File :-(, x, )
Anonymous
Tried to put my new 50mm prime lens to work. Manual focus is kind of annoying.. 2/3 of all my pictures were out of focus. Any advice for manual focusing?

After being confused for like 30 minute about color profiles I've come to this final version.
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Camera-Specific Properties:Equipment MakeNIKON CORPORATIONCamera ModelNIKON D40Camera SoftwareAdobe Photoshop 7.0Maximum Lens Aperturef/1.7Sensing MethodOne-Chip Color AreaColor Filter Array Pattern742Focal Length (35mm Equiv)75 mmImage-Specific Properties:Image OrientationTop, Left-HandHorizontal Resolution240 dpiVertical Resolution240 dpiImage Created2007:08:28 22:29:55Exposure Time1/1000 secF-Numberf/1.8Exposure ProgramManualISO Speed Rating200Lens Aperturef/1.8Exposure Bias2.7 EVMetering ModeCenter Weighted AverageLight SourceCloudy WeatherFlashNo FlashFocal Length50.00 mmColor Space InformationUncalibratedImage Width800Image Height641RenderingNormalExposure ModeManualWhite BalanceManualScene Capture TypeStandardGain ControlNoneContrastNormalSaturationNormalSharpnessNormalSubject Distance RangeUnknown
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
Emo from a young age right?
A lot of my pictures had overblown highlights in her hair like this one. I like the pose though and the highlights were even worse looking in color.

Camera-Specific Properties:Equipment MakeNIKON CORPORATIONCamera ModelNIKON D40Camera SoftwareAdobe Photoshop 7.0Maximum Lens Aperturef/1.7Sensing MethodOne-Chip Color AreaColor Filter Array Pattern742Focal Length (35mm Equiv)75 mmImage-Specific Properties:Image OrientationTop, Left-HandHorizontal Resolution240 dpiVertical Resolution240 dpiImage Created2007:08:28 22:38:44Exposure Time1/250 secF-Numberf/2.2Exposure ProgramManualISO Speed Rating200Lens Aperturef/2.2Exposure Bias2.7 EVMetering ModeCenter Weighted AverageLight SourceShadeFlashNo FlashFocal Length50.00 mmColor Space InformationUncalibratedImage Width600Image Height900RenderingNormalExposure ModeManualWhite BalanceManualScene Capture TypeStandardGain ControlNoneContrastSoftSaturationNormalSharpnessNormalSubject Distance RangeUnknown
>> Vincent
Not sure of the D40 does it, BUT in my D50 and D200, if I manual focus lenses a green dot will appear in the bottom left of the viewfinder to indicate that the area the focus selector is highlighting is in focus. Try that.

If not then good luck, the D40's viewfinder is quite small, and its more guesswork than anything. I do find it a bit easier to start focusing at .45m (shortest focus) and move the focus area back until the subject looks in focus, focusing from infinity is tougher to predict.
>> Anonymous
>>72434

For manual focusing, do you have a focusing screen on your D40? See http://www.katzeyeoptics.com/cat--Nikon-DSLRs--cat_nikon.html

When the aperture is wide open try focusing on the eyes. (Do whatever looks good, but focusing on the eyes is usually a good guideline)
>> elf_man !fBgo7jDjms
yeah, d40 has a little rangefinder thingy in the viewfinder, green dot appears when the subject is in focus. I actually used it briefly one time, it kept focusing on the bars of a gate, so i switched to manual, focused through to the other side, it looked clear, and the focus came out fine.
>> Anonymous
>>72438
Wow awesome. I should have RTFM more closely. This will help a lot!
>> Anonymous
>>72440
Are these helpful enough to justify the $95?
>> Anonymous
>>72447
If you plan to use a manual lens VERY frequently, then yes. It is extremely helpful. You will be able to focus very precisely with these things. People used to use these on Nikon film SLRs before autofocus came out.

Be VERY CAREFUL though. If you've never mucked around inside your camera, then you probably want someone else to install your focusing screen. They are EXTREMELY easy to scratch up. You have to either have surgically steady hands, or get a camera shop to install it for you.