D5100 Auto Distortion Control question

Blurrymess

New member
I used the Auto Distortion Control a while back and it works like a charm, however, recently I went to the menu to turn it on, but it won't allow me to select it, and has a message saying I can't use it either because of my current setting or the camera won't allow it in it's current state. I've changes so many settings since using the ADC I can't for the life of me think or remember what may have been the setting that disabled it's function. I'd appreciate any input or suggestions.

Craig
 

Blurrymess

New member
Never mind, I figured it out. Apparently the 40mm f/2.8G lens is not compatible with the ADC as it doesn't have CP-U to drive it. The 18-55mm does support this feature, which would explain why it worked in the first place. Not a big deal as the 40mm macro is a flat field lens, so there's not distortion to worry about.
 

Blurrymess

New member
Not yet. I will try to get some up soon. I was initially going to get the 60mm, but I'm glad a went with the 40mm as its super sharp, is 1:1 like the 60mm, and works well as a walk around lens. The only thing it's not great for is landscape photo, but no lens does it all... I use it for copy work primarily, but it's also been great for portraits. 60mm would have been great too, I don't think you can lose with either one. One complaint I've heard about the 40mm is that the closet distance shooting is at about an inch and a half, so if you're shoot bugs macro you may scare them away, and the closeness of the lens to subject affects the flash... But you can get a ring flash if that's an issue. These are non-issues for me as I'm never going to be into shooting bugs. The 60mm pretty much does the same thing, but allows you to stand a bit further away from your subject, which can be a pro or con depending on the application.
 
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Rick M

Senior Member
Yea, I'm not a bug guy either, just want a real sharp lens for close up shots. I'm only considering the 60 over the 40 just in case I go Fx someday.
 

Blurrymess

New member
That makes sense, Rick, though FX cameras can take DX lenses so they wouldn't go to waste, nor affect the lens quality, but it would crop the FX sensor to match the DX so you limit the true capability of the FX. The 60 may be better bet in that respect if the cost is doable. My main concern was also sharpness, and barrel distortion.
 
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