or the shot will look bad on the camera's screen. Did you check the pictures as you took them?

I have had the 60D and 80D and never saw anything like this other than having to adjust the exposure compensation or settings when shooting manually. I would not send this out for repair or buy a new camera until you find out what is going on. You may waste your money.

Good luck and share with us how you solve this mystery.

Jan 26, 2019 07:36:29 #

Brokenland

My first thought, have you attempted a factory reset of the camera as one may or may not have disrupted the system inadvertently by scrolling though the options menu.

Jan 26, 2019 07:42:00 #

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

Bokehen wrote:

My first thought, have you attempted a factory reset of the camera as one may or may not have disrupted the system inadvertently by scrolling though the options menu.

My thoughts exactly - that would be the first step for troubleshooting.

Jan 26, 2019 07:56:33 #

GilFrey1

I will try the factory reset. Forgot about that. I am getting older and tend to forget to do the obvious

Thanks
Gil

Jan 26, 2019 08:03:23 #

abc1234 Loc: Elk Grove Village, Illinois

GilFrey1 wrote:

I will try the factory reset. Forgot about that. I am getting older and tend to forget to do the obvious

Thanks
Gil

I hope you check the exposure compensation first. I you have any custom settings and name, resetting will erase those.

Jan 26, 2019 08:04:40 #

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I would check all the settings (reset) before blaming the camera. Let us know how this turns out.

Jan 26, 2019 08:46:33 #

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

I'd look for something in one of the exposure settings that may have been accidentally adjusted.
"Factory Reset" clears everything you may have set (changed) in a custom manner.
Factory reset would be my LAST resort.

Jan 26, 2019 08:51:22 #

Haydon

Upload an image with store original to ensure all EXIF data remains intact. Otherwise, the best you will get here is guessing. I only recommend a full factory reset once everything else has failed. It takes time to go through all the setting and customize them to your liking from a full reset. One of Canon's failures it to be able to save settings into a single configuration file to reload at another time. Unless you own the 1D series.

Jan 26, 2019 10:11:31 #

GilFrey1

Ok! Problem was exposure compensation was set to extream right. Have no idea how that happened. Not something that would be set by accident and I did not loan camera or even have someone take a picture of us. Glad I didn’t do a Reset right off!

I didn’t have my manual along on this trip (know better than to leave it home) and of course I well know that one should check the shots early in a new shoot. Longtime hobbiest, but never a professional.

My thanks to all who responded to my query. Great Forum and I at least check it several times a week.

GilFrey1

Jan 26, 2019 10:20:51 #

Brokenland

GilFrey1 glad it worked out for you as the simplest things can offset the photoshoot.

Jan 26, 2019 12:52:10 #

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

GilFrey1 wrote:

(I'm glad you didn't also!)

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