Exposure have d80 and sometimes the exposure is perfect -- other times part of the photo exposure is good and part isn't. this is most noticable outside -- my lastest problem is a halo effect around one of the heads of a subject while the rest of the subjects were fine. any help would be appreciated.

what about the Exposure Compensation setting? set to "0"

You can't. The Portrait mode, like all the other point&shoot modes, are automatic. The camera controls most functions, like exposure metering, auto-focus mode, and white-balance. If you want control over the camera, you'll have to use one of the PSAM modes.

You have a shutter problem that can only be fixed by a service technician.

Contacts should not have anything to do with the metering. That is done in the camera itself and not the lens. If a photo comes out overexposed, which is normal when using P or A mode, as metering isn't perfect, use the exposure compensation (+/- menu or button) to reduce the exposure as much as you feel is necessary. Exposure can be subjective so you should trust yourself more than the camera.

To solve this all you need to do is turn the lens' aperture ring (the one nearest the camera body) to the smallest number (probably 22 or 32).

Try this.

Switch D80 on.
Reset the camera by pressing the two buttons with a green dot beneath them on the top of the D80, right hand side.
The buttons are AF and +-.
These must be pressed together at the same time for a few seconds.
This is just in case you have set something strange, you do not need to do this all the time.

Set the command dial to Auto.
Set the button on the lower front/left hand side to AF.
Set the lens to A.

Now you can just take pictures, the D80 will autofocus and set the exposure itself.

I can take perfect pictures indisde a building, but taking a picture outside, I can see the item but if I take the picture and looking at the picture the screen turns blank, seems to me that there is to much light exposure.

contactjoni,
Your shutter will stick if it gets dirty or dust gets in the camera, a reputable camera shop can inspect the shutter, the sensor for dust & dirt and can clean it for you. If the battery is low while shooting the shutter can also stick on longer exposures.
randy320sgi

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

My camera is now fixed. It was a tiny speck of dirt on the sensors between the mounting of the lense & the camera. The uy that fixed it said it is a problem with the camera because they are so sensitive.