Aperture Problem - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

05/15/2009 07:32:53 PM · #1

Hello All,

Has anyone experienced this problem?

I have a 24-85mm lens with f/2.8-4.0, I was able to set the aperture to 2.8 @ 24mm not problem till today. I pick up the camera and it can only set to f/3.5 and I can't get it to set at f/2.8. I tried a different lens (50mm f/1.4) and I can go down as low as f/1.4 no problem, so I don't think its the camera. Does this sound like a lens issue to anyone? This is a one month old lens.

Thank you in-advance.

jeger

Canon EOS-5D

05/15/2009 07:53:43 PM · #2

Does it have anything to do with the shooting mode? Ex: Manual vs Preset

05/15/2009 07:59:40 PM · #3

Hey Buddy! Ya, I tried all these tests in manual, the lens just does want to get set to 2.8 arggg!

chromeydome

Nikon D7000

05/15/2009 08:38:19 PM · #4

If you are zoomed in from 24mm, you may not be able to get to 2.8. Once you are zoomed to 85mm, for example, the best you'll get is f4.0

Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D IF

05/15/2009 08:43:14 PM · #5

Not sure I understand - the lens out of the box @ 24mm was doing constant f2.8 now (a month later) something happened and best it does is f3.5. Does this sound like a lens hardware problem?

shalrath

Nikon D200

05/15/2009 08:43:43 PM · #6

Sounds like it's not zooming all the way out to 24mm... check it on another body if you can, or take it to the store and check another copy of the lens.

chromeydome

Nikon D7000

05/15/2009 08:47:58 PM · #7

Originally posted by pwarmuz:

Not sure I understand - the lens out of the box @ 24mm was doing constant f2.8 now (a month later) something happened and best it does is f3.5. Does this sound like a lens hardware problem?

The reason it is spec'd as a 24-85mm, f2.8-4.0 is that the widest aperture available is changing with the focal length. So when you zoom to 85mm, you can only dial it to f4.0 on your d80--and that is the number you will see in the viewfinder, etc. So if you are inbetween 24 and 85mm, you will get some limit that is inbetween 2.8 and 4.0.

05/15/2009 09:30:58 PM · #8

Originally posted by chromeydome:

Originally posted by pwarmuz:
Not sure I understand - the lens out of the box @ 24mm was doing constant f2.8 now (a month later) something happened and best it does is f3.5. Does this sound like a lens hardware problem?

The reason it is spec'd as a 24-85mm, f2.8-4.0 is that the widest aperture available is changing with the focal length. So when you zoom to 85mm, you can only dial it to f4.0 on your d80--and that is the number you will see in the viewfinder, etc. So if you are inbetween 24 and 85mm, you will get some limit that is inbetween 2.8 and 4.0.

I totally agree but ... it did hit 2.8 when i fully zoomed out and it can't anymore.

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 24-85mm f2.8-4.0D

05/15/2009 09:31:18 PM · #9

Originally posted by shalrath:

Sounds like it's not zooming all the way out to 24mm... check it on another body if you can, or take it to the store and check another copy of the lens.

I think you are right - maybe I should have it looked at

Nikolai1024

Nikon D300

05/15/2009 09:33:49 PM · #10

you have macro mode on. at that setting it only zooms out to 35mm. unlock macro. zoom out. all will be good.

edit: spelling

Message edited by author 2009-05-15 21:35:56.

Sony DT 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical ED Zoom Lens for Sony Alpha

05/15/2009 10:34:39 PM · #11

Originally posted by Nikolai1024:

you have macro mode on. at that setting it only zooms out to 35mm. unlock macro. zoom out. all will be good.

edit: spelling

I checked that also - macro mode is off and I can get it to go down to 24mm but the fstop will not go down anymore.

kiwinick

Sony DSLR-A550

05/15/2009 11:45:33 PM · #12

chromey dome is correct your lens is not a constant 2.8 it is a 2.8/f4 . so the longer you zoom the smaller the f stop. the markings on the lens barell or around the front element will confirm this if it is 2.8 only it is a costant any other figure will indicate that the actual maximum apature will vary to the mms zoomed to the longer the zoom the smaller the max apature

Nikolai1024

Nikon D300

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 24-85mm f2.8-4.0D

05/15/2009 11:57:29 PM · #13

Originally posted by pwarmuz:

Originally posted by Nikolai1024:
you have macro mode on. at that setting it only zooms out to 35mm. unlock macro. zoom out. all will be good.

edit: spelling

I checked that also - macro mode is off and I can get it to go down to 24mm but the fstop will not go down anymore.

