Metering with a remote trigger (D500)

BackdoorArts

Senior Member
Severely Underexposed Images (used to be about a remote)

I did a bit of digging and I can't seem to find anything so I'm asking.

I have my D500 on a tripod with a remote trigger to shoot nesting Flickers. The light at the hole varies wildly between sun and clouds. I have the camera set to spot meter at the edge of the hole, and the EV is set to +0.7. As I'm going through photos from yesterday I'm seeing shots coming in at ISO 400 or less (I have it set to Auto ISO with a 4000 max) that are nearly 3EV on the dark side. It's as if it's not metering at all. But later on we're back to higher ISOs (but not max) and it's still dark but only but about a stop and a half.

I would think it would meter when it gets triggered. I have it set for back button focusing, which I'm guessing also engages the meter. I'm going to test it again today by turning that off but does anyone know if that'll solve my problem? I've been shooting these for a while but this is the first time this has happened.
 
Last edited:

BackdoorArts

Senior Member
Here's an example. I am fairly certain that the image on the left was taken with me at the camera holding the back button in. The image on the right was triggered remotely. Focus/meter point would be on the bird's head. Shots are about an hour apart (but only 34 images) with effectively the same lighting.

Screen-Shot-2020-06-11-at-8.21.jpg


EXIF from the dark image:
<exif:ExifVersion>0231</exif:ExifVersion>
<exif:pixelXDimension>5568</exif:pixelXDimension>
<exif:pixelYDimension>3712</exif:pixelYDimension>
<exif:DateTimeOriginal>2020-06-10T15:21:49</exif:DateTimeOriginal>
<exif:ExposureTime>1/500</exif:ExposureTime>
<exif:FNumber>8/1</exif:FNumber>
<exif:ExposureProgram>1</exif:ExposureProgram>
<exif:ISOSpeedRatings>
<rdf:Seq>
<rdf:li>640</rdf:li>
</rdf:Seq>
</exif:ISOSpeedRatings>
<exif:ShutterSpeedValue>8965784/1000000</exif:ShutterSpeedValue>
<exif:ApertureValue>6000000/1000000</exif:ApertureValue>
<exif:ExposureBiasValue>4/6</exif:ExposureBiasValue>
<exif:MaxApertureValue>53/10</exif:MaxApertureValue>
<exif:MeteringMode>3</exif:MeteringMode>
<exif:LightSource>9</exif:LightSource>
<exif:Flash rdf:parseType="Resource">
<exif:Fired>False</exif:Fired>
<exif:Return>0</exif:Return>
<exif:Mode>0</exif:Mode>
<exif:Function>False</exif:Function>
<exif:RedEyeMode>False</exif:RedEyeMode>
</exif:Flash>
<exif:FocalLength>4900/10</exif:FocalLength>
<exif:FocalPlaneXResolution>77360658/32768</exif:FocalPlaneXResolution>
<exif:FocalPlaneYResolution>77360658/32768</exif:FocalPlaneYResolution>
<exif:FocalPlaneResolutionUnit>3</exif:FocalPlaneResolutionUnit>
<exif:SensingMethod>2</exif:SensingMethod>
<exif:FileSource>3</exif:FileSource>
<exif:SceneType>1</exif:SceneType>
<exif:CustomRendered>0</exif:CustomRendered>
<exif:ExposureMode>1</exif:ExposureMode>
<exif:WhiteBalance>1</exif:WhiteBalance>
<exif:FocalLengthIn35mmFilm>735</exif:FocalLengthIn35mmFilm>
<exif:SceneCaptureType>0</exif:SceneCaptureType>
<exif:GainControl>0</exif:GainControl>
<exif:Contrast>0</exif:Contrast>
<exif:Saturation>0</exif:Saturation>
<exif:Sharpness>0</exif:Sharpness>
<exif:SubjectDistanceRange>0</exif:SubjectDistanceRange>
<exif:SubSecTime>15</exif:SubSecTime>
<exif:SubSecTimeOriginal>15</exif:SubSecTimeOriginal>
<exif:SubSecTimeDigitized>15</exif:SubSecTimeDigitized>
<exif:SerialNumber>3054442</exif:SerialNumber>
<exif:LensInfo>
<rdf:Seq>
<rdf:li>1500/10</rdf:li>
</rdf:Seq>
</exif:LensInfo>
<exif:Lens>150.0-600.0 mm f/5.0-6.3</exif:Lens>
<exif:SensitivityType>2</exif:SensitivityType>

