SL2 - Images on EVF/LCD brighter than iPhone/Computer

[DannyS]

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Hi all,

I recently purchased the SL2. After I take a picutre, on the LCD and EVF, the images look bright and great. However, when viewing on my phone or computer, the images look dark and underexposed. I taken images manually and on auto, and I am consistently getting what looks like under exposed images when exposure meter is at 0. Camera doesn't show that the image is underexposed, preview on camera it looks fine, but it's only when I look at it to edit on iphone/computer the images are dark.

Any idea what's causing this? Below are a few other details:

• I'm shooting portraits indoors with natural light. No flashes. 
• Images viewed on phone/computer is a jpeg. 
• I've tried different lenses with the same result. 
• Lowered the brightness on LCD and EVF, but images externally are even darker.
• ISO is never over 800; I could push it higher if it looked under exposed on cameras but can't determine until after viewing externally.

I've been primarily shooting on a Q2 and never had this issue.

TY all!

[LD_50]

What you’re viewing after capture on EVF or monitor is jpg. Maybe shoot in jpeg only and view that on your computer to see if they more closely match. If so, modify your jpg settings on camera to match what is in the raw file. 

[LeicaR10]

DannyS,  First, welcome to the forum.  You will find a good number of experienced photographers who will offer their sage advice to include myself.  Second, to help troubleshoot your issue, is exposure compensation actually set to under expose your photographs.  I can happen by accident.  You might check that setting.  If I think of anything else, I will add it later.  r/ Mark

PS  LD_50 above suggestion is also a good idea to check.

Edited February 7 by LeicaR10

[DannyS]

Thank you both for the quick response.

@LD_50 I have been viewing only JPEGs. I am familiar with raw files so I know what I'm viewing on PC/phone is jpeg. I can try jpeg only but I'm already viewing both jpeg on camera and pc/phone.

@LeicaR10 Thanks for the welcome! Exposure compensation is set to 0. 

[DannyS]

Also, I recently reset my camera and updated firmware if that rules out anything.

[jaapv]

Have you calibrated your monitor and checked the brightness settings on your phone? Have you checked th brightness setting on your LCD?  What does the histogram look like? 

[Jptsr1]

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Perhaps your LCD brightness set too high? I used to keep it dead center. After I put my screen protector on I switched to one click below center.

Edited February 8 by Jptsr1

[PhotoCruiser]

I bought a few weeks a SL2 and don't have your problem, except using my Godox strobe setup for macro work using TTL what leads to underexposed photos too but thats not your case. However, SL2 lcd show the photos same as on my iPhone 15 Pro Max, my iPad 12.9 and on my calibrated MacBooks and if they are underexposed then the lcd show them dark and underexposed.

You can calibrate your computer screen, but not your phone so as Jaapv already mentioned, you should check for your problem on your computer, using the DNG file and it's histogram and in case calibrate the screen. This for having a baseline to start with for further investigations.

Chris

[Chris W]

I don't judge anything based on the rear screen of the camera or a phone. Both can be set to different brightness. A phone typically is set to adjust brightness depending on the ambient light when you are using the phone.

The key here is the histogram on the camera. Is it hitting the low (left) end hard, with a lot of the information grouped at the left side of the histogram. If so, it is probable that you are under exposing. I don't view the histogram as gospel truth, but it gives you an indication as to how you are exposing.

Second, most computer photo editors (like Capture One and Lightroom) have exposure warnings (for too dark and too bright).

The next step is to check your exposures with the exposure warnings engaged. Are your images too dark according to the exposure warning.

IF your camera histogram looks fine and you don't see low exposure warnings when you load an image into your photo editor, then you need to adjust the brightness of your camera screen and phone to reflect a more accurate representation of your images.