Nikon 810 Overexposes: Hello, Sporadically, my Nikon 810 overexposes photos to the extent of almost providing a bright, white frame. Nikon asked me to shoot some photos and ISO 100 and...

jjfried40

Hello,
Sporadically, my Nikon 810 overexposes photos to the extent of almost providing a bright, white frame.
Nikon asked me to shoot some photos and ISO 100 and send them the results to analyze. Which I did. Upon viewing the samples, tech support suggested I send the camera in for repair. I did, to the tune of $270. Supposedly, they adjusted the camera. The first time I went out with, the problem recurred.
Attached are a couple of samples, shot at ISO 64. But results are the same in ISO 100 and different shutter speeds.
Any ideas?
Thanks,
John

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

You'll have to post an example and store the original file. That way, the EXIF data can be accessed.

Jesu S

Can you send the original downloadable file?

jjfried40

Sure. Here it is. I was reluctant to do so, not knowing if hedgehog had limitations on file size. I am sending the DNG version because I no longer have the out-of-camera available.
If you need that, I may be able to send some new samples I took earlier today, but that won't be until later.Thanks!

jjfried40

Did the photo come across as an attachment. I was having trouble sending after attaching the DNG file.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

jjfried40 wrote:

Did the photo come across as an attachment. I was having trouble sending after attaching the DNG file.

No file is attached, however a DNG thumbnail won't show, just the link. Be sure it has fully uploaded before sending, and make sure file size is smaller than 20 mb (+/-).

jjfried40

The photo comes in at 20.9 mb. Sorry, but I can't figure out a way to reduce it to less than 20.9 and keep it in its original form. If I try to reduce the size in Photoshop in any way, and save it as a RAW file, I get message that doing so will mean that some attributes will not be encoded.
I think I need to abandon this query, but thanks for offering help.

MrBossHK Loc: The West Valley of Phoenix metro area

Does this phenomenon occur with various lenses? The reason I ask is because I had one particular lens (Nikkor 35mm f/2.0 D) that developed a "sticky" aperture blade condition (factory lubricant issue) that occasionally would not not allow that lens to stop down to the set aperture when firing the shutter. It worked fine at wide apertures, but when setting something more stopped down, it remained wide open when the shutter fired resulting in images that were overexposed similar to your posted images. I sent the lens off for repair and cleaning and it now works flawlessly for the past year or so.

Country Boy Loc: Beckley, WV

Six months ago I had a problem with my D7100 sent it to Nikon and paid the basic fee and they did the same thing - made adjustments. It happened again a week later and I called Nikon and they sent me a shipping label and had me return it. This time they replaced a board of some type and returned it at no cost and told me I have either 6 or 12 months guarantee should the problem return. I would take more photos and collect the bad ones and return it and give them a second shot.

jjfried40

I just use a Tokina 28-70. I did try exposures at different openings, going from 2.8 to 22--and the results were always the same, suggesting that sticking apertures are probably not the issue. I don't have any other Nikon lenses, but can probably borrow one from a friend and see if the results differ.
I also have an Olympus mirrorless on which I use a 50-equivalent lens and a 70-200 equivalent lens and have never had a similar problem, so to some extent I can rule out operator error.

jjfried40

I did call Nikon back and they want me to send them additional overexposed photos, which I will do. Thanks.

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

jjfried40 wrote:

The photo comes in at 20.9 mb. Sorry, but I can't figure out a way to reduce it to less than 20.9 and keep it in its original form. If I try to reduce the size in Photoshop in any way, and save it as a RAW file, I get message that doing so will mean that some attributes will not be encoded.
I think I need to abandon this query, but thanks for offering help.

You could save it as a JPEG, that should reduce the size, and people could still see the EXIF.

jjfried40

I started with that, but apparently that does not disclose all the information needed. When I reported the problem to Nikon they said I should not send any file that has gone through even minimal processing in order to save all relevant information. I sent them files that I moved directly from the camera to the hard drive.

BebuLamar

My Df did the same but I found out right away that the meter was dead. We need the EXIF data to find out. And then the problem went away all by itself. That's the reason why I don't send my camera to Nikon while I think the problem will come back but sending them the camera when it's working perfectly they may not find the problem.

Joe Blow

jjfried40 wrote:

I just use a Tokina 28-70. I did try exposures at different openings, going from 2.8 to 22--and the results were always the same, suggesting that sticking apertures are probably not the issue. I don't have any other Nikon lenses, but can probably borrow one from a friend and see if the results differ.
I also have an Olympus mirrorless on which I use a 50-equivalent lens and a 70-200 equivalent lens and have never had a similar problem, so to some extent I can rule out operator error.

This could still be a sticky aperture.

When looking through the viewfinder, you are actually looking through the lens with a wide open aperture. If the aperture blades are sticking then they will remain fully open, making it an over exposure situation.

Try testing the camera / lens in aperture priority at full open, (f2.8), part way, (f4.6-5.0), half way, (f8) and smallest (f22). See if there is any progression in the over exposure. If the blades are sticking OR staying open for another reason then there will be a progression of overexposure. You can even use the camera's screen to view the shots.

Try another lens and do the same test. You can even try your regular lens on another Nikon DSLR (any model will work). This is a problem with third party lenses on Nikons; Nikon doesn't like them. There have been reports of Nikon bricking third party lenses with their updates. I don't know if that is happening here, but, ...