EXIF from the properly exposed image:
<exif:ExifVersion>0231</exif:ExifVersion>
<exif:pixelXDimension>5568</exif:pixelXDimension>
<exif:pixelYDimension>3712</exif:pixelYDimension>
<exif:DateTimeOriginal>2020-06-10T14:20:58</exif:DateTimeOriginal>
<exif:ExposureTime>1/500</exif:ExposureTime>
<exif:FNumber>8/1</exif:FNumber>
<exif:ExposureProgram>1</exif:ExposureProgram>
<exif:ISOSpeedRatings>
<rdf:Seq>
<rdf:li>4000</rdf:li>
</rdf:Seq>
</exif:ISOSpeedRatings>
<exif:ShutterSpeedValue>8965784/1000000</exif:ShutterSpeedValue>
<exif:ApertureValue>6000000/1000000</exif:ApertureValue>
<exif:ExposureBiasValue>4/6</exif:ExposureBiasValue>
<exif:MaxApertureValue>53/10</exif:MaxApertureValue>
<exif:MeteringMode>3</exif:MeteringMode>
<exif:LightSource>9</exif:LightSource>
<exif:Flash rdf:parseType="Resource">
<exif:Fired>False</exif:Fired>
<exif:Return>0</exif:Return>
<exif:Mode>0</exif:Mode>
<exif:Function>False</exif:Function>
<exif:RedEyeMode>False</exif:RedEyeMode>
</exif:Flash>
<exif:FocalLength>4900/10</exif:FocalLength>
<exif:FocalPlaneXResolution>77360658/32768</exif:FocalPlaneXResolution>
<exif:FocalPlaneYResolution>77360658/32768</exif:FocalPlaneYResolution>
<exif:FocalPlaneResolutionUnit>3</exif:FocalPlaneResolutionUnit>
<exif:SensingMethod>2</exif:SensingMethod>
<exif:FileSource>3</exif:FileSource>
<exif:SceneType>1</exif:SceneType>
<exif:CustomRendered>0</exif:CustomRendered>
<exif:ExposureMode>1</exif:ExposureMode>
<exif:WhiteBalance>1</exif:WhiteBalance>
<exif:FocalLengthIn35mmFilm>735</exif:FocalLengthIn35mmFilm>
<exif:SceneCaptureType>0</exif:SceneCaptureType>
<exif:GainControl>2</exif:GainControl>
<exif:Contrast>0</exif:Contrast>
<exif:Saturation>0</exif:Saturation>
<exif:Sharpness>0</exif:Sharpness>
<exif:SubjectDistanceRange>0</exif:SubjectDistanceRange>
<exif:SubSecTime>99</exif:SubSecTime>
<exif:SubSecTimeOriginal>99</exif:SubSecTimeOriginal>
<exif:SubSecTimeDigitized>99</exif:SubSecTimeDigitized>
<exif:SerialNumber>3054442</exif:SerialNumber>
<exif:LensInfo>
<rdf:Seq>
<rdf:li>1500/10</rdf:li>
</rdf:Seq>
</exif:LensInfo>
<exif:Lens>150.0-600.0 mm f/5.0-6.3</exif:Lens>
<exif:SensitivityType>2</exif:SensitivityType>
 

hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Contributor
The only setting I can think of that might do it is bracketing. I found I didn't like using spot metering with my D7200 because the exposure would be all over the place - even when taking successive shots.

Are you sure you aren't accidentally in highlight weighted spot metering? The icon is almost the same as spot metering and definitely renders darker images. But after looking at the EXIF data, both indicate metering mode of 3 so I'm assuming they are both using the same metering method. I have no other ideas except maybe the camera drifted slightly to one side metering from the sky. Otherwise, it just doesn't make any sense.

Is there any way you can do a controlled metering test to see if the metering is consistent? Maybe something is going on with it. :confused:
 

BackdoorArts

Senior Member
Believe me, I looked at everything before I posted. Every time I fired the trigger it seems to pick an ISO for what it thinks is the correct exposure (ISO remains constant during burst) but outside of a handful I shot myself the triggered shots are all dark but not at maximum ISO and that's with a +0.7EV setting on the meter. Spot is on the tree on every shot.

I'm thinking it has something to do with using the remote with the back button AF turned on but it just doesn't seem right. I've done this before.
 

