Please help me find my Operator Error: I am shooting fox kits using a Nikon D500 with the 70-300 af-p 4/5.6 fx lens. Also shooting with my Nikon D7200 with the 80-400 af 4/5.6 fx lens.

runyanp

I am shooting fox kits using a Nikon D500 with the 70-300 af-p 4/5.6 fx lens. Also shooting with my Nikon D7200 with the 80-400 af 4/5.6 fx lens. Using matrix metering, manual mode, auto ISO with shutter speed, focal length and aperture the same. The Nikon D500 combo always needs exposure compensation of +1.0 or +1.3. I do not have any filters over the lens, have updated my firmware and searched the internet for answers. Shouldn't they be almost the same exposure? Most of my issues are operator error, so consider this first. Thanks so much for any consideration.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

You might post and store some examples. From the EXIF data in the stored images, we might point to a subtle parameter that will help you understand the difference. However, if the results are what are desired, there's not an issue on how they are accomplished.

bleirer

I dont know your camera, but in general auto ISO can be set to be limited to a range, so if you are trying to use it to to adjust exposure, you can hit a limit. Try shooting full manual mode, see what happens.

BebuLamar

You will have to set up a test. Shooting the exact same scene, use the same lens, and post the pictures here with all the EXIF intact.

Don, the 2nd son Loc: Crowded Florida

BebuLamar wrote:

You will have to set up a test. Shooting the exact same scene, use the same lens, and post the pictures here with all the EXIF intact.

CPR Loc: Nature Coast of Florida

Why "compensation"?
That says your camera can't meter the scene correctly. So, if there is a metering problem I'd look to metering mode first.

R.G. Loc: Scotland

bleirer wrote:

I dont know your camera, but in general auto ISO can be set to be limited to a range, so if you are trying to use it to to adjust exposure, you can hit a limit. Try shooting full manual mode, see what happens.

Good suggestion. Look for an ISO that's static when it should be changing. I don't think any cameras warn you when you're hitting one of the limits (either an upper or a lower limit).

runyanp

CPR wrote:

Why "compensation"?
That says your camera can't meter the scene correctly. So, if there is a metering problem I'd look to metering mode first.

I expose to the right until I get the first blinkies. The D500 set up needs exp comp to get blinkies. Am working on two test shots and will post soon.

bleirer

runyanp wrote:

I expose to the right until I get the first blinkies. The D500 set up needs exp comp to get blinkies. Am working on two test shots and will post soon.

Auto ISO will prevent the blinkies until it hits its limit, because it will try to follow the matrix meter. It is not a flaw, it's just trying to do what you told it to do, automatically adjust exposure to get the best overall exposure. The exposure compensation over-rides it, so that is a good way to do it, or you can use manual ISO. If you are able to watch the histogram as you turn the dial, you will see it fighting to stay centered by changing the ISO for you, until it hits the iso limit you have set. By using exposure comp it gets the message that it can stop raging against the dying of the light.

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

runyanp wrote:

I expose to the right until I get the first blinkies. The D500 set up needs exp comp to get blinkies. Am working on two test shots and will post soon.

Note that pictures posted here in Main Discussion often get moved, so out of respect for Admin it would be best to post them in the appropriate section.

runyanp

[quote=R.G., Good suggestion. Look for an ISO that's static when it should be changing. I don't think any cameras warn you when you're hitting one of the limits (either an upper or a lower limit).[/quote]

bleirer and RG, I think you discovered my mistake. I had set the Auto ISO range to 20,000max, but had also set the minimum range to 20,000. Can't explain why I would do that, seems totally illogical, and yet there it was. Whenever it got to low light situation I needed compensation because I was confusing the camera I believe. Reset minimum ISO to 200 and left max to 20,000 and shot without any exp comp in dark garage and got blinkies on first try! Thank you all so much, it is great to have a place to ask questions and get help!

BebuLamar

R.G. wrote:

Good suggestion. Look for an ISO that's static when it should be changing. I don't think any cameras warn you when you're hitting one of the limits (either an upper or a lower limit).

My camera does warn me when it hit the max limit settings. I never ran into situation where it hit min limit settings so I don't know.

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

runyanp wrote:

I am shooting fox kits using a Nikon D500 with the... (show quote)

And what is the issue for you? What is happening to the image that you don't like?

runyanp

via the lens wrote:

And what is the issue for you? What is happening to the image that you don't like?

The images are fine, but I am shooting in low light and want a small ISO so not as grainy. Also, not being totally proficient I thought both systems should be closer in the exp. I figured I had messed up the settings and was trying to figure out how to fix them. I think it may be fixed. Trying it out with the fox den soon.

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

runyanp wrote:

The images are fine, but I am shooting in low light and want a small ISO so not as grainy. Also, not being totally proficient I thought both systems should be closer in the exp. I figured I had messed up the settings and was trying to figure out how to fix them. I think it may be fixed. Trying it out with the fox den soon.

Sometimes we just can't get it perfect because the equipment can only do so much. Sounds to me like you are doing fine, given the limitations of equipment. If your ISO is way too high you might try a denoise program, I think a lot of people use DXO. I just used Topaz AI denoise but I don't think it helped the image I was testing it with. I wish I was close to a fox den! I am definitely jealous!!