BetterPhoto Q&A
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Jo Barker		Nikkor 105mm f/2.8 AF I am testing this 2nd hand lens on my Nikon D70 and Fujifinepix S2 pro. I want a lens for portraits of people and pets and had heard that this was a fine portrait lens. Manual focus is fine .I loved the 1:1 macro on it. But the autofocus is jamming. By this I mean if I pan around the room and try to focus on various objects...it is ok then suddenly I will get the F-- sign on my LCD and it becomes inoporable. Until I switch it off and on go into manual and come back to auto. Am I just not using this lens correctly or is it damaged. Thanks JoBarker To love this question, log in above April 12, 2005

Terry R. Hatfield		Hi Joanne! The F-- Your Getting Usually Means Your F Stop On The Lens Isnt At Its Widest Aperture And Locked Down, In This Case It Would Be 2.8 Check The Lens To See. Autofocus On A Macro Lens Is Basically Useless Especially In Close Up Work. The Nikon 85mm F1.4 Is a Great Portrait Lens Also The Nikon 105mm AF DC F2.0 Is A Great Lens Which You Can Control The Amount Of Focus In The Background And Or Foreground, Your In Camera Crop Would Make The 105mm A 157mm And The 85mm A 127mm.Both Are Great Lens The 105mm Does Have A Bit Of a Learning Curve Involved. To love this comment, log in above April 12, 2005

Jo Barker		Terry Hi thanks..you have answered my other question...some suitable alternatives. I am lucky in that I can send this lens back and get a refund. I think I will do this and go all in for a new one from somewhere reliable. I really like the sound of the DC as I love to play with focus in images. Off to window shop again!! Thanks Jo To love this comment, log in above April 12, 2005

Michael H. Cothran		Allow me to make an important correction to Terry's response above: The "f---" means that your lens is not set to the SMALLEST f-stop (f32 on your 105), NOT the LARGEST f-stop (2.8) as Terry indicated. You MUST CLOSE DOWN the lens all the way when mounted to the D70 and S2. Locking is optional, but it keeps it from inadvertantly changing. If you are experiencing the "f---" while the lens is set to f32, there is another problem somewhere. And for portraiture, I would also consider the 85/1.8. It is a much more affordable, yet quality build lens than the 1.4 version. Quality-of-image wise, they're all about the same (which is to say quite good), and I doubt you'll see any difference from what the 105/2.8 can produce. The DC lenses are very expensive, and their "depth control" is only useful outdoors (not so much in a studio environment). Michael H. Cothran www.mhcphoto.net To love this comment, log in above April 12, 2005

Jo Barker		Michael Great Thanks ...yes I am experiencing this F-- problem when the aperture is closed down and locked . I have checked and rechecked it!! This lens is unusual to me as it has functions on the barrel as well and I wondered if this was where I was going wrong. It came without instructions. It works fine for a few moments but in auto locks at the ends of the ranges...I think! When the lens fully retracts and is searching for a focus or if try to focus up close it flashes up F--and becomes inoperable. I am so glad u say this is not right. I did'nt think it was but could not find anyone to verify it. I have been into Ritz camera with the lens ..they had a look and it refused to display this defect in public...as soon as it was home it was doing it again!! Naughty lens. I have e-mailed Nikon service to see if they could tell me if I was doing something wrong but no reply. And also a quick call to BH Vidio..where I got a sales pitch and no tech knowledge over the lens. Thanks for the lens advice..this sounds good..will check it out. Jobarker www.joannebarkerdigi2000.com To love this comment, log in above April 12, 2005

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