Over exposure on D80

[Scaglietti]

It's not the tone curve or that the D80 is overexposing. On the D80, Nikon tweaked the Matrix metering algortihm a little differently - in Matrix metering mode, the object that is in the focus point is taken into more consideration than with say the D70. So if your focusing point is on a darker subject, the metering is adjusted slightly more for the darker subject.

Have a look at these examples of the matrix metering differences between a D80 and D200

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1034&message=20841832

Remember there was one time when we shot in the studio using the same manual exposure setting, my D80 consistently show "overexposure" while your D200 showed a spot-on exposure. The matrix metering did not come into play since we are on manual exposure. It however showed that the curves in our cameras contribute significantly to the perceived exposure.

The matrix meter does looks a little different. I would say that curves may be a significant contributer to the "overexposure".

BC

 

[gooseberry]

Remember there was one time when we shot in the studio using the same manual exposure setting, my D80 consistently show "overexposure" while your D200 showed a spot-on exposure. The matrix metering did not come into play since we are on manual exposure. It however showed that the curves in our cameras contribute significantly to the perceived exposure.

The matrix meter does looks a little different. I would say that curves may be a significant contributer to the "overexposure".

BC

Yep, it could have been the tone curve - mine is usually on low contrast or normal. But the examples from that site shows that there are slight differences to the way the D80 is exposing in matrix metering mode when there is a darker subject in the focus point.

(BTW another difference between our shots in the studio last time can be attributed to the lens - probably only slightly though, but the f-stop on the lens is only theoretical, the actual t-stop of the lenses can be slightly different, I've seen differences of about 1/3 a stop, and have heard it can be as much as 2/3 with some lenses.)

 

[JCYRHS]

Dear CSers,

I'm actually contemplating on buying the D80 but the metering issues can be rather inconvenient at times. This is due to the different metering system used by D200 and D80. In D70, the algorithm and metering for matrix mode tweaked to retain highlights but not so in D80. In fact, they reduced the pixels used for matrix for faster processing.

I can't explain this as well as Thom Hogan. Read his review and understand the metering issue once and for all. =) If only they retain the metering chip from D70.

D80 Review

 

[LeoDaddy]

Funny.. I never notice this 'problem' on my D80.. But then again.. I do not use matrix metering. I use onl spot metering.. this way, I can choose how I want exposure to be by deciding which subject to meter on. Seems to work fine for me. :think:

 

[orislee]

interesting topic..let me go home and try since i have D200 and D80. I personally dun think there is any problem with D80 metering.

 

[silverarrow]

But my D80 seems to be under exposed most of the time, in all different metering mode, in auto and P mode too.

I don't do PP, so have to set EC to +0.7 most of the time, my dslr class instrutor says i may have back focusing issue....may i know what that means? He just told me to bring back to nikon for a check.

 

[cichlid]

interesting topic..let me go home and try since i have D200 and D80. I personally dun think there is any problem with D80 metering.

Please please post some test shots for us all, thank you!

 

[lsisaxon]

Dear CSers,

I'm actually contemplating on buying the D80 but the metering issues can be rather inconvenient at times. This is due to the different metering system used by D200 and D80. In D70, the algorithm and metering for matrix mode tweaked to retain highlights but not so in D80. In fact, they reduced the pixels used for matrix for faster processing.

I can't explain this as well as Thom Hogan. Read his review and understand the metering issue once and for all. =) If only they retain the metering chip from D70.

D80 Review

It's not the metering. Just the tone curves are different. I believe the metering should give you the same aperture for the same shutter speed and ISO.

 

[Yatlapball]

Would shooting in raw negate the preloaded tone curve? Or are they similarly applied by default. Just curious since I don't shoot JPG. Heh.

 

[chanjyj]

the d40's metering is better than the d80's. noise performance wise too.

but then again everything is adjustable. i'll normally snap anything around and roughly guess the correction needed from the lcd.. dial it in and snap away

Is it? Never tried the D80. I set it to -0.7 permenantly, but end up having to change alot sometimes... like that time I was shooting a Nigerian fella who was wearing white shirt, black pants, brown shoes..... Black, white, black, brown... :bigeyes:

 

[Jaycelim]

But my D80 seems to be under exposed most of the time, in all different metering mode, in auto and P mode too.

