impatient idiot alert!

[phaither]

ok, so i have a D3100, which i'm loving and i just got a 35mm f/1.8 this afternoon. it seems to work fine with the lens switched to manual, but i can't get it to do ANYTHING in M/A mode. the shutter will not take a photo. what am i doing wrong?

HELP!! i'm super frustrated. read the camera manual several times and the little booklet that comes with the lens but i just can't figure it out.....

i'll be forever grateful.....
f

[Physibeth]

Have you tried it with a variety of subjects? I have that problem with my 55-200 if I'm too close to the focal point. If this is the AF-S DX Nikkor lens it says its min focal distance is .98 ft (3 m).

[IABoomer]

Originally Posted by Physibeth

Have you tried it with a variety of subjects? I have that problem with my 55-200 if I'm too close to the focal point. If this is the AF-S DX Nikkor lens it says its min focal distance is .98 ft (3 m).

This feels right. I just grabbed my D5000 + 35 1.8 combo and short of getting right up on an object, I couldn't find a situation where the auto focus wouldn't focus on something and let the shutter actuate.

I suppose the other thing that might be coming into play is a lack of contrast which causes the lens to hunt but not find focus on an object. If that's the case, you might want to check your settings and see if the auto-focus light is set to come on and help the camera focus on an object.

[candleman]

so, you're saying it won't autofocus at all in M/A mode? IE. It doesn't even hunt?

does it come up with any errors on the LCD where it indicates the f/# ?


is it this lens right ?

[phaither]

Originally Posted by Physibeth

Have you tried it with a variety of subjects? I have that problem with my 55-200 if I'm too close to the focal point. If this is the AF-S DX Nikkor lens it says its min focal distance is .98 ft (3 m).

thanks for your quick response! i tried it about 6 feet away from my dog, and still, no shutter click.

Originally Posted by IABoomer

This feels right. I just grabbed my D5000 + 35 1.8 combo and short of getting right up on an object, I couldn't find a situation where the auto focus wouldn't focus on something and let the shutter actuate.

I suppose the other thing that might be coming into play is a lack of contrast which causes the lens to hunt but not find focus on an object. If that's the case, you might want to check your settings and see if the auto-focus light is set to come on and help the camera focus on an object.

the lens does hunt and settles, but won't snap the shot. how would i find the elusive setting for this auto-focus light?

Originally Posted by candleman

so, you're saying it won't autofocus at all in M/A mode? IE. It doesn't even hunt?

does it come up with any errors on the LCD where it indicates the f/# ?


is it this lens right ?

on the LCD, the manual flash indicator and exposure indicator blink. and yes, that is the correct lens.
of course, the camera shop is closed so i am left in your capable hands.
thanks again...
f

[candleman]

If the exposure indicator is blinking you're probably under exposing.. IE, in a dark place, which makes it hard to focus.

Point it at a bright light, IE focus on a lightbulb that is on, and see it if will focus and take a picture.

The only thing I can think of is it isn't getting/ holding a focus because there isn't enough light.
Is the little green'in focus indicator" light coming on, and staying on as you hold that focus?

[Almond.Butterscotch]

Originally Posted by Physibeth

it says its min focal distance is .98 ft (3 m).

Quick correction: .98ft is 0.3m, not 3m.

Anyways: is it locking onto a focus spot in AF mode? (Is the green light coming up in the viewfinder?)

[phaither]

I don't recall a green light but I will check soon. I'm not sure it's a lighting issue b/c I ained it at my computer screen in a well lit room. Strangely, when I switched the lens to manual and kept all conditions the same, it worked perfectly.

[candleman]

when you are trying to focus there will be a little green light come on in the viewfinder on the bottom left.
(that's where it is on my nikon cameras anyway)

if there isn't a little gren light in the viewfinder on the botton left you don't have a focus, and it won't take a picture.
it will take a picture regardles in MF as you override the "must have a focus" feature hen you flip that switch.

some cameras you can define how it thinkis in AF too.
Eg, release priority, focus priority, focus+release priority

[phaither]

Originally Posted by candleman

when you are trying to focus there will be a little green light come on in the viewfinder on the bottom left.
(that's where it is on my nikon cameras anyway)

if there isn't a little gren light in the viewfinder on the botton left you don't have a focus, and it won't take a picture.
it will take a picture regardles in MF as you override the "must have a focus" feature hen you flip that switch.

some cameras you can define how it thinkis in AF too.
Eg, release priority, focus priority, focus+release priority

the little green light was blinking so you were right about the focus issue. it makes sense that it would override when shooting in manual..
thanks for that