Random blurry images with manual 105 f/2.5 Nikkor-P on D3300

[aroy]

I have 105mm F2.8 AIS, and use it with D3300. Here are the observations

. The DOF is very shallow and at F2.8 to F5.6 it is very difficult to get what you want in focus using the view finder. If you have slight vision power, the the task is even more difficult. Tripod and live view is the only sure fire method of getting the focus right.
. The Mode has to be "M", and if you use external flash then that too has to be set to Manual mode. I have no idea of how to set the power level in built-in flash, but using the SB800 on the hot shoe, I get the power level after a few trials, as I use the macro lens for macro, the level is more or less set, but when you use it for normal shots, then you have to calculate the power level based on the distance and aperture settings.
. In "M" mode you can set the shutter speed. That and the ISO are your only inputs that the camera can change, the aperture is set on the lens. It is better to use fixed ISO with non CPU lenses on the D3xxx and D5xxx series.

 

[gustafson]

The Mode has to be "M", and if you use external flash then that too has to be set to Manual mode. I have no idea of how to set the power level in built-in flash,

The Shooting Menu on the D3300 has an option "Flash Cntrl for Built-in Flash" that lets you manually adjust the flash output in stops down to 1/32 of full flash.

. In "M" mode you can set the shutter speed. That and the ISO are your only inputs that the camera can change, the aperture is set on the lens. It is better to use fixed ISO with non CPU lenses on the D3xxx and D5xxx series.

My experience has been that with non CPU lenses in M mode, the D3300 allows you to enable Auto ISO, but it does not actually change the ISO by itself, so you still need to change ISO manually. I've found that I've had to vary both shutter speeds and ISO to get adequate exposure, especially when I change the aperture or change to a lens with a different maximum aperture. Let me know if I'm misinterpreting your statement or am missing something, as I would very much love to have one less variable to control with these non CPU lenses!


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[aroy]

The Shooting Menu on the D3300 has an option "Flash Cntrl for Built-in Flash" that lets you manually adjust the flash output in stops down to 1/32 of full flash.



My experience has been that with non CPU lenses in M mode, the D3300 allows you to enable Auto ISO, but it does not actually change the ISO by itself, so you still need to change ISO manually. I've found that I've had to vary both shutter speeds and ISO to get adequate exposure, especially when I change the aperture or change to a lens with a different maximum aperture. Let me know if I'm misinterpreting your statement or am missing something, as I would very much love to have one less variable to control with these non CPU lenses!


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Thanks for the tip on flash. As I only use the external flash with my AIS lens (the lens intrudes into the cone of inbuilt flash), I never explored that option on the inbuilt flash).

Auto ISO, as far as I know requires the camera CPU to know the exposure values. As non CPU lens does not communicate with D3300, nor does D3300 know what are the lenses parameters, it should not work. You set the ISO as you would use the higher ISO film - manually. I think I have stated some where that a good work around is to have your kit lens with you. Focus on the object, and transfer the settings when you put the non CPU lens. On the whole rather than going in that direction I would get a D610 or D750, that ends all my problems including using the "D" AF lenses.