Nikon's Aperture Ring Vs Canon's Aperture Selection

This afternoon I had a little play with a friend's Nikon F90X which she had shipped over from Australia. She's toying with the idea of shooting film again for a bit of fun, B/W.

I have the same camera but haven't touched a Nikon film camera for over four years. I've used Nikon film cameras since 1975.

Anyway, for those who don't know, the aperture selection is on the lens itself, between the focus ring and mount. It's just so damn easy to select the aperture compared to my 50D and 20D,, and other Canon DSLRs I've used/owned.

I went home and my 50D felt so ungainly when selecting apertures.

Are you saying you found it harder to flick the little dial on your Canon with your finger?

Would rather have a universal control (back dial) for all lenses. They are crowded enough with the various option switches, zoom, and focus rings.

Don't forget that the latest Nikon lenses don't have aperture rings either...............

tkbslc wrote in post #12557656
Are you saying you found it harder to flick the little dial on your Canon with your finger?

No,, I just found it easier turning the aperture ring on the lens.

Lens craddled in the left hand, thumb and forefinger for focusing, thumb and middle finger to turn the aperture ring. Right hand doesn't move with only the index finger being used.

PaulB wrote in post #12557691
Don't forget that the latest Nikon lenses don't have aperture rings either...............

I realise this.. Big mistake in my opinion not to.

Lenses on your 50D don't have an aperture selection ring on the lens? A few of mine do.

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yogestee wrote in post #12557693
No,, I just found it easier turning the aperture ring on the lens.

Lens craddled in the left hand, thumb and forefinger for focusing, thumb and middle finger to turn the aperture ring. Right hand doesn't move with only the index finger being used.

But your finger is already up there for the shutter button and your thumb is on the back for support. The on-body controls are already exactly where your hand is.

I don't know what lens you used, but it must have been short. Now imagine you are using a 200mm+ lens. You would be cradling it near the end of the lens, and how you would have to reach backward near the lens mount, messing up your grip, and then move the hand back to change aperture. Imagine if it was a zoom and you had to move between the zoom and aperture rings all the time.

tkbslc wrote in post #12557833
But your finger is already up there for the shutter button and your thumb is on the back for support. The on-body controls are already exactly where your hand is.

I don't know what lens you used, but it must have been short. Now imagine you are using a 200mm+ lens. You would be cradling it near the end of the lens, and how you would have to reach backward near the lens mount, messing up your grip, and then move the hand back to change aperture. Imagine if it was a zoom and you had to move between the zoom and aperture rings all the time.

The point is, I've used Nikkors for many years before I used Canon. I started shooting Canon DSLR in 1999 with the D2000, Nikon in 1975. I could instantly adjust back to the Nikon way without thinking.

With the Nikon way, a quick focus then move my thumb off the focus ring, together with my thumb and middle finger turn the aperture ring and then hit the focus ring again. One hand only adjusts the lens' controls. Left hand lens, right hand camera.

BTW, the lens I used this afternoon was a AI-S 50mm f/1.4. With a longer lens I would slid my hand down the length of the lens barrel to adjust the aperture, while still cradling the lens for support.

Won't buy a lens unless it has an aperture ring…just more preferable in a tactile sense.

yogestee wrote in post #12558072
BTW, the lens I used this afternoon was a AI-S 50mm f/1.4. With a longer lens I would slid my hand down the length of the lens barrel to adjust the aperture, while still cradling the lens for support.

That doesn't seem easier or more intuitive than leaving both hands where they are and simply moving a thumb or single finger, but it is hard to argue personal preference.

tkbslc wrote in post #12558108
That doesn't seem easier or more intuitive than leaving both hands where they are and moving a thumb or single finger, but it is hard to argue personal preference.

That's the whole point I'm making.. I found it so easy to adapt back to the Nikon way after nearly five years away from it.

This is probably irrelevant, but the only analogy I can come up with..When I drive a car here it's left hand drive with manual gear shift.. When I go back to Australia I can adjust back to right hand drive manual gear shift in under a minute, the time it takes to reverse out of the driveway..

I actually thought of the car analogy. Perhaps this is like the fun and satisfaction of working a 5 speed manual through all 5 gears, vs performance of paddle shifters or a high end automatic.

It would be great to have universal lenses. I really adore Nikon lenses but I sense that two seperate companies would be better since monopolying both companies can control consumer rights.

yogestee wrote in post #12557642
This afternoon I had a little play with a friend's Nikon F90X which she had shipped over from Australia. She's toying with the idea of shooting film again for a bit of fun, B/W.

I have the same camera but haven't touched a Nikon film camera for over four years. I've used Nikon film cameras since 1975.

Anyway, for those who don't know, the aperture selection is on the lens itself, between the focus ring and mount. It's just so damn easy to select the aperture compared to my 50D and 20D,, and other Canon DSLRs I've used/owned.

I went home and my 50D felt so ungainly when selecting apertures.

Most cameras used to work this way before electronic apertures. It's not "Nikon's" aperture ring.