Why can't I auto-focus on semi-close subjects with my new Nikon 50-300?
I just got a new lens (Nikon DX 55-300) for my Nikon 3300 camera. I am just a beginner, however when I try to focus and capture something semi- close by (in the same room) it does not allow me to focus or shoot the image. The only way to capture the image is if I flip the manual focus switch on the side. Why is this? Does it have to do with aparture or ISO. Also, I am taking a trip to South Africa and need all the beginner help I can get in order to learn my camera quickly.
nikon troubleshooting focus
edited 5 hours ago
mattdm
119k38350639
asked 6 hours ago
Liz AnneLiz Anne
61
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Liz Anne is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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add a comment |
I just got a new lens (Nikon DX 55-300) for my Nikon 3300 camera. I am just a beginner, however when I try to focus and capture something semi- close by (in the same room) it does not allow me to focus or shoot the image. The only way to capture the image is if I flip the manual focus switch on the side. Why is this? Does it have to do with aparture or ISO. Also, I am taking a trip to South Africa and need all the beginner help I can get in order to learn my camera quickly.
nikon troubleshooting focus
edited 5 hours ago
mattdm
119k38350639
asked 6 hours ago
Liz AnneLiz Anne
61
New contributor
Liz Anne is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Wonder if problem solutions ala "consider getting a diopter, a full macro lens, or extension tubes (not if the lens is internal focusing!)" make good or off topic answers here? Technically, they asked "why does it not work", not "how to make it work" ...
– rackandboneman
1 hour ago
@MichaelC Thanks for letting me know...
– xiota
1 hour ago
@rackandboneman I think it's good to mention solutions as long as the "why" is also answered. But there are also other QAs that discuss such solutions that might be worth linking to.
– xiota
1 hour ago
add a comment |
I just got a new lens (Nikon DX 55-300) for my Nikon 3300 camera. I am just a beginner, however when I try to focus and capture something semi- close by (in the same room) it does not allow me to focus or shoot the image. The only way to capture the image is if I flip the manual focus switch on the side. Why is this? Does it have to do with aparture or ISO. Also, I am taking a trip to South Africa and need all the beginner help I can get in order to learn my camera quickly.
nikon troubleshooting focus
edited 5 hours ago
mattdm
119k38350639
asked 6 hours ago
Liz AnneLiz Anne
61
New contributor
Liz Anne is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
I just got a new lens (Nikon DX 55-300) for my Nikon 3300 camera. I am just a beginner, however when I try to focus and capture something semi- close by (in the same room) it does not allow me to focus or shoot the image. The only way to capture the image is if I flip the manual focus switch on the side. Why is this? Does it have to do with aparture or ISO. Also, I am taking a trip to South Africa and need all the beginner help I can get in order to learn my camera quickly.
nikon troubleshooting focus
nikon troubleshooting focus
edited 5 hours ago
mattdm
119k38350639
asked 6 hours ago
Liz AnneLiz Anne
61
New contributor
Liz Anne is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 5 hours ago
mattdm
119k38350639
asked 6 hours ago
Liz AnneLiz Anne
61
New contributor
Liz Anne is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 5 hours ago
mattdm
119k38350639
edited 5 hours ago
mattdm
119k38350639
edited 5 hours ago
mattdm
119k38350639
119k38350639
asked 6 hours ago
Liz AnneLiz Anne
61
New contributor
Liz Anne is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 6 hours ago
Liz AnneLiz Anne
61
asked 6 hours ago
Liz AnneLiz Anne
61
61
New contributor
Liz Anne is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Liz Anne is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Liz Anne is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Wonder if problem solutions ala "consider getting a diopter, a full macro lens, or extension tubes (not if the lens is internal focusing!)" make good or off topic answers here? Technically, they asked "why does it not work", not "how to make it work" ...
– rackandboneman
1 hour ago
@MichaelC Thanks for letting me know...
– xiota
1 hour ago
@rackandboneman I think it's good to mention solutions as long as the "why" is also answered. But there are also other QAs that discuss such solutions that might be worth linking to.
– xiota
1 hour ago
add a comment |
Wonder if problem solutions ala "consider getting a diopter, a full macro lens, or extension tubes (not if the lens is internal focusing!)" make good or off topic answers here? Technically, they asked "why does it not work", not "how to make it work" ...
