Overexposure problem?

Hello! I am new to the forum and have recently upgraded from the d60 to the d5100. With the d60 I was able to use the Program and Aperture Priority modes for portraits with out any problems. The exposures always seemed to come out close to what I was expecting. Now with the d5100 the skin tones, in my opinion, seem to be coming out overexposed when outdoors. Attached is a photo taken yesterday mid morning in an alley, out of direct sunlight. His skin tones don't seem natural to me. f4, 1/160, 62mm, ISO 400. I do have Active D Lighting set to normal, so I'm not sure if that is an issue.

Thanks in advance for your replies. I can't wait to learn from all of you!

Most likely the D lighting. Try without it.

Having looked again, more closely this time, the exposure looks good to me. I'm inclined to think it's the Active D Lighting as well...

Thanks for the quick replies! I am using matrix metering. I read a book about the d5100 in which the author recommended keeping D lighting on the entire time. This was the whole reason I turned mine on to begin with. Do any of you use the feature?

gimmie5 said:

Thanks for the quick replies! I am using matrix metering. I read a book about the d5100 in which the author recommended keeping D lighting on the entire time. This was the whole reason I turned mine on to begin with. Do any of you use the feature?

Click to expand...

I only use ADL in situations where I think it might be helpful but I really wouldn't suggest having it on all the time (just my opinion).

In your shot above, I don't see anything that would be causing undesirable shadows which is what would cause me to consider using ADL.

Lately I've been using ADL cranked up there still haven't decided whether I like it or not...

In your OP I think you would have made out better with a lower ISO eg. 200. Outside in daylight I personally try to stay at ISO 200. Indoors I'll use 400-800 something like that but it really is a question of personal style and method and the camera you are using.

Looks like your camera focused on his arm too so you might have to play with some stuff there to get it focusing right.

Keep plugging away at it you'll get it in no time and you'll be surprised how great the 5100 is once you have it dialed in...

Could be d lighting, or metering modes? Matrix metering on? You could try spot metering and meter on the skin? Or use lightroom.

I do not use ADL unless there is such a monsterous contrast in light to dark so it's not so harsh or because I want to show something in the shadow. Otherwise I leave it off.

What I also see is a black jacket so I'm thinking the camera is trying to adjust its metering which is causing the overexposure. I get the opposite when shooting around water as it reflects so much light that the meter causes me to be underexposed.

Shooting with black or white can be a bear.

I would say lower your ISO. Also, F4 seems to be a bit of large aperture - what lens were you using? Don't forget that the D60 is about 3 years behind the D5100 and the metering on the two cameras will not be the same. Further, the D60 had a CCD sensor, the D5100 has a CMOS sensor. From the picture, it seems like it was a sunny day and the settings seem to be a bit off. Just my opinion from what i can see.

Thank you all for your replies. As for the lens, I was using a Tamron 28-75 f2.8. As with anything new, I will continue to experiment and will eventually get the hang of all of the great features the 5100 has to offer.