wrong exposure when pressing shutter-release half way and recomposing

[David H. Hartman]

I begin to wonder if I should bring out my Minolta Flash Meter III and Pentax Digital Spotmeter?

Dave

[Matthew Currie]

By the way, I tried the same (or similar) settings on a D3200, and like the D7100 it performed correctly.  It seems to be unique to the D7200 in matrix mode, that AE acts as if held (or kind of half-held) even when it is not.

[David H. Hartman]

By the way, I tried the same (or similar) settings on a D3200, and like the D7100 it performed correctly.  It seems to be unique to the D7200 in matrix mode, that AE acts as if held (or kind of half-held) even when it is not.

Do other Nikon D7200 owners report the same problem? If so does Nikon know about this? Are they going to get off their asses and fix it?

Dave

Should I have been a bit more delicate in my writing in the last sentence?

[Matthew Currie]

I suspect that few Nikon owners are aware of this, as it's a fairly infrequent issue.  The D7100 and D3200 don't do it, but if they did, I would never come across it because it does not occur with BBF. On the D3200 and its ilk,  you must then enable shutter button AE lock anyway,  or be left with none at all.  My wife never encountered it, because she rarely recomposes and the problem is only obvious if the change of exposure is pretty extreme.

It's a good question, though, and perhaps I should write to Nikon about it somehow.  I don't hold out much hope for another firmware update, though, given the age of the camera.  I have wished in vain for years for a D7100 update that would re-enable trap focusing, which has returned on the D7200, so I know it can be done.

e.t.a.  So I just emailed Nikon customer support.   Will see what comes of that.  I would not keep fingers crossed, though, as permanent cramping could ensue.

[Matthew Currie]

Center weighted seems to work fine, but I might also suggest back button focusing.  It takes some getting used to but has considerable advantages, I think.  And this too eliminates the problem, since you no longer need to hold focus with the shutter button.  On the D7200, you can either enable shutter button AEL. or assign it to another button.  Some years ago in Alaska, where the scene was essentially monochromatic and high in contrast, I found it convenient to use spot metering and BBF.  First decide where to focus, do it and let go; then decide where to get the right exposure, hold down the shutter button, and then recompose and shoot.   If you don't need to select a separate AE point,  just skip the middle step, and it will occur when you shoot.

[Matthew Currie]

I found I got used to it very quickly, and I don't think it causes me to miss shots any more.

I would, however, suggest trying it out when you're near home and not taking critical shots for a while, as it does require the formation of a new habit.