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Nikon D600 blown highlights in normal conditions

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RossM498549

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I just got a D600 and was wondering why it is blowing out highlights light crazy.



It does it in outdoor conditions. This I can kind of understand I suppose, though my D300 would probably not blow them to this extent

But in easy lighting indoor conditions it does it also. Any ideas anyone?



Examples below



Its on matrix metering, aperture mode



Thanks a lot



Ros





cd4e7bf79f8642f7889d4e7c1f17b5dd.jpg



d31e0d2ea4cd44e986626cfdc874aa54.jpg



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Those are both "hopeless" exposure situations in the sense that the range from shadows to highlights is too extreme to fully capture, so something has to give. D600 (and D800 as well) metering is different from earlier models, chiefly in that it seems to give a great deal of weight to the spot where the AF point is when exposure is locked. Some people like it (I am one); others don't, but no matter what, you need to learn how the camera "thinks" and adjust (just like for the metering in any camera).

In the exposures that you show, I would guess that the AF point was over darker areas, and the exposure was boosted more than you're used to. Sometimes the results will be pleasing; sometimes not.

I have found that for exposures where the range fits in the dynamic range of the sensor, the D600 does extremely well, and when you put the AF point over a human subject, the results are excellent even without exposure compensation or spot metering. I admit it is less convenient for landscape situations with high contrast.

For what it is worth, I'm most happy with my current settings. I use AF-ON assigned to the AE-L button so pressing the shutter button doesn't AF. I also set exposure lock on shutter button half-press. So, I have complete control over where focus is (with the AE-L/AF-ON button) and when matrix metering locks (when I hold the shutter button half-pressed). That way, I get the exposure locked when the AF point is where I want it and can then recompose the take the shot without metering getting messed up by the AF point changing. That makes up for the AF points being so tightly clustered around the center in the D600.

Doug
 
Hi Doug

These really arent very difficult conditions. It looks extremely bright outside but it isn't, its largely overcast. As you can see, even when im shooting in dark conditions outside the highlights are getting blown out and aren't very easy to recover. Surely matrix metering will pull that all in and expose for the highlights. Right now its like im shooting in centre weighted mode
 
thats where you are wrong, The 600 has a much better dynamic range than your D300, thats a fact. If you would expose for the sky the tree's would have been dark with any DSLR. In fact this is what you should have done, then bring back the shadows in post. This is user error nothing more...

Jim
 
As I said, some people don't like the D600 (and D800, but they are not the same) matrix metering. ;) Personally, I do, and I have found fewer unexpected results with the D600 compared to the D800. I used a D700 extensively for many years, and find the D600 metering to be better in all regards. D700 metering is very similar to the D300.

Your first image has pure blacks and blown out sky both, but I'd venture to say that a RAW file for that exposure would be pretty recoverable (I find some detail in the sky just in the JPEG). The second one represents how I would want that scene exposed if I had to salvage something.

Rather than just disliking the metering, I would urge you to learn how it works and how to take advantage, chiefly by making sure an AF point is over a real "subject" when you lock metering. Like any matrix metering, some are not what you expect, but most can be learned as long as they are consistent, and the D600 matrix metering is consistent. In contrast, the legendarily BAD D80 matrix metering was erratic and unpredictable.

Oh, and just in case you're not using a Nikon lens, I've found matrix metering to be much less predictable with non-Nikon lenses...

Doug
 
RossM498549 said:
RossM wrote:

Hi Doug

These really arent very difficult conditions. It looks extremely bright outside but it isn't, its largely overcast. As you can see, even when im shooting in dark conditions outside the highlights are getting blown out and aren't very easy to recover. Surely matrix metering will pull that all in and expose for the highlights. Right now its like im shooting in centre weighted mode
Click to expand...
 
D Knisely said:
D Knisely wrote:

Those are both "hopeless" exposure situations in the sense that the range from shadows to highlights is too extreme to fully capture, so something has to give. D600 (and D800 as well) metering is different from earlier models, chiefly in that it seems to give a great deal of weight to the spot where the AF point is when exposure is locked. Some people like it (I am one); others don't, but no matter what, you need to learn how the camera "thinks" and adjust (just like for the metering in any camera).

In the exposures that you show, I would guess that the AF point was over darker areas, and the exposure was boosted more than you're used to. Sometimes the results will be pleasing; sometimes not.

I have found that for exposures where the range fits in the dynamic range of the sensor, the D600 does extremely well, and when you put the AF point over a human subject, the results are excellent even without exposure compensation or spot metering. I admit it is less convenient for landscape situations with high contrast.

