How to Use Nikkor Lenses
Nikon offers a wide variety of lenses for its single-lens reflex (SLR) cameras. Nikon uses the term Nikon for cameras and Nikkor for lenses. The lenses are fairly simple to use, whether they are long telephoto lenses or prime lenses or macro lenses. Choosing a lens for the type of photography you are doing is an art in and of itself, but generally, you will find wide angle and a telephoto lenses are the two indispensable choices.
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Instructions
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Select the proper lens for your camera and what you want to shoot. Nikkor offers lenses with different focal lengths and different aperture settings; in addition, there are specialty Nikkor lenses, such as vibration reduction (VR) lenses, and DX lenses, which are optimized for certain Nikon digital SLRs. For instance, if you are shooting sports or something in low light, choose a fast lens with an aperture of f2.8 that will let in a lot of light. While all Nikkor lenses will mount on all Nikon cameras, the higher-end, full frame Nikon SLRs like the D700 and D3 will crop the image if you are using a Nikon DX lens; the DX lenses are meant for the smaller sensor Nikon SLRs like the D40, D60, D90 and D300.
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Mount the lens to the camera. Look for the white dot on the lens (at the top of the lens near the base), then line it up with the white dot at the 2 O'clock position on the camera. Insert the lens and twist it counterclockwise to lock the lens onto the camera.
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Point the lens at what your subject. Adjust the focal length of the lens by rotating the barrel of the lens. Rotate it clockwise to increase the focal length (zoom) or rotate it counterclockwise to decrease zoom. Once you have the zoom adjusted where you want it, depress the shutter halfway to engage the autofocus on the camera. When you hear a beep, the object is in focus and you can fully press the shutter to take the photo.
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Switch to manual focus on Nikkor lenses by sliding the switch, near the base of the camera on the left side, from M/A to M. In Manual focus mode, adjust the focus by rotating the smaller barrel near the base of the lens while looking through the viewfinder until the object is in focus. You can also override the autofocus by adjusting the focus ring while lightly holding down the shutter button.
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To remove the lens from the camera, push in the button that is located at about 3 O'clock on the camera, right next to the lens, and twist the lens clockwise while holding in the button.
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Tips & Warnings
Clean the lens with a soft microfiber cloth moistened with lens cleaner fluid or isopropyl alcohol. Add a UV filter to protect the lens glass from getting scratched.
Do not get dirt or finger oils on the contacts on the lens; this can prevent the camera and lens from working together.
