I know I've seen this in the forum but can't find the answer with the search function. My question is: Does Nikon's D technology only work in matrix metering mode?

-- Michael Fuhrmann (fuhrmann@interlog.com), February 03, 1999

Answers

I had to confer with my nikon camera manuals to see if I could give you an answer. If you speaking of the 3D metering technology according to the manuals for non flash pictures the 3D is only mentioned for the matrix meters on the F5 and N90s. For flash pictures ( according to the manuals) the 3D flash metering works with center weighted and spot also. Hope this answers your question.

-- Gary Wilson (gwilson@ffca.com), February 03, 1999.

No, I'm speaking of the D lens technology, which I gather is something else.

-- Michael Fuhrmann (fuhrmann@interlog.com), February 03, 1999.

If your speaking to the 'D' that appears on Nikon lenses that is the cpu in the lens that gives information as focal length, aperture and distance to the camera's metering system. That is the 3D metering that they speak to. It is used in the 3D metering without flash and with flash and according to the manuals it is only used in matrix without flash but is used in all metering modes with flash. Though it doesn't say so it would make sense that it would also utilize it im the non flash shots also but don't quote me on it.

-- Gary Wilson (gwilson@ffca.com), February 03, 1999.

Confusing question, what do you really want to know? The fundtion is the matrix metering for flash and also non-flash, the requirement to make this working is the D technology i.e. the distance information. Therefore I think the correct qnswer to your question is, with D lenses and certain D bodies, the D technology always works, but only matrix metering wants to know this information.... Actually, while I was writing this line, it is not really true, the F90, F5 and F100 have a computer interface, and the computer interface also uses D infos, like the chosen zoom range which is stored and can be retrieved.

However, I think you are interested in something else.

-- siegfried boes (boes@first.gmd.de), February 04, 1999.

Let me rephrase: If I'm shooting without flash and using centre- weighted or spot metering -- with, say, the 50 mm f/1.4 D -- does the camera (F90x or F70) make any use whatsover of the lens's D technology?

-- Michael Fuhrmann (fuhrmann@interlog.com), February 04, 1999.

>>If I'm shooting without flash and using centre- weighted or spot metering -- with, say, the 50 mm f/1.4 D -- does the camera (F90x or F70) make any use whatsover of the lens's D technology?<<

No.

As stated above, the D(istance) information is only used in the Matrix mode (no flash in use). The Center Weighted and Spot metering modes are unaffected by any Lens focus (i.e., distance) chang

-- Geof Grieble (ggrieble@gte.net), February 04, 1999.