I experimented today with my new Nikkor 50 mm f/1.8g prime lens at our local botanical gardens. On an otherwise gloomy day, I was happy to find a little spot of color in these cactus flowers.
For those of you who use this lens, I have a question for you. At times I was unable to depress the shutter at all and there was no reassuring beep. I suspect it was because I was too close to my subject and the lens could not focus? Is this the case? What are your experiences with this lens? I would appreciate any tips or suggestions you might have for me. Thank you!
I don't have this particular lens, but my lens does that on auto focus if I'm too close and it can't focus. But I can switch to manual focus and see how close I can get with the focus I'm wanting. So, I'm guessing your suspicions were correct.
Oh, and I love the blooms. Beautiful colors and detail. I kind of wish there weren't so much contrast with the white on the upper right. It's almost like it's so bright white that it's distracting from the beautiful blooms. But, I'm a novice myself, so that might just be me. I really do like the shot!
Beautiful shot! Love the way you've composed it! I have the Canon 50mm 1.4 and it does the same thing when I'm too close to the subject, so I suspect that may have been the problem.
I have the slightly older Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D lens on my D300 right now, it's probably my favourite lens. The minimum focus distance for this lens isn't particularly close and the camera does exactly what you describe if I try to get it to focus on something that's tool close.
Gorgeous! My Canon 50mm does that if I'm too close or if the subject and the background are of a similar colour. The closest you can go with a 50 is about three feet.
You have got some amazing details in those blooms, and they are so interesting. I really like the balance in this shot, the white on one side and the colour on the other. Well done.
@smalbon Thank you, Steven, for your response to my question. It's very reassuring. I obviously need to experiment with distance from my subject and get used to the new lens.
@jo13 Thanks for your reply, Jo. I am reassured that it was user error, not a problem with the lens. I am having fun experimenting with it. It does take really nice, crisp shots.
@aleksandra Thanks for your response, Aleksandra. I'm glad to know it was me and not a problem with the lens. I will continue to experiment with it. I am very happy with the results so far.
@cmc1200 Thank you so much for the fav! I am happy you like it. I actually went back to the garden today to try to take more photos of these blooms but they were all gone. No color left to be found. It was a good reminder to me that garden's change so fast. Gotta get while gettin is good!
