Underexposure on R-D1s

[matthewm]

Hello all
I just bought a demo R-D1s from Adorama.com about 2 weeks ago. I've noticed that it's underexposing in Aperture Priority mode by almost 2 stops. Is this normal? I'm using a CV 35 f/2.5 for the most part with a 50 f/1.1 Nokton occasionally. Any thoughts?

Thanks
Matthew

 

[back alley]

have you checked the exposure compensation dial?

i once shot all day with it changed as i forgot to change it back to normal...

 

[Mr_Flibble]

I recall reading here that the R-D1 underexposes in AP-mode to protect highlights. But I don't think it was more then a stop though.

 

[Ezzie]

More like 1/3 of a stop. Howevee you need to know how it meters. Its not centreweighted as such. It fetches most of its informartion to the lower left.

 

[jsrockit]

Hmmm... demo of this camera from Adorama? I never saw them demo this camera.

 

[matthewm]

Thanks guys. The comment about the lower left almost makes sense as the area behind my subject seems to be more evenly exposed than the subject itself. I'm going to have to play with it some more. i've only taken about 10 shots with it or so.

I did check the exposure compensation dial. I have it set to +1 and it seems to be better.

jsrockit: I bought it a week or two ago. The condition was D (Demo). It has one tiny mark on the finish, but other than that, it was mint. Came in original box with Japanese instruction manual, charger and two Epson batteries (one in camera, one in its original box). Seems to be functioning fine other than the underexposure thing. Which I'm hoping I can learn to work around.

Thanks for the input so far...I really want to like this camera a lot, so I think I just need to spend some time with it.

 

[MCTuomey]

fwiw, i experienced inconsistent underexposure when i owned an R-D1, more the case with 35mm or wider lenses, and more indoors than elsewhere. i couldn't see a pattern to it and, since i prefer to shoot in manual mode anyway, pretty much stopped using the camera's AE. EC didn't work for me because the underexposure didn't occur regularly. Made me think it was the weighting, not the meter, especially since it seemed to auto-expose accurately with longer focal length lenses. do you see the same underexposure with your nokton on the R-D1?

great camera, the files are very nice - hope you enjoy it, matthew. (nice canon kit you have in your sig, btw.)

 

[pb908]

Mine:
- with 21/4 skopar, it underexpose around 1ev.
- with 35/2.5 skopar, UE around half~1ev,
- with 35/1.4 nokton, mostly correct.
- with 50/1.5 sonnar, mostly correct.

I tried to see the pattern of metering by pointing the camera to a light source, and see when it change the metering value. The result is showing me that it is really center weigted (eventough the sensor is on the side of "Mirror box")

I believe the UE is because of acuracy of stopdown metering on "all" RF is decreased when you choose smaller aperture.
In dslr/slr (mostly wide open metering), aperture is kept open wide eventhough you select smaller aperture value. The camera still measure fully open aperture, and compensate the result of metering based on aperture you choose.

compared to stopdown metering, when you select smaller aperture, the light entering metering sensor decreased (in slr, it doesn't) because aperture stops down. When it reach the sensitivity limit of the metering sensor, you will not get correct exposure. This even worse when the light is dim/low. The stopdown lens still cut the light when you stop it down.
That's why I can say, metering accuracy is going to be better if we have/select bigger aperture, or at least you have enough light to stopdown.
I believe, the angle of which light enters the ccd sensor is playing a big role as well, that's why, my 21 give me UE, compare to 35nokton, on the same light & aperture selection.

hope this helps.

 

[matthewm]

Thanks for all the comments. I'm going to try and play with it some when I get off work tonight if it's not too dark out (these shorter days are really hindering the enjoyment of my new toy).

I don't actually mind the underexposure (although it's a little much for me) and when I set my EV dial to +1, it actually produces quite pleasing results. I can then push it a little in LR and the little bit of noise produced is fine. I was just curious about the underexposure.

Thanks so much! Keep your thoughts coming if you find something that hasn't been mentioned.

 

[RFH]

Yes, the metering pattern takes some time to get used to. Epson recommeds that you press the shutter button with the upper hand when shooting vertically, for instance. With all my other cameras, I do the opposite. In my experience, a bit of overexposure usually helps. Just be careful not to blow the highlights.

 

[The Meaness]

It sounds like you found your answer, but for the record my R-D1 typically underexposes, also. I usually start shooting at +2/3 and compensate as needed if I'm using auto.

 

[Ezzie]

Follow the sticky thread in this subforum and all will be revealed. There´s not a question asked that Rich hasn´t already answered. Here´s a link to the light metering pattern for the R-D1(s,x)

http://www.richcutler.co.uk/r-d1/r-d1_03.htm

 

[matthewm]

Well duh! I've had that site bookmarked since before I got the R-D1s and it never occurred to me to look back at that. I remembered seeing it before and thinking "What an odd metering pattern..."

Thanks Ezzie!

 

[matthewm]

(nice canon kit you have in your sig, btw.)

Thanks! I'm actually a man-down at the moment. I no longer have the 28-70 f/2.8 L. I actually sold it because I never used it and I REALLY wanted the R-D1s. I'm thinking I'll replace it with a 35 f/1.4 as a Christmas present to myself. 🙂