A curious circumstance with my D3 and a new / used lens: I have used a variety of lenses on the D3, and all have exposed properly. I generally shoot Aperture, with an EC of -.3 since I...

Quixdraw Loc: x

I have used a variety of lenses on the D3, and all have exposed properly. I generally shoot Aperture, with an EC of -.3 since I want a bit of extra saturation. Shaking down a new to me zoom lens today, the first few dozen shots (I rarely review photos) were overexposed. When I set to -1.0 EC, I was getting exposures in almost my desired range, though I might drop another .3. The situation appears to be specific to this lens, and though I knew how to correct the condition, I'm curious to know if anyone has encountered a similar phenomenon, or knows a possible cause.
Note: I always previously have used a lens hood, the one for this lens will arrive Wednesday.

Paul Diamond Loc: Atlanta, GA, USA

Sadly, you did not say what the zoom lens was or the FL for your shooting. It should help in getting appropriate replies.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

These questions always require an unedited JPEG, stored as an attachment, demonstrating the issue. Otherwise, it's just a guess game.

Quixdraw Loc: x

Thanks very much, all. I shot at a variety of focal lengths. I have been through the EXIF data in some detail. The only anomaly is that the max aperture seems to stay at 3 though it is a 2.8 lens. Hitting the button to preview DOF seems to work. More time to fool with it tomorrow. Thanks again!

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Perhaps a faulty aperture (not closing completely to the specified stop during exposure)? Have you tried it in manual?

Orphoto Loc: Oregon

I have a couple of high end primes that seem to transmit more light than specified. Seems less likely with a zoom. I agree with TriX that a faulty aperture closing lever mechanism seems plausible. See if flicking the back end lever when it is off camera leads to snappy aperture blade action. You will know if that is the culprit by taking images wide open vs. at various apertures. If proportionally overexposed at smaller apertures, then that's it.

Orphoto Loc: Oregon

Oh, one more thought. As to the knee jerk reaction that you have to send in an image....well much of the time it makes sense, especially with a totally confused newbie. But an overexposed image is not going to reveal very many secrets other than it is too light.

flip1948 Loc: Hamden, CT

quixdraw wrote:

Thanks very much, all. I shot at a variety of focal lengths. I have been through the EXIF data in some detail. The only anomaly is that the max aperture seems to stay at 3 though it is a 2.8 lens. Hitting the button to preview DOF seems to work. More time to fool with it tomorrow. Thanks again!

My first thought has been mentioned by two other posters, that the lens is not stopping down and you are shooting wide open.

But then you mentioned that dialing in some exposure compensation helped so I'm stumped.

P.S.- I do know what lens this is, but I'm not telling.

User ID

Paul Diamond wrote:

Sadly, you did not say what the zoom lens was or the FL for your shooting. It should help in getting appropriate replies.

Doubtful that such details matter. Oily residue on the iris blades is an equal opportunity ailment.

If exposures are accurate at wide open but it’s overexposing at smaller stops then send it out for CLA.

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

quixdraw wrote:

I have used a variety of lenses on the D3, and all... (show quote)

If the zoom is not new, the aperture ring may be sticking a little. I had one that did that, but after taking images with it all day is started to work better.
Good luck and keep on shooting until the end.
If the exposures are consistent at -1 EC, then just remember to set your EC to that setting when using that lens, and make sure when you switch lenses you also switch EC's.

John Gavin

When you don't use ec at all, does the aperture then read 2.8 or does it remain at 3?

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

flip1948 wrote:

My first thought has been mentioned by two other posters, that the lens is not stopping down and you are shooting wide open.

But then you mentioned that dialing in some exposure compensation helped so I'm stumped.

P.S.- I do know what lens this is, but I'm not telling.

If he’s shooting aperture priority then it would help. The shutter speed or ISO would be affected by the EC.

BebuLamar

TriX wrote:

Perhaps a faulty aperture (not closing completely to the specified stop during exposure)? Have you tried it in manual?

Shooting at max aperture would rule out the aperture sticking problem.

Quixdraw Loc: x

Will be systematically working through a wide variety of settings and the EXIF data in the course of the day. If all it takes for the lens to work predictably is adjusting the EC, I'm good with it. A sharp lens and useful range of focal lengths. More later, and thanks for all the ideas.

olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

quixdraw wrote:

Thanks very much, all. I shot at a variety of focal lengths. I have been through the EXIF data in some detail. The only anomaly is that the max aperture seems to stay at 3 though it is a 2.8 lens. Hitting the button to preview DOF seems to work. More time to fool with it tomorrow. Thanks again!

I was going to ask if the lens was opening up all the way, I ran into a similar situation a while back, lens aperture was sticking aprox. 2/3 of a stop from wide open (since it was a buy and try, I returned it)...... hope your deal works out.