I have a D90 :D couple Q's

[Darthchaffinch]

Just got a D90 2nd hand (did have a D60), what an excellent camera it is!

-with af-s lenses, should I always have them on manual or a/a?
-are there recommended settings, that are independent of the type of shot (e.g. vivid pic setting)?

I've read the bits on these in the manual, and have a comopanion book on order.

Thanks!

 

[TCR4x4]

1- leave it on A/M unless you want full time manual
2-No. Just what looks good to you.

 

[Darthchaffinch]

Thanks chief.

In the manual it says do not switch the lens to auto-focus or you could cause damage??

 

[jomike]

Thanks chief.

In the manual it says do not switch the lens to auto-focus or you could cause damage??

If it is the note on the bottom of p54 you are referring to, what they are saying is that with a Nikon AF lens (as opposed to an AF-S lens), if you want to focus manually you have to set the switch on the camera body to M. AF lenses use screw drive focus, setting the switch on the body to M disengages the screw drive mechanism preventing damage if you heavy handedly try to force the manual focus ring.

 

[TCR4x4]

Its a confusing subject this one. Yes the manual says that, but the lenses are designed for manual override at any time.
What you dont want to do is be adjusting focus when the camera is also do the same. The lens will be using its own motor to focus, and if the camera is telling the lens to focus one way and you start twisting it the other, you may cause problems.

I always keep my AF-S lenses in M/A and have bnever had a problem, just be carefull when manually focusing make surre the camera has finished focusing.

 

[TCR4x4]

This thread is interesting and may help you out.

http://www.flickr.com/groups/nikon_d90_users/discuss/72157616361488717/

 

[Darthchaffinch]

thanks Mike- so with any AF-S lenses I can leave the D90 on auto-foc?

 

[jomike]

thanks Mike- so with any AF-S lenses I can leave the D90 on auto-foc?

For normal autofocus, yes.

If you want to manually focus with an AF-S lens you will have to switch it to M on the lens, else the lens will constantly try to refocus when you half push the shutter, else just leave it in A. The body AF/M switch should always be left on AF for AF-S lenses.

With an AF lens, like the Nikon 50mm f1.8 D, you have to flip the switch on the body next to the lens to M to manually focus else you cannot turn the focus ring. I you try and force the focus ring to turn without flipping the switch you could cause damage. The 50mm f1.8D does not have a M/A focus selector on the lens.