D40x problem - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

11/29/2007 03:22:33 PM · #1

I have a colleague (OK, an important guy at work) that has a problem with the Auto-ISO setting on his d40x (which I recommended to him as a beginner DSLR).

He was getting extremely blown-out images when shooting inside using the flash (camera in AUTO mode). I changed the ISO setting from AUTO to 100 and the problem was gone and exposure was fixed.

I didn't see any firmware updates for this camera (only the D40).

I'm wondering if anyone has heard of this issue and whether it might be somethihng inherent with this camera or if it was something he should return. Or maybe there's something I'm missing.

thanks

Nocturnal_Delusion

Nikon D200

11/29/2007 03:29:57 PM · #2

Hmmm something about this sounds familiar to me.

Did you set the "ISO Setting" to Auto in the Shooting Menu, or the "ISO Auto" to ON in the Custom Settings Menu? If I recall having the ISO Setting set to Auto will bump it at inopportune moments but the ISO Auto usually handles that better.

Venom

Canon EOS R

Canon RF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS USM

11/29/2007 03:46:53 PM · #3

Originally posted by metatate:

I'm wondering if anyone has heard of this issue and whether it might be somethihng inherent with this camera

I've not had OR heard of anyone having these problems.

Originally posted by metatate:

or if it was something he should return. Or maybe there's something I'm missing.

thanks

If he's still under his 30day (or whatever it is) warranty I'd maybe go back to the store and question them a little. It can't hurt anything. Sorry, I'm not much help...Brandon

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

11/29/2007 04:55:57 PM · #4

I believe the default ISO setting is AUTO when shotting in Auto mode. After I changed it to 100, the "ISO Auto" menu setting was OFF - not sure about beforehand.

Originally posted by Nocturnal_Delusion:

soup

Canon EOS-30D

11/29/2007 07:09:42 PM · #5

not to solve the problem at hand, but i'm not sure that using auto ISO is such a good idea for a newcomer to dslr. i see frustration in the image quality respect as an issue.

i would say AV or TV with a set ISO to be a better way to learn the equipment, and how to expose properly for that matter.

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

11/29/2007 07:41:42 PM · #6

It would be beneficial if he learns the concept of ISO, and how to read a good ISO situation. It would help in the long-run if he learns more about technical aspects of photography now, as he is starting with DSLR's. But that's just my opinion.

Apple iPhone 5

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 ED

11/29/2007 07:46:59 PM · #7

In Auto shooting mode you can only enable Auto-ISO in the Shooting Menu (under ISO Sensitivity) 'ISO Auto' is greyed out in the 'Custom Settings' menu.

Anyway, I just fired off a shot indoors with ISO Sensitivity set to 'Auto' and as expected the flash popped up, and the shot was properly exposed (the camera picked ISO 400)

Can you tell if the ISO that the camera selects is too high, or if the exposure (shutter speed / aperture) the camera selects is incorrect?

Creature

Nikon D70s

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED

11/30/2007 12:20:48 PM · #8

You have to remember that a high percentage of people who buy DSLRs just want a status symbol and/or think that buying one will automatically allow them to take better pictures. I have plenty of friends who have bought 300/350Ds but have no clue about photographic concepts and don't plan to learn either -- they wanted a DSLR because it was the thing to have but they still just take crappy snapshots and print straight from the camera.

12/03/2007 03:15:17 PM · #9

Good question. I assumed it was something messed up with the ISO, but I will check this tomorrow when he brings it in.

Originally posted by jhonan:

Can you tell if the ISO that the camera selects is too high, or if the exposure (shutter speed / aperture) the camera selects is incorrect?