Aperture Priority Mode on my Nikon D80 help...?

Question

I have a Nikon D80 and have a 2 fold question. In Aperture Priority mode I set my aperture and then shoot and it is never close to right.Also in auto mode which I don't use hardly ever the shots are always very overexposed.I tried hitting the 2 buttons with the green dots and also reset but no luck.Any thoughts as I am not seeing it in manual? Thanks in advance you all.

Answer 1

What metering mode are you using? Try using spot metering if you want to control the exposure completely. With the other metering modes, it's Nikon's algorithm that is making the decision. It definitely makes great calls, but I personally prefer the spot metering for controlling the exposure.

If the images are still overexposed, then adjust the exposure compensation. Try -0.3 and -0.7 to see if either one of them gets it right.

What does the display indicate when you take the shots? Does it indicate that the metering is correct?  

Answer 2

Firstly, when you hit the green dots, make sure you're doing it for long enough for the screen at the top of the camera to flash on and off.

EV compensation is a good way to help the situation, but it shouldn't always be needed.  Personally I find that all of my Nikon DSLRs overexpose with flash by a third to two thirds of a stop consistently, and thus I use flash compensation, but with natural light I almost never have a problem.  Make sure you are in matrix or center weighted metering, not spot.  

One thing to consider is that potentially your camera may have reached the end of it's life.  Shutters are only accurate for a certain amount of cycles, on a D200 its 100,000+ cycles, on a D300, its 150,000.  I'm not sure what it is on a D80 but I have a feeling its around 50,000 or less.  I would check with a tool called Opanda EXIF reader.  

http://www.opanda.com/en/iexif/index.htm...

Its free and will tell you approximately how many shutter cycles are on your camera.  Take a picture, and then drag/drop it into Opanda.  You are looking for "Total Number of Shutter Releases" or something to that effect.  If the number is over 40,000, it may be time for a new camera.  While sometimes replaceable, digital cameras change so often its probably not worth it to service.  

Also, dirty shutters and diaphragm blades can cause a photo to overexpose.  Dirt can cause the apeture blades or shutter to 'stick' open for longer than is required, overexposing the picture.  If the shutter is dirty, I wouldn't attempt cleaning, you're likely to make it worse.  If the lens blades are dirty, it *may* be worth servicing, *by a professional*.  

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Edit:

The reason I advise against using spot metering is that in many circumstances you may inadvertently point the meter at a spot much brighter than what you intend to be photographing, whereas center weighted and matrix meters give you a little bit more room to have variations of brightness in the frame.  If you don't believe me, try it, turn on the spot meter and move the meter around the thing you are thinking of photographing, often it will change by several stops depending on where you point it!  A person's shiny bald head is liable to be at least a stop brighter than their face.  You'd get great detail on the lack of a hairline, but a dark murky face!

Answer 3

Try calling the Nikon help line.  800.NIKON-UX ... they are open 24/7/365

Answer 4

check your exposure compensation

there also seems to be an issue here in d80's