Nikon D700 exposure meter problems

I've been using a Nikon DX for years and have just changed to a second hand Nikon D700. Is seems that in order to get a correct exposure the meter has to be showing as considerably under exposed. If the exposure meter is showing the correct exposure, the actual image is really over-exposed. I've tried a number of things to correct this with no success. Could this be an issue with the camera or just something which I am doing wrong?

Clara241 said:

I've been using a Nikon DX for years and have just changed to a second hand Nikon D700. Is seems that in order to get a correct exposure the meter has to be showing as considerably under exposed. If the exposure meter is showing the correct exposure, the actual image is really over-exposed. I've tried a number of things to correct this with no success. Could this be an issue with the camera or just something which I am doing wrong?

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Have you performed a two button reset?

Have you deleted all picture controls?

Have you checked you are not in some form of bracketing?

Are you shooting full manual?

What are your auto ISO settings?

Today I was using ISO 200 on a fairly bright overcast day

and I've tried changing the ISO settings to compensate. I've checked the bracketing isn't causing the problem, but I'm not sure how to do a two button reset. I also haven't deleted picture controls. I'll check this out and do it to see if it resolves the issue.

I'm also shooting in full manual

Clara241 said:

Today I was using ISO 200 on a fairly bright overcast day

and I've tried changing the ISO settings to compensate. I've checked the bracketing isn't causing the problem, but I'm not sure how to do a two button reset. I also haven't deleted picture controls. I'll check this out and do it to see if it resolves the issue.

Click to expand...

Look on the body for two buttons that have a small green dot next to them. Press both at once and hold down until you see the top LCD plate flash RESET. Let go of both buttons and immediately re-press both down at once and then release.

Also go into banks and delete any pre-sets in there manually. You can not accidently remove any factory settings so if not sure delete them anyway.

Once the camera is devoid of any possible previous user settings including the Picture Controls, try the camera again using Matrix metering, Neutral picture control, and start with using either aperture priority or shutter priority at ISO 200 with Auto ISO switched off.

Good luck.

[Edit]

If that doesn't work look at the camera when taking a shot and see if the lens aperture is closing down during the shot. If it isn't then the aperture swinging arm controlling the lens aperture may be bent or your lens may not be compatible. See the manual for a list of non compatible lenses.

Thanks for the advice. I've done the reset and I'll try the other steps you are suggesting.

I do not doubt you have a problem, and agree with all the previous "reset" suggestions.

To find out how much over/under the camera is doing you can do a quick check via the "Sunny-16" rule ... it is not perfect but very close.

Go outside on a SUNNY day, (between 10am and 3pm). Point your camera at a "normal" (reflective) scene, (no bright-whites or dark-blacks). You can use a GRAY CARD if you have one ....

Set your f/stop to f/16 and your ISO to 125.

Then set your shutter-speed to 1/125 and SEE HOW CLOSE YOUR METER READS to "0".

If it is indeed not very close, you can shift either shutter-speed, aperture, or ISO to see how much you have to deviate to "0" the meter-indication.

If all the resetting suggestions above does not help, you may need to have it repaired/calibrated.

Thanks. I'll also give this a go after the reset.

Clara241 said:

Thanks for the advice. I've done the reset and I'll try the other steps you are suggesting.

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Also try looking at page 114 in the user manual and 372 about using non CPU lenses.

Read up on locking exposure if you tend to focus and recompose on page 126.

Make sure setting b4 in the custom menu is set to off.

Page 210 tells you how to set up non CPU lenses if you are using any.

Page 271 tells you how to reset shooting menu banks as they are not reset with a two button reset either.

All that should clear the camera of any previous user pre-sets.

A faff I know, but sometimes other users have specific needs and the last thing they think of before selling is resetting a camera back to factory pre-sets.

As I said earlier, it could also be the swinging arm in the camera lens mounting.

First check the lens aperture by seeing if the swinging arm at the back of the lens is swinging free and returns easily when you gently release the arm and check the aperture blades are opening and closing while looking down the barrel from the front element with the lens off a the body.

If that looks OK inspect the reciprocating slot it should fit into on the body lens mount. Check that arm looks level and is not pointing downwards. It's an easy fix if you know how to fix it but if you don't send it to servicing. Also check you are in Matrix metering to begin with until you get used to other metering methods.

My D700 has the most accurate metering of all my Nikon bodies so if it's out after checking all of that, something needs fixing.

Thanks a lot. That's all really useful. I'll work through all of these checks. I'd read on other forums that some people were having the same issue with the D700, so it is useful to know that your D700 has really accurate exposure.

Hi,

I am beginning to have the same issue with mine. Did any of the suggested solutions help fix the issue? Just curious before I go through them myself. Thanks in advance.

Sylox said:

Hi,

I am beginning to have the same issue with mine. Did any of the suggested solutions help fix the issue? Just curious before I go through them myself. Thanks in advance.

Click to expand...

I will repost the same test ...

Go outside on bright "sunny" day (midday), no clouds.

Set camera to f/16, 1/125s and ISO 125 ....

Shoot a "normal" reflective scene, (no bright sky or dark-shadows). Include a "GRAY" card if you can.

The meter should indicate "0" and photo should be "correctly" exposed and brightness.

If meter is wrong ... meter is bad.

If image is bad, then something else is bad.