New to DSLR: I am new to DSLR but not digital cameras. I have several AI film bodys and Some F bodies. What would be a good choice to use my AI lenses in manual focus mode but still...

r.grossner Loc: Rockford IL & Sarasota FL

I am new to DSLR but not digital cameras. I have several AI film bodys and Some F bodies. What would be a good choice to use my AI lenses in manual focus mode but still have stopdown metering? My research seems to show a D7100 at the least might work? Should I go with a FX sensor body?
24mm 2.8, 28mm 2.8, 50mm 1.4, 85mm 1.8, 135mm Vivitar. 105mm micro Nikkor, 80-200 one touch, 300mm 4.5. 50mm El Nikkor with bellows and adapter ring, 2X teleconverter and several Estate sale off brands.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

r.grossner wrote:

I am new to DSLR but not digital cameras. I have several AI film bodys and Some F bodies. What would be a good choice to use my AI lenses in manual focus mode but still have stopdown metering? My research seems to show a D7100 at the least might work? Should I go with a FX sensor body?
24mm 2.8, 28mm 2.8, 50mm 1.4, 85mm 1.8, 135mm Vivitar. 105mm micro Nikkor, 80-200 one touch, 300mm 4.5. 50mm El Nikkor with bellows and adapter ring, 2X teleconverter and several Estate sale off brands.

No reason not to go with an FX body. I've used a lot of older lenses on my D700 with no problems and great results.
--Bob

wilsondl2 Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska

If you want the lenses to give you the same field of view and the money is not a big deal go with the FF. That said I have several film lenses I use on my D7100 with no problem. - Dave

BebuLamar

None of the Nikon DSLR does stop down metering but a good number of them meter with AI lenses at full aperture.
The Df can also meter with PreAI lenses at full aperture.

Erik_H Loc: Denham Springs, Louisiana

r.grossner wrote:

I am new to DSLR but not digital cameras. I have several AI film bodys and Some F bodies. What would be a good choice to use my AI lenses in manual focus mode but still have stopdown metering? My research seems to show a D7100 at the least might work? Should I go with a FX sensor body?
24mm 2.8, 28mm 2.8, 50mm 1.4, 85mm 1.8, 135mm Vivitar. 105mm micro Nikkor, 80-200 one touch, 300mm 4.5. 50mm El Nikkor with bellows and adapter ring, 2X teleconverter and several Estate sale off brands.

'
Seeing as you are familiar with the older AI and F bodies, I would give the Df a good look. It's almost like shooting with an F2.

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

Erik_H wrote:

'
Seeing as you are familiar with the older AI and F bodies, I would give the Df a good look. It's almost like shooting with an F2.

:thumbup: Very true.

Marionsho Loc: Kansas

r.grossner wrote:

I am new to DSLR but not digital cameras. I have several AI film bodys and Some F bodies. What would be a good choice to use my AI lenses in manual focus mode but still have stopdown metering? My research seems to show a D7100 at the least might work? Should I go with a FX sensor body?
24mm 2.8, 28mm 2.8, 50mm 1.4, 85mm 1.8, 135mm Vivitar. 105mm micro Nikkor, 80-200 one touch, 300mm 4.5. 50mm El Nikkor with bellows and adapter ring, 2X teleconverter and several Estate sale off brands.

Can't intelligently answer your question, but.....
Welcome to the Hog, r.grossner.
Hope you enjoy it as much as I.
Marion

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

r.grossner wrote:

I am new to DSLR but not digital cameras. I have several AI film bodys and Some F bodies. What would be a good choice to use my AI lenses in manual focus mode but still have stopdown metering? My research seems to show a D7100 at the least might work? Should I go with a FX sensor body?
24mm 2.8, 28mm 2.8, 50mm 1.4, 85mm 1.8, 135mm Vivitar. 105mm micro Nikkor, 80-200 one touch, 300mm 4.5. 50mm El Nikkor with bellows and adapter ring, 2X teleconverter and several Estate sale off brands.

If you have been using F bodies, it can be assumed that you are quite familiar with full-frame and how you lenses work with that format. While there are some advantages to crop-frame, you might be more comfortable staying with FX. Try renting an FX and a DX camera and see how you like using your lenses with each. To keep price reasonably comparable, if you decide to go with FX, consider a refurbished body.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Erik_H wrote:

'
Seeing as you are familiar with the older AI and F bodies, I would give the Df a good look. It's almost like shooting with an F2.

