Problem with dark photos using a 90D and 300mm F4 lens

Discussion in 'Technical Troubleshooting' started by Paulb, May 22, 2020.

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  1. Paulb

    Paulb New Member

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    Any thoughts on the following would really be appreciated as I a pulling my hair out ( Whats left of it !! ).

    I am using a 90D with the 300mm IS F4 lens that has the built in Macro. Had it set to Automatic and has been working for a couple of months then all of a sudden yesterday I started getting dark pictures when used close up ( towards and in macro mode ) but further away they are not dark.
    So tried a 100-400mm MK II with the 90D no problem at all. So tried the 300mm lens on a 800D and again works perfectly.
    Looked through the settings and cannot find anything obvious.

    Any thoughts would be really appreciated.
     

  2. johnsey

    johnsey Site Moderator Staff Member Site Supporter

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    Hmm, using the 100-400 you were not focusing on something close with a background far away? Like a macro shot? This could be the metering mode maybe? That would account for the other camera acting differently with the same lens.
     
  3. Paulb

    Paulb New Member

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    Thank you for your reply. I have tried a few more shots since the message.
    The problem is with the 300mm close up, not the 100-400mm MK II and I was taking varying shots from 5m down to the minimum macro distance ( all are in focus ) but it gets darker as you get closer.
    In manual mode setting at 1/1000 and 7.1 there is no issue at all, so have retried in both P and A and both show the issue. Also tried setting the metering mode to spot metering in P mode and it still has the issue.
     
  4. johnsey

    johnsey Site Moderator Staff Member Site Supporter

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    I think posting an example will help, but lets take this one step further. Same shot both cameras same mode. My assumption here is that the exposure is wrong on the 90d, for whatever reason. Post both examples the cameras should meter the scene pretty close to a match which in theory should result in a similar image. Since the lens is not behaving the same on different cameras it is a good assumption the lens is working fine.
     
  5. johnsey

    johnsey Site Moderator Staff Member Site Supporter

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    Out of curiosity, do you have exposure compensation dialed in on the Auto modes on your 90d?
     
  6. Paulb

    Paulb New Member

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    Thank you, I will add some photo tomorrow of both cameras so you can see the difference.
     
  7. Paulb

    Paulb New Member

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    It is currently in P mode and on Menu 2 the exp.comp./AEB is set to 0 - is that what you were referring to ??
     
  8. johnsey

    johnsey Site Moderator Staff Member Site Supporter

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    That is auto bracketing of the exposure, I was referring to when you press the shutter halfway and rotate dial and look on the top LCD.
    See page 160 of the manual.
    upload_2020-5-22_17-24-30.png
     
  9. Paulb

    Paulb New Member

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    Sorry, yes it is set to the standard exposure index ie 0
     
  10. Paulb

    Paulb New Member

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  11. Paulb

    Paulb New Member

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    All pictures were taken in P mode to keep consistency. The 1st three on the 800D and the 2nd three from the 90D which shows the darkening the closer you get.
     
  12. Paulb

    Paulb New Member

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    Just did a camera reset and tried again on P and A. both of them seem to be holding the Shutter speed and Aperture value around constant but reducing the ISO speed as you get closer so darkening the picture. ps it is quite a dull day today, summer has officially arrived !!
     
  13. johnsey

    johnsey Site Moderator Staff Member Site Supporter

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    Well the good news is that it is the way the camera is metering and not a problem with the lens. It is very interesting that the ISO is being adjusted down to under expose. I'll have to brainstorm a bit.
     
  14. Paulb

    Paulb New Member

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    I have just updated the firmware to the latest level - still got the issue.
    Will give the 100mm is macro a try to see what that does ?
     
  15. Paulb

    Paulb New Member

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    While you are still brainstorming, I have tried the 100mm and it works perfectly from 5m right down to 400mm. So it still looks like the camera and lens have just fell out with each other !!!!
     

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