petego4it Loc: NY

In prior post some time back, I complained about what seemed to be an inexplicable Nikon "bug" that inserted exposure compensation in arbitrary, too often extreme ways on my D850, impacting (of course) at the worst times. Took the camera to Nikon's LI HQ, left it with service. Dave responded a bit later; he, like many there, is a quality resource.

After tests, he illuminated there are actually two ways to set Exposure Compensation: the one I used, by depressing the +/- button and at the same time rotating the rear selector. But also rapid adjustment is possible by selecting and leaving "on" in menu item B4 Exposure Compensation, as I also had done; (I believed it was needed as additional protection to make the +/- adjustment.) Turns out, however, that turning this selection "on", then spinning the rear wheel without touching +/- also alters exposures thereafter until changed. Seems that while carrying the camera turned on, I sometimes must have brushed the wheel with clothing or my thumb and rotated it. At least that's the only cause we can think of, because he couldn't otherwise duplicate the problem.

Very courteous, much appreciated sleuthing by Dave and Nikon! Suggest you think twice about turning on B4!

Bill_de Loc: US

Thanks for passing on what you learned.

--

Bob Mevis Loc: Plymouth, Indiana

Thanks for the info.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

Thanks!

ClarkJohnson Loc: Fort Myers, FL and Cohasset, MA

Good to know! Thanks.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

A bit of a different attitude once you learned, as most of us told you, there was NO bug just operator error. Although you did try to trash Nikon, you seemed to have repented some. Please, say after me "I was wrong and uninformed". Best of luck

jak86094

Wow! Thanks for that information. I had sometimes noticed that photos seemed to be "adjusted" when I hadn't changed the exposure compensation setting. I'm turning off B4 and will see how it works going forward. Thanks again. jak

JD750 Loc: SoCal

What exactly is B4? Please post a screen shot. Thank you.

Sycamore Hank Loc: Northern CA

Same here.

Pistnbroke Loc: UK

Once you have your camera set to perfection tape up all the controls and just shoot ...I joke not

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

One VERY helpful thing is to read the manual and UNDERSTAND what the settings are for and what will change if you change them. Much better, IMHO, than just changing things and hoping for the best. Experimentation is fine, but set things back if you can't figure out what changed. Best of luck.

petego4it Loc: NY

re: above "What exactly is B4?" and the above cjc2 comment.

B4 on the D850 is in the Menu selection under Custom Setting Menu, section B for Metering Exposure, item #4.

It is not explained fully or even partially IMO in the 360 page owner's manual. It was explained to me belatedly only bringing to Nikon's attention with demo pics and while visiting Nikon that having two options to do Exposure Compensation could be useful to pros who need to act quickly in some instances to balance changing conditions, and for them, the two step procedure was excessively cumbersome.

I believe as it is, in the manual the info was/is inadequate at best, should be more clearly notated and highlighted as to potential impact for most users.

Anyway, now readers here at least know and may see the reason for some otherwise inexplicable results as well! Regards! BTW, I continue to love, support and BUY Nikon!!

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

In MY Nikon D850 manual it is explained clearly on the top of page 263. I guess it is up to the user to remember that it has been set as there is no viewfinder warning. The results you had were not "inexplicable"; you simply forgot you changed the setting. Nikon provides quite a few settings that some photographers use and some don't. If you don't want it, just don't turn it on, as the default setting, as described in the manual, is off. The difference here is that when something I don't understand happens, my first reaction is "what did I set wrong" and not "it's a Nikon bug". Most of my errors are due to the operator! You blamed Nikon! Best of luck.

petego4it Loc: NY

well, cjc2/chris clearly works for Nikon but not the Nikon I support. There is no related discussion of B4's role in Exposure Compensation where it clearly should be nor when one makes the selection to support such on camera set up. The protracted sniping by Chris now in 2 different forums, has enabled extended exposition on this topic and the reveal of where Nikon as well as I could do better. So far, 8 people here spoke up in support of my reveal. I appreciate that and others who also learned; these are the sole reason I spoke up again about resolving a puzzling set of happenings and owning my mistake. Thanks.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

My objection was that you called this a 'bug' when it clearly was not. The issue was you not understanding the purpose/reason for the setting or how it worked with other modifications. Your clarification is helpful, but the title of your first post was misleading at best. I also make errors in operating my cameras, but I don't blame my errors on Nikon. I posted in two topics because YOU posted two topics. We can agree to disagree and move on. Although I don't, nor ever have, worked for Nikon, I have been using their products since the F5. Best of luck my friend.