Query from a Canonian to Nikonians

[Chillum Baba]

So, somebody thought I am an expert in the field of photography and left his newly acquired Nikon D3100, as he couldn't operate manual mode. I had hard time figuring out a way to operate Aperture in Manual mode. Youtube tutorial helped. You need to hold on a button in the front so that you can operate aperture. Reminded me of Opel Astra ten years back, which made me spend half an hour to figure out the reverse gear (you need to lift the nob, so that reverse gear operates). I think Ajmal Kasab got caught due to same reason as he couldn't operate reverse gear of the car he stole. Strange relation between Kasab and Nikon.

Anyway, other problem is the Nikon Af 50mm F1.8 lens. I am not able to autofocus it. Is this a manual lens or a one with defective AF? Also attaching the screenshot of the camera screen which shows 'MF'. I couldn't see any AF-MF switch on the lens either. Other lenses - 18-55 Nikon and 70-300 tamron focus automatically with no issues.

[iamsomnath]

The lens in the pic is afd lens. It will not AF with D3100. Only Afs lenses, which do have inbuilt motor will autofocus with D3100.
regards
Somnath

[Chillum Baba]

Oh, that was an instant reply. Thanks. So I guess I should ask him to change this lens to Afs lens. Does this AFD lens autofocuses with other Nikon models or is it a manual lens?

[thelightening]

Chillum Baba, Try to auto focus using a Nikon 50mm f1.8G, it will help u  than trying to do the same with 50mm f1.8D.

Nikon bodies like D3100/5100 ... doent have in-built motor support. So the AFD lenses will not auto-focus. But bodies like D90/D7000 can manage this out, since its having inbuilt motor.

[Chillum Baba]

Damn! The price difference is 6k!! Does that mean D3100 users have to pay 12K for using 50mm autofocus lens (F1.8G) on their cameras?

[thelightening]

Damn! The price difference is 6k!! Does that mean D3100 users have to pay 12K for using 50mm autofocus lens (F1.8G) on their cameras?

Yes, 1.8D is almost 6.5 and 1.8G is almost 13k. Now they have 85mm f1.8G and similar lenses, so imagine the loss of using a body without an inbuilt motor? Not sure why this two kinda concept. Lets wait for expert suggestions.

[soggy316]

D3100 + 50mm1.8G = Rs.38250

D90 + 50mm1.8D = 49950

(using nikon india site prices)

The money saved on the body is ploughed back into getting lenses that work with the body. In effect, you pay more because you paid less .

[Chillum Baba]

Ah! Thats kinda sad.

Thank you all. I am now able to satisfactorily explain the issues as an expert to him

One more query - What is ISO-A at the top of the screen which keeps on blinking?

[binarycodes]

that ought to be auto ISO

[ravi~nigam]

just an indication that Auto ISO setting is in use.

[Brendon]

One thing to note is that the AF-S designation is not the only thing different between the two Nikon lenses. First off is the optical formula is changed for the better. Also it has more no of aperture blades than either the Nikon 50mm AF-D or the Canon 50mm lens.

Also build quality wise both Nikon 50mm lenses are much better than the Canon 50mm f1.8. I know two friends whose lenses broke after a single fall. I have dropped a friends Nikon 50mm and it barely had a scratch. In fact my friend didn't even know I had dropped his lens till now.

[lightwave]

Brendon next time I am not going to let you handle my gear
Or if I am stupid enough to do so ... will tag right along with you Hahaha.

[ravi~nigam]

One thing to note is that the AF-S designation is not the only thing different between the two Nikon lenses. First off is the optical formula is changed for the better. Also it has more no of aperture blades than either the Nikon 50mm AF-D or the Canon 50mm lens.

Also build quality wise both Nikon 50mm lenses are much better than the Canon 50mm f1.8. I know two friends whose lenses broke after a single fall. I have dropped a friends Nikon 50mm and it barely had a scratch. In fact my friend didn't even know I had dropped his lens till now.

+10

simply put : AF-S and AF-D are not only 2 different lenses names. Their optical formula & optical quality is different too.

[Brendon]

@Lightwave - hmm, now I am thinking I shouldn't have made this info public. :p

[kausik]

Now we have a guy who does not do any background research about a product he buys, does not read the manual to know the basic operations like af/mf and manual operations, and a host of internet friendlies turn good samaritan. What a waste of bandwith 

May be camera companies should start IQ screening of prospective DSLR buyers.

BTW, the 'lift and shift' reverse gear is now present in many cars. It's a safety feature. Just that Opel got there 10 years ahead of others.

[kausik]

Damn! The price difference is 6k!! Does that mean D3100 users have to pay 12K for using 50mm autofocus lens (F1.8G) on their cameras?

Not sure why this two kinda concept. Lets wait for expert suggestions.

As nikon is moving to adopt a new technology, it is doing so in a gradual manner, leaving adequate scope of backward and forward compatibility. That is why you can see two types of different systems present at the same time. It surely does leave a scope for confusion for the common buyer who buys his DSLR from Croma or Reliance Digital. But serious hobbyists and pros cannot be more thankful to Nikon for doing this.

After all who can forget the trauma of Canon and Minolta users when one fine morning they decided to dump FD and MD-rokkor mounts respectively and move to EOS and A-mounts, leaving millions in the lurch.

[VikramF]

So, somebody thought I am an expert in the field of photography and left his newly acquired Nikon D3100, as he couldn't operate manual mode. I had hard time figuring out a way to operate Aperture in Manual mode. Youtube tutorial helped. You need to hold on a button in the front so that you can operate aperture. Reminded me of Opel Astra ten years back, which made me spend half an hour to figure out the .....

This is why you hear so many people suggesting a D90 over an entry level Nikon body. I'm not talking about the lens compatibility, I'm talking about the ergonomics of twin dial vs single dial. D90 onwards there are twin dials for adjusting shutter speed and aperture.

Btw, you can easily change the aperture by removing the aperture lock (slide that red knob on the lens and adjust the aperture using the aperture ring on the lens) - its much faster and as nikons remain with the aperture fully open till the shutter is pressed, there isn't an issue with metering. That's how the old ai and ais lenses are easily used.