New D300 owner here in need of help

[Erbeman]

So, I just upgraded from a D40 to a D300 and the learning curve is steep. Along with my new D300 I bought a used mint Nikkor 35-70 Af F/2.8 lens at the same time. I have them both now and I'm ready to start practicing with this beast but I'm already stumped.

Since this lens doesn't have it's own motor, the body does the AF on its own, that I know. So, I put the lens on the camera and turn it on and get a flashing EE on the display and the camera will not take a pic. There is a place in the menu to input lense specifications on non-CPU lenses. I'm guessing since the lens doesn't have it's own motor then it doesn't have it's own CPU. Well, here is the tricky part, it asks for focal length and max apperature. Well, this is a zoom lens. So, what would I put for focal length? Someone please help this D300 Noob :dunno TIA

[crayzphotography]

Just a guess until somebody puts a better answer. Try putting in 70 for the focal length. i have it set for 200 on my 70-200 with no problems, my best guess:dunno .
-crayz

[MrBook2]

I am just going out on a limb here, but are you sure that you have the aperture ring on the lens set to its smallest aperture? (Highest f number.) I know that my older AF lenses on my D200 will give me the EE if I don't set the aperture ring correctly.

--Aaron

PS: You shouldn't have to mess with the non-cpu lens menu for this lens, I think...

[Erbeman]

I am just going out on a limb here, but are you sure that you have the aperture ring on the lens set to its smallest aperture? (Highest f number.) I know that my older AF lenses on my D200 will give me the EE if I don't set the aperture ring correctly.

--Aaron

PS: You shouldn't have to mess with the non-cpu lens menu for this lens, I think...

Well, that did solve the problem. I turned it to F/22 and it then showed f/2.8 on the display. I'm confused now. How do I change the aperature? DO I just leave the lense set to f/22 and change the aperature setting on the camera?

[MrBook2]

Well, that did solve the problem. I turned it to F/22 and it then showed f/2.8 on the display. I'm confused now. How do I change the aperature? DO I just leave the lense set to f/22 and change the aperature setting on the camera?

Yes, you use the wheel on the camera. I think there is a way in the menus to allow you to use the aperture ring... Let me have a look...

On the D200, if you go to the custom setting menu, then to controls (group f for the D200), then to "Command Dials" (f5 for me), the to "Aperture Setting", you can choose to control the aperture using either the aperture ring (like the old school manual lenses of yesterday) or using the "sub-command dial" (the wheen on the front by your index finger.) If you are on the sub-commander dial, you have to leave the aperture ring set at the highest f stop number. If you are on the aperture ring setting, you use the ring on the lens (and it won't flash EE.)

There is likely a similar setting on your D300.

Hope this helps.

--Aaron

[InsuredDisaster]

Yes, Menus F7, Customize Customize command dials, Aperture setting.

It seems like a lot of lenses are coming out without an aperture ring these days. If you use the aperture ring on this lense, and get used to it, you might have difficulty with lenses that don't have the aperture ring (thus requiring you to instead use the camera's command dials)

[Erbeman]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

[ScottJ83]

i remember when i first got this lens, it took me an hour to figure out how to activate the macro mode... haha

[Erbeman]

i remember when i first got this lens, it took me an hour to figure out how to activate the macro mode... haha

Haha, I've had it a few days and I did some research on the internet yesterday to figure that out, then I was like :rolleyes you big dummy!!!

[ziggy53]

Naw, no dummies here. The interface is just unlike what you are used to and it takes some experience to feel comfortable.

Trust me, I get lost sometimes with my equipment and I always review "features" before a big event to make sure I don't get a "brain fart" in the middle of the action.

I had to shoot something recently that was both under an opaque tent and in broad sunlight. I was bouncing back and forth between modes and settings and, wouldn't you know it, I messed up a series of images using the wrong settings for some broad daylight shots. I didn't lose anything important but I surely felt stupid afterwards. You can never be too prepared or too careful.