new Camera

I have just purchased a new lens to go with a camera I have yet to buy.

I know this sounds backwards but I am trying to go from a point and shoot to DSLR plus add a 3D photo lens to the package. The 3D lens is the only reason I need to buy the camera.

I am going to buy a Canon EOS Rebel T3 12.2MP DSLR Camera once the lens arrives so I can be assured the lens works properly on the camera before putting the cash up front.

Now to my question: The lens is an appature priority lens which also has a manual focus on it. How difficult is it to turn off the auto focus on this camera, or can it be done at all?

This is my first post on these boards, so I hope I am posting in the correct place and manner. I appreciate any feedback or questions. This is probably a rather confusing post.

Most of the lenses have a switch that you turn either set the switch to AF or MF.

What lens did you buy?

edofloat wrote in post #12512718
Most of the lenses have a switch that you turn either set the switch to AF or MF.

this.. so its as simple as the flick of a switch to go from manual focus to auto focus and the vis versa...

as for a "3D" lens... i dunno what that is ... is it a normal EF lens? The camera has the option for aperture priority along with shutter priority and a bunch of other settings. I dont believe that has anything to do with the lens.

I could be way off here but this is the extent of my knowledge

Thanks for the replys. let me try inserting a photo and see if that works.

From what ive gathered on the website and knowledge of my camera. its a manual focus lens, it will be manual regardless of what body you put it on.

I only skimmed through, anyone correct me if I am wrong

732NJ wrote in post #12512866
From what ive gathered on the website and knowledge of my camera. its a manual focus lens, it will be manual regardless of what body you put it on.

I only skimmed through, anyone correct me if I am wrong

Yes it is a manual focus lens from 1.5m to infinity. This is why I was wanting to know about the auto focus on the camera.

Let me state here I know from little to nothing about DSLR so I may be saying things here from my research but nothing from knowledge or experience.

As I understand this setup, I would put the lens on the camera body, set the body to apeture priority, manually set the f stop on the lens and then focus using the focus on the lens. If this is all correct, and I think it is from what the camera shops tell me, the only thing I don't understand is whether or not I need also to turn off auto focus when using this "contraption", and if so is turning off the auto focus an easy step.

I really like point and shoot. I am retired and this is just a hobbie of mine, so I am hoping for a small learning curve. Then, when I get comfortable, perhaps I could start doing some of the wonderful thing everyone else can do with these cameras.

Thanks to all.

wilfros wrote in post #12512986
Yes it is a manual focus lens from 1.5m to infinity. This is why I was wanting to know about the auto focus on the camera.

Let me state here I know from little to nothing about DSLR so I may be saying things here from my research but nothing from knowledge or experience.

As I understand this setup, I would put the lens on the camera body, set the body to apeture priority, manually set the f stop on the lens and then focus using the focus on the lens. If this is all correct, and I think it is from what the camera shops tell me, the only thing I don't understand is whether or not I need also to turn off auto focus when using this "contraption", and if so is turning off the auto focus an easy step.

I really like point and shoot. I am retired and this is just a hobbie of mine, so I am hoping for a small learning curve. Then, when I get comfortable, perhaps I could start doing some of the wonderful thing everyone else can do with these cameras.

Thanks to all.

what im trying to say is on a typical DSLR there is no switch for autofocus to manual focus it depends on the lens. If the lens is a manual focus lens then you will have to manually focus the lens. If the lens is an Auto Focus lens then you usually have a choice to shoot manual or auto (change by a switch ON THE LENS... not the body).

in conclusion you wont have to turn off auto focus because the camera will not have that option (typcally the lens you attach will).

thats my best explanation lol

732NJ wrote in post #12513042
what im trying to say is on a typical DSLR there is no switch for autofocus to manual focus it depends on the lens. If the lens is a manual focus lens then you will have to manually focus the lens. If the lens is an Auto Focus lens then you usually have a choice to shoot manual or auto (change by a switch ON THE LENS... not the body).

in conclusion you wont have to turn off auto focus because the camera will not have that option (typcally the lens you attach will).

thats my best explanation lol

Thanks, if I understand correctly... once the lens it attached (and doesn't send a message that it is an auto focus lens), the camera will default to manual focus.