For what it is worth, I'm most happy with my current settings. I use AF-ON assigned to the AE-L button so pressing the shutter button doesn't AF. I also set exposure lock on shutter button half-press. So, I have complete control over where focus is (with the AE-L/AF-ON button) and when matrix metering locks (when I hold the shutter button half-pressed). That way, I get the exposure locked when the AF point is where I want it and can then recompose the take the shot without metering getting messed up by the AF point changing. That makes up for the AF points being so tightly clustered around the center in the D600.

Doug
Click to expand...
I'm not sure if focus-and-recompose matters when you're in matrix metering as it meters the whole scene :s Have you tried using your setup but switching to spot metering? I mean that's probably how I would approach the scene given how you're shooting. Maybe I'm wrong
 
Even with matrix metering, the 18% reflectance still applies.

For example, in the picture with the black leather chairs the meter clearly is reading exposure as if they were neutral grey. In this kind of picture, I usually set my exposure compensation to -1 or -2 stops...
 
frkm0005 said:
frkm0005 wrote:
frkm0005 said:
D Knisely wrote:

...

For what it is worth, I'm most happy with my current settings. I use AF-ON assigned to the AE-L button so pressing the shutter button doesn't AF. I also set exposure lock on shutter button half-press. So, I have complete control over where focus is (with the AE-L/AF-ON button) and when matrix metering locks (when I hold the shutter button half-pressed). That way, I get the exposure locked when the AF point is where I want it and can then recompose the take the shot without metering getting messed up by the AF point changing. That makes up for the AF points being so tightly clustered around the center in the D600.

Doug
Click to expand...
I'm not sure if focus-and-recompose matters when you're in matrix metering as it meters the whole scene :s Have you tried using your setup but switching to spot metering? I mean that's probably how I would approach the scene given how you're shooting. Maybe I'm wrong
Click to expand...
If you focus and recompose and move the AF point from the "subject," that will have a big impact on the matrix metering of the D600 and D800. At whatever point the exposure is locked (when you fire or earlier if you lock it), the matrix metering exposure will be based on the whole frame BUT is also heavily affected by the AF point. I realize this is hard to describe clearly in words, but the concept is simple...

I have good luck with setting AE to lock with shutter half-press (based on the subject under the AF point and the rest of the scene). Then I'm free to recompose without changing the exposure.

For example, on the D600 in matrix metering, you will see a huge difference in the exposure you get if the AF point is over the sky or the trees in the OP's first example image -- even though the overall scene is the same. On the D700, not so much. For people photos with an AF point on the subject, that works GREAT. For landscape, it can be confusing. But landscape metering is often tricky anyway, so you just have to expect to take ownership of the exposure.

A number of D800 landscape photographers have switched to center-weighted metering. I tried it on a D800 and didn't like it, but the important thing is to understand what's happening with your metering so you can adjust. It just takes thoughtful practice. :) Personally, I'm delighted with D600 matrix metering and find it to be spooky good in many situations.

One more thing -- it is VERY VERY VERY important to cover the viewfinder. Light coming in there can heavily influence D600 metering, much more than other Nikon bodies in my experience. It can also reach the sensor and affect the exposure.

Doug
 
frkm0005 said:
frkm0005 wrote:
frkm0005 said:
D Knisely wrote:

Those are both "hopeless" exposure situations in the sense that the range from shadows to highlights is too extreme to fully capture, so something has to give. D600 (and D800 as well) metering is different from earlier models, chiefly in that it seems to give a great deal of weight to the spot where the AF point is when exposure is locked. Some people like it (I am one); others don't, but no matter what, you need to learn how the camera "thinks" and adjust (just like for the metering in any camera).

In the exposures that you show, I would guess that the AF point was over darker areas, and the exposure was boosted more than you're used to. Sometimes the results will be pleasing; sometimes not.

I have found that for exposures where the range fits in the dynamic range of the sensor, the D600 does extremely well, and when you put the AF point over a human subject, the results are excellent even without exposure compensation or spot metering. I admit it is less convenient for landscape situations with high contrast.

For what it is worth, I'm most happy with my current settings. I use AF-ON assigned to the AE-L button so pressing the shutter button doesn't AF. I also set exposure lock on shutter button half-press. So, I have complete control over where focus is (with the AE-L/AF-ON button) and when matrix metering locks (when I hold the shutter button half-pressed). That way, I get the exposure locked when the AF point is where I want it and can then recompose the take the shot without metering getting messed up by the AF point changing. That makes up for the AF points being so tightly clustered around the center in the D600.

