Why not set up a little test with the camera on a tripod pointing at a frame filling evenly lit grey card (or similar) to take account of different metering patterns and shoot it in each of the exposure modes and see what happens. One or two stops discrepancy would certainly show up. At least you would know if there is a problem with programme mode then.

A trawl around the net with regard to this was fairly inconclusive. Some posting the problem but no answers, so I used my D2X which has the same matrix metering system to confirm my thoughts.

The camera was faced with a scene that had areas of various intensities of light falling around the various A/F points, not too dissimilar in placement to the D200. Darkest was black and lightest white.

Camera on a tripod set to MATRIX metering and PROGRAM mode. By toggling the active A/F point and watching the calculated exposure it was quite obvious that although the camera is metering the whole scene, prominance is given to the subject covered by the active A/F point.

I have done a quick and dirty job of roughly overlaying A/F points from D200 and D300 on an image. Due to the density of the D300 focus points quite a number of different points could have been used to achieve focus, but depending on the selection, a range of different exposures would have resulted.

This only applies to MATRIX metering. I did not try focus lock and recompose, but suspect that would probably have given yet another result.

I do not have a D300 so cannot perform a similar check but I hope this helps.

Attatched image is an overlay of the D300 and D200 A/F points on a scene.

Don

I will try and do a controlled test shoot this weekend, if I have time. Whatever, I'll get some images up shortly. ;)

Hi all, Have you tried the optional D2X Picture controls for the D300?
Links here for Europe:

The first one gives an explanation and instructions on use:

http://nikoneurope-en.custhelp.com/c...i=&p_topview=1

This second one is the download and installation instructions:


ftp://i7UoE6V68rS:[email protected]_Mac.html


Choose one then set for program.... I use D2X Mode III.

Crickey Andy. I see you have now added a D300 to your collection.

Don

Yes, I'm sorry to say, I fell to the temptation - but being a priest - I can always forgive myself!! - even if the wife can't!
Strangely, I find I still use all four, I tend to choose a couple of bodies and a lens each - specifically for where I'm going and what I intend to shoot.

Andy,

Sounds like you are well placed to see if D2X modes affect Matrix metering results, as I see your link says " set Picture Control Brightness to -1.".

Don

Interesting comment of relavance on this blog. Scroll down to Cusom setting B6 http://nikonglass.blogspot.com/2008/...ting-menu.html

Don

PS : Chris may find comments on the 80-400 interesting in the December 2007 blog.

Very interesting Don, thanks for that link - a lot of food for thought and a few things to try out - thanks again.

Interesting what it says about not really overexposing but rather just bright. Several reviews I have read say the D300 overexposes by about 2/3 stop. Who is right? Many manufacturers have if anything erred on the side of slightly underexposing arguing that blown highlights can not be recovered but detail in underexposed areas, within reason, can be. Over to D300 users.