D80 Metering

[sep9001]

Hi,

For any one using or having used the Nikon D80 have you had any metering issues?

I am new to photography and have been reading a bit on the web and the Understanding Exposure book.

My understanding is that when taking photos I need make sure that the meter is at 0. The problem I have is when I try and do that I do not get the right pictures, they are either under or over exposed.

To get the meter to 0 I adjust the aperture, shutter and some times the ISO.

Any suggestions of what else I need to try.

Thank you

 

[TCR4x4]

Have you got exposure compensation set? Is there an icon in the top window that looks like a square cut into triangles with a +/- sign?

 

[sep9001]

Hi

No it is set to 0, when I initially started I have set it to -0.7 as per Ken Rockwell suggestion on his article on the D80.

 

[TCR4x4]

Can you post some examples up with the exif intact so we can see whats going on.

 

[sep9001]

Will do.

Thank you

 

[AdeM]

Exp comp would have been my suggestion too but looks like you have that covered, I use a D80 and have no issues whatsoever, will wait to see your shots and take it from there

 

[maf]

I've had a D80 for 2 years now and Matrix metering can tend to overexpose in contrasty situations. I just stick with spot or centre weighted and keep the camera in manual, take a shot and check the Histogram, then adjust iso, shutter or aperture to get the exposure how I want it. I've never bothered trying the exposure compensation as I'd rather be in control of the camera, plus I very rarely use any other setting than manual so it would be pointless in that situation. I always overexpose as much as possible to the point of barely clipping the highlights (check the highlights preview) that way the ISO can be bumped reasonably high (1600) on the D80 without fear of too much noise.

Hope that helps

Paul.

Sent from my iPod touch using TP Forums

 

[lofcuk]

I've had a D80 for 2 years now and Matrix metering can tend to overexpose in contrasty situations. I just stick with spot or centre weighted and keep the camera in manual, take a shot and check the Histogram, then adjust iso, shutter or aperture to get the exposure how I want it. I've never bothered trying the exposure compensation as I'd rather be in control of the camera, plus I very rarely use any other setting than manual so it would be pointless in that situation. I always overexpose as much as possible to the point of barely clipping the highlights (check the highlights preview) that way the ISO can be bumped reasonably high (1600) on the D80 without fear of too much noise.

Hope that helps

Paul.

Sent from my iPod touch using TP Forums

These look like good tips to get started. I use the program mode mostly and adjust from there, I am too scared I might miss a shot using manual, decisive moment and all that, but I really need to start taking more control. Thanks Paul, will give this a try.

 

[sep9001]

I've had a D80 for 2 years now and Matrix metering can tend to overexpose in contrasty situations. I just stick with spot or centre weighted and keep the camera in manual, take a shot and check the Histogram, then adjust iso, shutter or aperture to get the exposure how I want it. I've never bothered trying the exposure compensation as I'd rather be in control of the camera, plus I very rarely use any other setting than manual so it would be pointless in that situation. I always overexpose as much as possible to the point of barely clipping the highlights (check the highlights preview) that way the ISO can be bumped reasonably high (1600) on the D80 without fear of too much noise.

Hope that helps

Paul.

Sent from my iPod touch using TP Forums

Thanks Paul. Will keep this in mind.