Fred Kingston

Senior Member
How/which remote are you using? Mine has a mode that allows a 1/2 press on the remote button and the camera attempts to re-focus/meter... and, of course, activates the shutter with a full press... I haven't tried it in ages, but maybe that 1/2 press focus/meter function isn't playing well with back-button focusing on the camera??? If you don't resolve this today... I'll dig mine out and try to replicate what you're doing...
 

BackdoorArts

Senior Member
How/which remote are you using? Mine has a mode that allows a 1/2 press on the remote button and the camera attempts to re-focus/meter... and, of course, activates the shutter with a full press... I haven't tried it in ages, but maybe that 1/2 press focus/meter function isn't playing well with back-button focusing on the camera??? If you don't resolve this today... I'll dig mine out and try to replicate what you're doing...

I've got a Vello FreeWave and it has that function. But I'm not sure if it's only wired to the shutter button and won't function with BBF enabled. When the weather gets better this afternoon I'll test it out. I'm thinking that has to be it.
 

BackdoorArts

Senior Member
I've got a Vello FreeWave and it has that function. But I'm not sure if it's only wired to the shutter button and won't function with BBF enabled. When the weather gets better this afternoon I'll test it out. I'm thinking that has to be it.

So I've confirmed that the Vello Freewave Plus does have that function, and the receiver is receiving the 1/2 press, but the D500 doesn't respond to it regardless of whether I have BBF only or both. Grrrr.
 

BackdoorArts

Senior Member
So I've confirmed that the Vello Freewave Plus does have that function, and the receiver is receiving the 1/2 press, but the D500 doesn't respond to it regardless of whether I have BBF only or both. Grrrr.

But the same trigger does engage the AF on my D750 with the 1/2 press.
 

hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Contributor
So I've confirmed that the Vello Freewave Plus does have that function, and the receiver is receiving the 1/2 press, but the D500 doesn't respond to it regardless of whether I have BBF only or both. Grrrr.

Glad to hear you found the problem but not happy it doesn't work as you expected. :(
 

hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Contributor
Wait...didn't you use the remote for previous images? :confused: If so, I thought it worked fine then.
 

BackdoorArts

Senior Member
Are you having the same problem with both D500's?

Yep, same with both.

That said, by chance it seems I managed to resolve things.

Yesterday, before setting up I did a bunch of testing and while I could get the trigger to fire I could not get the half press to function properly. The remote sent it, the receiver acknowledged it (paired green lights) but nothing from the camera no matter how I had BBF set.

So, I go and set everything up outside, but now nothing is working. Remote and receiver register but the camera does nothing. I take the camera off the tripod and it starts firing. I try it again and nothing. I swap cables and we're back in business - but still no half press.

This morning I decide I'm going to take a full look at the menus. I didn't find anything, but it struck me to play with the BBF setting again. Wouldn't you know, turn front button focusing on and everything works!! The cable must have been going bad and given that everything else worked I never thought it could be 1/2 bad.''

Unfortunately, I was hoping to trigger both D500's from different angles but I guess I'll have to settle for the D750 which loses me some reach. Time to order more cables.
 

BackdoorArts

Senior Member
OK, folks, I still have a problem. Here's a series of 5 images all milliseconds apart. Watch as an already underexposed image gets darker as ISO is dropped:

D51_7308.jpg

D51_7309.jpg

D51_7310.jpg

D51_7311.jpg

D51_7312.jpg



Camera is set to Manual mode with a +1EV for the metering and a High ISO max of 4000, and spot metering with the spot located on the head of the bird, as before.

Can anyone explain this? I'm going to swap out bodies to see if maybe there's an issue with this particular camera, but this just shouldn't happen. And no, I do not have bracketing turned on. Other bursts are fine, and still other bursts are consistently almost 2 1/2 stops dark while shooting at low ISOs. I'm going nuts here.
 

hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Contributor
I didn't notice these were taken with your Sigma lens. Have you tried changing the lens to a Nikon one to be sure the lens and body are communicating properly?

Back when I purchased a Nikon lens from Keh, I had problems with images not being exposed properly. Some were fine while others in sequence were over exposed. In that case, I think the aperture blades were sticking and not stopping down all the way - yet the EXIF remained the same. But in this case, I'm not sure if the lens might produce underexposed images if something is wrong or not communicating correctly.

Maybe remove the lens and push the aperture lever on the rear to see if the blades are functioning normally?
 

BackdoorArts

Senior Member
The Sigma was just serviced and seems to be operating properly, but I honestly don't know. I'm going to need to try combinations of bodies and lenses to see if it's the lens or the body that's at the heart of the issue.
 
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