Nikon D2H Blown Highlight Issue

[Paul.S]

I still use an old D2H. (currently my only digital camera). Anyway, recently, I have noticed very bad blown highlights in any metering mode. Adjusting exposure or using compensation helps but still unusable images. These all happen with the 17-55 Nikkor. If I attach the 18-200 Nikkor, I get a properly exposed image. All outdoor sunny conditions. Indoors less of an issue or not at all. I thought of course the camera was the problem but why would changing the lens create a different result? I kept the settings the same for both lenses. Paul

[longzoom]

Is any surface of your 17-55 clean? Check it for the oil inside the lens. Can you post images?  LZ

[Birna Rørslett]

If highlights are blown with one lens not the other, perhaps the issue is the aperture functioning of that lens. Do check that the 17-55 stops down correctly, for example, by making a test exposure at f/22 and slow speed to see whether the iris moves at all.

[Matthew Currie]

I had this issue with my 16-85 lens when the aperture hung up internally.  Because it varied with exposure, it was a bit hard to trap at first.  I observed it, figured it out, felt a little glitch in the lever operation, perhaps a bit of grit, and then after manipulating the lever,  it went away and never happened again.  Spoiled a bunch of pictures - and of course they were pictures I took in Bhutan, where I am sure never to go again....

One thing you might try is different exposures of the same thing.  If it's an aperture lever issue, exposures meant to be taken wide open will be correctly exposed, but those meant to be taken stopped down will be blown in increasing degrees.

[Paul.S]

Cleaned the contacts. Manipulated continuously the depth of field preview button to see if the aperture was stopping down. Seems to have solved the issue. No oil on the aperture blades. Thank you. Paul