nikon 50mm manual focus lens anyone?

12/26/2007 07:43:03 AM · #1

My dear hubby got me one for Christmas. He wasn't supposed to get me anything. Anyhow, I've never used a manual focus lens. Any tips? My eyesight isn't the best so I suppose if I'm focusing and it looks clear than it must be right?

It's a 50mm f1.8 Eseries lens.

eschelar

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

12/26/2007 08:00:44 AM · #2

Manual focus works quite well with a split focusing screen. I have a tough time trusting my eyes too and I'd not really trust anything else.

The good news is that you can get this for your D200 and you might like it.

12/26/2007 08:33:27 AM · #3

okay I'm looking for it. Is it called something else? I'm not finding it on ebay or Amazon. Going to try BH next.

I did fire of a couple shots with it last night and was amazed at the clarity compared to my 18-200 at the same distance.

MelonMusketeer

Nikon MF 50mm f/1.4

12/26/2007 08:34:30 AM · #4

Manual focus is not as difficult as you may think that it is. I had to learn to concentrate a little more on getting the area of the image that I want to focus just right, but after that became a habit, it is no trouble at all. I use a lot of older lenses, and even now use manual focus often with my auto focus lenses.
Just be sure that the viewfinder diopter adjustment is set correctly for the eye that you use when you are shooting, and you should not have any problem at all. It's easily bumped out of setting with my S3, so I check it often when I am shooting manual.

hyperfocal

Nikon MF 105mm f/2.5 AIS

12/26/2007 08:50:03 AM · #5

I can't wait for my D200's warranty to expire so I can install a split-image focusing screen for utmost accuracy, but I now still use manual focus lenses more than AF ones. Remember that although you are using a manual focus lens, you will still get the green focus confirmation light. Also, I find the Nikon DK-21M helps, especially for macro.

eschelar

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

12/26/2007 08:51:49 AM · #6

I would recommend simply going down to my local camera shop and asking about it. You can't just stick it on... I think it's a fairly inexpensive change though...

Melon. Manual focus can have a number of different effects. I use it when appropriate, but it can also have a pretty significant effect on your confidence - which can lead to a lot of missed shots. It can also affect your shot to shot speed - which can lead to a lot of missed shots. Most of this fades once you get used to it, and those who get used to it can do it pretty quickly (I like to use it when the subjects are not moving too quickly, but are not going to end up on an autofocus point, and it works OK for me), but if you have reason to mistrust your eyesight for reasons other than diopter, it can be a real obstacle and cause a lot of second guessing and floundering.

I like the split focus screen as a tool to get used to it as well since it helps to get used to the performance of your eye compared to your results. That builds confidence.

MelonMusketeer

Nikon MF 50mm f/1.4

12/26/2007 09:17:35 AM · #7

I prefer manual focus for a lot of my shooting because I shoot wildlife, birds flying,and landscape a lot, and autofocus just will not lock in on a flying bird with the camera that I use. For macro I generally use a 55mm f2.8 or a 180mm 2.8, and ext tube, both being fairly bright lenses, so focusing is not too difficult in that respect. I used manual film SLR's for about 30 years before going digital, so for me focusing is just a natural feeling step in the capture process. I agree about the split prism focus screen, they help a lot. I am thinking about getting a split screen for one of my S3's.
Ok, back to the OP's regularly scheduled program. Yes, manual focus is a good thing to experiment with. Go for it, and enjoy the results. I see that you have already discovered the sharpness and clarity advantage of the fixed focal length 50mm f1.8. You may also find that it is a pleasure to use because it is so small and light.
Links for you.
Bjorn Rorslett Lens evaluations.
Katz Eye focusing screens

Message edited by author 2007-12-26 09:29:59.

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom Nikkor 16-85 f/3.5-5.6G ED VR

12/26/2007 09:31:33 AM · #8

thank you all for the wonderful advice. I was debating using it tomorrow for a few shots of my pastor and his family- I'm shooting his family and his wife's sisters family. I'll be borrowing my friends 18-70mm for the group shots, but I think for the couple shots I'll try it just to see how they turn out.

And I will be finding time to hit the local camera store about the split focus screen. Now I'm curious.

talmy

Nikon D300s

12/26/2007 10:44:32 AM · #9

Maybe it comes from spending most of my life using cameras which only had manual focus, but auto-focus is a humorous concept. With manual focus you have one control (the focus ring). Count how many buttons, knobs, and menu settings your camera has to control "auto" focus*. For me at least, that's intimidating! Enjoy the leisurely pace of manual focus.

* My D200 has: AF-ON, AE/AF lock, auto focus area mode selector, multi-selector (to select active focus point), focus mode selector (Single servo or continuous servo), AF-C Mode Priority, AF-S Mode Priority, Focus Area Frame, Group Dynamic AF, Lock-On, AF Activation, AF Area Illumination, Focus Area, and AF Assist.

