Nikon f/1.8 lens

[Johan Smidt]

Hello Photologists,

Looking for some solid advise, please : I recently bought a Nikon 50mm f/1.8 lens for my Nikion D80, primarily because of the price / performance ratio this lens is said to have. One of the intended uses was as a general walk-about lens and also with which to learn more about apertures and lighting, etc.

What I did not know (nor was it pointed out to me), is that this lens (on my camera, at least), works only on f/22 and if one wanted to use any other aperture eg 1.8 for an out-of-focus background effect, it cannot be done as the shutter will not fire at all. On the lens there is a small "slide" that locks the lens at f/22, which has to be dis-engaged for the lens to be set to another aperture.

Do I really just not know what is going on, or is there a way around my problem ?

The "manual" only says how the slider must be moved to get to another setting.

Will be most grateful for your guidance.

Johan.

[James Blonde]

If you're using the lens on Automatic, you need to keep it locked at F22 and set the aperture using the camera using the scroll wheels in M or A mode, rather than on the lens.

Otherwise if you want to use the aperture ring to set the aperture, you'd have to set the lens to Manual using the AF/M switch on the body at the bottom left of the lens, and again probably set the camera to M or A, although I have to admit I've never done it that way on my D90.

What camera is it you're using out of interest? I seem to think that some cameras won't allow you to set the lens to manual, so you will have to do it through the camera?

[silversnapper1]

As James says, you need to adjust the aperture with the front scroll wheel on the D80. Use Aperture Priority or Manual and it will take you to the lowest available f number and then if you need to go lower, you will have to increase the ISO.

Additionally, if you do not lock the lens at F22 and the wheel turns, you will get the legend F-- in your info on the top of the camera.

[Johan Smidt]

Many thanks all - night-time here now, will certainly try out your suggestions tomorrow afternoon.

Johan.

[greenwing]

If I didn't know how it works, I'd be confused now having read some of the above...

Set the aperture ring on the lens to 22, and lock it there with the sliding lock. Apply some glue, if you like, you need never move it again. (Please do not take the glue bit literally. Think of it as glued in position) Use the camera's front command dial to set the aperture, just like you do with your G-type kit lens which has no aperture ring. End of story. Simples.

Chris

[jinky]

I think the posters above were just as cllear and hope the poster sees the glue comment as a joke - could affect future resale value badly. That lock can come undone from time to time and throw you with the error message Silversnapper highlighted so always check that first if it goes funny but it shoul l always be in the locked position when in use. It`s a great lens fot the money and should be really sharp. Not quite the ideal portrait lens on the D80`s cropped sensor but still great. Have fun.

[silversnapper1]

Originally Posted by greenwing

If I didn't know how it works, I'd be confused now having read some of the above...

Set the aperture ring on the lens to 22, and lock it there with the sliding lock. Apply some glue, if you like, you need never move it again. Use the camera's front command dial to set the aperture, just like you do with your G-type kit lens which has no aperture ring. End of story. Simples.

Chris

Apart from the glue bit (again not recommended) I thought that was what I said.

[greenwing]

Originally Posted by silversnapper1

Apart from the glue bit (again not recommended) I thought that was what I said.

Indeed. But not what the other two comments said - the plain wrong one has disappeared overnight, and what messing with the AF/MF switch has got to do with setting aperture has me stumped.

Chris

[silversnapper1]

Ah right. Thanks Chris. Hadn't looked back as far as the one that you mention and I was wondering what that had to do with it myself.

[James Blonde]

Hey, I thought I was pretty clear too, and thought I'd made it clear that I hadn't tried my second option, so wouldn't know if it worked. I'm just working on the basis that you might be able to set the aperture using the lens on some cameras!