D100 built-in flash underexposure

When using the D100's built-in flash I found that the photos are consistently underexposed (by about 1.7 stops) especially in the matrix and "average" metering modes. Has anyone experienced this? This only occurs when I simply pop up the built-in flash wothout making any specific flash adjustments. I would have thought that Nikon would have designed its software so that the D100 "knows" when the built-in flash is being used without the photographer having to make further adjustments?

A word of warning to anyone trying to use the built-in flash for fill-flash when using any AF-S lenses - the flash causes a HUGE eliptical shadow at the bottom of the photo due to the shadow cast by the lens.

I already replied to you in the Pro Forum, but figured I'd cover both:

"A word of warning to anyone trying to use the built-in flash for

David Yeo said:

fill-flash when using any AF-S lenses - the flash causes a HUGE
eliptical shadow at the bottom of the photo due to the shadow cast
by the lens."

Click to expand...

I have the 24-85 AFS lens, and have rented the 80-200 AFS lens, and have not seen what you are experiencing. Can you post some examples?

As for your other statement, I have had some underexposure, but usually only .3 - .7.

Sounds like your camera might have some issues.

Teski

David Yeo said:

When using the D100's built-in flash I found that the photos are
consistently underexposed (by about 1.7 stops) especially in the
matrix and "average" metering modes. Has anyone experienced this?
This only occurs when I simply pop up the built-in flash wothout
making any specific flash adjustments. I would have thought that
Nikon would have designed its software so that the D100 "knows"
when the built-in flash is being used without the photographer
having to make further adjustments?

A word of warning to anyone trying to use the built-in flash for
fill-flash when using any AF-S lenses - the flash causes a HUGE
eliptical shadow at the bottom of the photo due to the shadow cast
by the lens.

Click to expand...

I seldom use the built-in flash, but I did when I first got the camera, before setting up the SB80DX.

You're right about the shadow at the bottom of the image. This occurs with both the 17-35 afs and the 28-70 afs, which are the two lenses I use. It is mentioned in the manual, and it only applies to the wider zooms of each lens.

As for exposure problems, you probably need to search for Thom Hogan's comments on the D100 and flash. You basically do not want to use P exposure control with flash, unless you're doing fill-in. Try it again with A exposure, and you'll be much happier for most circumstances. Thom has much more to say on it, but I'm not good at paraphrasing what I only partly understand. I still plan to get his book on flash, to supplement his D100 book.

David Yeo said:

When using the D100's built-in flash I found that the photos are
consistently underexposed (by about 1.7 stops) especially in the
matrix and "average" metering modes. Has anyone experienced this?
This only occurs when I simply pop up the built-in flash wothout
making any specific flash adjustments. I would have thought that
Nikon would have designed its software so that the D100 "knows"
when the built-in flash is being used without the photographer
having to make further adjustments?

A word of warning to anyone trying to use the built-in flash for
fill-flash when using any AF-S lenses - the flash causes a HUGE
eliptical shadow at the bottom of the photo due to the shadow cast
by the lens.

Click to expand...

--
DaveA

Thanks dave - will try to search for Thom's comments.

Dave Angel said:

You're right about the shadow at the bottom of the image. This
occurs with both the 17-35 afs and the 28-70 afs, which are the two
lenses I use. It is mentioned in the manual, and it only applies
to the wider zooms of each lens.

As for exposure problems, you probably need to search for Thom
Hogan's comments on the D100 and flash. You basically do not want
to use P exposure control with flash, unless you're doing fill-in.
Try it again with A exposure, and you'll be much happier for most
circumstances. Thom has much more to say on it, but I'm not good
at paraphrasing what I only partly understand. I still plan to get
his book on flash, to supplement his D100 book.

David Yeo said:

When using the D100's built-in flash I found that the photos are
consistently underexposed (by about 1.7 stops) especially in the
matrix and "average" metering modes. Has anyone experienced this?
This only occurs when I simply pop up the built-in flash wothout
making any specific flash adjustments. I would have thought that
Nikon would have designed its software so that the D100 "knows"
when the built-in flash is being used without the photographer
having to make further adjustments?

A word of warning to anyone trying to use the built-in flash for
fill-flash when using any AF-S lenses - the flash causes a HUGE
eliptical shadow at the bottom of the photo due to the shadow cast
by the lens.

Click to expand...

--
DaveA

Click to expand...

David,

If you use Program Mode, you will find the same problem even with external powerful flash such as the SB-80DX. Yes, Thom has a very good explanation and he even gave some guidelines on how to avoid the problem.

The link is: http://www.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1021&message=3103713

For the problem with shadow using 20-70mm 2.8/f AF-S Nikkor, please check Page 101 of the D100 user manual for restriction on using internal flash with some lens.

Richard