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24, S24+, S24 Ultra

Sony 24-70mm f/4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

12/26/2007 10:52:06 AM · #10

Nobody has mentioned that to use manual focus properly you have to be sure to twiddle the diopter adjustment on your focusing screen and set it to your eyesight. With or without glasses/contacts, whichever way you usually shoot.

The screen is adjusted properly when the marks on it appear sharp and clean.

The secret to manual focusing is to let your eyes focus on the screen markings, then twiddle the focus ring until the image (or the part of it you are concentrating on) "comes up" into focus on that same plane.

This is something all large format photographers know how to do; you focus your eyes on the grid markings on the ground glass and then "bring the image up". It's actually very possible to front-focus or back-focus your eyes when using ground glass (the dSLR has a ground glass screen too), so you need reference points so your eyes can lock the correct plane of focus.

R.

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D

12/26/2007 11:56:47 AM · #11

Originally posted by Bear_Music:

thank you thank Robert. That was very helpful. My husband felt bad that it wasn't autofocus. But once I started fiddeling with it I told him I really liked it. He had meant to get the manual focus f1.4- he had a friend bid for the lens on ebay because we don't have an account. Said friend bid on the wrong lens and won lol- it was only 21 dollars. Gives me something new to learn though and I like that.

raish

Olympus C-2500L

12/26/2007 12:22:28 PM · #12

I suppose it might be a good idea to bracket exposures with smaller and larger apertures - sort of increasing your chances of getting saveable shots of your friends. I think you can set that automatically on the D200.

Custom setting menu > bracketing flash > Manual mode bracketing (e6) > Flash/aperture > OK

Then you have to press the BKT button and twiddle one of those wheels to give you the number of frames bracketed and/or the difference. If you set it back to (the default of?) 0 frames then you effectively turn of the bracketing function. Only works in manual or shutter priority modes.

Please forgive me if you're less of an idiot than me and already knew this stuff :-)

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom Nikkor 16-85 f/3.5-5.6G ED VR

12/26/2007 12:24:05 PM · #13

Originally posted by raish:

LOL no, I did not know that. I'm still learning how to use the thing and have not had much time to do so since I got i back in November. I have a pro friend who shoots with 2 of them. We're trying to set up a time to meet so we I can have a "tutorial". But I have learned so much already.

talmy

Nikon D300s

12/26/2007 01:55:08 PM · #14

Originally posted by raish:

No reason to bracket just because of the MF lens. It will still meter on a D200.

raish

Olympus C-2500L

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D

12/26/2007 02:07:14 PM · #15

Quite right - I was thinking about giving yourself some extra depth of field in case you're unsure about the focus. As long as there's enough light to keep the aperture small then it wouldn't matter.

12/27/2007 08:59:14 AM · #16

Okay I'm borrowing a friends SB-800 flash and I'm going to use the 50mm today. I think there will be plenty of natural light available because there's not a cloud in the sky today- I'm shooting around 3 inside their house.
I got a little tutorial with the lens last night when I was at my friends so I have a better understanding now. I'm totally shocked at how clear the pictures come out. Apparently this is a pre-79 lens and hard to find. He had actually asked me husband if I still wanted it because if not he'd like to have it LOL. I looked on ebay and I only found one other one and can't find one anywhere else. I don't think I'll even bother getting an AF 50mm.

MelonMusketeer

Nikon MF 50mm f/1.4

12/27/2007 09:21:45 AM · #17

If you are not in a hurry about getting older manual focus prime lenses, visit thrift shops, flea markets, and pawn shops once in a while. They turn up on older Nikons, and sometimes with more than one lens in a group, and you can buy the camera and all and have the lens for almost nothing. The 50mm 1.8 that I have was $5 US with a Nikon camera to boot, at a Kawanias thrift shop. I like the machine work, and the smoothness of operation in the 70's lenses. The plastic ones today just don't have that rock solid feel.

eschelar

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

12/27/2007 07:46:08 PM · #18

You will be very happy with that lens. There is very little difference between the f/1.8 and f/1.4 with the older Nikon set. They have several of these at the school's photo club here. I wish there were thrift shops here too. Around here, even archaic dusty lenses cost about the same as new. I'd love to find one for myself. Yeah, a Nikon.

Of course I'd use it reversed, but it would be nice to set up a single lens for reversing.

12/29/2007 10:22:41 AM · #19

Well I am in love with this lens. The photoshoot went well- except my pastors family. No color coordination whatsoever because their sons and daughter inlaws forgot about pictures. So the colors all clash and they just aren't very photogenic people- couldn't get them to loosen up for anything.

The other family however turned out really well. The color and clarity in the pictures is amazing. I'd post but my editing program is having issues saving- my computer is having issues right now so I'm not able to resize them at the moment.

I'm keeping my eyes peeled for other manual focus lenses. I think I actually like them better then the af lenses!

SteveJ