...or an F3. The Df was made for people with old (and new) glass. It has its limitations (no video), but what it does do (pristine full frame 16MP stills) is amazing.

wingclui44 Loc: CT USA

r.grossner wrote:

I am new to DSLR but not digital cameras. I have several AI film bodys and Some F bodies. What would be a good choice to use my AI lenses in manual focus mode but still have stopdown metering? My research seems to show a D7100 at the least might work? Should I go with a FX sensor body?
24mm 2.8, 28mm 2.8, 50mm 1.4, 85mm 1.8, 135mm Vivitar. 105mm micro Nikkor, 80-200 one touch, 300mm 4.5. 50mm El Nikkor with bellows and adapter ring, 2X teleconverter and several Estate sale off brands.

Get the Df, you will love it shooting with all your prime Ai lenses, it's a perfect fit. I have the Df with six pre AI and AI lenses.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

Everybody wants to save money and see if they can use their old lenses with a new DSLR body. You will find that it's not worth it. There are adapter rings that will allow them to fit, but everything you do will be manual. You will have to manually select an f/stop, shutter speed, and you will have to manually focus. DSLR's don't have a split focus screen in the viewfinder, but you can have one installed in some camera bodies so that they focus like the old SLR. Trying to manual focus without one is close to impossible. I recommend that you buy your DSLR and choose one good lens designed for that body so that you can experience how nice the new stuff is compared to the old camera system you are already acquainted with.

r.grossner wrote:

I am new to DSLR but not digital cameras. I have several AI film bodys and Some F bodies. What would be a good choice to use my AI lenses in manual focus mode but still have stopdown metering? My research seems to show a D7100 at the least might work? Should I go with a FX sensor body?
24mm 2.8, 28mm 2.8, 50mm 1.4, 85mm 1.8, 135mm Vivitar. 105mm micro Nikkor, 80-200 one touch, 300mm 4.5. 50mm El Nikkor with bellows and adapter ring, 2X teleconverter and several Estate sale off brands.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

jeep_daddy wrote:

Everybody wants to save money and see if they can ... (show quote)

Nikon Df was MADE to be a universal Nikon lens mount camera. Most lenses work on the Df as they did on cameras of their same vintage.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikon-df

Generally, I'd agree with you. When a manufacturer moves to a new lens generation, it's time to trade all old gear for new, so as to take advantage of the new technology. Expensive, I know, but less frustrating if you're a pro.

Some of us aren't making a living off of photography, so that's when niche cameras like the Df are important.

wingclui44 Loc: CT USA

jeep_daddy wrote:

Everybody wants to save money and see if they can ... (show quote)

Manual focusing is not "impossible" like you said, it's all depends on your skill. i don't have problem using it with my 71 yrs old eyes.

CraigFair Loc: Santa Maria, CA.

r.grossner wrote:

I am new to DSLR but not digital cameras. I have several AI film bodys and Some F bodies. What would be a good choice to use my AI lenses in manual focus mode but still have stopdown metering? My research seems to show a D7100 at the least might work? Should I go with a FX sensor body?
24mm 2.8, 28mm 2.8, 50mm 1.4, 85mm 1.8, 135mm Vivitar. 105mm micro Nikkor, 80-200 one touch, 300mm 4.5. 50mm El Nikkor with bellows and adapter ring, 2X teleconverter and several Estate sale off brands.

Of course you will get good results on just about any Nikon DSLR but if you can afford an FX (Full Frame) you'll get the best results.
All the older Lenses are designed for 35mm film bodies or FX. I have run the gamut of 5 Nikon Bodies from the D5100 to the D800E.
And I have increased my Picture Quality on each move up. As far as I'm concerned the FX bodies are superior to the DX.
Craig

Erik_H Loc: Denham Springs, Louisiana

burkphoto wrote:

...or an F3. The Df was made for people with old (and new) glass. It has its limitations (no video), but what it does do (pristine full frame 16MP stills) is amazing.

The lack of video was one of the selling points for me. True, I could just ignore it like I do with my other bodies, but for some reason I just don't want it there at all.