Hi everyone,
I don't know if this has been discussed before, but I couldn't find anything. I just got a 5d for a backup camera and it exposes quite differently from my 5dII. The 5d is 1/2 stop to 1 stop darker at the same settings. Is this normal?

5d:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jheine/4106680911/

5dII:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jheine/4106699299/

Everything was done with the same exact manual settings. Lighting was constant (manual flashes at night). I don't have any settings like highlight priority or auto light optimizer turned on. Is the 5dII sensor just that much more sensitive?

yes, from my experience its normal...my 5d underexposes by 2/3 a stop. i just keep the exposure compensation glued to +2/3 and everything exposes perfectly.

Could it be that the 5DII over exposed?

My 5D is pretty spot on.

I never noticed that. In fact, if I set the cameras exactly the same (e.g., same ISO, Tv, and Av), the 5D will expose approximately 1/3 stop brighter.

I was always happy with the 5D's exposure.

BTW, I would definately compare without flash before making any determination as to the camera's exposure level. The introduction of flash introduces new variables, even though you've set them the same. See what they do compared to each other under sunlight or a constant light source.

FWIW, both of my 5Ds expose spot-on.

When I had 5D it was fine with studio work and now shooting with 5D2 and I don't see any big difference like what you're experiencing.

I've been shooting with the 5D and 5D2 since they came out, and there are definitely differences in how the cameras meter a scene. Maybe it has something to do with the dynamic range of the sensor? I really don't know. (I don't use flash very much, so this is based on available light.)
It really bugged me at first, but now I'm just back to doing whatever I need to do to get the right exposure.

You might try this at outdoors and with more normal ISO and flash settings. 3200 is in the 5Ds extended ranged and the bits are shifted in the camera's processing. Also, 1/128 power is way down on the flash power.

Could you try both on an 18% gray card? That 5D looks underexposed, but the 5DII looks overexposed (on an uncalibrated random 17" Sorny monitor, so pay no attention to it).

Any picture styles or post processing templates that screw with you? Is it maybe very dirty?

The 5D CMOS is a little less sensitive than the 5DII, so you need more light for a good exposure. If you use a hand meter and set both cameras exactly the same, you'll see a difference. If you follow the onboard meter, all should be well.

This is very plausible. Excellent explanation.

Gochugogi wrote:
The 5D CMOS is a little less sensitive than the 5DII, so you need more light for a good exposure. If you use a hand meter and set both cameras exactly the same, you'll see a difference. If you follow the onboard meter, all should be well.

both of my 5D & 5D II seem to underexpose.. so I always overexpose by 2/3 or even 1 stop where 7D seems spot on...

dgenx24 wrote:
both of my 5D & 5D II seem to underexpose.. so I always overexpose by 2/3 or even 1 stop where 7D seems spot on...

Both my 5D and 5DII nail exposure most of the time. Some tricky situations--predominantly dark or light scenes need appropriate EC--but I rarely need to touch the QCD. Like most camera meters, neither one knows what a sunset should look like (overexposes) and dark night scenes are also overexposed (looks almost like daylight). Also really contrasty scenes--sunny day landscapes--need -1/3 or -1/2 EC to keep HLs from blowing.