That is odd and now for a dumb question... you are in Av mode and able to adjust f stop up and down with control wheel, right?

05/16/2009 09:21:15 AM · #14

Sorry, maybe I'm not being 100% clear.

Yes - @85mm the lens will get f/4 but @24 it gets f/2.8. As you start from 24mm and work your way up the fstop increases (starting at 2.8 and makes it 4.0). The problem that I have is that it no longer starts @ 2.8 @ 24mm ... now it start @ f/3.5 and makes it all the way to 4.0. It's only capable of hitting 2.8 at 24mm but today it seems to get stuck on 3.5. It was doing 2.8 @ 24mm for a month no problem.

I tried adjusting the f stop in manual & Av with no luck :(

bspurgeon

Fujifilm x100

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

05/16/2009 09:34:20 AM · #15

I'm not a Nikon user...so I may be wrong. I was playing with my Dad's D200. There is a menu that allows you to set the maximum aperture for a given lens; however, I think this may be only with the old manual focus lenses. (I was setting up his old primes).

So, were messing with this menu? (I know this is extremely unlikely!)

Have you tried taking out the battery? Cleaning the contacts?

I think the best suggestion so far is to put it on another body. If it does not work on a second body, I would send it in for repair.

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

05/16/2009 09:43:08 AM · #16

Good suggestion - I got more info - the lens is 24-85mm BUT the camera thinks this lens is only 35mm-70mm and that would explain the f/stop problem as at 35mm it can not go down to 2.8. Tried different lens and no problem (so that should rule out the lens) now how do I get the lens to think to work from 24mm to 85mm not from 35mm to 70mm ... any suggestions... I called Nikon and left a message they should get back to me on Tue :(

cpanaioti

Canon EOS-40D

05/16/2009 09:46:28 AM · #17

Originally posted by pwarmuz:

It sounds like it could be a communication problem between the lens and the camera. Have you tried cleaning the contacts on the lens (and camera just to be sure)?

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

05/16/2009 10:12:54 AM · #18

Originally posted by cpanaioti:

Originally posted by pwarmuz:
Good suggestion - I got more info - the lens is 24-85mm BUT the camera thinks this lens is only 35mm-70mm and that would explain the f/stop problem as at 35mm it can not go down to 2.8. Tried different lens and no problem (so that should rule out the lens) now how do I get the lens to think to work from 24mm to 85mm not from 35mm to 70mm ... any suggestions... I called Nikon and left a message they should get back to me on Tue :(

It sounds like it could be a communication problem between the lens and the camera. Have you tried cleaning the contacts on the lens (and camera just to be sure)?

Yes! That's excactly what it sound like!

No I have not - I'm really paranoid- any tips or suggestions? This would be my first time clean the contacts.

Message edited by author 2009-05-16 10:27:12.

cpanaioti

Canon EOS-40D

05/16/2009 11:06:36 AM · #19

Originally posted by pwarmuz:

Originally posted by cpanaioti:

Originally posted by pwarmuz:
Good suggestion - I got more info - the lens is 24-85mm BUT the camera thinks this lens is only 35mm-70mm and that would explain the f/stop problem as at 35mm it can not go down to 2.8. Tried different lens and no problem (so that should rule out the lens) now how do I get the lens to think to work from 24mm to 85mm not from 35mm to 70mm ... any suggestions... I called Nikon and left a message they should get back to me on Tue :(

It sounds like it could be a communication problem between the lens and the camera. Have you tried cleaning the contacts on the lens (and camera just to be sure)?

Yes! That's excactly what it sound like!

No I have not - I'm really paranoid- any tips or suggestions? This would be my first time clean the contacts.

Cleaning the contacts is nothing to worry about. Use an eraser that doesn't leave residue (not a pink eraser). Just make sure the contacts are pointing down when doing this.