Canon 400D (Rebel Xti, Kiss X)

[Suzann]

Yellow stitch: Great shots.. love the frog!

cpbjgc: Your pics are great!!! I'm trying to get a hang of the DSLR, since I've only had regular digital camera's before.. 2 months now and still learning

 

[Suzann]

Oh, here's my pictures from yesterday... this is Hannah, she puts up with me taking pictures of her LOL

 

[cpbjgc]

I especially like the second picture! Very expressive eyes, as in "Why is she taking my picture again!?"

 

[mamacatnv]

Ohhhh, great pix all - I am excited, just ordered the XTi yesterday! I have been a Canon Rebel owner for several years but finally took the leap - now I really can't wait for the Fed-X man to show up!

 

[RadioNate]

I just got a batch of photos back and they are all so dark. Most were shot outside, some with a fill flash, some w/out. They all look terribly under exposed.

I can't post an example right now (no internet on that computer).

I need to go back and look at histograms but I think I could have changed a setting.

Metering maybe? What do most people typically use? Exposure compensation. I know there isn't a 1-size fits all solution but is there a 1 setting fits a whole lot for average shooting?

 

[Lizziejane]

while the preference is always to take a picture that requires no post-processing in PS or PE, I'm not quite there yet. I have the XTi too, and often find I need to tweak the levels before printing no matter how much time and effort I put into the shot before pressing the button. Not sure if it's the XTi or me metering off the wrong thing. Me thinks it's operator error - but until I have it all perfected so that I'm taking the perfect picture from the get-go, I'm not opposed to post-processing.

 

[RadioNate]

I think mine is me too! That is why I asked. I'm finding that I need to post process nearly everything.

 

[Miss Kelly]

Are you shooting in Jpeg or Raw? What mode are you shooting? Manual? Full Auto? P? etc Could you post an example so we could see what went wrong? Thanks.

 

[RadioNate]

I can't post photos right now. They are all on another computer that can't connect to the internet. I usually shoot jpg, in P but even on full auto they are so dark. I think I have an internal setting messed up somewhere.

I don't have anything recient in my photobucket account. It'll be Aug before I can get my other machine hooked back up to the internet (we are moving).

I really wish I had something.

I do occasionally shoot in Av or Tv but I'm pretty sure the most recient ones were all in P at like 200 ISO - they are all outdoor photos.

They look muddy and dark. I don't think it is white balance because there are kids in white shirts and those are white. Maybe the white shirts threw off the exposure?

ETA - I found one on my DS's computer. I was hesitant to post one from his youth soccer games so forgive my edit job. Paint is all there is on his machine.

 

[DizneyNutz]

I can't post photos right now. They are all on another computer that can't connect to the internet. I usually shoot jpg, in P but even on full auto they are so dark. I think I have an internal setting messed up somewhere.

I don't have anything recient in my photobucket account. It'll be Aug before I can get my other machine hooked back up to the internet (we are moving).

I really wish I had something.

I do occasionally shoot in Av or Tv but I'm pretty sure the most recient ones were all in P at like 200 ISO - they are all outdoor photos.

They look muddy and dark. I don't think it is white balance because there are kids in white shirts and those are white. Maybe the white shirts threw off the exposure?

ETA - I found one on my DS's computer. I was hesitant to post one from his youth soccer games so forgive my edit job. Paint is all there is on his machine.

I am not a photog by any means, so I love being able to adjust photos afterwards to save the photos/ memories.

 

[DVC Jen]

Did you check the meter you see in the eyepiece? Was it dead center like it is supposed to be (unless using exposure compensation that is)?

 

[RadioNate]

Did you check the meter you see in the eyepiece? Was it dead center like it is supposed to be (unless using exposure compensation that is)?

no clue I took the photo in April! Yes I'm VERY slow getting them transferred and all that.

I dont' mine post processing and editing - I just had several hundred that were dark like that.

I seriously think I'm doing something wrong. I don't have any exposure compensation set either way. I also can't remember what metering setting I had it on. That is why I was interested in people's 'go to' default settings.

 

[Miss Kelly]

Well, I can't see your EXIF data. Those are quite dark though. Have you tried resetting your whole camera? Go to Menu and Reset all Settings and Custom Functions?

 

[MarkBarbieri]

My guesses are:

1) Exposure compensation set to underexpose

or

2) Shooting in manual mode and not adjusting the exposure properly

or

3) Spot/partial metering and aiming the camera at a light object

or

4) Faulty meter

I think 1, 2, or 3 are much, much more likely than 4.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

Or maybe

5) Using a polarizer not designed for autoexposure systems.

 

[raidermatt]

For what it's worth, when I was researching the XTi and Nikon D40x, I did come across complaints about dark photos with the XTi.

 

[mabas9395]

For what it's worth, when I was researching the XTi and Nikon D40x, I did come across complaints about dark photos with the XTi.

I have heard the same thing. The forums at dpreview.com are full of people complaining of under-exposure on the XTi. Many have sent theirs in for repair and have had the problem fixed.

 

[jenseib]

I have an Xti as well, and mine aren't dark, so perhaps you have a faulty one. i would contact canon and see about it.

 

[lovetheprincesses]

Hi I bought the Canon XTI Rebel with kit and a copy of Understanding Exposure. I take pictures of my daughter in soccer games, assemblies, and of course WDW. Which lenses do I need? Do I need an external light? I am sorry for the questions, but I still don't quite understand how to shop for lenses....Any help would be appreciated! Also, do I need a hood?

 

[ukcatfan]

If you do any low light work, you should get the 50mm f/1.8 and it is only around ~$100. Depending on how far back you will be from the events, you might need something with some more reach. If they are going to be low light events, then you should look for an aperture around f/2.8. I doubt that a flash would help for any events because you will just be too far away from the subject. It could be helpful at WDW though, but it depends on your style also. I personally only use a flash as a last resort, but that is just my preference. A hood is helpful to keep unwanted light from hitting the front element. I know that the Canon kit does not come with one, but I do not know if one is available.

Kevin