– rackandboneman
1 hour ago
@MichaelC Thanks for letting me know...
– xiota
1 hour ago
@rackandboneman I think it's good to mention solutions as long as the "why" is also answered. But there are also other QAs that discuss such solutions that might be worth linking to.
– xiota
1 hour ago
Wonder if problem solutions ala "consider getting a diopter, a full macro lens, or extension tubes (not if the lens is internal focusing!)" make good or off topic answers here? Technically, they asked "why does it not work", not "how to make it work" ...
– rackandboneman
1 hour ago
Wonder if problem solutions ala "consider getting a diopter, a full macro lens, or extension tubes (not if the lens is internal focusing!)" make good or off topic answers here? Technically, they asked "why does it not work", not "how to make it work" ...
– rackandboneman
1 hour ago
@MichaelC Thanks for letting me know...
– xiota
1 hour ago
@MichaelC Thanks for letting me know...
– xiota
1 hour ago
@rackandboneman I think it's good to mention solutions as long as the "why" is also answered. But there are also other QAs that discuss such solutions that might be worth linking to.
– xiota
1 hour ago
@rackandboneman I think it's good to mention solutions as long as the "why" is also answered. But there are also other QAs that discuss such solutions that might be worth linking to.
– xiota
1 hour ago
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
This lens is advertised as having a minimum focus distance of 1.4m. That means it can't focus on subjects closer than that distance — about 4.5 feet. That might be some of your problem.
It is also likely that indoors is darker than you think it is — sunlight is many times more light than the typical interior. The lens may have trouble focusing in low-light conditions.
answered 5 hours ago
mattdmmattdm
119k38350639
1
Worth adding that Nikon bodies come with default settings that do not release the shutter until the autofocus has locked on. OP was wondering why they had to switch to manual focus to get it to take a photo - it's because in manual focus mode the camera will always take the shot, regardless of whether it thinks the image is in focus or not. There are autofocus options in the camera, however, which will autofocus with a half-click and release the shutter on a full click without waiting for focus confirmation (ie: the photographer has to decide whether the autofocus has done its job or not).
– J...
22 mins ago
add a comment |
What other lenses do you have? What subjects do you plan to photograph? If there is a mismatch between your intended subject matter and lens choice, you should consider getting a more suitable lens. Since you "just got" this lens, you may still be within the return window.
As mattdm mentions, the lens is likely unable to focus closely because of its minimum focusing distance. Although you are able to fire the shutter with the lens in manual mode, the images you capture may not be optimal. If there is sufficient light, stopping down the aperture can widen the depth of field and help make closer objects appear more in-focus.
As tetsujin had formerly noted, the lens has a slow F4.5 max aperture. That would make it a good daylight lens with marginal indoor performance (which mattdm also notes). Attempting to adjust the aperture in this case would be unhelpful because the camera likely focuses with the aperture wide open regardless of the setting.
A controversial source mentions that the lens' autofocus is slow. The camera may be giving up on attaining focus before the lens is able to complete its focusing routine. If this is the case, there isn't much you can do besides get a different lens or camera body.
answered 1 hour ago
xiotaxiota
9,13821551
On the last point, another option is: add light.
– mattdm
4 mins ago
add a comment |
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2 Answers
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active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
This lens is advertised as having a minimum focus distance of 1.4m. That means it can't focus on subjects closer than that distance — about 4.5 feet. That might be some of your problem.
It is also likely that indoors is darker than you think it is — sunlight is many times more light than the typical interior. The lens may have trouble focusing in low-light conditions.
answered 5 hours ago
mattdmmattdm
119k38350639
1
Worth adding that Nikon bodies come with default settings that do not release the shutter until the autofocus has locked on. OP was wondering why they had to switch to manual focus to get it to take a photo - it's because in manual focus mode the camera will always take the shot, regardless of whether it thinks the image is in focus or not. There are autofocus options in the camera, however, which will autofocus with a half-click and release the shutter on a full click without waiting for focus confirmation (ie: the photographer has to decide whether the autofocus has done its job or not).
– J...
22 mins ago
add a comment |
This lens is advertised as having a minimum focus distance of 1.4m. That means it can't focus on subjects closer than that distance — about 4.5 feet. That might be some of your problem.
