Can a Nikon D5000 show which way to turn the focus ring when manually focusing?
Asked 4/25/2012
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2 answers
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I use a Nikon D5000 and my eyesight makes manual focusing difficult. I know the camera lacks an in-body AF motor, but I’m wondering whether the camera can still use its autofocus sensors to help with manual focus.
Specifically, can the D5000 show in the viewfinder whether focus is in front of or behind the subject, so I know whether to turn the focus ring clockwise or counterclockwise? If so, where is that indicator, and does it work with all exposure modes and all lenses?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
14y ago
2 Answers
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Yes, the D5000 has a Rangefinder option. When in manual focus mode, this replaces the exposure meter in your viewfinder with a rangefinder meter. If the markings appear to the left, focus is in front of the subject. If the markings appear to the right, focus is behind the subject.
To focus, you simply turn the focusing ring in the direction indicated by the markings, e.g. to the left (anti-clockwise) if the markings are to the left, and vice versa. When the subject is in focus the meter shows two small ticks either side of the centre, and the standard focusing confirmation dot appears in the bottom left of the viewfinder. All the markings should be reasonably easy to see as they are bright green on black.
To enable the Rangefinder option, press the Menu button, go to the Custom Setting Menu (third option down), then go to option a4 and set it to on.
As this replaces the exposure meter when you switch your lens to manual, I would recommend setting your desired exposure first, then switch to manual and focusing. Note that, because you need to see the exposure meter all the time in M mode, the rangefinder won't show - as Vaishak Suresh points out in the comments, it only works in P,S, and A modes.
Originally by user3205. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user3205
14y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes. On the Nikon D5000, Nikon’s Rangefinder feature can help you manually focus by showing which direction to turn the focus ring.
When enabled and used in manual focus, the viewfinder shows indicators replacing the exposure meter in many modes. If the marks appear on the left, focus is in front of the subject; if they appear on the right, focus is behind the subject. Turn the focus ring in the indicated direction. When focus is achieved, the camera shows the normal focus confirmation dot.
A key limitation: this guidance works in A, S, and most P modes, but not in M mode, where the exposure meter stays visible. In M mode, you generally just get the focus confirmation dot.
Also, focus confirmation/help depends on the camera being able to detect a lens electronically. With fully manual or non-coupled lenses, this may only work if the lens has a chip (or an added chip) so the body recognizes it.
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