Prime lens - aperture setting?

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Hi all,

Apologies if this question sounds too naive..but unfortunately, from time to time I do question my basics.

I am hoping to buy a Nikon prime lens 50 mm AF 1.8 D. My question is in prime lenses are the aperture size fixed? Or am I able to vary them?

In the above mentioned lens, 1.8 seems to be the maximum lens opening, but if required am I able to increase this to 4, 5.6, 8, 11 etc?

Also if the above is true, am I able to control aperture size (on my Nikon D5000) electronically using on camera dial or do I need to do this on the lens?

Thanks in advance for inputs.
 
It's all good news...

The max aperture is the one that's stated but you can close it down to whatever the minimum is, probably something like f16, and everything inbetween. On modern DSLR's mostly you do this with a control on the camera body. I use a Canon myself and I don't know about Nikons but on my Canon the aperture is altered using a control wheel.
 
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+1
Prime or zoom, the aperture mentioned is always the maximum opening like 1.8, 3.5, 2.8 etc..
I use Canon too but I think what you have there would let you do your apertures on the camera not the lens.
 
Canon user here too, but here's a useful reference for you.

http://www.nikonians.org/nikon/slr-lens.html

which suggests you'll have to focus manually with an AF-D lens on the D5000.*

I don't anticipate aperture would be a problem, though.

*The D5000 doesn't have a motor to drive AF-D lenses and AF-D lenses don't have a built-in motor of their own (you'll need an AF-S lens for that).
 
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I have the AF 1.8D a cracking little portrait lens for the price, don't let the manual focusing put you off.
 
woof woof said:
It's all good news...

The max aperture is the one that's stated but you can close it down to whatever the minimum is, probably something like f16, and everything inbetween. On modern DSLR's mostly you do this with a control on the camera body. I use a Canon myself and I don't know about Nikons but on my Canon the aperture is altered using a control wheel.
Click to expand...

Creaxel_photo said:
+1
Prime or zoom, the aperture mentioned is always the maximum opening like 1.8, 3.5, 2.8 etc..
I use Canon too but I think what you have there would let you do your apertures on the camera not the lens.
Click to expand...

Thanks guys...Yes, do have a dial on Nikon cams too to set the aperture. Much appreciated for your inputs.

Musicman said:
Canon user here too, but here's a useful reference for you.

http://www.nikonians.org/nikon/slr-lens.html

which suggests you'll have to focus manually with an AF-D lens on the D5000.*

I don't anticipate aperture would be a problem, though.

*The D5000 doesn't have a motor to drive AF-D lenses and AF-D lenses don't have a built-in motor of their own (you'll need an AF-S lens for that).
Click to expand...

Martyn... said:
As stated above that one will not auto focus on your D5000, you will need this one LINK if you want to retain auto focus.
Click to expand...

Thanks guys...now thats a bit of information I didn't know..TBH I tired googling various Nikon lenses yesterday and thought all AF lenses will do auto-focus, and 'S' in AF-S meant only silent motor function..thinking now whether this is the right lens for me as I do stuggle with achieving sharpness on manual mode...:thinking:

Adam_K said:
I have the AF 1.8D a cracking little portrait lens for the price, don't let the manual focusing put you off.
Click to expand...

Hi Adam...thanks for you input...good to know it's a cracking lens..but since you have this lens, could I ask you...would I struggle doing manual focus for clicking baby portraits (as my son is 6 months old and full of energy)??

Also if its not too much would really love to see a portrait pic that you've clicked with this lens (dont worry too much if you're unable to do this)

Many thanks.
 
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