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02/14/2008 08:40:23 AM · #1 |
I've noticed that when I put my camera away (The new Rebel with kit lens) if I leave the focus switch in auto, sometimes the lens will get pushed in while I am handling it, putting it in the bag. Is this liable to damage the mechanism? Should I switch it to MF, so it moves freely before putting it away?
As a new SLR owner, I'll probably have a few of these silly questions, so please be patient with me! |
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02/14/2008 08:52:00 AM · #2 |
No, doesn't make a difference to the best of my knowledge. I think the only difference is that on autofocus, there's a motor that gets activated when necessary, and a sensor that does the focusing, but you can still move the lens manually as much as you want anyway (it's just that the motor will move it back if it's not registering focus).
When the camera is off, the settings make no difference at all, since all the electronic bits associated with autofocus are off too. |
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02/14/2008 08:52:10 AM · #3 |
| When I bought my film SLR a while back (Canon) the guy in the shop told me Nikon's are more forgiving than Canon lenses in this respect, quite why that is I dont know though. If its true, maybe someone else can explain why? I have read somewhere that with some Nikon lenses you can just grab the focus ring while in AF for fine tuning and it wont damage the mechanism. Even with my D50 now, I just put it MF, focus to a position where the lens extends the least (very little free space in my camera bag) and then switch back to AF. |
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02/14/2008 09:21:32 AM · #4 |
Thanks for the answers. My wife also informed me that I was "supposed" to take the lens off when storing it. I told her that was not a good idea as it gives more opportunity for dust and dirt to enter the camera as well as more chances for damaging the mounting mechanism. Don't know where she got that idea from.
Message edited by author 2008-02-14 09:49:35. |
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02/14/2008 09:37:45 AM · #5 |
Some lenses have what is called continuous manual focus. What this allows you to do is manually focus the lens even when it is set to auto focus. This is available on Canon lenses which have a distance window on the lens.
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02/14/2008 12:20:05 PM · #6 |
The only problem that can really come of it is turning the focus ring while in auto. If the lens extends or retracts because of the zoom mechanism, then there's no issue. Turning the focus ring can damage the focus motor if you haven't switched to manual mode. This does not apply to Canon USM (ultrasonic motor) lenses because they do not have a mechanical drive system. So yes, the focus motor can get damaged by what you're describing. I can't speak for the Nikons...
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