50mm A 1.7mm

Hi,

Is it right that everytime I switch my camera on when I use this lens it asks me to input the focal length? Only just got it, so not sure if this is normal or not??

Thanks, James

It's because the SR system can't read the focal length off A series lenses, so it has to be input manually.

Yes it is correct. Lenses without the proper electrical contacts cannot tell the camera which focal length they have. So for the SR (shake reduction) mechanism to work optimally, you have to manually input the focal length.

For prime lenses the focal length is fixed. For zoom lenses, input the focal length you intend to use for the particular shot.

Hope that helps.

Edit: I see John beat me to it

You only need to enter the focal length once after fitting the lens. The camera will remember the setting.

Each time you turn on the camera subsequently, you can just half-press the shutter button instead of 'OK', if you like.

in the case of a zoom lens, what happens if you just put in the max. length?

If you enter the maximum length and then shoot at, say, half the length, the SR mechanism will overcompensate. Probably end up with more blur than without SR.

The other way around, the SR will not compensate enough. So the morale is, use the actual focal length for optimum effect.

This is true if you have only one manual lens.

Thanks for the info. SHould I be inputting the 35mm equivalent, or just putting in 50mm. Reason I ask is that although it "tells" me when it is infocus with the hexagon, I have taken a few pictures of a focus chart and I would say it is front focussing by about 10mm, which is way no good when you consider the type of shots you want to use this lens for! (Portrait, good Bokeh).

I am actually thinking that this manual focus malarky is a bit too hit and miss for my liking, and I may look elsewhere. I want the lens for my baby which should be with us in the next couple of days and want to make sure that the photos I get are the best I can - I will not be able to turn the clock back on these prescious first weeks.

I really want a pin sharp portrait lens with super silky bokeh. I already have a 16-50 DA* which is an excellent example and seems to focus spot on, with none of the issues I have read elsewhere, so womething to complement that really. Is it worth splashing the cash on a smc FA 43 mm f1.9 Limited Lens, or maybe even the new 55mm da* 1.4, or will the 50mm FA 1.4 suffice ...... decisions decisions. Just want to make sure I have given myself the best chance of some beatiful, infocus shots of the little squirmer!

Thanks, James

I mean until you fit a different manual lens.

James, Enter the actual focal length of the lens. A 50mm lens is a 50mm lens on both film and digital. It's just that you get a different (cropped) view with a 50mm on digital.

This has nothing to do with any focusing errors or difficulties.

... ir just stick with the da* 16-50? and accept that the dof will not be quite as wafer thin as with another lens?

No. You'll get super results from the 50mm once you've got the hang of it. Treat the green hexagon as a rough guide only. You can actually often focus more precisely by judging by eye. Failing that, take several shots with several slight adjustments of focus.

If you want to get more seriously into manual focusing I can recommend the Katz Eye split-image focusing screen. Costs as much as some lenses though.

Thanks Iceblinker, I think MF is not for me to be honest! Tried again with the 50mm A 1.7mm and the results from the DA* are so much better - colours seem more vibrant and just gives a much sharper picture.

Are these available in UK? I can only find them in the States.

Reply from recent email:
Thank you very much for your inquiry. Unfortunately, we do not yet have any distributors in the UK. We do ship to your country almost daily, but there will of course be the unavoidable duties and taxes associated with imports.
Our nearest distributors are in The Netherlands (www.foto-konijnenberg.nl) and Germany (www.photoproshop.com and www.nikon-fotografie.de/shop/index.php).

The 50mm should be about as sharp at f2.8 (if it's good and clean). It may be softer at larger apertures, but you can't get those apertures at all from your 16-50!

I didn't know about the European distributers. That's good news for saving Duty & VAT.

You may not get all the same options though: Optibrite, extra lines, etc.