Digital cameras 101

[DeniseM]

Hi everyone!
I just upgraded from a Canon Rebel XT to a Canon 40D and quickly realized that I have a lot of new stuff to learn about with the 40D! Anyway, I'm hoping that I didn't make a huge mistake, but I bought it used off of eBay...
When it arrived, right away I head outside (where it is very sunny) to where my kids are playing to test it out. Everything is great - until I load the photos to my computer and they are all quite dark.
My question is - is there a setting that I should check (maybe the guy who owned it had it set this way for a reason) or is there something wrong with the camera?
Thanks in advance for any and all help!! I really hope I didn't make a mistake buying this camera!

[bdery]

Hello and welcome!

As long as you liked your Rebel, there is no reason why your 40D should displease you. The cameras should be really similar in their operation and settings.

Have you checked to make sure the exposure value is not offset? Or maybe you were in manual mode? Or in Tv or Av mode with a setting that would lead to underexposure? Maybe the camera is set to spot metering?

I would recommend resetting the camera to factory values (it should be easy in the menu) and then set its parameters to your liking. Then test it again, and see if the images still look too dark. If it still does, show us some examples to compare, and include the EXIF data (see here if you're not sure what it is :

http://www.digicamhelp.com/learn/glossary/exif.php

Let us know how it works?

[DeniseM]

I did as you said and reset the camera...and all is well!!! Thank you so, so much! I was really getting worried...of course, now I feel kinda dumb because I should have thought of doing that, but that's okay!

[bdery]

Denise,

never feel dumb! We're just glad to help. It's probable that the previous owner had left a parameter offset, that's all.

Incidentally, since this is a complex camera, I suggest you take the time to go through the manual. There might be times when you want to duplicate the settings your camera was in, for some reason.