Meter Issues

[irq506]

Im just curious if anyone else has or is having metering issues with their R-D1s.
I recently purchased a few third party batteries (plainly because I just coulnt find Epson ones at all...), and used all four of them just fine, then upon the second charge, im noticing that metering -specifically indoors is really awful exactly two stops under exposing again only indoors... its like the camera knows its indoors!
Anyway, let me know your thoughts.

 

[Jim Watts]

Two stops under exposure is excessive and would seem to indicate a problem if you are metering correctly.

The R-D1 does meter to protect the highlights and I regularly dial in +0.7 EV in flat daylight and inside (others in this forum report the same). In sunlight its not necessary and some minus EV maybe needed. The R-D1's metering is not evaluative as most modern SLR's and so some interpretation of the scene is needed for accurate metering. Eg. if you have the light source in the picture when inside this could be skewing the metering results. Are you looking at the histogram to see the light distribution.

Try a comparison with another meter (preferably a good handheld one) using the same iso rating on an evenly lit plain surface. If the difference is still as much as two stops you probably do have a problem with the camera.

 

[GrahamWelland]

Remember also that the metering pattern of the R-D1 is off centre and down to the left too. Maybe this is affecting your metering?

See Rich Cutler's excellent site - meter pattern

 

[sevres_babylone]

And also remember that unlike with an SLR, it doesn't change with the lens. So if, for example, you are shooting with a 50mm, you still have to pay attention to what is outside the viewfinder lines for that lens -- especially as Graham Welland pointed out, what is down and centre.

[Stick with what Graham Welland said; as Edward Flecher points out below, what I said above is wrong!]

 

[Rapha]

This issue is worrying me as well. I have to correct in PhotoRaw ALL my pics (about 600) by adding from +1.5 to +2 EV steps, for outdoor / indoor shots respectively.

The problem was there the first time I used the camera, as it is just one week old. I'm using the original battery.

 

[Edward Felcher]

So, adjust the exposure compensation more to your liking, and your "issue" is over.

All R-D1's slightly underexpose, also, the meter does sense through the lens internally. I'm not sure what "sevres_babylon" is talking about.

Magazines have "issues". You have a "problem".

 

[Rapha]

So, adjust the exposure compensation more to your liking, and your "issue" is over.

All R-D1's slightly underexpose, also, the meter does sense through the lens internally. I'm not sure what "sevres_babylon" is talking about.

Magazines have "issues". You have a "problem".

I already did it, but after spend 2000USD in the camera I don't think this solution is the best, as the meter itself remains faulty.

By the way, english is not my mother tongue. I thought It was correct to say that I had an issue with the exposure 😕. Thanks.

 

[Edward Felcher]

If it bothers you, send it to Epson if it's under warranty.

The battery you use would have nothing to do with this. However, it may not be underexposing, it may just be the way the camera is designed.

 

[GrahamWelland]

By the way, english is not my mother tongue. I thought It was correct to say that I had an issue with the exposure 😕. Thanks.

Rapha,

Issue is the correct word in this context. You wouldn't believe how many english speaking people go out of their way to correct other's use of the language - incorrectly!

 

[Edward Felcher]

The key is "English" speaking. Not NewSpeak.

Suddenly, every problem is an "issue". Did you ever read that ridiculous term ten years ago?

 

[Sparrow]

Pedants of the world unite! You have nothing to lose but your chain.

 

[Chicagobob]

What is happening?

What is happening?

I am sorry but I do not understand what this thread has created. Has this fine forum started the trip down to the level of some of the discussion forms on dpreview where members are NOT nice to each other? Please, let's get our class act back together?????

 

[Edward Felcher]

http://www.anu.edu.au/mail-archives/link/link0202/0247.html

 

[RichC]

As Edward F has caused this thread to degenerate, I'll stick my oar in too, as he's done this elsewhere ... and has finally managed to irritate me.