It is also likely that indoors is darker than you think it is — sunlight is many times more light than the typical interior. The lens may have trouble focusing in low-light conditions.
answered 5 hours ago
mattdmmattdm
119k38350639
1
Worth adding that Nikon bodies come with default settings that do not release the shutter until the autofocus has locked on. OP was wondering why they had to switch to manual focus to get it to take a photo - it's because in manual focus mode the camera will always take the shot, regardless of whether it thinks the image is in focus or not. There are autofocus options in the camera, however, which will autofocus with a half-click and release the shutter on a full click without waiting for focus confirmation (ie: the photographer has to decide whether the autofocus has done its job or not).
– J...
22 mins ago
add a comment |
This lens is advertised as having a minimum focus distance of 1.4m. That means it can't focus on subjects closer than that distance — about 4.5 feet. That might be some of your problem.
It is also likely that indoors is darker than you think it is — sunlight is many times more light than the typical interior. The lens may have trouble focusing in low-light conditions.
answered 5 hours ago
mattdmmattdm
119k38350639
This lens is advertised as having a minimum focus distance of 1.4m. That means it can't focus on subjects closer than that distance — about 4.5 feet. That might be some of your problem.
It is also likely that indoors is darker than you think it is — sunlight is many times more light than the typical interior. The lens may have trouble focusing in low-light conditions.
answered 5 hours ago
mattdmmattdm
119k38350639
answered 5 hours ago
mattdmmattdm
119k38350639
answered 5 hours ago
mattdmmattdm
119k38350639
answered 5 hours ago
mattdmmattdm
119k38350639
119k38350639
1
Worth adding that Nikon bodies come with default settings that do not release the shutter until the autofocus has locked on. OP was wondering why they had to switch to manual focus to get it to take a photo - it's because in manual focus mode the camera will always take the shot, regardless of whether it thinks the image is in focus or not. There are autofocus options in the camera, however, which will autofocus with a half-click and release the shutter on a full click without waiting for focus confirmation (ie: the photographer has to decide whether the autofocus has done its job or not).
– J...
22 mins ago
add a comment |
1
Worth adding that Nikon bodies come with default settings that do not release the shutter until the autofocus has locked on. OP was wondering why they had to switch to manual focus to get it to take a photo - it's because in manual focus mode the camera will always take the shot, regardless of whether it thinks the image is in focus or not. There are autofocus options in the camera, however, which will autofocus with a half-click and release the shutter on a full click without waiting for focus confirmation (ie: the photographer has to decide whether the autofocus has done its job or not).
– J...
22 mins ago
1
1
Worth adding that Nikon bodies come with default settings that do not release the shutter until the autofocus has locked on. OP was wondering why they had to switch to manual focus to get it to take a photo - it's because in manual focus mode the camera will always take the shot, regardless of whether it thinks the image is in focus or not. There are autofocus options in the camera, however, which will autofocus with a half-click and release the shutter on a full click without waiting for focus confirmation (ie: the photographer has to decide whether the autofocus has done its job or not).
– J...
22 mins ago
Worth adding that Nikon bodies come with default settings that do not release the shutter until the autofocus has locked on. OP was wondering why they had to switch to manual focus to get it to take a photo - it's because in manual focus mode the camera will always take the shot, regardless of whether it thinks the image is in focus or not. There are autofocus options in the camera, however, which will autofocus with a half-click and release the shutter on a full click without waiting for focus confirmation (ie: the photographer has to decide whether the autofocus has done its job or not).
– J...
22 mins ago
add a comment |
What other lenses do you have? What subjects do you plan to photograph? If there is a mismatch between your intended subject matter and lens choice, you should consider getting a more suitable lens. Since you "just got" this lens, you may still be within the return window.
As mattdm mentions, the lens is likely unable to focus closely because of its minimum focusing distance. Although you are able to fire the shutter with the lens in manual mode, the images you capture may not be optimal. If there is sufficient light, stopping down the aperture can widen the depth of field and help make closer objects appear more in-focus.
As tetsujin had formerly noted, the lens has a slow F4.5 max aperture. That would make it a good daylight lens with marginal indoor performance (which mattdm also notes). Attempting to adjust the aperture in this case would be unhelpful because the camera likely focuses with the aperture wide open regardless of the setting.
A controversial source mentions that the lens' autofocus is slow. The camera may be giving up on attaining focus before the lens is able to complete its focusing routine. If this is the case, there isn't much you can do besides get a different lens or camera body.
answered 1 hour ago
xiotaxiota
9,13821551
On the last point, another option is: add light.
