I have dumb question (S/C/M vs M/A buttons)

[Yamatan]

Even though I had my S2 since couple months after it came out, I am still not sure about this simple thing.

S2 has Manual focus (S/C/M) button and so do all my Nikon lenses (M/A). To date, I have been turning both buttons appropriately (S/C/M in camera to M and M/A in lens to M) to manual focus.

Questions:
1) Can I just change lens to M/A without changing camera's setting or other way around? Or
2) Do I have to do that way I do today (deal with two buttons)?

My film camera (Minlta) does not have M/A control in lens (only in body).

Thanks.

Tanka

[Swampy]

It depends on the lens that you have on there.

So, the camera body has these settings on the front:

C for Continuous Focus Mode
S for Single Focus Mode
M for Manual Focus Mode

Your lenses will have these modes typically:

A for Auto Focus (let the camera focus depending on it's mode)
M for Manual Focus (you do the focusing)
M/A for Auto Focus with instant Manual Override (It autofocus' depending the camera mode, but the second you try and manual focus, as long as that shutter button is halfway pressed, you will be in manual focus mode. Let go of the shutter button and the camera will return to autofocus mode on it's own.

Now these are all depending on the make and model of your lenses.

My 70-200 VR has the M/A and M mode for focusing. My Sigma 24-70 has A or M modes. My Nikkor 60mm Micro has A and M modes.

A and M modes don't always work the same now. For the most part, most lenses, if you switch on the lense to Manual mode, the camera will see that and let you manual focus. Same with the camera. You can switch from C or S mode on the front of the camera to manual mode and the camera and lens will both let you manual focus.

This is not true with my Sigma 24-70 and I don't know how few other lenses. With this lens, I need to go to Manual mode on the lens AND the camera both at the same time to go manual focus. Otherwise, if I only do one, it does this half speed focus that sounds like the 123's are dying. :)

Hope this helps you!

[Yamatan]

Thanks Swampy.

Your answer below answers my question.

"A and M modes don't always work the same now. For the most part, most lenses, if you switch on the lense to Manual mode, the camera will see that and let you manual focus. Same with the camera. You can switch from C or S mode on the front of the camera to manual mode and the camera and lens will both let you manual focus."

I have 24-120 VR (replacement for my 24-85G) and 80-200 AF D (rotate version). I will give it a try.

Thanks again.

Tanka