AI or AIS lenses on a Nikon D3400
Apr 4, 2024 10:02:09 #
tshift wrote:
What is an Ai lens?
An AI lens is a Nikon F mount lens introduced in 1977. AI stands for automatic indexing (which actually doesn't index at all) to differentiates them from the older Nikon F mount lenses which you have to index them manually everytime you mount the lens.
Apr 4, 2024 10:17:31 #
wingclui44 wrote:
Half of my 12 lenses for my Nikon Df are manual AIs/AI and Pre AI lenses, I even use them on my new Zf with adapter. I don't consider it as wasting my time, I take my time to shoot with them and it's fun!
Im never using MF lenses for the "fun" of MF. Some of my lenses are MF for a few reasons, such as MF lenses being:
• Tiny
• Friendlier than AF for video
• Very affordable specialty lenses
• Expensive specialty lenses
• Left over from ancient times
To me MF is no hardship, its normal. AF is a specific convenience feature. I have three systems, and I like to have an AF midrange zoom for each system for casual snapping.
One of those three systems was specifically acquired for use with certain MF lenses.
Perfect $20 video lens. Focus with one finger.
(Download)
The ultimate in M-mount tiny lens support.
(Download)
Left over from ancient times.
(Download)
Apr 4, 2024 10:26:58 #
tshift wrote:
What is an Ai lens?
AI is a designation used by Nikon to indicate lenses that are “auto indexing” - which means they linked the maximum aperture of the lens to the camera’s metering system automatically as the lens was mounted on to the camera body.
Apr 4, 2024 10:57:34 #
Note the use of mirrorless digital cameras, with all their enabling technologies for shooting MF lenses, not the time wasting effort of using a DSLRosaur ....
Apr 4, 2024 11:24:30 #
CHG_CANON wrote:
Note the use of mirrorless digital cameras, with all their enabling technologies for shooting MF lenses, not the time wasting effort of using a DSLRosaur ....
Time-Wasting is FUN though.... Am I Right??!! .......Yes. I am. That is what I'm doing here on UHH!
(Image taken with a Mirrorless Camera!)
Apr 4, 2024 12:44:25 #
epd1947 wrote:
How is manually focusing a “waste of time?” - seems more like someone expressing a preference rather than wasting their time. As well, there are situations in which manual focusing is actually a better decision and, in such cases, a true manual focus lens is preferable, by several orders of magnitude, than an AF lens where focus by wire is fiddly at best.
The OP never expressed a preference for manually focusing. I agree with Paul’s assertion that unless the OP specifically wants manual focus lenses that he look at the multitude of AF-S lenses available. Usually when someone asks if a lens will “work” on a certain camera body the mean with full functionality. Manual focus is fine and I use some fully manual lenses, but only on my mirrorless cameras. DSLR’s lack any of manual focus aids found in mirrorless or on film cameras.
Apr 4, 2024 13:56:13 #
CHG_CANON wrote:
Note the use of mirrorless digital cameras, with all their enabling technologies for shooting MF lenses, not the time wasting effort of using a DSLRosaur ....
The viewing-focusing screens in AF SLRs are contrary to the essence of their forebears, of ninety years of SLRs intended to use regular normal lenses before AF arrived. I am NOT knocking AF SLRs. I switched immediately to AF SLRs. But they are designed for AF lenses and are not especially friendly toward MF.
I use several modern electronically fully coupled MF lenses. These are made in SLR mounts but I use them exclusively on EVF cameras ... where they absolutely belong.
Apr 4, 2024 16:43:19 #
Apr 4, 2024 17:17:25 #
Apr 4, 2024 22:49:06 #
Tote1940
Loc: Dallas
Using Zfc , the joy of rediscovering manual focus and exposure ! Give it a try, specially manual exposure
Apr 4, 2024 23:13:59 #
Tote1940 wrote:
Using Zfc , the joy of rediscovering manual focus and exposure ! Give it a try, specially manual exposure
I use the Zfc more than I expected. It really is a joy to use.
The exposure compensation dial is back where it always belonged ... IMHO.
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Apr 6, 2024 08:39:42 #
Apr 6, 2024 10:12:11 #
Totally agree. Half of my lenses are AF and AFD and most of my cameras are screw drive with great results. But I don’t use them with my D3400 since I prefer to not do manual focus.
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