Nikon 28mm manual focus lens ?

Wannabe · 19-04-2008, 15:47

I got an older Nikon 28mm lens off of Ebay and can't get pics with it that are not very underexposed..What am I doing wrong? Can anyone tell me what my settings should be at for pics that are properly exposed? Sorry for the stupid ?s but it's driving me nuts.. I can work manual on my other lenses.. but not this one. I don't get it..

JMitchell · 19-04-2008, 16:16

You probably have to set the aperture manually on the lens, because it might not have CPU contacts. I think changing the aperture on the camera will probably have no effect, so just try twisting the aperture ring to wide open

Soupdragon · 19-04-2008, 17:29

I think the lenses with an aperture ring have to be locked one way or the other to enable auto operation.
Depending on how old the lens is of course.

JMitchell · 19-04-2008, 17:45

Yeah or that, on most new lenses you have to lock it to the minimum aperture on the ring, then set it in cam.

**Dabhand16** · 19-04-2008, 17:47

You usually have to set the aperture at the minimum setting (highest number) so that if the camera is choosing the aperture, it can stop down to the required value.

No good having it set at f2.8 if the shot needs f11.

If the lens is very old, it might have a manual iris that you have to set yourself on the lens. The lenses that stop down automatically will have a tiny peg on the mount that a suitable camera can operate. Gentle pushing of this peg while looking through the lens will tell if it is stopping down - set it wide open first.

If you have a depth of field preview button, this will also have the same effect with the lens on the camera if the body matches up with the lens.

Wannabe · 20-04-2008, 12:22

Hmmm.. yup.. I have it locked to f/22. No luck.. blah! I suck. I guess i'll save my pennies for a new wide angle (10-20mm or the 12-24mm).

Thanks guys..

**Dabhand16** · 20-04-2008, 13:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wannabe

Hmmm.. yup.. I have it locked to f/22. No luck.. blah! I suck. I guess i'll save my pennies for a new wide angle (10-20mm or the 12-24mm).

Thanks guys..

If your shots are dark it is likely that the lens does not have the facility to auto stop down. You can still use it, but you will have to set the aperture manually.

Try setting the camera to shutter priority, and with the lens wide open see what the meter is suggesting for the aperture, then set this on the lens before taking your shot. The shutter speed will depend on your subject, but anything between 1/60th - 1/200th ought to be a good starting point.

JMitchell · 20-04-2008, 18:23

Isn't that what i said

**Dabhand16** · 20-04-2008, 19:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMitchell

Isn't that what i said

Yes, but with more detail.

JMitchell · 20-04-2008, 19:41

But I was first

**Dabhand16** · 20-04-2008, 19:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMitchell

But I was first

Yep

towershot · 21-04-2008, 23:33

But is first allways best.........

JMitchell · 21-04-2008, 23:53

See, towershot's got it

Wannabe · 22-04-2008, 06:15

You guys kill me!!

19-04-2008, 15:47	#1 (permalink)
Wannabe Been here a while Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Ontario, Canada. Posts: 279	Nikon 28mm manual focus lens ? I got an older Nikon 28mm lens off of Ebay and can't get pics with it that are not very underexposed..What am I doing wrong? Can anyone tell me what my settings should be at for pics that are properly exposed? Sorry for the stupid ?s but it's driving me nuts.. I can work manual on my other lenses.. but not this one. I don't get it..

19-04-2008, 16:16	#2 (permalink)
JMitchell Feet under the table Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: London, England Posts: 3,520	Re: Nikon 28mm manual focus lens ? You probably have to set the aperture manually on the lens, because it might not have CPU contacts. I think changing the aperture on the camera will probably have no effect, so just try twisting the aperture ring to wide open

19-04-2008, 17:29	#3 (permalink)
Soupdragon Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,091	Re: Nikon 28mm manual focus lens ? I think the lenses with an aperture ring have to be locked one way or the other to enable auto operation. Depending on how old the lens is of course.

19-04-2008, 17:45	#4 (permalink)
JMitchell Feet under the table Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: London, England Posts: 3,520	Re: Nikon 28mm manual focus lens ? Yeah or that, on most new lenses you have to lock it to the minimum aperture on the ring, then set it in cam.

19-04-2008, 17:47	#5 (permalink)
Dabhand16 Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Dunstable Bedfordshire UK Posts: 8,999	Re: Nikon 28mm manual focus lens ? You usually have to set the aperture at the minimum setting (highest number) so that if the camera is choosing the aperture, it can stop down to the required value. No good having it set at f2.8 if the shot needs f11. If the lens is very old, it might have a manual iris that you have to set yourself on the lens. The lenses that stop down automatically will have a tiny peg on the mount that a suitable camera can operate. Gentle pushing of this peg while looking through the lens will tell if it is stopping down - set it wide open first. If you have a depth of field preview button, this will also have the same effect with the lens on the camera if the body matches up with the lens. __________________ Graham

20-04-2008, 12:22	#6 (permalink)
Wannabe Been here a while Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Ontario, Canada. Posts: 279	Re: Nikon 28mm manual focus lens ? Hmmm.. yup.. I have it locked to f/22. No luck.. blah! I suck. I guess i'll save my pennies for a new wide angle (10-20mm or the 12-24mm). Thanks guys..

20-04-2008, 18:23	#8 (permalink)
JMitchell Feet under the table Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: London, England Posts: 3,520	Re: Nikon 28mm manual focus lens ? Isn't that what i said

20-04-2008, 19:41	#10 (permalink)
JMitchell Feet under the table Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: London, England Posts: 3,520	Re: Nikon 28mm manual focus lens ? But I was first

21-04-2008, 23:33	#12 (permalink)
towershot Getting Comfy Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Nr Blackpool ,Lancs, England. Posts: 149	Re: Nikon 28mm manual focus lens ? But is first allways best.........

21-04-2008, 23:53	#13 (permalink)
JMitchell Feet under the table Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: London, England Posts: 3,520	Re: Nikon 28mm manual focus lens ? See, towershot's got it

22-04-2008, 06:15	#14 (permalink)
Wannabe Been here a while Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Ontario, Canada. Posts: 279	Re: Nikon 28mm manual focus lens ? You guys kill me!!