[R2D2]

Originally Posted by condor

@R2D2,
Trying F8, and not lower. I am surprised by the shutter speed the camera is taking, since this is happening in this mode. By itself (auto / pre-programmed), the shots are good.

Let me check the lens part & will let you know.

The body is old - 2005. Never been serviced.

Condor, note that F8 is pretty low for a body like the D70. Please reset the camera to defaults and try again at the same scene. You will know if it is a metering fault. Also please upload a couple of under exposed photographs.

Which lens are you using. Try cleaning the lens contacts on the flange with Iso propyl alcohol or lens cleaner.

If setting back to default doesn't do the trick may be it is time for Nikon to check it.

[sushrutha]

Originally Posted by ajay_satpute

Glad you posted these great photos. I am soon purchasing D5200, so the photo quality is encouraging. Can you please list the lenses used for these photos?

Ajay,
It's a good camera. I'm very happy with the purchase.
I've used the kit lens - 18-55mm Nikkor lens & 70-300VR Nikkor lens(Tiffin UV filter) for the above pics.
If you are willing to buy ONLINE, please check www.homeshop18.com they have flat discount of 15% as of today. Price for today is 38717 INR. That's a very good price for the camera. This offer is valid only for today, wish I had got this deal ;-)
If not, try www.pepperfry.com (they have 1000Rs off on 41485 INR).

[condor]

@R2D2, thanks for the inputs.

Originally Posted by R2D2

Condor, note that F8 is pretty low for a body like the D70. Please reset the camera to defaults and try again at the same scene.

. I thought F8 is F8 for any body ?

Which lens are you using.

Tamron 17-50 F2.8

Try cleaning the lens contacts on the flange with Iso propyl alcohol or lens cleaner.

will try

Please reset the camera to defaults and try again at the same scene.

. How do I do this ?

[R2D2]

Originally Posted by condor

I thought F8 is F8 for any body ?

Yes, that pic is underexposed.

Condor, just to be clear I am trying to 'troubleshoot' this issue without being very familiar with your particular camera and lens combination. I am only suggesting steps that I would take if my Nikon cameras were underexposing.

There may be some "checks" that seem pretty silly but many a times we tend to overlook very simple things and they give us a lot of grief. So please don't take these "checks" the wrong way.

BTW, F8 is to do with the lens not the body. Yes, given a particular lens it will be the same no matter which body you mount it on. The context of my statement is this: stopping down to F8 in a camera like the D70s (given its sensor's sensitivity to low light & capabilities) may be causing it to underexpose. So since you have a fast F/2.8 lens why aren't you shooting at lets say F/4 or even wider at F2.8?

Other things to check:

a) Have you tried attaching another lens to check if the pics are normal/underexposed.

b) Have you dialled in any exposure compensation? Set it to zero i.e. no exposure. compensation.

c) Is ISO set to 200 or higher? Default for most Nikons is ISO 200.

d) Is WB set to default i.e. Auto.

e) Check the Mode dial (top left of the body) and set it to Auto.

f) Metering should be set to Matrix.

Originally Posted by condor

. How do I do this ?

Press the Bracketing "BKT" button (to the left of the body, just below the Mode dial and next to the VF) and Metering Mode button (near the power switch) simultaneously for more than 2 seconds. These 2 buttons will be marked by a green dot. This will set the camera to default settings.

[neoonwheels]

Originally Posted by R2D2

Yes, that pic is underexposed.

Condor, just to be clear I am trying to 'troubleshoot' this issue without being very familiar with your particular camera and lens combination. I am only suggesting steps that I would take if my Nikon cameras were underexposing.

There may be some "checks" that seem pretty silly but many a times we tend to overlook very simple things and they give us a lot of grief. So please don't take these "checks" the wrong way.

BTW, F8 is to do with the lens not the body. Yes, given a particular lens it will be the same no matter which body you mount it on. The context of my statement is this: stopping down to F8 in a camera like the D70s (given its sensor's sensitivity to low light & capabilities) may be causing it to underexpose. So since you have a fast F/2.8 lens why aren't you shooting at lets say F/4 or even wider at F2.8?

Other things to check:

a) Have you tried attaching another lens to check if the pics are normal/underexposed.

b) Have you dialled in any exposure compensation? Set it to zero i.e. no exposure. compensation.

c) Is ISO set to 200 or higher? Default for most Nikons is ISO 200.

d) Is WB set to default i.e. Auto.

e) Check the Mode dial (top left of the body) and set it to Auto.

f) Metering should be set to Matrix.



Press the Bracketing "BKT" button (to the left of the body, just below the Mode dial and next to the VF) and Metering Mode button (near the power switch) simultaneously for more than 2 seconds. These 2 buttons will be marked by a green dot. This will set the camera to default settings.

As per my understanding, even if the aperture is set to F8 and EV to 0, should not the camera make sure that the shutter is adjusted such a way that the image is rightly exposed, even if that means having a slow shutter?

I guess the metering has gone kaput here. Which metering mode the image was taken?

[condor]

Originally Posted by neoonwheels

if the aperture is set to F8 and EV to 0, should not the camera make sure that the shutter is adjusted such a way that the image is rightly exposed ..

is my understanding too..

