Question about Nikkor G Lenses

[ebojorq]

Hi there!

I'm looking forward to buy a D3100. This camera comes with a kit 18-55 f/3.5-5.6 lens. Also I'm shooting for a 55-200 f/4-5.6 form this same brand.

Besides, I'm looking for a fast lens but I got stuck with a question I couldn't answer from Nikon's site:

There's a G in the name of the previous two lenses I mentioned. Nikon explains that the lenses that come with this "G" don't have an Aperture ring as this is handled with in-camera controls.

The specific lens is AF Nikkor 50mmf/1.8D

I have two questions (I guees for Nikon users): if a lens does have an aperture ring, can it be used with the D3100? In the product image, I can't see a switch for auto/manual focus... would I be stuck with autofocus if I buy this lens?

I hope I made myself clear enough.

[ffscj3562130]

With the AF lens I don't believe you would be able to autofocus at all with the D3100 so you would be stuck with manual focus due the lack of a focusing motor in the lens. The presence of an aperature ring would not prevent you using using it with the 3100 or cause you to only use autofocus.

[ebojorq]

Actually, this is the one that comes with the aperture ring. The one without it does have a A-M focus switch in the lens.

I know that AF is desirable or not depending on your subject (moving or not). I was thinking of this lens as my future macro lens (given its narrow DOF), and so, I think manual focus would be a desirable feature. Am I right wanting to use this lens for macro photography?

If not, what would be a good macro lens?

Another question: what are the dis/advantages of controling the aperture from the lens oppossed to from the camera? Is it just a matter of personal preference?

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by ebojorq

I have two questions (I guees for Nikon users): if a lens does have an aperture ring, can it be used with the D3100? In the product image, I can't see a switch for auto/manual focus... would I be stuck with autofocus if I buy this lens?

The lens can be used on the D3100, but as ffscj3562130 mentioned, you wont get AF at all.

Originally Posted by ebojorq

Am I right wanting to use this lens for macro photography?

If not, what would be a good macro lens?

Another question: what are the dis/advantages of controling the aperture from the lens oppossed to from the camera? Is it just a matter of personal preference?

No, it's not a macro lens. Shallow Depth of Field does not make a lens a macro

Nikon make several dedicated macro lenses that would be quite suitable. The AF 60mm f/2.8D or AF-S 60mm f/2.8G, the AF-S 85mm f/3.5G or the AF-S 105mm f/2.8 G VR.

There are not advantages or disadvantages to either system: there's no option. On Digital SLRs and on the later film SLRs, aperture is controlled by the camera. On earlier cameras it was done in the lens itself (hence the need for the aperture ring). You dont have the option either way: its one or other other.

[ebojorq]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

You dont have the option either way: its one or other other.

Oh, I think I was misunderstood... I understand it is one way or the other. I wanted to know which one is better. But reading the user manual online I see there are other factors affected by this (like metering).

Thanks for the lenses suggestions!!

[dcclark]

If you do end up with a lens which does have an aperture ring, you'll have to make sure to set the aperture to f/22 (or whatever the smallest setting is). For some reason, this is how Nikon makes you set the lens if you want to control the aperture from the camera itself.

[ebojorq]

Thanks, dcclark. I'll look into it.

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by ebojorq

Oh, I think I was misunderstood... I understand it is one way or the other. I wanted to know which one is better. But reading the user manual online I see there are other factors affected by this (like metering).

Strictly speaking, I think the aperture being controlled by the camera is better: it can be set to half or third stops. if you're controlling aperture from the lens itself, you only get full stops.

Metering issues only come into account when we start talking about pre-CPU lenses like Ai and AI-S lenses. Those are quite a bit older. AF-D lenses will work just like AF-S G lenses, but wont autofocus

[ebojorq]

that's what I'm talking about!

thank you, Osmosis. You've been of great help!

[ravncat]

Using tha aperture ring allows for un precise settings if less than a stop. Interestingly, if one sets either iso, shutterspeed or aperture at .5 stop and any other at 1/3 stop, 1/6th stops are possible.

I don't believe the d3000 series can be set to use the aperture ring.

Also, In reality, I find full stops and half stops for shutterspeed are more than good enough.