racerrich3 Loc: Los Angeles, Ca.

question is old and can't remember the answer from some time ago. I have a new Nikon D3300. can I use my old Nikon 35mm lens from my 1980's Nikon EM on the D3300 ? thanking everyone in advance.

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

Only in manual mode with either a handheld meter or using the old Sunny 16 rule since that camera will not meter with older manual focus lenses. You use the "Sunny 16" rule to get into the ballpark & then the histogram and LCD to fine tune the exposure. Works OK for many subjects but not the best for fast action or rapidly changing light situations. If using a speedlight, the light/subject distance will determine exposures. Older AF lenses will meter but not AF on that body.

racerrich3 Loc: Los Angeles, Ca.

<screamin scott> thanks again. and so would that the same with my Nikon 50mm and Tokina 75-200 (from 80's) ? yes ?

Robert Bailey Loc: Canada

You cannot CONVENIENTLY use a "film lens" on a Nikon 3000 or 5000 series camera.
You have to have a 7000 series camera or higher in order to be able to control the aperture.

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

On that camera, for any lens to be automatic, it HAS to have a silent wave motor (SWM) in the lens. The motor receives and sends signals to the camera body in order to focus. On the D7xxx and up versions, the body has a focusing motor built into the body to make it able to use the older lenses. Note, some of the older lenses have a tab for focusing and will not work on any of the bodies in the last 30 years or so.

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

Wrong..... The aperture on the older lenses are controlled thru the aperture ring, regardless of the model of the camera. Older MF lenses need a model other than a base model in order to get any sort of in camera metering ( manual or aperture priority modes only). The 3xxx and 5xxx base models can even use the older unmoddified Pre-Ai mount lenses without damaging the camera ( unlike most upper end models except for the add). Yes, the older lenses are not as convenient to use, but cost a lot less for those unable to afford the newer lenses.

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

The OP wasn't referencing older AF film lenses but MF models. The Nikon EM was a manual focus camera thus AF isn't relevant here. Plus some older Nikon DSLR's also had focus motors in the camera. Like the D50, D70/s (which I owned & gave to one of my sons), D200 & D300 (which I still have) as well as the D7xxx series cameras. The older lenses you are referencing are Pre-Ai (auto indexing) and will damage any Nikon DSLR with a built in focus motor (except for the Df). They will not damage the D3xxx or D5xxx (nor the older D40, D40x or D60) as those models don't have that built in focus motor. What happens is that the "aperture "skirt" extends down past the mount face & fouls the aperture follower tab on the camera body (the mechanical aperture coupler that transmitted the aperture value to the camera prior to the electrical contacts doing so). Many of those older Pre-Ai lenses have been modified by removing a portion of that skirt or thru replacement aperture rings that Nikon provided many years ago. if modified, the lenses can be used on any Nikon camera with an F mount.

Robert Bailey Loc: Canada

Thanks for the clarification, Screamin' Scott.
I have a Nikon D7100 and use many "film lenses" on it (with a crop factor of 1.5x).
I also have an adaptor that allows me to use my Pentax 645 (medium format) lenses (with a crop factor of 2.5x).
With the D7100 I can use aperture priority or manual mode.
Are you saying that with the 3000 or 5000 series cameras you get no "in camera" metering?
In other words, you would have to use a hand-held meter or the "Sunny 16" rule?

cthahn

Yes. Instead of asking questions, put the lens on the camera and try it. You will have to understand and using the camera on manual

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

Correct, there is no metering when using MF lenses on a D3xxx or D5xxx DSLR. I too use a D7100 (plus a D300) I'm attaching an image of my Nikkor & Nikon F mount lenses. Some are AF, others MF. I have sold off some but added others since this image was taken about 5 years ago... I also have other lenses and adapters but don't use my Leica, Minolta, Pentax,Konica, et al lenses on my Nikons, preferring to use them on my mirrorless camera instead as on my Nikon I don't get infinity focus unless I use an optical adapter as opposed to only needing a mechanical adapter on the Olympus...

(Download)

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

In the OP's case, there should not be an issue but a statement like this can be dangerous if the lens in question is an unmodified Pre-Ai on a Nikon DSLR with an in body motor as those older Pre-Ai lenses can damage a camera with the in body motor.

jaimeblackwell Loc: Lewiston, Maine

You can use any Nikon lens on D3300. iF its an older lens you will have to shoot in full manual. You can shoot from the hip and play with different iso, aperture settings and shutter speed until you get the desired picture. or you can go on ebay or a photo site and try to find an exposure meter. Thats how it was done years ago and thats how it worked. Plus doing ut this way will allow you to learn how the camera really works vs auto or preset settings. I recommend this to anyone. it will only make you a better photographer.

wingclui44 Loc: CT USA

I think you can use the "Step- down" method to close down the aperture to get the metering with " aperture priority"mode. You just have to press down the "Depth of field pre-view button" to show the camera what the actual lighting condition you are shooting, then the camera will adjust the shutter speed. Keep hold down the pre-view button when trip the shutter. This will allow you to get the right exposure, but the exact value of the aperture will not be showed correctly in the picture data, it doesn't matter.

Or this is another way to metering. You can use the same 'Step-down" method on 'manual mode', you first set the aperture you want by using the aperture ring on the lens, then holding down the "pre-view button" and adjust your shutter speed by looking the "exposure compensation scale" in the view finder. It is the same way using the matching needles in the view finder in the old day.

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

You mean "Stop Down" method.. No, on the base cameras there is no metering at all, Even stopping down the lenses wont work. That stop down method was back before auto indexing & those leNses had two aperture rings, One to set the actual aperture & the other was used to open the aperture so as to focus & compose the scene... These types of lenses were common in the 60's & early 70's.. I still have a few of these type lenses, a Spiratone 400mm & a Russian 58mm Helios 44-2...

bdk Loc: Sanibel Fl.

Using an old lens will make you a better photographer. You will have to look at the light, the shadows,etc you will have to figure out the correct aperture and shutter speeds.
No more letting the camera do all the thinking. You'll have to think. I have a 50mm 1.4 from the 80's and I use it once in a while just to hone my skills.