| Author | Thread |
|
|
08/24/2007 05:18:04 PM · #26 |
After reading this thread, I tested what's happening with my D70s and there is something else which is strange:
I press the shutter button half-way, focusing on a near object in a dark part of the room, then I point the camera to the bright window and press the button completely (Before you ask, the exposition lock of the shutter button is deactivated). The camera corrects the exposition, but only a little bit, way not enough! The picture is over-exposed. The two next shots of the bracket (+/-0.3) are correctly exposed. By the way, I don't have the refocusing problem of Neil's D80.
If I do the same and use the exposition lock, then the picture is completely washed out. So the camera does something in between!?!
|
|
|
|
08/24/2007 06:04:31 PM · #27 |
Yep, I'm getting the exact same behavior. On the plus side, though, at least I learned how to use the bracketing functionality -- I hadn't used it before on this camera.
I guess the work around is to use the AF-L button. Seems like something they might be able to fix in the next firmware upgrade. |
|
|
|
08/27/2007 09:31:51 AM · #28 |
I've been trying to get this entered into the Nikon bugbase, but I seemed to have hit a wall in the shape of a person who answers the questions at the Nikon Knowledge database.
Does anyone have a contact at Nikon, or know of someone who might listen, and be interested in knowing there's a problem? (Preferably email contact info.) I would love to see this recognized as a bug and fixed. I use bracketing a lot (or at least I used to on my Canon), and I'd like it to work with just a shutter press as the other cameras do!
|
|
|
|
08/27/2007 10:42:45 AM · #29 |
| You might try Thom Hogan at ByThom. |
|
|
|
08/27/2007 10:49:51 AM · #30 |
| Neil, have you tried it in timer mode? I usually do that with my Rebel since I tend to do bracketing a lot at night and exposures are longer. |
|
|
|
08/27/2007 12:00:39 PM · #31 |
Originally posted by mad_brewer:
Neil, have you tried it in timer mode? I usually do that with my Rebel since I tend to do bracketing a lot at night and exposures are longer. |
No, but it wouldn't help since I'm using it handheld! |
|
|
|
08/27/2007 12:09:25 PM · #32 |
I wrote to Thom and got a very quick, though not satisfying, reply:
Dear Thom,
I have found what I believe is a bug in the D80 firmware. However, my attempts to get Nikon to acknowledge this as a bug and record it (for eventual fixing, hopefully, in the firmware) were not successful, at least going through the online Nikon Knowledgebase support mechanism.
Someone on the DPC (DPChallenge) photographer forums pointed me to your site, and thought it might be a good idea to run it by you. Here's the bug:
I am using AF-S mode. I want to set it to bracket (or shoot continously, for other reasons, e.g., to catch a candid moment). Per a common focus technique, I use the center focus point, point it at my subject, half press the shutter to lock it, then recompose with the subject in the (for example) thirds intersection. Now something else is in the center, perhaps the background. But I am presumably locked on the subject. That works for the first shot in the continuous series, but not for shots 2 through "n". The camera refocuses before shot 2, delaying the shot (bad), and now the subject is not in focus anymore (very bad).
The AF-L button "does" work on my camera to do this. But it's inconvenient to press it. And according to Page 31 of the D80 manual:
"Focus will remain locked between shots as long as the shutter release button is kept pressed halfway, allowing several photographs in succession to be taken at the same focus setting."
From my own experience (with Canon), and what people have reported in the forum thread I started on DPC, other cameras do lock the focus for all the exposures just by pressing and holding the shutter button (the D200, the D70, and Canon Rebel XT, etc.).
Here is an example of someone else complaining about the same thing:
//www.nikonians.org/dcforum/DCForumID236/2745.html
So why is the D80 behaving differently than these other cameras, including related Nikons? Because, I assert, there's a bug in the firmware. My goal now is to get Nikon to recognize this, and possibly address it in a firmware update.
But I'm asking you, as an expert on all these cameras, for your opinion, and perhaps to investigate. And if possible, to somehow report this to the right person at Nikon and get this on the bug list?
Thanks in advance,
Neil Shapiro
And here's his reply:
I think you’re pointing to one of the typical Nikon documentation problems. I don’t believe that “focus will remain locked...” statement to be true. You say the D200 “locks” focus between shots, but that’s not fully accurate. If you’re in Single Servo and the subject isn’t moving, the focus will remain in one spot on the D200, but on the D80 (and other consumer Nikons) the camera will do a reacquisition of focus. I believe this is by design.
Thus, you haven’t found a “bug” in the software, but a “bug” in the manual.
--
Thom Hogan, writer/photographer
Author, Complete Guides to the Nikon D1/D1h/D1x, D40/D40x, D50, D70/D70s, D80, D100, D200, D2h/D2hs, D2x/D2xs
//www.bythom.com
I am totally surprised by this, and this is my first, major regret for switching to Nikon (though perhaps it means I should have bought the D200 instead.