Doug
Click to expand...
I'm not sure if focus-and-recompose matters when you're in matrix metering as it meters the whole scene :s Have you tried using your setup but switching to spot metering? I mean that's probably how I would approach the scene given how you're shooting. Maybe I'm wrong
Click to expand...
My understanding (and I could be totally wrong) is that even in matrix metering it weights to some degree (to a lesser extent than centre weighted or spot) the AF target. Maybe someone can clarify this.

Has the OP stated whether these were JPG or Raw? I've come across very few situations regarding exposure errors that couldn't be recovered in raw mode, the D600 is pretty amazing in that sense.

--
http://500px.com/Joe-K
 
Last edited:
joeblow1984 said:
joeblow1984 wrote:
joeblow1984 said:
frkm0005 wrote:
joeblow1984 said:
D Knisely wrote:

...
Click to expand...
I'm not sure if focus-and-recompose matters when you're in matrix metering as it meters the whole scene :s Have you tried using your setup but switching to spot metering? I mean that's probably how I would approach the scene given how you're shooting. Maybe I'm wrong
Click to expand...
My understanding (and I could be totally wrong) is that even in matrix metering it weights to some degree (to a lesser extent than centre weighted or spot) the AF target. Maybe someone can clarify this.

Has the OP stated whether these were JPG or Raw? I've come across very few situations regarding exposure errors that couldn't be recovered in raw mode, the D600 is pretty amazing in that sense.
Click to expand...
 
D Knisely said:
D Knisely wrote:
D Knisely said:
joeblow1984 wrote:
D Knisely said:
frkm0005 wrote:
D Knisely said:
D Knisely wrote:

...
Click to expand...
I'm not sure if focus-and-recompose matters when you're in matrix metering as it meters the whole scene :s Have you tried using your setup but switching to spot metering? I mean that's probably how I would approach the scene given how you're shooting. Maybe I'm wrong
Click to expand...
My understanding (and I could be totally wrong) is that even in matrix metering it weights to some degree (to a lesser extent than centre weighted or spot) the AF target. Maybe someone can clarify this.

Has the OP stated whether these were JPG or Raw? I've come across very few situations regarding exposure errors that couldn't be recovered in raw mode, the D600 is pretty amazing in that sense.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
In my experience (D700) both situations are typical examples where the meter is surely going to overexpose - that means you have to dial in -1EV at least: lot of greens (trees, fences, grass.... you name it), and black furniture or black walls.

There is no camera meter on earth that would not overexpose those shots.

Don't worry, nothing wrong with your camera. You just have to understand a little bit better how metering works.
 
You may want to consider finding a second D600 and comparing the metering. Seems that folks are quick to discount issues until they have one. Your metering looks off like your in spot mode. A sanity check is in order. If this is how the D600 behaves, IMO that is not better than any Nikon I have ever used.

Try out a second body, if the metering is the same then you can make allowances. Or there is some setting buried that results in overexposure.

I assume you are not doing something stupid like expose compensation = +3:-)
 
And what would "correct" metering look like? In the first image there are basically two almost equal areas, the bright sky and more average toned foliage in the foreground. By what magic would the D300 keep detail in both areas? (it wouldn't). Is the relatively small structure in the middle the main subject? Then you could have used spot metering.
 
Look at your histogram. If you are really blowing highlights the histogram will be spiked to the right. That can happen if doing things like shooting in deep shade and including very bright sunlight, but the metering generally keeps the highlights in check. If you have been shooting for a while you should understand how meters behave.

You can also do some sanity checks shooting under controlled situations. I looked at a couple review sites, like dpreview and imaging resource. They indicate that the D600 controls light very well. No reports of gross overexposure or underexposure.

Good Luck
 
It is difficult to judge other folks poor results. The greens do look a bit overexposed. Maybe the OP does not understand how his meter works in any camera, but does he sound that way to you? I would expect that people that have been shooting for a while know how meters behave. I agree overcast skies are not a great target.

Why he is shooting black chairs is a mystery as they definitely qualify as difficult targets.

This is why I suggested some exposures under a more controlled environment.
 
D Knisely said:
D Knisely wrote:

Those are both "hopeless" exposure situations in the sense that the range from shadows to highlights is too extreme to fully capture, so something has to give.
Click to expand...
I agree. I do not also sugarcoat my criticism, they both show very trying conditions. Black shiny furniture and bright backlighting, then there is the bright sky and dark forest, oh yea a tiny subject in the middle. What happened to the rule of thirds ? Simply put, just because you want to photograph a particular scene does not mean the sensor and electronics will cooperate with you. These two images, IMHO are not good for me to talk about metering and what not. Sure my comment will upset some, but that's that.
 
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