rdubreuil Loc: Dummer, NH USA

Matrix metering, it will evaluate the entire scene.

cameraf4 Loc: Delaware

If you can't figure out the solution, reset your D90 by holding down the two buttons that have a green dot beside them ( AF and Exposure Comp ). That should reset the camera controls to those set at the factory. Then I would suggest put the camera in Spot metering or Central-Weighted metering and take a shot of a clear northern sky using the settings your camera suggests. If something is still "wonky", you may have to send it to Nikon for correcting, either the meter itself or a "sticky" shutter.

queencitysanta Loc: Charlotte, North Carolina

Try taking shots at -2, 0, +2 and evaluate the shots from there.

Good luck

w00dy4012 Loc: Thalia, East Virginia

Do the images appear overexposed on the camera or on the the computer monitor? Are you shooting in raw?

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

You just answered your own question. In Manual, you have to set everything, with no help from the camera's electronics. If you don't like Auto, use Aperture. Of course, if the camera's meter isn't working right, that's not your fault. Shoot a bunch using Auto and see how they turn out.

ELNikkor

When on manual, I never even check the meter; just shoot, look at the screen, and adjust the exposure until it looks perfect. That is one of the beauties of digital; instant image-check!

w00dy4012 Loc: Thalia, East Virginia

Maybe you should just set the camera to auto and leave it there.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

NCMtnMan Loc: N. Fork New River, Ashe Co., NC

Put everything back on auto and take some shots. If they look fine, then it's you, not the camera. If not, you might want to do a reset to factory settings, take some shots and go from there.

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

If you have “live view” or the equivalent on your camera, use it to check your image before you press the shutter. Exposure compensation is a god send, imho!

anotherview Loc: California

If your camera can display a histogram, then consult it for correct exposure.

Note that shooting in manual mode requires each setting (aperture, shutter speed, and ISO) to contribute exactly to the exposure. Change at least one of these settings to adjust the exposure for a better result.

You may wish to study the exposure triangle for its proper use to gain a correct exposure.

That said, please know that learning photography involves practice and more practice.

Happy New Year!

olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

Histogram will help, if you know how to read one, the "mountain range" depicted for each color and for luminance should be more center weighted, if the tall sections of the range are stacking up against either side of the pictogram, then it is showing "clipping" indicating under/over exposure for that color range. There is a lot more to it, but that is a very simple example of what you should see.

I have two D90's and I'll suggest this; Do the two button reset mentioned earlier, or don't (you can always do that any time you feel the need).... set the camera to "Auto" and shoot a pic or a set of 3 to 5. Look at each shot, read the data/info for the picture and see what the D90 thinks is best settings (just the simple stuff first). If the "auto" shots look good, or closer to what you want, then the metering system is probably fine.

Then switch to manual and select settings close to what the camera picked. Take a shot (try to use same scene and conditions as best you can, to lower the variables) and look at the settings during shot review. Then take several more and vary shutter speed, F-stop, or use your +/- exposure compensation and see what takes you closer to how you think the pic should look. Experimenting costs nothing, so have at it! I'd say "auto ISO" for now, play with that and white balance later, if needed.

Pick up a copy of the David Busch D90 Guidebook, you can find them used on ebay for a couple $$ (I think I paid around $8.00 delivered for mine), it is around 360 pages, and is a good resource for that camera. Some might say it is that old camera, but I am here to tell you that a good working D90 is still capable of matching up against a lot of the newer rigs (I sold my D3200 and kept my D90s). They really take excellent pics, you just need some more time with it. I still use mine all the time. Good luck!

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

Many things can go wrong and, with this kind of problem, I’d say use Program mode and study up on proper metering techniques with your camera.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

So many variables. I often shoot under exposed on Manual. Cause I don't like when the meter is at O. And keep in mind, your camera meter is a REFLECTION METERING METER. So, if your shooting a white object or a dark object the centered meter could be easily fooled because it reads light being reflected from the object.
So, you sometimes you must add individual adjustments for proper exposure, even in manual.

olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

Perfection is the little town in Nevada where the Graboids live, from the silly "Tremors" movies. . . .. .. . Was called "Rejection" in the old west days.