DJO

There is no shortage of opinions (or discussions) about the Nikon DF. Good, bad or indifferent, I say to each their own. That notwithstanding, seemingly, neither is there a shortage of demand.

I think that part of the DF appeal, perhaps a large part, is the capacity to use non-Ai manual focus lenses. My question is this: Why Nikon, an enterprising third party manufacturer, or someone in their garage hasn't come up with a replacement lens mount or adapter kit for other Nikon camera bodies, using a design based on the Nikon DF or Nikon FM?

Of course not all Nikon camera bodies are the same size, but the distance from the front of the lens mount to the film plane or sensor will always be the same.

This might be a crazy idea, but it wouldn't the first time a completely crazy idea made a lot of money.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Huh??? I use non-AI lenses on my FX Nikons regularly. Why would anyone need an adapter?
--Bob

cameraf4 Loc: Delaware

True that, Bob. Works like a charm.

BebuLamar

And the non-AI lenses don't damage your AI coupling?

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I have only three lenses that physically don't work, and for the same reason. One is a 1971 50mm f/1.4. There is a mechanical part of the lens that will sheer the contacts in the camera body, if not short them out completely. I can post photos of that lens compared to a recent 50mm version.

Another lens I have won't even engage the mount. There is a screw which prevents it from mounting on any of my digitals. I've no idea as to why that is there.

Otherwise, there is nothing to engage the AI coupling. I just purchased a 28mm Nikkor f/2.8 that is completely manual, it works perfectly on my digitals.
-Bob

DJO

[quote=rmalarz]I have only three lenses that physically don't work, and for the same reason. One is a 1971 50mm f/1.4. There is a mechanical part of the lens that will sheer the contacts in the camera body, if not short them out completely. I can post photos of that lens compared to a recent 50mm version.

Another lens I have won't even engage the mount. There is a screw which prevents it from mounting on any of my digitals. I've no idea as to why that is there.

Otherwise, there is nothing to engage the AI coupling. I just purchased a 28mm Nikkor f/2.8 that is completely manual, it works perfectly on my digitals.
-Bob[/quote


What does "completely manual" mean to you? Is it the fact that you have to actually physically touch the lens? I don't think you understand the the term "non-Ai", even though it has been used in the trade since c. 1978. That would be several decades; I'll let someone else do the math. To your credit, a more correct term would be "pre-Ai", meaning the lens was manufactured before 1977. This is why you are unable to use your 1971 50mm/1.4 . Doing so would cause damage to the camera, or lens, or both.

To date, the ONLY Nikon DSLR that would allow use of your 1971 50mm/1.4 without damage is the DF. Hence, my question.

Should I re-post?

BebuLamar

To response to your original question. How can you make an adapter? An adapter has to have some thickness and that would make any lens not focus to infinity.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Personally, I think you're trying to push a chain up a hill.

No, the 1971 50mm lens I mentioned would damage the contacts in the DF as well. The 28mm lens I mentioned is completely manual. That means I have to focus and change the f-stop. The camera won't do it for me.

Should you repost. This is my free advice. Drop it. It isn't worth it.
--Bob

[quote=DJO][quote=rmalarz]I have only three lenses that physically don't work, and for the same reason. One is a 1971 50mm f/1.4. There is a mechanical part of the lens that will sheer the contacts in the camera body, if not short them out completely. I can post photos of that lens compared to a recent 50mm version.

Another lens I have won't even engage the mount. There is a screw which prevents it from mounting on any of my digitals. I've no idea as to why that is there.

Otherwise, there is nothing to engage the AI coupling. I just purchased a 28mm Nikkor f/2.8 that is completely manual, it works perfectly on my digitals.
-Bob[/quote


What does "completely manual" mean to you? Is it the fact that you have to actually physically touch the lens? I don't think you understand the the term "non-Ai", even though it has been used in the trade since c. 1978. That would be several decades; I'll let someone else do the math. To your credit, a more correct term would be "pre-Ai", meaning the lens was manufactured before 1977. This is why you are unable to use your 1971 50mm/1.4 . Doing so would cause damage to the camera, or lens, or both.

To date, the ONLY Nikon DSLR that would allow use of your 1971 50mm/1.4 without damage is the DF. Hence, my question.

Should I re-post?[/quote]

DJO

Look at some pictures. Go online. Read a book.

Pablo8 Loc: Nottingham UK.

I have a couple of 'Pre- AI Nikkor lenses That will not be used on my Digital bodies. (85mm f/1.8) and 28mm PC lens. But I use AI lenses on Digital bodies quite often.

selmslie Loc: Fernandina Beach, FL, USA

Crazy ideas don't make a lot of money in the camera business. There is no demand for what you are suggesting.

Mobius Loc: Troy, MI

I'm sort of with DJO, Nikon should allow the use of non-AI lenses on their higher end DSLRs.

As some background early Nikon lenses had a fork on the top of the lens that would engage a pin in a clip-on meter or a photomic head. This told the light meter what the lens was doing. These lenses were a bit of a nuisance to change because you had to set the aperture to f 5.6 when you put them on the camera so that the fork and the pin would align and engage.

The next step were the "AI" lenses (automatic indexing). The camera had a pin in the mount that protruded into what was the base of the lens, the AI lens mounts had areas of the base (that was the f stop ring) missing to receive the pin. As the f stop was changed the pin would follow the movement. In the case of the TTL (photomic head) meters, I don't think they actually knew the f stop, but it knew how many stops down it is from what the meter is look through. Note: the AI only has to do with the f stop information being transmitted to the meter, nothing to do with manual or automatic.

For several years after AI lenses were introduced, the cameras with the AI pins all had the ability to press a release button and fold the AI pin out of the way allowing the use of non-AI lenses. Somewhere around the F4 or F5 Nikon stopped having the AI pin release as standard, but it was available as a repair option.

Later on with more and more electronics the actual f stop were known.

Back to the OPs comment, it doesn't seem like the kind of thing an adapter would fix, anything in between would change the distance of the lens from the sensor.

Now for the politics. I find it INEXCUSABLE that Nikon doesn't at least have available the AI pin release option for the higher end DSLR cameras. I for one have several lenses and bellows that I would like to play with on my D700 or D810. I once mention this problem to Nikon and I received a very curt response telling me that maybe it is time to get some newer lenses. I have many newer lenses but I don't want to have to re-buy all of now-and-then (eg. 1000mm reflex, 28mm PC, PB5 bellows) lenses that I have. I'v e given up any hope for the invasive fish-eye with digital.

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

There is little demand for non-AI lenses, so even if someone was smart enough to make such a device, few would be dumb enough to buy it.

selmslie Loc: Fernandina Beach, FL, USA

Are you joking?

Why would anyone spend several thousand dollars on a modern body and use them to "play" with obsolete lenses?

I know of no pre-AI lenses that have not been improved on in the past fifty years. You can get lots of excellent used post-AI lenses at garage sale prices that will work on a modern high end DSLR.

If you just want to play with a 50 year-old lens, get a 50 year-old film camera and knock yourself out.

DJO

I apologize to all for my poor manners. Although certainly not an excuse, I have recently been under a terrible strain.

I never even hesitate to confess that I don't know everything. I can't. My oldest sister already has that job; she's been reminding me for more years than I'd care to say.

Have a nice day.