Dark images-FZ20

[Phyl]

Hello, This is my first time posting on this forum. I have owned my FZ20 for a few months and am new at digital photography. I find that most of my pictures turn out dark, especially outdoors. I have tried various settings and cannot seem to get it to give me photos I do not need to lighten.
Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated. :)

[Dean Forbes]

What setting do you have your command dial set to (P, A, M, S, etc)? Is there any exposure compensation set?

[genece]

It would help if you would post a couple of the too dark photos with the Exif included.
But it could be as simple as your monitor needs calibrated.
How do the photos print?

That said I had a FZ10 when I got the FZ20 and the multipattern metering was new and I wanted to try that, when doing so I found I needed to use a + 2/3 exposure compensation.
I soon changed back to spot metering as that is what I was used to and changed the exposure compensation to - 1/3. for about the same results.
I like using spot meter as I want to tell the camera what I want exposed correctly.
But each of us will not be happy with another persons setting but for now with your problem I would add a Plus exposure try +2/3.

And post a photo ... you can use Photobucket its free and keeps the exif.

http://photobucket.com/
or if you resize them you can just add an attachment.



.

[Phyl]

Hi! Thank you so much for your advice. However, I am really a beginner at this. What is the Exif? Where do I find it and how do I include it? tOMORROW i WILL POST ONE OF THE CULPRIT PICTURES (OF MANY).
I will check my monitor as well.
I have tried all the settings (In response to Dean Forbes).
I will try the exposure setting and let you know!
Thanks again!
Phyl

[genece]

Something like this may help in checking your monitor
http://epaperpress.com/monitorcal/

The exif is included in every picture unless you use program that removes it.
Something like IExif can let you read it.
http://www.opanda.com/en/iexif/

If you are using windows XP its even easier just right click the picture then click properties then summary and finally advanced and there is most of the exif if it has not been stripped.


And do not try to many things too quick. You need to form a method that you like to meter a shot and then make slight adjustments to get the best photo possible.
And what works for you may not work for me.

I would set the camera to factory defaults and try again,in program mode. If they are still dark increase the comensation by + 2/3 and see if that works. then when comfortable with that ...change one thing at a time over a period of several days.

One other thing if you are using a filter, remove it for a while to be sure that is not the problem.
One other thing put the sensitivity(ISO) on auto untill you are sure of what your doing.

Good luck

[Dean Forbes]

If nothing suggested helps, it's not inconceivable that you have a defective camera. I'm hearing about metering problems with Nikon D70s and owners having to send them in for repair. Hope this not your problem but we all know man made things are not foolproof.

[pipe]

Hello, This is my first time posting on this forum. I have owned my FZ20 for a few months and am new at digital photography. I find that most of my pictures turn out dark, especially outdoors. I have tried various settings and cannot seem to get it to give me photos I do not need to lighten.
Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated. :)

Hi,
No image straight from any camera is perfect. So, you need darkroom or (in digiworld) good program to enhanced the pictures. I have FZ20 and I use manual exposure only. The camera respects me more, pictures are sharper with edge.

[Phyl]

Hello!
I have not forgotten you! I am just taking advice and doing one thing at a time.
1) I am re-reading the manual that comes with the camera.
2) I am reading info on the net.
3) I have adjusted the exposure and have been playing with it quite a bit. When it is very sunny and shadows are created, I have added 2/3 exposure. When it is bright no shadows, I decrease a bit. Seems to be working so far.
4) I have checked out the exif and have been comparing the data. I am on auto ISO. It seems that the ones that are too dark are on 80 ISO...
5) Now I will go to Photobucket and figure that out so that I can post some photos.
Thank you so much for your help. I continue on!
Phyl :)