In other words, I won't be required to do anything... fastening the lens will default the focus to the lens and I just point, focus and shoot.

Is that correct?

Sorry for all these questions, but I really want to understand and this is a huge leap for me and I am taking baby steps here and all my steps are with trepidation and worry.

I have seen so many Pros (such as salespersons) do wonderful things that I can't seem to replicate once I get home. Just wanting to know if this might be one of those cases.

I don't mind learning but want to know where I can go to get the information.

Once I get the setup home, from the sounds of the replys I have received so far, I guess everyone here would be willing to assist.

I think you almost got it

From looking at the photos of the lens I guess the little sliding bar at the top is how you would focus with this lens. Therefore you would set the aperture focus and shoot.

Then later you could try manual and then you'll be addicted and become one of us

The web site for the product you bought says it ships "in a choice of 7 common mounts : Canon EOS, FD, Nikon, Olympus, Pentax K, Minolta MD and AF". You need to know which one you chose, and buy a camera with the same mount. If you don't know, post a picture of the back of the thing where it attaches to the camera, and someone can probably tell you.

Some of the mentioned mounts cannot be practically used on *any* digital SLR. And beware if it's Nikon: some variants of that mount won't actually work well with cheaper Nikon cameras, but will on Canon with an adaptor.

melcat wrote in post #12514891
The web site for the product you bought says it ships "in a choice of 7 common mounts : Canon EOS, FD, Nikon, Olympus, Pentax K, Minolta MD and AF". You need to know which one you chose, and buy a camera with the same mount. If you don't know, post a picture of the back of the thing where it attaches to the camera, and someone can probably tell you.

Some of the mentioned mounts cannot be practically used on *any* digital SLR. And beware if it's Nikon: some variants of that mount won't actually work well with cheaper Nikon cameras, but will on Canon with an adaptor.

Thanks, yes you are correct, different lenses for different camera makes (canon, nikon etc.). The benifit, for me, with the EOS Canon mount, of course with a Canon camera gives me the option of appeture priority which is not available for, say, Nikon. That is the reason for my deciding to go with Canon and thus ordered the lens.

I am now looking at, an most likely will purchase, is the Canon EOS Rebel T3 12.2MP DSLR Camera. Once the lens arrives I will take it into the shop and try it out on the camera before making the final purchase.

I was just wanting to know how a manual focus lens works with a camera body that offers auto focus as one of it's features.

I really do appreciate all the feedback I am receiving, everything is new and worrying to me. I am realitively certain I will be happy when I get all this, it is just the waiting and wondering about the little things.

OK, I can answer that since I use manual focus Olympus lenses on Canon cameras. The first part of my answer assumes there are *no* gold contacts on the back of your gadget.

The Canon body sees no lens and displays "--" instead of an f-number. It can meter in Av and M mode - with a proviso, see below - and focus using the viewfinder. There's no AF/MF switch on Canon bodies like the ones on Nikon bodies, and it doesn't expect to autofocus a lens since there's no lens there.

Now the metering proviso. Canon DSLRs look through the focussing screen in the viewfinder to do their metering. This means that, unless a special screen is fitted, the metering will be out with a contactless lens. It's no big thing if your camera takes interchangeable focussing screens. The screens you want end in -S for "super precision", e.g. Ee-S for a Canon 5D.

The other reason you want an -S screen is that it makes manual focussing a lot easier.

Now, if your gadget has contacts on the back it will tell the camera its maximum aperture and the aperture it's set to, and with that the camera can meter without that special screen. And it can make a light go on in the finder when you're in focus, which makes up a bit for not having that -S screen.

EDIT - it is indeed confusing at their site. I can't tell whether they're recommending a full frame. It appears there are two versions.

melcat wrote in post #12515243
OK, I can answer that since I use manual focus Olympus lenses on Canon cameras. The first part of my answer assumes there are *no* gold contacts on the back of your gadget.

