How do I use a Tamron 90mm macro with aperture ring on a Nikon D5100?
Asked 6/17/2018
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I’m using a Nikon D5100 with a Tamron 90mm SP macro lens that appears to be manual focus on this body. The lens has an aperture ring and the camera body has no AF motor. How should I set up focus, aperture, and exposure? Do the aperture setting on the lens and the camera need to match, and can I use Aperture Priority or should I stick to Manual mode?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
8y ago
2 Answers
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If the lens does not have full manual controls and is incompatible with the body, there is likely no way to use the lens with full functionality. If the lens can be controlled manually, you may be able to treat it like any other adapted manual lens.
Choose method of focusing:
Per-Shot Focusing. Focus wide open. Stop down the aperture. Take the picture. Reopen the aperture for the next shot.
Zone Focusing. Stand next to a wall. Focus wide open on part of the wall at moderate distance. Close down to a smallish aperture (between F8 and F16). Check depth of field by examining focus along the wall. As long as aperture is not changed, subjects within the zone will be in focus. (This is how disposable cameras "focus".)
Choose method of setting exposure:
Full manual. Pre-set shutter speed and ISO. Decide aperture and focus according to preferred method.
Aperture priority. Decide aperture and focus according to preferred method. Let camera decide ISO and shutter speed by half-pressing shutter or by pressing exposure lock.
Originally by user75526. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user75526
8y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
On a D5100, a screw-drive lens without its own focus motor will be manual-focus only, but you can still use it normally if the camera can meter with it.
You do not need to match aperture on both lens and body unless the lens/camera coupling requires it. With an aperture-ring lens, the practical rule is: use one control method consistently. If the body can control aperture with this lens, set the lens as required for body control; if not, set aperture on the lens and shoot it like a manual-aperture lens.
Manual focus is expected here. You can use the camera’s electronic focus confirmation if available.
Exposure modes: according to the community answers, the D5100 can use this type of lens in M and also other modes including A, S, P, and Auto, with spot and center-weighted metering available. So Aperture Priority is fine if metering works with your exact lens/body combination; Manual mode also works.
A common manual-focus technique is to focus wide open for the brightest view, then stop down to the working aperture before taking the shot.
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