Lens question from a novice

R-evans · 5 Mar 2016 at 17:58

I'm a beginner so sorry if my terminology is off.

I have a D3200 and have just purchased a Nikon 50mm f/1.8D from these forums, was cheap so thought I'd give it a go.

Lens is working fine and giving good results but my camera will only let me take a pic when the lens is locked at f22. If I change aperture on the lens the camera warns me 'Lock lens aperture ring at minimum aperture (largest f/-number)’. Does this mean I can only ever shoot at f22 or is there a way around it?

It’s not a massive problem if I can’t shoot at a different aperture as the results I get at f22 are good for what I am using it for, but just wondering.

Cheers

Cyanide · 5 Mar 2016 at 18:08

With modern cameras the lens needs to stay locked at f22 on the aperture ring and the camera will electronically control the aperture depending on what you've set in camera. The aperture ring is only used on older cameras without electronic control.

R-evans · 5 Mar 2016 at 18:12

Cyanide said:
With modern cameras the lens needs to stay locked at f22 on the aperture ring and the camera will electronically control the aperture depending on what you've set in camera. The aperture ring is only used on older cameras without electronic control.

Ok thanks, that makes sense.

Am I right in thinking that I will only get a very short depth of field on all images then? As that seems to be what I am getting no matter what the camera aperture is set to.

D.P. · 5 Mar 2016 at 23:02

No, the lens will work normally. Lock the lens to f/22 and forget about it, the camera will control the aperture.

It is a shame you can't use the aperture ring on the lens but it hardly matters.

Your biggest issue is that lens simply won't auto focus on your camera.

R-evans · 5 Mar 2016 at 23:09

D.P. said:
Your biggest issue is that lens simply won't auto focus on your camera.

Yea I was aware of that before I bought it. I'm quite liking using the manual focus

feel like I'm contributing more to the image.

Kei · 5 Mar 2016 at 23:29

D.P. said:
No, the lens will work normally. Lock the lens to f/22 and forget about it, the camera will control the aperture.

It is a shame you can't use the aperture ring on the lens but it hardly matters.

Your biggest issue is that lens simply won't auto focus on your camera.

There is a custom function on some models that allows you to use the aperture ring instead of the camera dial. On my D810 its under f9 customize command dials > Aperture setting.

R-evans · 6 Mar 2016 at 14:19

Kei said:
There is a custom function on some models that allows you to use the aperture ring instead of the camera dial. On my D810 its under f9 customize command dials > Aperture setting.

Checked, don't think my camera is that advanced