Film and Digital Photography

When I started using my Canon 30D(my first Digital SLR)I experianced the same exposure problem that it seems many others have experianced. Most everything was underexposed in creative modes. I bumped up the exposure compensation 2/3-1 stop and that seems to be my median exposure to start from. I ran into a fellow who experianced the same situation on his Nikon (not sure what model). My question is... Is this typical of Digital SLR's and if it is, why? Is there something else I need to know about setting up the exposure in my 30D or is upping the exposure compensation the correct starting point? I was successful by changing the metering modes to make sure I was exposing on the particular area of the subject I was concerned with.
Thanks in advance for answers and suggestions!

I am not sure if it is normal. Have you tried spot metering from something that is 18% (or thereabouts) grey. Grass for example. Do you have to change the exposure compensation then?

To tell the truth, the digi SLRs I have used (Canon 300D, 350D and 30D) have all tended to overexpose by about 1 stop so I was blowing highlights. However, I do think that this is because I tend to shoot contrasty subjects. To overcome the problem, I used to take a meter reading, and then underexpose by 1 stop using the camera on manual rather than any auto-modes. I always check the histogram as well rather than relying on the screen view.

About 3 months ago, (I had only had my 30D for about 1 month) it took a serious knock on some rocks and sand. Since then the meter has been out of calibration by 15 stops (according to my hand held meter), but I work around this by shooting fully manual now, taking an incident reading on a lightmeter and then checking the histograms to see how the camera is doing. I have to think a lot more about my photography which I am enjoying! One day I may get it fixed!!

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	Film and Digital Photography