Is this a metering problem?

[philmont702a]

Hi, so I'm new to DPS, but I'm loving the wealth of information here. I have a question that I've been dealing with on a couple of occasions when I'm shooting quickly to catch something happening right now.

Below you'll see two pics - not amazing pictures, but hopefully I can learn from them. First off, yes I was using full auto, and the camera was making the choices. However, what I really want to know, is why are these two pictures so different? They were made with the same push of the shutter release. Notice the time stamps!

The Fstops are similar, shutter speeds similar, the only noticeable difference in the EXIF data is the exposure correction. Why did the camera make the one picture +2 and the other +0? I later took the camera into manual mode and had some of the same lighting issues. Is this due to the "light metering"? That white curtain background? I really just want to understand why two pictures made with the same push of the shutter release look so different!

This is really quite the technical question, I know. If there is another piece of information I should be looking at, please let me know! Thanks for your comments in advance!




Date Created:5/7/2011 6:56:45 PM
Device:Nikon D3
Lens:VR 70-200mm F/2.8G
Focal Length:80mm
Focus Mode:AF-S
AF-Area Mode:Auto
VR:ON
Exposure
Aperture:F/2.8
Shutter Speed:1/13s
Exposure Mode:Programmed Auto
Exposure Comp.:+2.0EV
Metering:Center-Weighted
ISO Sensitivity:ISO 250
No Flash




Date Created:5/7/2011 6:56:46 PM
Device:Nikon D3
Lens:VR 70-200mm F/2.8G
Focal Length:80mm
Focus Mode:AF-S
AF-Area Mode:Auto
VR:ON
AF Fine Tune:OFF
Exposure
Aperture:F/3.2
Shutter Speed:1/40s
Exposure Mode:Programmed Auto
Exposure Comp.:0EV
Metering:Center-Weighted
ISO Sensitivity:ISO 250
No Flash

[zona5101]

edit: i updated my response: based on your time stamps... Your exposure bracketing must be turned on.

[sk66]

Originally Posted by zona5101

edit: i updated my response: based on your time stamps... Your exposure bracketing must be turned on.

Nice catch!

[philmont702a]

Yes! I went through many of the other pics of that night, and it would appear that there is a method to the madness with the auto exposure...

THANKS! This was a dumb thing to miss.