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how to use distance scale on lens Anonymous
hey, digitalfag here, i've been wondering how to read or use the distance scale on a lens

see picture

aperture ring is okay, i set the aperture i want

what about the distance numbers in the window and the 11/16/22 which i'm assuming are f/ values?

is it let's say i want to focus on an object at 5m, i would turn the focus ring so the 5 is aligned to the center notch?

then what are the 11/16/22 for? i thought at first if i'm at f/11, i put the 5 at 11 but why are there 2 of them?
>> Anonymous
If you align "5m" mark with the center notch and set the aperture to f/11, everything between the "f/11" marks will be in focus. Same with f/16 and f/22.
>> Serenar !m827jEgWi.
The space between the lines indicates what will be in acceptable focus at a given aperture. So if the space between the two 11 marks spans 3 to 5 (screw Nikon's silly backward focusing) meters, that means things will be focus from 3 to 5 meters. In the picture, at f/22, everything is in focus past around 4 meters, because the space between the lines contains the infinity mark.

Extra fun fact: The little white dot there is probably an infrared mark. If shooting IR, focus normally, and then change the focus so that the dot marks the correctly focused point, not the line normally used. This compensates for the different wavelength of IR light or some shit like that.
>> Butterfly !xlgRMYva6s
>>206215
Talking of silly backwards focusing, i hate how the different mounts zoom different ways:

Sony : clockwise + zoom ; clockwise - focus
Canon: clockwise - zoom ; clockwise - focus
Nikon: clockwise + zoom ; clockwise + focus

So i guess that makes us the crazy ones? (i think those are correct btw, not much exp with canon lenses)
>> Anonymous
hmm, but the numbers don't exactly line up with the marks indicated by the two 11/16/22 marks

so i just guesstimate from the closest numbers?
>> Serenar !m827jEgWi.
>>206220
Yup. It's all just an approximation, anyways.
>> Anonymous
>>206223

also, my other nikon lens doesn't have number markings like the one in the pic

it has a green, blue and orange lines instead, also 11/16/22?
>> Anonymous
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>>206228

oh shi-

the numbers actually line up for this one

the one in the picture

for values between 2m and 1.2m, the numbers line up with the blue mark
>> Anonymous
oh wow, i feel dumb -____-

the 11/16/22 are colored on the lens lol

nevermind
>> Anonymous
>>206217
For even more lolwut:

Olympus: counter-clockwise to zoom in; any direction to focus
Panasonic: clockwise to zoom in; any direction to focus
>> Anonymous
so on the newer lenses

they just decided to say fuck the dof scale but keep the distance window?

what's the use then? lol
>> Anonymous
>>206239
if its a prime it should have the dof scale? or amiwrong?
>> Anonymous
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>>206241

oh yeah, i guess i was looking at a zoom :/
>> Anonymous
It should, but often doesn't. Manufacturers don't give a shit about nice little details like that anymore, and most users wouldn't even know what they were for anyway.
>> Anonymous
>>206253

so it's just for show?
>> Anonymous
>>206212
DOF
>> Anonymous
It's definitely the DOF (depth of field) if you set the aperture to 11 then the distances between the two 11's on the focus distance will be in focus
>> Anonymous
In the old manual rangefinders it showed the aperture # in the eyepiece by reflecting the image of the side of the aperture ring, which would be the same place as where those small #s are.
>> Anonymous
>>206261
>>206255

slowpokes are slow
>> Anonymous
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It's forward and back for my zooming!
>> Anonymous
>>206217
also, canon and nikon lenses screw onto the lens mount in opposite directions
>> Butterfly !xlgRMYva6s
>>206344
Everyone has to be so difficult dont they <3
>> Anonymous
>>206361
not trying to be difficult, just contributing to what you said
>> Serenar !m827jEgWi.
>>206266
I haven't seen a rangefinder that does this. Show us a picture?

That system was quite common on SLRs though, which is why the Nikkor in the OP has a smaller set of f numbers at the bottom. If you look underneath the prism but above the lens mount of an older Nikon, you should see a little peephole there.
>> Anonymous
>>206631That system was quite common on SLRs though

wait what

which of the nikon f* bodies has that?
>> Anonymous
A little part of me died in reading this thread. I suppose it's to be expected that with most new photographers starting out with lenses that lack hyperfocal distance markings, it's not ridiculous that most don't understand the concept behind them, but still. It seems like a pretty basic thing to learn.
>> Serenar !m827jEgWi.
>>206635
The FM2 I used before has one for sure, and I'd guess the peephole is present on every body past the F3.
>> Anonymous
just checked.

the ef 20, 50 and 85 has a distance window and DOF markings.

however, the sigma 30 has a distance window but no DOF markings... seems very pointless putting the window in with no markings to use it with...
>> TheGeneral !m7n7x2Yyfo
>>206639
probably the only negative thing about the sigma 30/1.4
>> Blackadder !!bSWRwu/NqzQ
I think it is a shame that some lenses have got rid of these markings. They are great learning aids.
>> Blackadder !!bSWRwu/NqzQ
>>206639

I think a lot of the newer Canon lenses removed the DOF markings. I've noticed that one ones like the EF-S lenses and the 70-200 2.8 IS.
>> Anonymous
>>206648
but wouldnt it be really hard to have DOF markings for zooms due to the change in DOF between e.g 70 & 200 even at f/11?

thats probably why for ef-s as well seeing as everyones still waiting for a canon efs prime :P
>> Blackadder !!bSWRwu/NqzQ
>>206661

Good point. You're right enough.

There is the EF-S 60mm 2.8 macro though and it doesn't have the markings.
>> Butterfly !xlgRMYva6s
>>206381
I was talking about the manufacturers.

Only my 50/1.7 has a window. Some of my zooms have the markings on (for 100, 200 and 300 for my 100-300) so its not impossible to have for zooms.