My Nikon D50 refuses to take pictures after I disabled auto focus

Question

I just got a second hand Nikon D50. This is first reflex camera I ever had. I am trying to take macro of an electrical component in relatively dark room.

These are the settings on my top display:

I switched the objective mechanic switch to manual focus mode. When I press the shutter button halfway, I can still hear the camera do some motor sounds. Almost as if it was trying to focus. And once I press the shutter down completely, nothing happens.

When I press and hold the AE-L/AF-L button before attempting to take picture, it does take it.

Why does it refuse to take pictures and what does holding AE-L/AF-L button have to do with that?

Answer 1

So I took a look into the user manual for your D50 (Which you should have a look into!) http://downloadcenter.nikonimglib.com/en/products/217/D50.html

I'm unsure as to why your camera is acting the way it is, and unfortunately I don't have access to mine to test at the moment. But you should have 2 switches to switch to manual focus mode. One on the camera as you already know and one on the lens. I always just use the one on the lens, and leave the camera one on AF and it works fine. I would be quite surprised if your lens didn't have a A / M switch.

Since I'm not sure what lens you have since there is quite a list of them, read this to learn how to ID your lens: https://www.nikonusa.com/en/learn-and-explore/a/tips-and-techniques/how-to-read-your-nikkor-lens-barrel.html

Afterwards see if you can find your lens manual here: http://downloadcenter.nikonimglib.com/en/index.html

Answer 2

Working from memory here:

I've had the D50 refuse to take shots at macro distances as well, but it will very much depend on the lens you've got and how you've set it up. The D50 won't take a photo (I think) if it can't focus, unless it's in "M" shooting mode (as opposed to auto) even if you've set the focus switch on the camera to "M", it may be that with the camera in "Auto mode" it's still trying to ensure that the image is in focus.

Help us out with details of the Lens, and what shooting mode you're in. For reference, you may need a lens with specific macro capability, if you're not using one already that is.

Answer 3

I’m not familiar with your camera but it sounds to me like it might have something called back button focus enabled on it. This essentially separates focus from the shutter button. That is what works when you push the al ae button.

Answer 4

I would suggest not using back button focusing unless you are taking landscapes. In normal focus mode I find the camera will take the shot.