– mattdm
4 mins ago
add a comment |
What other lenses do you have? What subjects do you plan to photograph? If there is a mismatch between your intended subject matter and lens choice, you should consider getting a more suitable lens. Since you "just got" this lens, you may still be within the return window.
As mattdm mentions, the lens is likely unable to focus closely because of its minimum focusing distance. Although you are able to fire the shutter with the lens in manual mode, the images you capture may not be optimal. If there is sufficient light, stopping down the aperture can widen the depth of field and help make closer objects appear more in-focus.
As tetsujin had formerly noted, the lens has a slow F4.5 max aperture. That would make it a good daylight lens with marginal indoor performance (which mattdm also notes). Attempting to adjust the aperture in this case would be unhelpful because the camera likely focuses with the aperture wide open regardless of the setting.
A controversial source mentions that the lens' autofocus is slow. The camera may be giving up on attaining focus before the lens is able to complete its focusing routine. If this is the case, there isn't much you can do besides get a different lens or camera body.
answered 1 hour ago
xiotaxiota
9,13821551
On the last point, another option is: add light.
– mattdm
4 mins ago
add a comment |
What other lenses do you have? What subjects do you plan to photograph? If there is a mismatch between your intended subject matter and lens choice, you should consider getting a more suitable lens. Since you "just got" this lens, you may still be within the return window.
As mattdm mentions, the lens is likely unable to focus closely because of its minimum focusing distance. Although you are able to fire the shutter with the lens in manual mode, the images you capture may not be optimal. If there is sufficient light, stopping down the aperture can widen the depth of field and help make closer objects appear more in-focus.
As tetsujin had formerly noted, the lens has a slow F4.5 max aperture. That would make it a good daylight lens with marginal indoor performance (which mattdm also notes). Attempting to adjust the aperture in this case would be unhelpful because the camera likely focuses with the aperture wide open regardless of the setting.
A controversial source mentions that the lens' autofocus is slow. The camera may be giving up on attaining focus before the lens is able to complete its focusing routine. If this is the case, there isn't much you can do besides get a different lens or camera body.
answered 1 hour ago
xiotaxiota
9,13821551
What other lenses do you have? What subjects do you plan to photograph? If there is a mismatch between your intended subject matter and lens choice, you should consider getting a more suitable lens. Since you "just got" this lens, you may still be within the return window.
As mattdm mentions, the lens is likely unable to focus closely because of its minimum focusing distance. Although you are able to fire the shutter with the lens in manual mode, the images you capture may not be optimal. If there is sufficient light, stopping down the aperture can widen the depth of field and help make closer objects appear more in-focus.
As tetsujin had formerly noted, the lens has a slow F4.5 max aperture. That would make it a good daylight lens with marginal indoor performance (which mattdm also notes). Attempting to adjust the aperture in this case would be unhelpful because the camera likely focuses with the aperture wide open regardless of the setting.
A controversial source mentions that the lens' autofocus is slow. The camera may be giving up on attaining focus before the lens is able to complete its focusing routine. If this is the case, there isn't much you can do besides get a different lens or camera body.
answered 1 hour ago
xiotaxiota
9,13821551
edited 1 hour ago
answered 1 hour ago
xiotaxiota
9,13821551
answered 1 hour ago
xiotaxiota
9,13821551
answered 1 hour ago
xiotaxiota
9,13821551
9,13821551
On the last point, another option is: add light.
– mattdm
4 mins ago
add a comment |
On the last point, another option is: add light.
– mattdm
4 mins ago
On the last point, another option is: add light.
– mattdm
4 mins ago
On the last point, another option is: add light.
– mattdm
4 mins ago
add a comment |
Liz Anne is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Liz Anne is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Liz Anne is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Liz Anne is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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Wonder if problem solutions ala "consider getting a diopter, a full macro lens, or extension tubes (not if the lens is internal focusing!)" make good or off topic answers here? Technically, they asked "why does it not work", not "how to make it work" ...
– rackandboneman
1 hour ago
@MichaelC Thanks for letting me know...
– xiota
1 hour ago
@rackandboneman I think it's good to mention solutions as long as the "why" is also answered. But there are also other QAs that discuss such solutions that might be worth linking to.
– xiota
1 hour ago