Question about old lenses with new camera

[janeqb]

I got my camera (d50) today!!! It's a beauty! I'm so excited!! The battery is charging as I type.

Question - I didn't get the kit lens because money it tight right now. That will be something in the future. In the meantime, I'm using my old lenses, AF Nikkor 28-80mm 1:3.5-5.6 D and AF Nikkor 75-300mm 1:4.5-5.6. When looking through the viewfinder, there is a smoky haze. Hard to describe, kind of spotty and foggy and dark.

I cleaned my lenses very well and it isn't my lenses. I examined the camera and don't see anything unusual. Is this just how it is going to be with my old lenses or should have the camera looked at? I'm guessing that it's just how it is. They work fine on my SLR, it must be the difference bet. the digital and film lens.

Thanks for any help!!

jane

[Kellie]

Is the battery in? If not, put it in and try again. :)

[Stoller]

If the power is not on the HUD will make it appear foggy.

[janeqb]

Is the battery in? If not, put it in and try again. :)

LOL, I just came back to edit! Feel like an idiot! The battery is charging right now. I just got so excited, I immediately put my lens on it to check it out. I read the troubleshooting guide and that is probably the problem, I'm hoping. Once the battery is in, I hope the haze will go away. The darkness should. We'll see. Thank you!

I've got a lot of reading to do and will probably be coming here with tons of questions...hopefully be sharing my photos as well in the future. Yea!

jane

[janeqb]

If the power is not on the HUD will make it appear foggy.


Doyng!! Thank you! I wish I could delete this thread! I'm so embarassed!!!!:o

jane

[Kellie]

No problem! The only reason I could answer is because I did it myself when I first got my camera. :D I was totally unimpressed with the viewfinder until I put the battery in. LOL The camera is constantly drawing power from the battery, even when off. So even if the camera is off but battery is in, the viewfinder will be fine. Without the battery in, it gets dark and spotty.

[tcadwall]

You likely have already done this, but older lenses will need to have the aperture locked at minimum (largest number). There should be a red number or something to indicate that, and many will have a lock slider to ensure that it is locked.

If this is the case, (as I assume) then the aperture is likely not being adjusted for the viewfinder. The camera will keep the aperture wide open until you hit the shutter release (or dof preview - which your D50 doesn't have). That may be part of the dark result as well