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Manual Operation


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8 replies to this topic

#1
Johnb

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Hi Guys I have been focusing manually recently and realised that you cant operate completely manually as none of the lenses I have, FX or DX, have an aperture ring. So the camera body always has to be switched to AM then to electronically adjust the lens aperture. When then would you ever turn the body switch from AM to M or change the camera mode to M ? Only when you have a lens with an aperture ring ? 

 

Or am I missing something ?   


I am thinking that when you turn the mode to M, it means that you can choose the Aperture setting and Shutter speeds using the camera dials, and you just focus manually. 



#2
bluzman

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What camera are you using?



#3
Johnb

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D850 and D7500 

 

Cheers

 

Also, when would you ever turn the small lens mount switch from AM to M. 



#4
Nikonphotographer

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I think you're confusing manual focus with manual exposure.

The A/M slider on the lens disables the auto focus mode so you can focus manually, something you might need to do if the lighting makes the camera hunt on the Auto focus mode.

Manual exposure is when you set the mode dial to M and use the command dials to set shutter speed and aperture independently from what the camera meter recommends.

#5
Johnb

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Yea I am with you there mate, that's what I have been doing ie turning the lens to manual (Slider) to focus manually but the AF / M switch I am referring to is on the camera body, on the side of the lens mount. You turn it from AM to M. I cant see when you would need to switch this, unless this actually stops the camera from auto adjusting the lens aperture, like if you are using a lens with manual aperture adjustment maybe.

 

Also, I am with you on the manual mode setting, but was just trying to get it clear in my head that if the lens you have mounted does not have a aperture ring, then you set the aperture on the camera dial and the camera still adjusts the lens aperture to your setting. Unless as per my previous point, you have turned off this function, maybe, I don't know, I am just making assumptions now.     



#6
shootinghorse

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D850 and D7500 

 

Cheers

 

Also, when would you ever turn the small lens mount switch from AM to M. 

turn it from M/A to M if you want to manual focus



#7
Nikonphotographer

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the AF / M switch I am referring to is on the camera body, on the side of the lens mount. You turn it from AM to M. I cant see when you would need to switch this, unless this actually stops the camera from auto adjusting the lens aperture, like if you are using a lens with manual aperture adjustment maybe


The AF/M switch on the body is slightly different to the one on the lens, but in a sense, it does the same, but slightly different, only bodies with the built-in Auto focus motor have the switch on the body, to retract the Auto focus screw drive that drives the older AF lenses, the AF switch on the lens are on lenses that are the later AF-S (Silent Wave) lens that doesn't have the screw drive that's driven by the body.

Now manual exposure can be set differently depending upon the type of lens being used, but if your using an earlier AF-D lens, you'll need to turn and lock the aperture ring at f22, and then use the command dial to set the aperture.

The only time you would use the aperture ring itself is if your using an older Ai or Ais manual focus lens.

#8
Johnb

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Thanks for the information on this switch mate, bottom line then, I don't need to worry about it if I am using the latest lenses. All my lenses were bought within the last 3 years and are all Nikkor AF-S or AF-P.

 

The only use this switch has is it's 'push button' functions then.

 

Thanks again.  



#9
Jerry_

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Indeed, the one extra added value (for the button on the camera) is the center press button, which by default allows to set the AF mode.

However, pay attention to keep it in the AF position, as when you put it in the M position even AFS/AFP lenses won`t autofocus, no matter what the switch on the lens is set at. (i.e. one of the two switches (on the camera or on teh lens) being in the M position disables the autofocus on lenses)