Canon EOS 40D Digital Camera Logo
Posted on Aug 13, 2008

Manual shooting mode problem.

Hi there,

My 40D in Manual mode insists on underexposing to -2. If I press ISO on top of camera, the exposure is clearly set at 0. Consequently, image is black - totally underexposed. The dial on the rear of the camera has no effect when rotated either left or right. It's driving me mad at the moment! Is my camera faulty - it's only 2 months old. Therefore, still under warranty.

I am using the position above "on" when the camera is swithed on.

This problem does not occur in all other shooting modes.

Lenses are Canon USM f/4 L 70-200, Canon USM 100-400 IS L, Canon 18-55.

Kind regards,
Adam.

  • Anonymous May 11, 2010

    Do you still have this problem?

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  • Contributor 54 Answers
  • Posted on Apr 30, 2009
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Joined: Apr 29, 2009
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The exposure compensation dial (at the back) doesn't work when you're in Manual. In Manual, you set the shutter speed and aperture to get an image with the amount of over- or under-exposure you need. In the view finder, the "exposure meter" at the bottom shows how much light there is where the lens is pointed. When it shows what you called "2-stops", its really underexposed. Thus your black images. You need to increase ISO, open the aperture and slow down the shutter speed (or a combination of these 3 options)

Set your camera to P or full-auto. Do the photos turn out ok? If they do, then there's nothing wrong with your camera and you just need practise on the Manual mode.

  • bukit41 Dec 31, 2010

    Hi, not sure if I can post comment since it was 2 years ago. But I am struggling with the similar issue - my 40d in all mode - P, full-auto, tv or av mode is constantly showing -2 under the "exposure meter" at the bottom. What else I can test? or it is a faulty camera?

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Do the following:

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Send me some money for this tips when you make more money and produces great exposures:-)
Now, you're the top photographer in the town.

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[email protected]
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