Need help with Nikon 50mm f1.4 AF lens on Nikon D40

[Jar*Head]

Without proper research i purchased the lens used online. The lens arrived yesterday and i can't wait to attach it into my D40 and take some picture. Took me a while to figure out how to attach the darn thing because it does not have a dot on the lens . Next i notice that it does not auto focus , then i notice it does not beep or make any sound. I snapped the first picture of my dog and it look very blurry and a ghost even though i adjust the focus very clear. Then i change the setting to M (manual), my metering off to the side... What is going on? What can i do to bring the metering back to the center? Will the lens work with my D40 cam? I don't mind if i have to focus manually. What can i do to take a better picture? I did not have any problem with my stock lens 18-55mm Nikon DX.

BTW, the metering go back to the center if i switch it to Auto or another point and shoot setting. Please help...

Thanks
STeve

 

[nickb]

The D40 body doesn't contain an auto-focus motor and so you will have no auto-focus unless the lens is an AF-S lens (or some AF-I I think).

If the lens really is an AF lens, then the D40 should be able to meter through the lens. If it is an AF but won't meter, that suggests either that the lens isn't seated properly on the camera or that the lens may be damaged in some way.

Also, with some of the older lenses, you have to manaully set the aperature ring to the smallest opening or the camera won't be able to meter properly.

This page might be of interest to you. It discusses Nikon lens compatibility.

Can you provide any more details about the lens?

 

[Jar*Head]

Hello Nick, thank you so much for the link. The metering work just on auto, macro and other mode. But when i set it on M the metering went to the left side. I try to set the camera on Manual focus but the camera did not let me.

 

[InLimbo87]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13379881#post13379881 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jar*Head
Hello Nick, thank you so much for the link. The metering work just on auto, macro and other mode. But when i set it on M the metering went to the left side. I try to set the camera on Manual focus but the camera did not let me.

You shouldn't have to set the camera to manual focus at all since it doesn't have a focus motor. You will just rotate the focus ring to focus the lens manually.

As for the metering, its definitely working in all modes. Only difference is that in manual mode, you have to adjust both aperture and shutter speed according to that light meter that you say is "to the left side". I'd suggest learning how aperture affects depth-of-field and shooting in aperture priority until you get the knowledge up to shoot in manual...

 

[Jar*Head]

I will do more reading and practicing this weekend.

 

[latazyo]

good idea Jarhead

as InLimbo87 said, I think you're seeing how much light a wide open ap will let in and it's telling you you're overexposed

congrats on a great lens, BTW, sorry to hear about your compatibility issue