Help, new D700, poor highlights - DPChallenge Forums

08/20/2009 02:50:29 AM · #1

So I just got a D700, I am coming from a D300. One of the first things I have noticed is how poorly in handles highlight details compared to the D300. It just clips the highlights like my old D50, that's bad.
I am shooting 14bit raw tried using NX2 and CS3. I have tried using -3 contrast in neutral, helps for shadows but doesn't to anything for the highlights. I am able to recover 1 stop max.
Can anyone help?
I don't want to dig into active d-lighting if I don't have too.

Thanks

MistyMucky

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D

08/20/2009 03:07:15 AM · #2

One stop is what I am able to recover on the D300, are you sure it is really worse?

Anyway, as the noise performance in the shadows is much better on the D700, you should be able to lower the exposure until none of the RGB histograms looks clipped and get superior results.

08/20/2009 03:29:32 AM · #3

Originally posted by MistyMucky:

I am able to get about 1 stop from the d300 too, but the d300 has more latitude before it blows out (and seems like a LOT more).

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f3.5-5.6G ED VR

08/20/2009 08:08:16 PM · #4

80 + views and only one person responds?

NikonJeb

Nikon D850

08/20/2009 08:54:30 PM · #5

Originally posted by ben4345:

80 + views and only one person responds?

It's a horror/fascination thing for those of us who don't have that kind of money.

Oh, to have trivial acclimation problems with a $2700 camera!........8>)

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f3.5-5.6G ED VR

08/20/2009 09:18:53 PM · #6

Originally posted by NikonJeb:

Originally posted by ben4345:
80 + views and only one person responds?

It's a horror/fascination thing for those of us who don't have that kind of money.

Oh, to have trivial acclimation problems with a $2700 camera!........8>)

$2450 camera...

Yep, it sucks, especially when you only have heard of how great FF is with "dynamic range" and noise.

NikonJeb

Nikon D850

08/20/2009 09:25:06 PM · #7

Originally posted by ben4345:

80 + views and only one person responds?

Originally posted by NikonJeb:

It's a horror/fascination thing for those of us who don't have that kind of money.

Oh, to have trivial acclimation problems with a $2700 camera!........8>)

Originally posted by ben4345:

$2450 camera...

Yep, it sucks, especially when you only have heard of how great FF is with "dynamic range" and noise.

Still miiiiiiiiiiles outta my range.

Truth be told, I don't want a FF camera.....I covet your D300.

I just got a really nice, low-mileage D200, and I like it a lot.

Funny thing is that I think the noise is possibly worse than with my old D70s, but I'm learning how to use it so that I can work with it.

A really good friend of mine got his D700 not so long ago and he just raves about it.

He had a D300 before that.....

dacrazyrn

Nikon D300

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

08/20/2009 09:26:52 PM · #8

I always find reading the OWNERS Manual can cure a lot of problems one may find. There might be a setting somewhere that is jacked up. Even if new outta the box, someone may have been playing with dials and stuff (factory reset then set it up for YOU). Never know.

MattO

Nikon D4

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II

08/20/2009 09:55:45 PM · #9

Be careful making posts like this, people will start saying how Nikon has issues with their cameras. ROFL

Matt

pedrobop

Canon PowerShot SX100 IS

Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

08/20/2009 10:17:26 PM · #10

I wish i could understand what are you talking about...
I know sometimes it's pain in the ass helping newbies like me, but what do you meen by "recover 1 stop max" and "active d-lighting"?
A "bad" highlight gives harsh parts where the light is, right?
Sorry for bothering the thread!

Message edited by author 2009-08-20 22:18:11.

kingskingdom

Hasselblad Hasselblad H3D

Hasselblad HC 3.5-4.5/50-110 mm

08/21/2009 02:08:27 AM · #11

No issues with my D700. Do a factory reset then post some examples straight from the camera

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED

08/21/2009 08:13:56 PM · #12

Ok, I reseted my camera. and here are some examples the last one in the set is from a D300. Compare it to the on of the d700, there is more detail in the shadows and the role off to the highlights is better.

The first images show how poorly it roles off to highlights. It is about a stop under exposed, yet seems to already lose detail in the higher tones.

Examples

I shoot 14bit lossless raw, converted with NX2
My monitor is calibrated with eye-one to 5000k.
I have tried NX2, CS3 and straight JPEG.
The sample images from DPreview Here do not seem to have this problem.

Is it just me or does there seem to be something wrong?

I have also noticed today at the park, that matrix metering seems to want to fight me on the exposure comp. so I had to apply -1 stop exposure fine tune. It seems to help, but not the solution I wanted (especially if it's a full stop!)

Message edited by author 2009-08-21 20:18:57.

Anti-Martyr

Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro

08/21/2009 10:59:33 PM · #13

Bummer, man.

My S5 can recover almost 5 stops of blown highlights :)

MelonMusketeer

Nikon D7000

Nikon MF 50mm f/1.4

08/21/2009 11:05:32 PM · #14

Go Fuji : )

08/21/2009 11:35:49 PM · #15

Originally posted by Anti-Martyr:

Bummer, man.

