Just wanted to let you guys know I'm pretty sure I figured out the problem I was having (for the most part). My camera has three different options for metering, and I had it set on Matrix Meter, I set it on the next one Dow which I can't remember the name, but I think it was Center-Weighted Meter, and it had no problem focusing after that.

I still haven't fully understood what metering is or what it does, but I've also been too lazy to research it lately lol.


Sent from my iPizzle using magic and new-fangled science stuff

In a nutshell, "metering" is measuring how much light is available in the shot you're seeing through the view finder, which then determines how you should set your shutter speed, aperture and ISO relative to each other to achieve a proper exposure.
The different metering modes tell the camera where to measure the light to guide you to correct exposure. For example you might want to consider the whole frame or just one single spot in the view finder. In the case of of center-weighted metering modes, you're giving priority to the center area of the view finder while still taking the outer edges into consideration.

This is why you're awesome. Thanks for the explanation!


Sent from my iPizzle using magic and new-fangled science stuff

From a recent cruise. I ended up liking this one a lot.

http://stfoto.smugmug.com/Cars/Velos...MG_9677-XL.jpg

:tup:

Yay for natural lens flares.

So a couple of months ago I decided to switch from my D90 to a D7000. I was so excited to finally have nice weather out a few days ago so I took my niece to the Bronx Zoo. I took over 300 shots and was about to post a few of them here for you guys, but then.....womp, womp :/

After reviewing the pics on the computer, I was really disappointed. I don't know how I missed this, but the damn thing is back focusing on every shot. It's way, way off and pretty terrible at anything below f/8 on my 35mm lens. Just as bad with the 50mm f/1.8 and the 105mm f/2.8. I kind of noticed it when I first got it, but I honestly thought is was all in my head or user error. It's partially my fault for only looking at the lcd instead of downloading to the computer.

After doing some searching, I found out this isn't all that uncommon. Mine seems to be way out of calibration though and I still can't get it to be reasonably accurate with the AF fine tuning (still oof pushed -20). Thankfully, Nikon's HQ in Melville is about 20 minutes from me.

If I had a nickle for every time I thought my shots came out great only to find out they were ********... man I'd be rich.

You and me both.

See, I don't have this problem.

:bowrofl:

me 3 :ugh2:

Maybe 95% of my shots look horrible lol. I chalk it up to beginner error.


Sent from my iPizzle using magic and new-fangled science stuff

:tup: just dawned on me. Many of my shots over exposed. I was thinking i should be center weighted off the Z because it is so dark?!