Nikon 50 1.8 overexposure problems

[greg_dooley]

<p>Having overexposure problems with my Nikon 50 mm 1.8 lens on the D90. My exposures are getting washed out about 2 stops or more overexposed. It seems to be extremely bad when photographing people, I havn't had this problem with my other lens. I don't know if there is something wrong with the lens or what is going on. All settings are normal and have tried it on all different settings and nothing seems to fix the problem, other then underexposing by more then 2 stops. Has anyone else had this problem or is there a setting or something causing the overexposure. Thanks</p>

[jay_poel]

<p>Did you set and lock the aperture at f/22 on the lens itself? If not, do so and try some shots. You set the aperture you want (or the camera will itself) like any other lens by dialing it in with the command wheel in the appropriate mode.</p>

[bgelfand]

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<p>If the problem is with the lens, it would suggest the lens is not stopping down. A quick an dirty check would be to set the aperture <strong>on the camera </strong>to say f/11 and press the DOF preview button. Does the viewfinder darken? If it does not, the lens is not stopping down. If it does, the lens is stopping down, but it does not tell if it is to the selected value.

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<p>A more refined test is to go to aperture priority. Set the lens wide opened (all apertures selected on the camera, not the lens which must be set to f/22) and expose. Is the exposure correct? Now set the aperture down one stop and expose. Is the exposure correct? Set the aperture down two stop and expose. Note where the problem starts to occur.

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[bikealps]

<p>are you shooting wide open with fill flash?</p>

[leicaglow]

<p>If it's a manual lens, is there a function on the D90, like many other Nikon DSLRs to set the aperture of the lens, using a menu feature?</p>

[zyh]

<p>I've had this kind of problems with my 50/1.8. As i found out aperture blades were little sticky & didn't close as fast as they need to. Washing them with isopropyl alcohol solved problem.<br>

Hope it helps.<br>

Dissasembling this particular lens is pretty straightforward.</p>

 

[andrew_fedon]

<p>its probably sticking aperture blades, which is easy to see if you stop the lens down and hold it up the light and flicking the lever by hand, you should see the blades closing instantly, without hestation. Slightest hesitation and means they are sticking. No, I would not recommend DIY jobs on any lens if you ever want to use that lens again !</p>

[tim_eastman]

<p>I second sticky aperture blades as a problem. I had a similar problem with my Tokona 11-16 and after it was fixed no more problems. At least I feel better that it might happen on a Nikon lens!</p>

[wogears]

<p>Had the 'sticky blade' problem on a 50 f1.8 back in film days. Blew several irreplaceable shots. </p>

[greg_dooley]

<p>Thanks for the help. I will check the aperture and see if they are sticking. It is a brand new lens. I have had for about 2 months and this seems to be a new problem. Is this common in new lens -- are they more likely to stick if they have not been used for awhile or sitting on a shelf for a long time. </p>

[jay_poel]

<p>Well, seeing as you have had it for two months, then the problem wasn't my suggestion - LOL. Check the aperture blades or set your aperture to f/22 and press the DOF button and see if it is closing down like the others suggested.</p>