Thom also seems to assert that the D70 would do this too. Can anyone confirm?
Message edited by author 2007-08-27 12:10:35. |
|
|
|
08/27/2007 12:12:35 PM · #33 |
Originally posted by nshapiro:
Thom also seems to assert that the D70 would do this too. Can anyone confirm? |
i'll try it tonight on my D70 and let you know... |
|
|
|
08/27/2007 04:04:03 PM · #34 |
Originally posted by nshapiro:
Thom also seems to assert that the D70 would do this too. Can anyone confirm? |
My D70s certainly does not refocus between the shots.
But does anybody have an explanation for the exposure problem I mentionned in my previous post? |
|
|
|
08/27/2007 04:11:41 PM · #35 |
If it was by design, it was a poor choice I think, and you'd have a legitimate reason to complain to Nikon.
Hmmm. Quick try, the D70 seems to refocus between shots. |
|
|
|
08/27/2007 04:56:36 PM · #36 |
A follow up interchange (in reverse order). Note that he considers the D80 a consumer rather than a prosumer camera! Geesh, I thought my Canon G2 was a prosumer camera, and it was much less sophisticated. I would have guessed that the D40, D40x, and D50 were the consumer cameras, if any.
His Reply:
Has to do with consumer design focus versus prosumer/pro design focus. The D80 has many of those changes, actually. The matrix metering is different from the prosumer/pro metering and much more sensitive to the AF area being used. This is the great design conceit of the Japanese makers: that they know what a consumer wants/needs and what a pro wants/needs. In the consumer designs, Nikon doesn’t value focus-and-reframe (if you have to do that, the out is the AF Lock button), while in the prosumer designs that’s assumed. The consumer wants in focus pictures more than they want sophisticated (and subtle) handling they need to learn how to use is Nikon’s thinking.
--
Thom Hogan, writer/photographer
Author, Complete Guides to the Nikon D1/D1h/D1x, D40/D40x, D50, D70/D70s, D80, D100, D200, D2h/D2hs, D2x/D2xs
//www.bythom.com
In response to:
From: Neil Shapiro
Date: Mon, 27 Aug 2007 12:08:07 -0400
To: Thom Hogan
Subject: Re: Bug in D80 Firmware
Thom,
Thanks for your quick reply. Can you explain why Nikon would make this behavior so different on the D200 and D80? And in the forums, I am told the D70 behaves like the D200, though I don't have either camera to confirm. Why would the AF-L button work one way, and the equivalent shutter based lock work another? If I wanted the focus to track, I would use continuous focus.
This is very unfortunate, if it is by design, and I would at least personally never recommend a D80 to anyone. I just switched from Canon to Nikon, and this is my first big regret (and to me this is fairly major since I almost always shoot bracketed, even handheld). I guess I should have bought the D200, but information about this behavior was not readily available on the web in reviews. If it's not a bug, I guess I will direct my efforts to getting information on the web so that future buyers are aware of this behavior.
Again, thanks for your reply.
Neil
Message edited by author 2007-08-27 17:02:15. |
|
|
|
08/27/2007 06:01:18 PM · #37 |
Neil - I checked my D70 - mine refocuses on bracketing when I have it set to continuous fire mode and focus on a subject, move off center and fire. The first frame is fine, then it refocuses on the second snap -
Big bummer - time for me to upgrade to the D300 or D3...LOL
 bassbone goes off to find the wine and cheese and put some mellow jazz..."Honey, can I ask you a quick question about or savings account?..."
Message edited by author 2007-08-27 18:08:41. |
|
|
|
03/20/2008 02:01:48 PM · #38 |
| Hey guys! im new here I have a little problem, with my nikon d80 i select the continous shooting mode, but the speed (supposed to be 3 shots per second) its not even close, i mean that it doesnt matter what shutter speed i select (from 125 to 4000) it takes the exact amount of time taking it! Im not sure if its the SDHC card, I have the Panasonic SDHC Class 4 4gb card! Can u guys please tell me what might be the problem? im taking the pictures in good light conditions and without exp. delay mode... thanxs in advance, by the way, the time it processes this images is like 5 seconds so i was wandering beacause ive seen other tests in continuous mode and it takes like 15 seconds to process the images! |
|
|
|
03/20/2008 02:32:40 PM · #39 |
Try turning off focus priority in the menu, just a thought.
I keep it off of my d200, because I'd rather be in control of the shutter rather than the camera being in control.
|
|
|
|
09/23/2009 10:44:24 PM · #40 |
I am a d50 user(amateur), trying to make some handheld hdr photos yesterday.
My d50 camera have same refocusing problm. After i half press shutter,focus & recompose at side( which is less contrast = area difficult to focus)it stop on the 2nd shot even i continous press the shutter.
I guess the camera is trying to refocus on the 2nd & because that it cannot focus properly,it did not allow me to continue with the 2nd shop.