This is a photography forum not an English language forum: it was wrong to lambaste the original poster about his use of language (and similarly another poster in another thread), and was off topic - look what's happened to this thread because of this. 😡

OK, "issue" isn't the best word in this context (its nuance is more "in dispute with or questioning something"), but so what - the meaning's clear?

I'm a professional editor and lexicographer (see my name in the big Collins and Bloomsbury dictionaries!): I hate "lense", mourn the loss of the hyphen, miss the semicolon and fail to understand what's so confusing about apostrophes - but you won't find me criticising people's use of English unnecessarily ... 🙄

 

[Edward Felcher]

I don't take issue with Rich C's remarks. Finding fault with "lense", "issues", "labtop" and the like might merely be a form of apophenic psychosis.

Of course, I realize that everyone can't be a valid dictorian.

 

[Jim Watts]

This issue is worrying me as well. I have to correct in PhotoRaw ALL my pics (about 600) by adding from +1.5 to +2 EV steps, for outdoor / indoor shots respectively.

The problem was there the first time I used the camera, as it is just one week old. I'm using the original battery.

Well to try to return this thread to the proper topic.

If you mean Adobe Camera Raw I think you may find that with the default settings its interpretation of ERF files is too dark. I have often found this to be the case especially with contrasty scenes. If you view Raw files with Bridge they will also use this (dark) interpretation. The files are OK after adjustments of the Exposure/Brightness settings, but you have to adjust each one which can be a pain if just editing in Bridge. The way around it is to set and save your own (average) adjustment in Camera Raw.

I suggest you check the histogram on the back of the R-D1 on an evenly lit scene and see that it runs full range without clipping. You may have to add abot +0.7 EV because of the reasons previously given. Then open the ERF in Camera Raw. If its still appears under exposed I would suggest you have nothing to worry about. It's just the interpretation of the Raw File.

 

[Rapha]

Thanks Jim,

So far I've been using Epson PhotoRaw for processing my raw pics. I find it quite adequate for my needs, but I'm definitely going to give Camera Raw/Bridge a try.

I was experimenting with metering yesterday afternoon, and it was surprisingly more accurate (the camera was adjusted by only +1 EV step). I'm rather satisfied with the results, so I'll try to overcome this sort of nagging feeling about the meter. Cheers
__
Rafa

 

[Jim Watts]

Rafa,
I haven't used Epson PhotoRaw for sometime (it is an excellent converter, especially for B & W, but Adobe Camera Raw / Photoshop with Bridge suits my workflow better) so I can't remember if the defaults looked too dark.

The same test in my second paragraph should still apply though.

I don't know what program you are using to view your final images on screen other than PhotoRaw, but if you are using the Adobe RGB colour space in the camera and the program has an sRGB (the most usual) colour space then you may also see differences in density. If your monitor is properly calibrated and your prints are working out OK then just ignore that nagging feeling.

Jim

 

[irq506]

OK, well thanks for the ideas, but I think this issue is infact quite a bit more serious.
Basically the camera is metering horrenously literally about 2 to 2 and a half stops under regardless. Outdoors is less problematic, my tech believes that the metering board is at fault here and probably needs replacement, however from what Ive heard on here repair/replacement for these cameras is a minefield.
That is my next course of action, so any suggestions of where or whome I can send it to would be much appreciated.
j

 

[ZeissFan]

I also wondered if the camera was underexposing to hold the highlights. From what I understand, Nikon dSLRs also underexpose for this same reason.

(Misspellings and typos are part of the Internet. However, I cringe when people don't know the difference between "it's" and "its" or toss out "dilemma" when they really just mean a choice. [A dilemma is a situation in which all outcomes are undesirable; it's more than a choice between A, B or C. By the way, my wife hates the semicolon.]

I simply try to read past these, and I don't criticize. However, native English speakers should know that "lense" isn't correct.

I struggle with my own limited knowledge of non-English languages. I'm impressed with how articulate non-English speakers are -- often more than my fellow countrymen.

I was sorry to see Pennsylvania decide that learning a foreign language isn't important. I guess slot machine gambling and creating new highway tolls take precedent over preparing our young people for the future. Well, that's enough.)