Why does my Nikon 60mm Micro AF-D show a smaller maximum aperture on a D90?
Asked 2/16/2012
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When I use a Nikon 60mm Micro AF-D on my Nikon D90, the displayed maximum aperture sometimes changes from f/2.8 to f/3.2, even in A and M modes. Is this normal, and why does it happen?
I’m also considering a Nikon 50mm f/1.4 AF-D. Since it has an aperture ring/lock, does that mean the lens would be limited to a smaller maximum aperture when used on the D90? Or is that lock only for camera control, and would an AF-S version be a better choice?
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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I think you must have noticed something slightly different. The max aperture is a function of the lens and should be unaffected by camera.
The Nikon 60mm Micro AF-D will change its maximum aperture as a function of the focus distance. As it focuses closer, the reported max aperture drops. By life size 1:1, its down to f/5.
There is apparently a button on the 50mm AF-D that will lock it to its minimum aperture. This is a property of manual aperture lenses. Modern cameras control the aperture automatically from the camera body. Setting this switch locks it at the minimum aperture so that the camera can automatically control it. Since your camera has an in-body focus motor, you're able to use the AF-D or AF-S, you just need to decide if there's a difference for the price that you care about. They'll both take great pictures, the AF-S will just focus faster and quieter mainly.
Originally by user1917. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user1917
14y ago
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Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes—this is normal on the 60mm Micro AF-D. On macro lenses, the effective maximum aperture gets smaller as you focus closer. So while the lens is rated f/2.8, the camera may show f/3.2 or smaller at close focus distances; at 1:1 macro it can drop much further. This is by design and is not caused by the D90 body or exposure mode.
For the 50mm f/1.4 AF-D, the aperture lock does not reduce the lens’s true maximum aperture. It locks the aperture ring at the minimum aperture so the camera body can control the aperture automatically. On your D90, that is the normal way to use AF-D lenses.
Because the D90 has an in-body focus motor, it can autofocus both AF-D and AF-S lenses. So the 50mm AF-D will work properly on your camera; choosing AF-D vs AF-S comes down to which features and price you prefer.
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