Post by Deleted on Aug 2, 2013 12:51:39 GMT -5
There is a lot of Nikon film camera glass out there that works just fine on the company's DSLRs but not all of the old lenses are compatible.
Most of the higher end Nikon DSLRs have a provision for metering with the old AI (auto indexing) Nikkors. Can't be too specific here as my newest camera is a D300. It allows me to set the focal length and the maximum aperture for a least 8 AI Nikkors. Of course on the DSLRs that aren't full frame the lenses see differently. For instance, on my D300 a 50mm lens is cropped like a 75mm lens--a 24mm crops like 36mm. The rule is to divide the lens focal length by two and multiply by three.
I have no idea if current Nikon low and mid range DSLRs can handle the older lenses but I suspect they don't. Most use lenses that don't even have a manual aperture ring. As far as I know the last lower level Nikon DSLR that could meter with manual focus AI lenses was the Nikon D50. I have a D50 and actually use it more than I use the D300. One reason is I can take it anywhere with me and if something happens to it, no big deal. If I remember correctly the D70 and D40 didn't have that capability. I would steer clear of any non AI Nikon glass (the lenses just have the "fork" on the aperture ring to engage the meter cam on the Nikon F and F2. These lenses will damage the digital cameras EXCEPT for the the D40, D40x, D60, D3000, D3100, D3200, D5000, D5100, or D5200. (Don't ask me why).
From a collecting standpoint I wish I had kept my D100 which was Nikon's first DSLR for the general public. It took decent images even if the processor was rather slow. But I know where my D100 is and maybe someday I'll buy it back!.
I other members have some more up to date information
W on compatibility, throw it in the pot.
Most of the higher end Nikon DSLRs have a provision for metering with the old AI (auto indexing) Nikkors. Can't be too specific here as my newest camera is a D300. It allows me to set the focal length and the maximum aperture for a least 8 AI Nikkors. Of course on the DSLRs that aren't full frame the lenses see differently. For instance, on my D300 a 50mm lens is cropped like a 75mm lens--a 24mm crops like 36mm. The rule is to divide the lens focal length by two and multiply by three.
I have no idea if current Nikon low and mid range DSLRs can handle the older lenses but I suspect they don't. Most use lenses that don't even have a manual aperture ring. As far as I know the last lower level Nikon DSLR that could meter with manual focus AI lenses was the Nikon D50. I have a D50 and actually use it more than I use the D300. One reason is I can take it anywhere with me and if something happens to it, no big deal. If I remember correctly the D70 and D40 didn't have that capability. I would steer clear of any non AI Nikon glass (the lenses just have the "fork" on the aperture ring to engage the meter cam on the Nikon F and F2. These lenses will damage the digital cameras EXCEPT for the the D40, D40x, D60, D3000, D3100, D3200, D5000, D5100, or D5200. (Don't ask me why).
From a collecting standpoint I wish I had kept my D100 which was Nikon's first DSLR for the general public. It took decent images even if the processor was rather slow. But I know where my D100 is and maybe someday I'll buy it back!.
I other members have some more up to date information
W on compatibility, throw it in the pot.