I find this post on the web & find it very useful.This morning i tried to
- adjust custom menu 14 - Change it to AEL/AFL - auto focus lock.
steps
1. half press shutter-focus at subject - ( hear a beep & the focus circle on viewfinder)
2. Press AE-L/AF-L button ( hold it)
2. recompose picture ( aim at difficult area-not subject )
3. Press shutter all the way( hold it until 3 shots is finished)
The problem seems solved as i look at pictures , that it is sharp on the subject for 3 shots.
|
|
|
|
11/29/2010 11:52:27 PM · #41 |
I realize this response is long after the initial posting but I was having the same problem on my D80 from what I can tell. I discovered that I had my camera set to WB Bracketing in the Custom Setting Menu and this kept it from taking photos in continuous mode.
Press Menu button
Choose Custom Setting Menu
Choose Auto BKT set
Choose AE & Flash, AE only or Flash only. WB Bracketing will take 3 exposures in just one release of the shutter.
I'm not sure yet what the advantages or disadvantages are of doing it in WB Bracketing mode. All I know is that when I changed this setting I was able to shoot the consecutive three shots without releasing my finger.
|
|
|
|
12/31/2010 12:17:57 PM · #42 |
| Funny this should come up now. I have yet to successfully use my bracketing. I've got everything set the way it's supposed to be, but I never get more than one exposure per activation. I've fiddled around with bracketing for AE/Flash, AE only etc. I set the bracketing range. I've played with focusing fields, focus settings, shooting modes. I've got it set up for 3 exposures. And still, no multiple exposures per activation. I'm engaging the bracketing function by depressing the button on the left of the lens, and turning the dial next to the viewfinder. Any ideas? |
|
|
|
12/31/2010 12:43:41 PM · #43 |
I have a D80, which I assume works the same as the D90 for bracketing. When set to bracket, you do not get multiple exposures in a single shutter activation. The camera adjusts the exposure for 3 successive shutter activations. I typically have mine set for 3 exposures at 2 stop difference. So I get the first shot at what the camera perceives as the correct exposure, then one at -2 stops, and then the third shot at +2 stops.
I use aperture priority mode so that the aperture remains constant throughout the bracketed shots. I also either use manual focus, or I let the camera autofocus on the first shot and switch it to manual focus before the second and third exposures. typically you don't want the focus point to vary between exposures.
You can see the cameras bracketed exposure settings change on the LCD screen on top of the camera (if it is on a tripod of course). If handheld, just look at the data for the three shots and if set in aperture priority mode you should see that the shutter speed was changed for each of the three shots.
Message edited by author 2010-12-31 12:45:21. |
|
|
|
12/31/2010 12:49:58 PM · #44 |
Yes, but I'm not getting the three exposures. That's what I'm trying to say. Are you pressing the shutter three separate times to get those three different exposures? I've got it set up exactly as you described, but when I go to look for the 3 separate images, I only see one.
Ok, I just tried again, and now, when I hold down the release, I get two images back to back, with different exposures. I thought it was possible to get 3 images back to back with one shutter release.
Message edited by author 2010-12-31 12:57:17. |
|
|
|
12/31/2010 08:25:36 PM · #45 |
| You need to set the shot rate button, the one with the three rectangles on top, to L/self timer. Then it will shoot three shots with one press after the time period. |
|
|
|
12/31/2010 08:31:37 PM · #46 |
| Ah! I actually thought about this. Will try it next year,LOL |
|
|
|
01/01/2011 03:04:53 AM · #47 |
Originally posted by tanguera:
Yes, but I'm not getting the three exposures. That's what I'm trying to say. Are you pressing the shutter three separate times to get those three different exposures? I've got it set up exactly as you described, but when I go to look for the 3 separate images, I only see one.
Ok, I just tried again, and now, when I hold down the release, I get two images back to back, with different exposures. I thought it was possible to get 3 images back to back with one shutter release. |
I looked up the D90 manual online, and basically the D90 works the same as the D80. I think that you may have the auto bracketing set to white balance bracketing (Custom Setting e4). In that mode, the camera will give the number of bracketed shots that you have specified with one shutter press, varying the white balance for each. You probably have the camera set to 2 bracketed shots. To change to 3, press the BKT button on the front of the camera and rotate the rear dial to change the number of shots from 2 to 3. Also, while holding the BKT button down, rotate the front dial to change the white balance bracket values. (explained in the manual on page2 191 & 192). The values are displayed on the top control panel while the BKT button is pressed.
In Custom Setting e4, you can change the Auto Bracket to AE (exposure bracketing). In that mode, the camera will act in the manner that I explained in my first post, i.e., the exposure will be adjusted for each successive shutter press (see page 92 in the manual) in the auto bracket sequence. This is the mode that you would use for HDR shots. In this mode, pressing the BKT button will let you vary the number of shots to be bracketed with the rear dial, plus set the exposure increment with the front dial. |
|
