E-TTL II Flash Metering of EOS-1D Mark II

E-TTL II Flash Metering of EOS-1D Mark II

The E-TTL II flash metering system of the EOS-1D Mark II is compared against the E-TTL system in the EOS-1D and EOS-1Ds under difficult meter situations with unusual lighting or background in the following panels. Cameras were in Program mode with no flash compensation. A 550 EX flash was mounted on the camera. Cameras were set to flash white balance, ISO 400, and for small jpg output. The images are full frame output. Images with blue borders can be clicked for cropped enlargement.

Two lenses were used: 1) EF 85mm f/1.8 (gives working distance information to camera for E-TTL II flash system) and 2) EF 85mm f/1.2L lens (does not provide distance information to the camera for the E-TTL II flash system.

Results for fields with light background with bright light source in background, subject wearing light clothing

The EOS-1D Mark II E-TTL II system gave even exposure of the subject with the lens that provided distance information when evaluative metering was used. Other exposures were good (even with the 85mm f/1.2L that does not provide distance information).
The EOS-1D consistently under exposed the subject
The EOS-1Ds gave consistently slightly underexposed subjects, but useable images. If you shoot in RAW, all exposures are easily adjustable.

Camera	EF 85mm f/1.8 (spot meter) Focus center point and spot meter on grey card	EF 85mm f/1.8 (evaluative meter) Focus center point on right eye and evaluative meter	EF 85mm f/1.2L (spot meter) Focus center point and spot meter on grey card	EF 85mm f/1.2L (evaluative) Focus center point on right eye and evaluative meter
EOS-1D Mark II
EOS-1D
EOS-1Ds

Results with dark background and clothing

The EOS-1D Mark II consistently overexposes the subject with all lens and metering options (Flash compensation is required for correct exposure). If you shoot RAW, overexposure will probably be easily corrected in programs such as Capture One DSLR.
The EOS-1D correctly exposes the subject without flash compensation.
The EOS-1Ds slightly overexposes the subject (flash compensation would help). If you shoot RAW, overexposure is easily corrected. Overexposure is small enough to correct in the jpg output without loss of highlight detail.

Camera	EF 85mm f/1.8 (spot meter) Focus center point on eye and spot meter face	EF 85mm f/1.8 (evaluative meter) Focus center point on right eye and evaluative meter	EF 85mm f/1.2L (spot meter) Focus center point on eye and spot meter face	EF 85mm f/1.2L (evaluative) Focus center point on right eye and evaluative meter
EOS-1D Mark II
EOS-1D
EOS-1Ds

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