Nikon Lens Quirks

[Larry H-L]

The fly-by-wire non-linear focus rate drives me crazy at times. One good feature, however, of F-B-W focusing is that on some systems, such as Olympus, you can choose the direction of focus in the camera menus.. something all manufacturers should do.

 

[Spavinaw]

OK. Let me go everyone one better. I have an original Ricoh Singlex. It has a lens mount similar to Nikon. The original 55mm f1.4 lens focuses the same direction as a Nikon lens (backward). However, the split image focusing aid focuses in the other direction. That is, to move the split images to the right you turn the lens to the left and vice versa.

Now, who has something worse?

 

[f.hayek]

I never gave a second thought to focus directions with any camera, until I read on the internet that it is vitally important!

😉

Exactly!

 

[peterm1]

It is aggravating if like me you love using old lenses of different makes on mirrorless cameras and constantly have to remember (a) how to mount them and (b) how to focus them.

Even more aggravating than Nikon lenses are the old Canon lenses with a breech-lock which also require a ring on the adapter to actuate the aperture stop down. If done in the wrong way (as many have found to their cost) it can lock the lens on the adapter making it near impossible to remove. In general though the most aggravating thing is when lenses aperture rings work in the opposite direction. Even weirder than some makers are Leica. If you look at the series of 90mm f2 Summicrons made by them over the years different versions have the opposite aperture ring direction to the previous model. Who would do this to their loyal client base? Leica, that's who! Way to convince people not to upgrade.........

https://www.kenrockwell.com/leica/90mm-f2.htm

 

[nickthetasmaniac]

Why to this day do Nikkor lenses bolt on the camera opposite to other manufacturers and also why do they focus opposite to the rest ? No biggie, just curious as to the history.

It’s hardly Nikon vs The Rest...

Of the gear I have, Nikon, Pentax K and Pentax M42 focus one way. Olympus OM, Minolta SR and Leica M focus the other way...

FWIW F, K and M42 make up a huge chunk of the consumer lenses that have been made over the years, so perhaps that’s the standard and everyone else is weird 😀

 

[Robert Lai]

Use your eyes

Use your eyes

I own Nikon SLRs, and Canon FD mount SLRs.
I also have Zeiss Ikon Contax rangefinders, and Leica rangefinders.
It would be too confusing if try to remember everything.
I find it easiest just to look at the screen or rangefinder. Thankfully, they indicate in which direction better focus will be achieved.