I don't do PP, so have to set EC to +0.7 most of the time, my dslr class instrutor says i may have back focusing issue....may i know what that means? He just told me to bring back to nikon for a check.

Mine also under exposed most of the time. Used to it already. PP the pics.
If you bring to NSC for the issue, pls update us on what they say.

 

[spazzer]

Hi all

It seems to me that the D80 has overexposure issues especially on the matrix metering. May i know how you guys (D80 users) overcome this issue?

I have tried to use centre and spot metering however this is not effective most of the times when taking under bright sunlight which can cause the highlights to be overblown.

Hopefully a new firmware can solve this issue...

hey dude if u bought ur camera be4 march than plz kindly go and redo ur firmware as they have a version 1.1 liao cause i juz updated mine last week cheers

 

[sigurros]

hey dude if u bought ur camera be4 march than plz kindly go and redo ur firmware as they have a version 1.1 liao cause i juz updated mine last week cheers

just did a check on nikon website. However the firmware for D80 is still 1.01 and not 1.1

Maybe you can give the website where you downloaded the firmware update..

 

[lsisaxon]

Would shooting in raw negate the preloaded tone curve? Or are they similarly applied by default. Just curious since I don't shoot JPG. Heh.

They would be applied when you load he NEF file.

 

[nikkie]

Matrix and Matrix II has differences.
Matrix is conservative algorithm and Matrix II is a more liberal exposure algorithm.

ie. a scene where 90% is grey (maybe a group of people with dark clothes) and 10% bright (maybe a spot light eg.)

Matrix will make sure no blown-outs taking into account the 10% bright. (hence the people may be under exposed unless you use flash). Most nikon pros would be used to it and knows how to compensate intuitively.

Matrix II will selectively ignore the 10% bright and make sure 90% of the grey areas are well exposed (hence the pics would be in a more 'ready' state even without pp. sometimes it overexposes of course if the 10% is not a spot light etc.)

 

[chanjyj]

Matrix and Matrix II has differences.
Matrix is conservative algorithm and Matrix II is a more liberal exposure algorithm.

ie. a scene where 90% is grey (maybe a group of people with dark clothes) and 10% bright (maybe a spot light eg.)

Matrix will make sure no blown-outs taking into account the 10% bright. (hence the people may be under exposed unless you use flash). Most nikon pros would be used to it and knows how to compensate intuitively.

Matrix II will selectively ignore the 10% bright and make sure 90% of the grey areas are well exposed (hence the pics would be in a more 'ready' state even without pp. sometimes it overexposes of course if the 10% is not a spot light etc.)

You're pretty accurate in the description. You have any idea how to "tweak/hack" the firmware to downgrade to Matrix from Matrix II?

I did hear about some Canon 300/350D firmware hacking.

 

[vbikers]

Hi All,

I got this in info from the Nikon web site.

Exposure Metering Basics:

Most modern cameras have an electronic exposure meter built-in that is used to measure the amount of light in scene and set the cameras shutter speed and aperture settings to give the best picture brightness or "exposure". Since the camera cannot "know" what the subject is, all camera meters are calibrated to a standard "normal" setting.

This normal setting used to calibrate meters is called "18% Grey," "Neutral Grey" or "Middle Grey". Since most subjects that we photograph contain a good mix of dark, light and middle toned areas, in general this metering method works well. However, if the subject is brighter or darker than the "normal" tone a meter is calibrated to, the camera will still try to expose to make the image middle grey in tone. The square to the right is approximately 18% Grey.

For example, if you photograph a scene that has a lot of brighter than middle tones (like a subject standing on a white sand beach or snow) the camera will underexpose a bit because the camera "thinks" that it has gotten enough exposure even though it has not.

Hope this info will help you guys.
Cheers

 

[spazzer]

just did a check on nikon website. However the firmware for D80 is still 1.01 and not 1.1

Maybe you can give the website where you downloaded the firmware update..

heyhey i did my firmware upgrade at NSC ....

 

[sigurros]

spazzer so your firmware for your D80 is indeed 1.1 and not 1.01?

 

[littlejt]

wa lan no fair loh.. must send our cam there to get a firmware update. btw.. if its still under warrenty we can get it cleaned and serviced for free right