Focus Indicator - Will it work with 50mm 1.8D (manual focus only) lens?

I cannot seem to get a straight answer. I purchased a 50mm 1.8D lens for my D3300. I knew this lens on my camera body could be used with manual focus only, but I did not expect it to be so difficult to achieve clear pictures. The majority of my pictures are blurry. The clear ones are great.

I read in a couple of places online and received some insight from others that a solid focus indicator would help me know when I am in focus. But as I was practicing, it never seemed like it would stay solid. So I contacted Nikon USA. Two different reps told me the light flashes with this lens attached because the camera cannot focus in autofocus mode. They told me the focus indicator was not relevant with this lens attached to this camera body.

Well today I was practicing some more, and it seemed like I was better able to achieve a solid green focus indicator using this lens. It seems like it could potentially be a way to help me manually focus with this lens, if in fact it does work 100% of the time.

Were the Nikon USA reps wrong? I read my manual. It is not clear enough to me.

I wanted to return the lens, but that was on day 16 after purchase. Nikon only accepts returns after 14 days, which is where I bought the lens. I paid $99 for it refurbished. It's in excellent condition. I think I would prefer a prime lens that will autofocus with my camera, but if I can salvage this one, it'd be great. My saving grace will be if I can in fact rely on the focus indicator.

Does anyone know the real answer? Thanks!

Try turning the rangefinder option on in the menu. This will turn your exposure indicator into a +/- focus meter. I think on my d3100, the focus dot does comes on, but its either real touchy or maybe its just brief. I don't remember, I'd have to check it. Make sure your center focus point is the active one.

With the rangefinder option it will be a lot easier than watching for the dot. Just get the scale at 0.

Also be sure your viewfinder diopter is adjusted and be sure your shutter speed is not too slow for hand holding. That could be a cause for blurry pictures (sometimes confused with out of focus). It should not be too hard to get a decent picture manually focusing by eye. Be aware of depth of field too. If you are shooting wide open (1.8) at a close subject, depth of field will be very shallow and some of your subject will be out of focus.

Also, @Kristin1981, seriously consider replacing the stock focus screen with an aftermarket one. The stock focus screen that came with my D3200, which I assume is the same as in your D3300, is useless for manual focusing. Go to eBay and do a search on the following set of keywords…


The listings vary, but the item you want is usually priced at or near $20.90.

The screen that came in my D3200 is optimized to give the brightest, clearest view. But that means you cannot easily see what is in focus, and what is not. I think Nikon assumes that those who buy their lower-end DSLRs will only ever use autofocus lenses.

The $20.90 screen from eBay is more like the screens in the film SLRs of old, when all or most lenses had to be manually focused, and so it is much more optimized to help you focus.

I will try the range finder option today. I've read a little bit about this option. I'm fairly new to photography, so this idea bewilders me a little bit. I have been using faster shutter speeds, and I've tried a smaller Aperture, too. The main problem I am having is photographing my small children (ages 4, 2, and 17 months) with this lens. I really love that Bokeh effect. I've achieved it with my 55-200mm kit lens. I'd try to sell this lens but do not think I am going to get what I paid, and for the price of $99, it'd be a "win" if I could figure out how to take better pictures. I'm certain it's me. I just don't know if I will ever be fast enough to focus.

I will also look into that focus screen. I think I searched this forum earlier and saw this idea, too. After all of this, I really wish I could get a 35mm 1.8G, but I also probably shouldn't give up on this after just a couple of weeks. If it is going to be impossible to increase the number of focused pictures, then I would probably sell this lens. A few blurry or bad pictures is fine, but the majority is really disheartening.

Manually focusing on constantly moving subjects (like small children) is going to be very difficult and frustrating. Sometimes we pay to learn... I have many times and most cost me more than $99! Hope it works out for you. Best results will come from very good form on your part and a stationary subject. Good luck.

For small children I would go with an auto focus lens.

Thank you everyone for your input. I put the rangefinder on, and I have been taking it very slow - making sure that focus indicator light is present and stable before I click all the way down and take the shot. I think it is very difficult for me at this point to achieve manual focus with this lens at a wide aperture, but I am new, but I see it is possible. I think the two Nikon representatives were incorrect about the focus indicator. Why else would it stabilize and give me great shots? The only trouble is trying to turn the focus ring and find the dot and go from there. I bought the lens to do portraits of my kids. I think it is best I don't use it for general shooting. So...would you all agree about this focus indicator working with this lens?