My S5 can recover almost 5 stops of blown highlights :)

Yeah, fuji is looking better every day I have the d700. :(

I am going to the camera store either tomorrow or Tuesday to compare with another D700 to be sure.

Message edited by author 2009-08-21 23:37:24.

cryan

Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro for Nikon

08/22/2009 12:35:28 AM · #16

I've had no such problems with mine. Sorry dude.

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f3.5-5.6G ED VR

08/22/2009 01:28:30 AM · #17

Originally posted by cryan:

I've had no such problems with mine. Sorry dude.

Originally posted by kingskingdom:

No issues with my D700. Do a factory reset then post some examples straight from the camera

Can you send my some unedited copies of your photos with the exif data?

NikonJeb

Nikon D850

08/22/2009 09:12:21 AM · #18

Originally posted by MelonMusketeer:

Go Fuji : )

Aren't Fuji's DSLRs basically Nikons?

pawdrix

Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D IF

08/22/2009 09:17:21 AM · #19

Originally posted by ben4345:

Originally posted by NikonJeb:

Originally posted by ben4345:
80 + views and only one person responds?

It's a horror/fascination thing for those of us who don't have that kind of money.

Oh, to have trivial acclimation problems with a $2700 camera!........8>)

$2450 camera...

Yep, it sucks, especially when you only have heard of how great FF is with "dynamic range" and noise.

Perhaps it's you and not the camera? A possibility?

I have no problems either.

What lens are you using?

Message edited by author 2009-08-22 09:17:54.

smurfguy

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

08/22/2009 09:37:57 AM · #20

My D700 wouldn't focus worth a crap. Everyone insisted it was me and not the camera - it has the best focusing system in the world, they said. But as the owner, you're the only person who's satisfaction matters.

Take your card into the store and try one there (I did that, too). Try to get yours replaced if you feel it's an issue with your copy. But if it seems to happen on all D700's for your shooting style, dump it, stick with the D300, and thank me for the extra glass you can afford. =)

Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

08/22/2009 04:16:08 PM · #21

Originally posted by pawdrix:

Originally posted by ben4345:

Originally posted by NikonJeb:

Originally posted by ben4345:
80 + views and only one person responds?

It's a horror/fascination thing for those of us who don't have that kind of money.

Oh, to have trivial acclimation problems with a $2700 camera!........8>)

$2450 camera...

Yep, it sucks, especially when you only have heard of how great FF is with "dynamic range" and noise.

Perhaps it's you and not the camera? A possibility?

I have no problems either.

What lens are you using?

It's a possibility, that's why I am gonna go to a local camera store and do a side by side test with another D700 and a D300 just to see if it's me or the camera.

Originally posted by smurfguy:

It's a possibility, that's why I am gonna go to a local camera store and do a side by side test with another D700 and a D300 just to see if it's me or the camera.
Every thing about the camera is awesome, most notable improvement over the D300, except the metering and dynamic range.
So far the only picture control that give me just a little extra highlight shoulder is STANDARD mode. And hates D2X modes.

Message edited by author 2009-08-22 16:19:13.

SteveJ

Canon EOS-7D

08/22/2009 04:24:46 PM · #22

Right, I am going to sound really dumb as usual, but is it a matter of one being a crop sensor and the other being full frame??

Or is it a AF-S lens you are using on the D700 and could that contribute to your problems?

Okay, dumbass is going back to join the Flintstones:)

Message edited by author 2009-08-22 16:25:15.

Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

08/22/2009 04:37:43 PM · #23

Originally posted by SteveJ:

I have been asked what lens I used many times.
I have always heard how great full frame is over cropped in terms of dynamic range with raw. I am now finding that NOT true.
I am using all Nikon lenses, 24-70 2.8, 501.8, 70-300 VR, 35 f/2, 35-105mm 3.5-4.5.
BTW, I am starting to feel like a dumbass.

Message edited by author 2009-08-22 16:38:29.

SteveJ

Canon EOS-7D

08/22/2009 04:42:09 PM · #24

Originally posted by ben4345:

Originally posted by SteveJ:
Right, I am going to sound really dumb as usual, but is it a matter of one being a crop sensor and the other being full frame??

Or is it a AF-S lens you are using on the D700 and could that contribute to your problems?

Okay, dumbass is going back to join the Flintstones:)

I have been asked what lens I used many times.
I have always heard how great full frame is over cropped in terms of dynamic range with raw. I am now finding that NOT true.
I am using all Nikon lenses, 24-70 2.8, 501.8, 70-300 VR, 35 f/2, 35-105mm 3.5-4.5.
BTW, I am starting to feel like a dumbass.

Nice to know I am not the only dumbass here, join the club. By the way, my mate bought a Canon 5D mkII and the D300 knocks spots off it. Okay, not FF, but I know which I prefer, without getting a D3 or D3x.

cryan