photog11 Loc: San Francisco

Hi. I hope someone can help. In expanding beyond my kit lenses, I recently got a Nikon 300mm f/4.5 ai lens. It requires that I use my D5000 in manual mode. My question is what settings do I use on the lens itself? Do I stop it down as far as possible (f/22), then use my set aperture and shutter speed in my camera. Or, do I open it up as far as possible (f/4.5), then set aperture and shutter in the camera? I have seen some wonderful, older shots, with this lens... mine are falling short. I do use a tripod with it all the time, and have my ISO set to 400 or higher. Any other tips? Thanks

snowbear

Set the aperture on the lens, using the aperture ring. Set the shutter speed on the camera body.

If you can't meter with the lens, just take a good guess and a few test shots to nail down the exposure - sunny-16 rule might help you start.

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

I own a 40-yo Nikkor 300-mm lens, that I use on my D5000 or D90 to take hummingbird photos. ALL settings are manual. I suggest that you start with the "Sunny 16" guideline = On a sunny day, exposure will be 1/ISO at f/16.

For stability, long lenses need short shutter durations = 1/(lens length). So I suggest ISO 400, 1/400-sec at f/16 to start (on a sunny day). After exposure, eyeball your LCD, or check your histogram for proper exposure. Adjust aperture as necessary.

Erv Loc: Medina Ohio

I use a hand held light meter to get me close, when adjust from there. The meter always gets me real close. I have a ton of old lenses and play with all of them. But the meter does help. Just like the olden days! :D
Erv

photog11 Loc: San Francisco

Thank you. Yours is the most on point reply. I never thought of setting aperture and shutterspeed on separate pieces of equipment.