11 replies to this topic

[Leaf]

14Jul2018

 

Recently I purchased a Nikon D7500. From the very start I was disappointed with the results, by getting overly bright, washed out photos, not the quality I’m used to getting from the D200. 

 

I did a test shooting alternately in Manual, Program, Auto (flash off) and Scenes modes of different subjects and scenes; all images were overexposed similarly, with very slight variations.

 

I did a reset of user of settings before doing this next test. 

 

I did a shoot using both cameras “side by side” for comparison. Both were set identically: ISO 800 shooting in the “Program” mode. In the view finder both cameras indicated an exposure of 1/200 sec, ƒ7.1! (I verified it two times.)  The D7500 was overexposed in all shots. (Representative photos are attached.)

 

Why are the results so divergent? There is a two ƒ stop overexposure with the D7500 and no detail in the highlights. (I did another test in manual mode: the camera suggested ƒ4, from which I underexposed to 5.6 and 6.3. The ƒ6.3 looks normal.)

 

As suggested on one of the Nikon Service and Support web sites, (https://www.nikonimgsupport .com/eu/BV_article?articleNo=000004831&configured=1&lang=en_GB ) if one is getting consistent over/under exposed photos, it suggests removing the lens and checking the aperture control lever. It looks fine on the D7500, not bent or damaged. I’ve only attached the one lens (18 to 300mm), which came with the camera.

 

Either I’m missing some setting on the D7500, or there is something wrong with the D7500, as though it is out of calibration. I’m posting this stuff for opinions before I begin the process of returning or exchanging the camera. 

 

Has anyone any input?

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[ScottinPollock]

I wouldn't assess the brighter photos as being overexposed by two stops. What metering mode did you use, and can you post the histograms?

My guess is the difference in exposure is that the newer camera has many more segements in the matrix metering, and doing a better job of ETTR to better saturate the sensor.

Try spot metering with both cameras, and post the histograms if you can.

[mikew]

Agree with the above, ok we could be wrong but my thoughts are you have entered a new era of sophistication with the 7500, are you shooting raw or jpeg.

[Merco_61]

The brighter shows a proper distribution in the histogram

 

 

The darker one has little or no information to the right

 

If you edit on an uncalibrated LCD screen, you usually have to lower the brightness a lot to avoid underexposed photos looking right on your screen.

The D200 tended to underexposure to avoid blowing the highlights from the CCD, CMOS sensors work differently.

[Leaf]

I used manual mode, shooting as JPEG. I have never dealt with histograms, so I'l have to do a little study on that. Haven't the foggiest on how to save histograms so they can be viewed by you. 

 

Thanks for the help.

[Merco_61]

What Picture control did you use? This affects the spectral response and exposure curve for the jpg. I like to use the [PT]Portrait Picture control as a starting point for further editing, rather than [NL]Neutral or [SD]Standard.

 

To present the histogram, just open the file with an app that presents a histogram, I used Capture NX-D for the ones above. When you have it on screen, make a screenshot, trim away what you don't need if you captured too much of the screen and then post it just like any photo.

[Leaf]

Here are two comparison images and histograms for the D200 and the D7500 taken at ISO 800, Program Mode, center weight exposure on both. The brightness and histograms between the two camera are radically different. But both cameras used the same exposures, as shown in the bottom of the histograms. So my question is what's going on. Shouldn't both cameras produce images with the same brightness when set at ƒ6.3, 1/60th of a second? If not, why?

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[ScottinPollock]

Because the new sensor captures more info (dynamic range). If you want it underexposed like the older camera you can either dial in some exposure comp, or modify a picture profile to lower brightness and contrast (if you're always shooting jpeg).

[Merco_61]

Like Scott said, the D7500 has a much bigger dynamic range. Here is a screen dump from a DxOMark comparison of the two sensors.

 

What were the picture controls?

[Leaf]

16Jul2018

 

Thanks for the explanation. 

 

The picture control on the D7500 was Portrait, as suggested by Merco_61; I could not find that on the D200.

 

To  modify a picture profile to lower brightness and contrast, do you mean one of the Picture Controls?

 

 

I am going to do one other type of test today. Will post that when able.

[ScottinPollock]

To  modify a picture profile to lower brightness and contrast, do you mean one of the Picture Controls?

 

Yes. If you right-arrow on one you will be taken to its setting screen where you can adjust things like brightness and contrast.

[Merco_61]

I will add, even if i am a bit late, that the Portrait picture control more or less corresponds to Mode 1 on the D200.