The Canon body sees no lens and displays "--" instead of an f-number. It can meter in Av and M mode - with a proviso, see below - and focus using the viewfinder. There's no AF/MF switch on Canon bodies like the ones on Nikon bodies, and it doesn't expect to autofocus a lens since there's no lens there.

Now the metering proviso. Canon DSLRs look through the focussing screen in the viewfinder to do their metering. This means that, unless a special screen is fitted, the metering will be out with a contactless lens. It's no big thing if your camera takes interchangeable focussing screens. The screens you want end in -S for "super precision", e.g. Ee-S for a Canon 5D.

The other reason you want an -S screen is that it makes manual focussing a lot easier.

Now, if your gadget has contacts on the back it will tell the camera its maximum aperture and the aperture it's set to, and with that the camera can meter without that special screen. And it can make a light go on in the finder when you're in focus, which makes up a bit for not having that -S screen.

EDIT - it is indeed confusing at their site. I can't tell whether they're recommending a full frame. It appears there are two versions.

WOW!! You have explained it well, and if the site is confusing to you imagine how confused I am.

My belief is: This lens does have contacts on it which allow for apeture priority mode or manual mode. It is specially designed for canon cameras and works on all rebal models.

I believe I heard the statement that it is a 3/4 frame lens (whatever that means) and is supposed to be exactly what the new canon's want.

You are the first person to mention anything about an "S-screen" and have no idea about that.

The site states the following:

NEW MODEL Loreo Stereo Lens for Canon Digital Cameras
for Canon 3/4 subframe digital SLR cameras
APS-C format; 1-1.5, 1.6 crop factor

The NEW Stereo Lens-In-A-Cap is a 40 mm, f11 f22, 2 element lens in a break resistant polymer composite housing. Made for APS-C format subframe digital SLR sensors (22-24mm) x (14.5-16mm). The Lens features a twin blade diaphragm with 3 stop aperture settings: f11, f16, f22, and a continuous focusing slider from 1.5m to infinity.

The Manufacturer sent the following in an email to me:

The 3D Lens in a Cap 9005A previously mentioned on has apertures f/11, f/16 and f/22. When you set the camera to aperture priority, the camera will set the shutter speed for you. You may need to set exposure compensation to -1 stop.


They are still assuming I understand these things and will next, after figurning out the auto focus, have to confront this exposure compensation setting to -1 stop.

Wow!! what a challenge for me. And all of you make it sound so easy. LOL

Here are to more photos of this lens.

wilfros wrote in post #12515970
WOW!! You have explained it well, and if the site is confusing to you imagine how confused I am.

My belief is: This lens does have contacts on it which allow for apeture priority mode or manual mode. It is specially designed for canon cameras and works on all rebal models.

I believe I heard the statement that it is a 3/4 frame lens (whatever that means) and is supposed to be exactly what the new canon's want.

You are the first person to mention anything about an "S-screen" and have no idea about that.

The site states the following:

NEW MODEL Loreo Stereo Lens for Canon Digital Cameras
for Canon 3/4 subframe digital SLR cameras
APS-C format; 1-1.5, 1.6 crop factor

The NEW Stereo Lens-In-A-Cap is a 40 mm, f11 f22, 2 element lens in a break resistant polymer composite housing. Made for APS-C format subframe digital SLR sensors (22-24mm) x (14.5-16mm). The Lens features a twin blade diaphragm with 3 stop aperture settings: f11, f16, f22, and a continuous focusing slider from 1.5m to infinity.

The Manufacturer sent the following in an email to me:

The 3D Lens in a Cap 9005A previously mentioned on has apertures f/11, f/16 and f/22. When you set the camera to aperture priority, the camera will set the shutter speed for you. You may need to set exposure compensation to -1 stop.


They are still assuming I understand these things and will next, after figurning out the auto focus, have to confront this exposure compensation setting to -1 stop.

Wow!! what a challenge for me. And all of you make it sound so easy. LOL

Here are to more photos of this lens.

don't worry, help here is great. And once you have a camera in your hands it becomes much easier, I think you may be slightly over-thinking it so it is becoming more daunting than it should be.