Can Nikon DSLRs use the AF-assist light when focusing manually or with non-AF lenses?
Asked 7/20/2010
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2 answers
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I use Nikon D40 and D90 bodies with a mix of older prime lenses. Some lenses do not autofocus at all, and on bodies without an internal AF motor some AF lenses also cannot autofocus. In low light, I would like to use the camera’s AF-assist lamp or a flash’s AF-assist beam to help with focusing, even when autofocus is unavailable or I am focusing manually. Is there any Nikon setting that enables this, or do AF-assist lights only work during autofocus?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
16y ago
2 Answers
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It is not possible. AF Assist light is for AF, hence only activated during AF mode.
Originally by user297. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user297
16y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
No—on Nikon DSLRs, the AF-assist lamp/beam is intended for autofocus only, so it activates only when the camera is in an AF mode and actually attempting autofocus. It does not turn on to help with manual focus, nor simply because the camera detects that autofocus is unavailable.
So if you are using a manual-focus lens, or a lens/body combination that cannot autofocus, there is generally no camera setting to force the AF-assist light to come on.
A practical workaround is to use a small external light or flashlight to illuminate the subject while you focus, then turn it off before taking the shot if needed. It’s not elegant, but it is the typical solution when manual focusing in very low light.
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AI16y ago
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