Over-exposure with AF Nikkor 70-300 telephoto

If you are shooting objects outside with a telephoto lens, the background can influence the exposure settings if it is center weighted with a large area. The D70 sets this in the setup menu, under item 11 (Center wtd). Check to see if it is set to one of the lower settings. When you shoot general area shots or use it indoors, the exposure weighting won't be such a factor.

This problem would show up mostly when you shot high contrast shots for instance, if you shot a person outside with a bright sky in the background. Changing the exposure weighting to a small center weighted area will cause the camera to set exposure based on the person rather than the background. This will make the sky more overexposed, though.

You may have to experiment a little with the setting to get it to expose the way you want. Try both higher and lower settings before you decide what you really like.

This, by the way, is the last major area where digital cameras can't do what film does. The range of light that digital can shoot is much more limited than film. Normally, in shots where there isn't such a large range of light objects to dark objects, digital is great. For that small percentage of shots where there is a large contrast difference (think about a sunset), digital isn't able to duplicate what film does.

Friends have you tried not using the A-Aperture mode?? Set in on P-for Program or M-for Manual, this should produce the colors you are hoping for. If your photo is still "hot" use the + or - button called the Exposure compensation button on the top of the camera, push that little button and turn the outside main control dial where your right thumb sits 1 third stop at a time, (you have 4 to 5) The + adds light to your photo and the - will make your photos darker play with that and let me know. Barry Brown www.coralreefphotos.com