I guess the metering has gone kaput here. Which metering mode the image was taken?

Metering was on center-weighted average.

[R2D2]

Originally Posted by neoonwheels

As per my understanding, even if the aperture is set to F8 and EV to 0, should not the camera make sure that the shutter is adjusted such a way that the image is rightly exposed, even if that means having a slow shutter?

I guess the metering has gone kaput here. Which metering mode the image was taken?

Originally Posted by condor

is my understanding too..

Metering was on center-weighted average.

Gents, this camera is obviously not working the way it is supposed to. The pic shared by Condor demonstrates that pretty clearly.

But before condemning a camera's metering system and taking it to the service station I'd prefer to perform basic checks, some of which I detailed in the previous post. I would feel rather foolish if the tech just reset the camera back to defaults and handed it back saying its all-Ok. More trouble than its worth.

OTOH, if by resetting and/or checking all custom settings and trying a different lens makes no difference then I am pretty sure something has gone belly up most likely the metering system. Then its time to head off to the ASC and pay up for further diagnostics and/or repairs.

Condor - if/when you take it for a service do make sure you take your lens with you so the technician can take test shots with the same combination that you normally use.

[neoonwheels]

Originally Posted by R2D2

Gents, this camera is obviously not working the way it is supposed to. The pic shared by Condor demonstrates that pretty clearly.

But before condemning a camera's metering system and taking it to the service station I'd prefer to perform basic checks, some of which I detailed in the previous post. I would feel rather foolish if the tech just reset the camera back to defaults and handed it back saying its all-Ok. More trouble than its worth.

OTOH, if by resetting and/or checking all custom settings and trying a different lens makes no difference then I am pretty sure something has gone belly up most likely the metering system. Then its time to head off to the ASC and pay up for further diagnostics and/or repairs.

Condor - if/when you take it for a service do make sure you take your lens with you so the technician can take test shots with the same combination that you normally use.

Originally Posted by condor

is my understanding too..

Metering was on center-weighted average.

Follow what R2D2 said. Also, could you please see if you get a different result with Matrix/Evaluative metering?

[R2D2]

Originally Posted by neoonwheels

Follow what R2D2 said. Also, could you please see if you get a different result with Matrix/Evaluative metering?

A two button reset will revert the meter to matrix.

Condor, there may be additional suggestions in the camera manual. You may want to take a look.

[null]

Originally Posted by null

Thanks ADC for your inputs. Got my queries answered & placed an order this morning. No coupons unfortunately (I should not be too greedy). I am hoping to receive it early next week.

The D5200 kit has been shipped from Delhi yesterday. Expected to be delivered tomorrow -- Super Excited!!

Current lowest price is 39K on Ebay. I paid 37.5K. I thought my order will be canceled since there was a price refresh by Nikon last week, but the seller honored my purchase even though he delayed the shipping by almost a week. He explained that the couriers were not picking up any expensive material last week due to the long holiday period.

[Sawyer]

Anyone looking at the Fuji Xpro1, there is a sweet deal from a private customer of Camshot Pune, that I came to know of when I ordered the Sony Rx100ii. Mint condition body plus the three Fuji primes - 18,35 and 60mm - for 120k, one year warranty left. I was tempted for a moment, but there wasn't any way I was going to have two systems, having invested in an extensive d7000 Nikon based one, so sense prevailed. Even in some kind of exchange for the Fuji one as was offered. The d7000 is a brilliant picture taker of all kinds of subjects, whereas the Fuji wouldn't be that kind of all rounder. And my lust for the Fuji picture taking feel and results is satisfied by the x100.
Thought someone here might be interested, hence this post.

[R2D2]

Originally Posted by Sawyer

Thought someone here might be interested, hence this post.

This may be more appropriate in the mirrorless/EVIL camera thread. Some members planning to get a MLC may take note of this heads-up from you.

Originally Posted by null

The D5200 kit has been shipped from Delhi yesterday. Expected to be delivered tomorrow -- Super Excited!!

Congrats!

[Dry Ice]

Experts, I am looking at the Nikkor 80-200 for some upcoming functions in the family. Reason for looking at this lens is, the price is a little pocket friendly (70-200 f/2.8 is wayy out of budget at this point) and also am looking to upgrade to an FX next year. Right now, it will be used on a DX body.

While researching, I came across a few used ones going for almost half the price of new. They are about 3-4 years old. Do you think I should give them a look or stick to a new one?

[condor]

Originally Posted by Dry Ice

Experts, I am looking at the Nikkor 80-200 for some upcoming functions in the family.

I am not sure if a 80-200 will help at all in functions. IMO, you will need something much wider, and less tele - with a wide aperture for any low light conditions.

[Dry Ice]

Originally Posted by condor

I am not sure if a 80-200 will help at all in functions. IMO, you will need something much wider, and less tele - with a wide aperture for any low light conditions.

I already have a 10-20 and a 50 in my kit. I was looking at this primarily for shooting from a distance, without being too intrusive. For the formal shots, I might use the 10-20 or the 50 depending on the space I have.