Camera MASSIVE overexposure outdoors only

rogan200

rogan200

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Rogan
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:thinking: Hoping somebody on here might have an explanation for the following problem:

I recently sold a Nikon D80 (advertised on ebay but ended auction early for a really good offer :bat: bad i know!). The buyer was wanting to upgrade to a DSLR for his skiing holiday. He contacted me while on it complaining that the camera was massively over exposing in Full Auto Mode, but outside only. I got him to reset the camera, and also try using P and A modes but he said results were the same. He is using two lenses with the camera and both give same results, so its not a lens problem.

Now that he's back from holiday (with no photos!) he has sent me a sample indoor image and a sample outdoor one:

Indoor
4325359438_d0a2d4b148.jpg


Outdoor
4325360162_0b8761cf80.jpg


In the EXIF of the second image. ISO 110, f5.6 (lens max) and shutter 1/500 - maybe this is is too slow given how bright a ski resort is?

Clearly something is not right. I suggested he tried the sunny 16 rule (adjusted as its currently overcast) so ISO100, shutter 1/125 aperture f8. He reported this gave good results outdoors, so the camera must be stopping down the aperture properly and the shutter timing must be working right..... seems that only leaves a problem with the cameras onboard metering system but why does it work indoors, and what could be at fault???

I would really appreciate your ideas as to what could be wrong...... The guy wants a refund :thumbsdown: - not going to happen since i tested the camera before i posted it and know it worked fine, but i do want to help him if there is a simple fix.

Thanks, Rogan
 
No offence but the second one looks class!!! I'm gonna start over exposing! ;)

Do you have the the camera set with 2 stops .. I can't bloody remember what its called.
When you set teh camera to over or under expose for petes sake.. come on Trev :(

Long day me thinks :(
 
1st one isn't right either - badly UNDERexposed.
 
Check that it's on MATRIX metering. He might of changed it to SPOT metering which might cause overexposure if the meter point was on something dark, particularly in an otherwise bright snowy scene.

Also is he shooting JPEG or raw? If raw, he might be doing something in the conversion stage to muck it up.
 
I would think that the pin / lever on the body that connects with the aperture control on the lens is slightly bent and is not adjusting the lens aperture.
 
Seeing as one is overexposed and the other underexposed is it possible that you have the camera bracketing shots? I've managed on occasion to leave bracketing on with somewhat similar results. That way, the camera will underexpose, overexpose and even get the exposure right occasionally.
 
davekiddle said:
Check that it's on MATRIX metering. He might of changed it to SPOT metering which might cause overexposure if the meter point was on something dark, particularly in an otherwise bright snowy scene.
Click to expand...

:plusone: It'll be spot or partial metering and maybe some exposure compensation thrown in that's the cause.

Any chance of the images re-posted but with full EXIF data? This can confirm the above :thumbs:
 
Mr_T said:
Seeing as one is overexposed and the other underexposed is it possible that you have the camera bracketing shots? I've managed on occasion to leave bracketing on with somewhat similar results. That way, the camera will underexpose, overexpose and even get the exposure right occasionally.
Click to expand...

Yea- this is a defo a good thing to check- especially if no other settings have changed :)
 
davekiddle said:
Check that it's on MATRIX metering. He might of changed it to SPOT metering which might cause overexposure if the meter point was on something dark, particularly in an otherwise bright snowy scene.

Also is he shooting JPEG or raw? If raw, he might be doing something in the conversion stage to muck it up.
Click to expand...

I suggested he try different metering modes whils he was away and told him how to do it - no difference (and he was on metrix originally)

Martyn... said:
I would think that the pin / lever on the body that connects with the aperture control on the lens is slightly bent and is not adjusting the lens aperture.
Click to expand...

I thought that too... but when i told him to try the Sunny16 rule he got good results on manual mode, so i think the aperture must be stopping down OK. I will tell him to check that pin though just incase... would be a easy fix.

Trev Rich said:
:thumbs: Thank you!
Click to expand...

no exposure compensation was dialled in


Basically the whole thing is an unnecessary headache for me!! Think i'm going to have to tell him to take it to a camera shop and see what the problem is.... since it worked when i posted it and he took it straight on holiday he can claim on his travel insurance!
 
Looks more like a case of "I don't know what I'm doing, but it's the camera's fault, not mine" than a duff camera....
 
rogan200 said:
I thought that too... but when i told him to try the Sunny16 rule he got good results on manual mode, so i think the aperture must be stopping down OK. I will tell him to check that pin though just incase... would be a easy fix.
Click to expand...

I had the lever bend slightly on a D80, reason why I suggested it.
 
how does the camera know it is outdoors? :thinking:

This stinks of user error to me.
 
Bit of luck doing the deal outside of Ebay, they nearly always side with the buyer in disputes

If he doesn't know what he is doing reckon its a shop job otherwise he could inadvertently apply all sorts of settings
Maybe ask if he has any friends into photography who could give it a go, begs the question why buy something like a D80 and then use it on auto
 
Definitely was in Matrix Metering, not bracketed, and no exposure comp.... Ive checked the EXIF in Opanda IExif. Also the bloke says all outdoor photos are overexposed. its difficult to know though since i cant see the camera and try it myself.

Flash In The Pan said:
Looks more like a case of "I don't know what I'm doing, but it's the camera's fault, not mine" than a duff camera....
Click to expand...

That's what I'm starting to think too. He's bought a DSLR supposedly as a step up, but won't take it off full Auto mode... Kinda defeats the object!

Martyn... said:
I had the lever bend slightly on a D80, reason why I suggested it.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I have told the bloke to check this now - sent him a photo of what a bent and normal one looks like so he knows what to check for. It would make sense since he's never used an SLR - can see him having tried to force a lens on wrong and bent it.

I've also told him he can't have a straight refund which won't go down too well. I sent him a perfectly good camera - i could get it back and find there is a problem that he has caused. Suggested if that aperture lever isnt bent his next step is to go to a camera shop for a diagnosis.... at least if nothings wrong they can show him what hes doing wrong (don't worry i didn't send him to jessops and their mostly clueless staff :lol: but to a proper camera repair shop).

Thanks for your responses
 
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