Auto iso with Nikon D500: For some reason I am having trouble with the auto iso on my D500. I have the sensitivity set at 250/51200. I am thinking I have something set wrong because it...

Linda Roina

For some reason I am having trouble with the auto iso on my D500. I have the sensitivity set at 250/51200. I am thinking I have something set wrong because it always underexposes. I've never had a problem with my other Nikon cameras. Maybe you can give me advice.

Thank you

Jamers Loc: Michigan

Linda Roina wrote:

For some reason I am having trouble with the auto iso on my D500. I have the sensitivity set at 250/51200. I am thinking I have something set wrong because it always underexposes. I've never had a problem with my other Nikon cameras. Maybe you can give me advice.

Thank you

Have you checked if your bracketing is on?

Shutterbug57

Does it underexpose with auto ISO off, but in aperture or shutter priority? Check to see it exposure competition got turned on.

sandiegosteve Loc: San Diego, CA

Make sure exposure compensation is also off, or set where you want it. That has fooled me with Auto ISO before.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

sandiegosteve wrote:

Make sure exposure compensation is also off, or set where you want it. That has fooled me with Auto ISO before.

PhotosBySteve

It probably has more to do with the what exposure mode your camera is set for.

Bultaco Loc: Aiken, SC

sandiegosteve wrote:

Make sure exposure compensation is also off, or set where you want it. That has fooled me with Auto ISO before.

Why do have your low end set at 250?

sandiegosteve Loc: San Diego, CA

Bultaco wrote:

Why do have your low end set at 250?

This is probably a topic for another thread, but I've wondered that too. Why not default it to base ISO? At least for M mode. In A or S priority, I can see boosting the base ISO to keep shutter speed up. In Manual, I think it would just be an artifact of another setting. Or maybe when using strobes and you want to preserve some ambient (in some sports venues I've needed to change aperature depending where people are as the ceiling strobes didn't have perfect coverage - now I'm wondering if auto ISO would help...)

Dr J Loc: NE Florida

I have a D500 and almost always need exposure compensation set at +0.5, especially in matrix mode. Most of my photography (wildlife) is done in manual and auto ISO.

Bill_de Loc: US

After setting the range, did you remember to turn the front dial while holding the ISO button. That of course turns auto on and off.

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martinfisherphoto Loc: Lake Placid Florida

Lots of reasons to be under exposed in auto ISO.. Please post a few samples. We would only be guessing otherwise..... Please use "store original" when posting samples so we can have all the info from the camera as well.

clemente21

Dr J wrote:

I have a D500 and almost always need exposure compensation set at +0.5, especially in matrix mode. Most of my photography (wildlife) is done in manual and auto ISO.

I also find the D500 underexposing on auto ISO. I usually set the exposure compensation to +.3, although I mostly use group mode.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

clemente21 wrote:

I also find the D500 underexposing on auto ISO. I usually set the exposure compensation to +.3, although I mostly use group mode.

I shoot a lot of wildlife and use EC plus or minus as needed for lighting/background changes and after several thousand shots this year, I have no general rule. Many can look at a subject, it's background, direction of lighting, etc, and make a pretty good guess, but there is no general rule as far as I can determine.

Bill_de Loc: US

DaveO wrote:

I shoot a lot of wildlife and use EC plus or minus as needed for lighting/background changes and after several thousand shots this year, I have no general rule. Many can look at a subject, it's background, direction of lighting, etc, and make a pretty good guess, but there is no general rule as far as I can determine.

My 'very general' rule is:

if the BG is darker than the subject - minus exposure compensation
if the BG is lighter than the subject - plus exposure compensation

The camera will try to make everything middle grey, so it will increase exposure with a dark background and decrease exposure with a bright background. This could have an adverse effect on the exposure to the subject.

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DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

Bill_de wrote:

My 'very general' rule is:

if the BG is darker than the subject - minus exposure compensation
if the BG is lighter than the subject - plus exposure compensation

The camera will try to make everything middle grey, so it will increase exposure with a dark background and decrease exposure with a bright background. This could have an adverse effect on the exposure to the subject.

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I played with the blinkies for a bit and pushed things at sun up for osprey id. Kind of interesting and fun to experiment with and eventually I could make a pretty good calculation of where to start....saves money on that dslr film.