As a side note, I did look into a new focus screen. I guess I am nervous about putting a non-Nikon product onto my new camera. It looks easy to put on, but I would hate to break something since I'm generally not good at that sort of thing. I see Nikon does sell more expensive screens. I think I'll save my money for a new lens instead. Thanks again for your insight. I think this will be a great forum!

Something for you to consider, you can get used/like new kit lenses from Amazon and others at very reasonable prices. Lenses lke the Nikon 18-55 vr2 or 18-140 vr can give impressive results on a budget. I buy most of my gear this way and have saved a lot of money.

The lens will work for manual focus according to the lens compatibility chart in your manual so Nikon should not have been confused. That 50 is an AF lens. The manual says something to the effect of AF lenses work with manual focus and rangefinder. Nikon refers to the focus dot as rangefinder as well as calling the optional +/- scale a rangefinder. I just tried my 50mm on my old d3100, it works for sure. Real touchy getting the dot to stay on, but it does. Its easier outside in the brightness and as the subject gets more distant. It would be fine for an occasional portrait, but it would get old for everyday shooting. A 35 would probably be easier and good for low light and blurred backgrounds. Chris mentioned good everyday lenses. Many of us have the 18-140. I'd also add the 18-105 for consideration. You can find that real cheap sometimes. Keep an eye on Adorama and Cameta for good deals on Nikon refurbished lenses.

Kristin1981 said:

I will try the range finder option today. I've read a little bit about this option. I'm fairly new to photography, so this idea bewilders me a little bit. I have been using faster shutter speeds, and I've tried a smaller Aperture, too. The main problem I am having is photographing my small children (ages 4, 2, and 17 months) with this lens. I really love that Bokeh effect. I've achieved it with my 55-200mm kit lens. I'd try to sell this lens but do not think I am going to get what I paid, and for the price of $99, it'd be a "win" if I could figure out how to take better pictures. I'm certain it's me. I just don't know if I will ever be fast enough to focus.

I will also look into that focus screen. I think I searched this forum earlier and saw this idea, too. After all of this, I really wish I could get a 35mm 1.8G, but I also probably shouldn't give up on this after just a couple of weeks. If it is going to be impossible to increase the number of focused pictures, then I would probably sell this lens. A few blurry or bad pictures is fine, but the majority is really disheartening.

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Chris@sabor said:

Manually focusing on constantly moving subjects (like small children) is going to be very difficult and frustrating. Sometimes we pay to learn... I have many times and most cost me more than $99! Hope it works out for you. Best results will come from very good form on your part and a stationary subject. Good luck.

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Needa said:

For small children I would go with an auto focus lens.

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Yes, for children, you'll probably want a lens that autofocuses. It's not impossible to get sharp pictures of things that won't stand still with a manual focus lens, but it's very challenging. At least you're digital, and can shoot as many pictures as you want, at little cost, and see the results right away to know if you need to try again. Imagine if you were shooting film, like in the old days—only two or three dozen shots per roll of film, at a cost of quite a few dollars for film and processing, and a significant wait before you could see how the pictures came out.

Please note that for your D3300, you need a lens that has its own autofocus motor. Nikon designates such lenses as AF-I, AF-S, or AF-P. Lenses that are just designated AF don't have their own motor, and will only autofocus on higher-end bodies that provide the motor.

Now, your 50mm may be good for other uses, even if not for chasing after your children. I take a lot of pictures using this ancient 1972-vintage non-AI 50mm ƒ/1.4 lens from from old F2.



I get great pictures with this lens, but it's really only useful for things that stay relatively still, while I carefully set everything up. According to Nikon, this lens isn't even compatible with my D3200, but this lens (and two other similar ancient non-AI lenses) my D3200, and I, very much disagree with Nikon on that point. Of course, I'm reduced to an even more primitive operating level with this lens, than you are with your 50mm. You may not have autofocus, but you still have automatic exposure and metering. I don't even get that, with this lens. I have to do everything manually. That's OK, with me. I cut my teeth on an F2, which was an all-manual camera, so I'm no stranger to having to set everything manually.

Well, my husband was so sweet and let me buy a 35mm 1.8G and the autofocus is so great for photographing my children! I took off the 50mm 1.8D from myD3300 and put on the kit lens before purchasing the 35mm, and basically, I knew I needed to get a lens that will autofocus with my camera. I still love the 50mm focal length, but I am going to try to sell it on ebay. It's listed. If it doesn't sell, then I have a 35mm and a 50mm.