D500 & 600mm aperture problem

[Unlocker]

Something doesn't sound right, but I'm still not sure what... maybe the aperture ring/lever is out of adjustment and it doesn't open fully unless forced manually. But I'm not sure how/why that would work because it still relies on the return spring to open the aperture. And two stops is a lot of error/adjustment. The camera doesn't use the "click stops."

It may be the aperture following lever on the camera, except that doesn't explain a difference in brightness through the viewfinder. If you program a non-cpu lens into it (say a 35/2), with no lens attached the camera should report f/2. Then as the lever is moved the aperture reported should stop down smoothly/continually until it reaches the other end of travel. The lever is at the top of the lens mount on the front of the camera... I suspect it is fine.

You never said if you have exposure compensation enabled/programmed... if there is a -2 EC that could explain it. When the camera is in control it sets the -2 programmed. But when the camera is not in control (or the adjustment is out of range) it doesn't set the -2. Auto bracketing could also do something similar. Both of those would result in "wrong" exposures though.

I always use Nikon USA for repairs. If you can have them look at the lens and body together that would probably be best.

Hi Steven

Sorry, should have mentioned that there was no exposure compensation dialled into the camera.

 

[Unlocker]

Update:

Took lens and camera along to Nikon yesterday (a very difficult experience that was!) to find out the problem was totally different than to what was expected!

The lens is perfectly fine, what I was told is that a screw had come loose in the side of the mount and this had bent the aperture lever in the camera!

One screw replaced in the lens, lever was bent back and calibration checked, all done and good to go!

Just need to take it out for a test run now!

Many thanks to all that offered some help, it's all helping me learn about the new kit!

 

[gramps]

Update:

Took lens and camera along to Nikon yesterday (a very difficult experience that was!) to find out the problem was totally different than to what was expected!

The lens is perfectly fine, what I was told is that a screw had come loose in the side of the mount and this had bent the aperture lever in the camera!

One screw replaced in the lens, lever was bent back and calibration checked, all done and good to go!

Just need to take it out for a test run now!

Many thanks to all that offered some help, it's all helping me learn about the new kit!

Well always good to get a result!