There’s a difference no one mentions between two classes of lenses that do NOT have AF on the FTZ.

The so called “D lenses” have a CPU chip but the Ai lenses do not. “D lenses” can deliver automated exposure and auto iris functions while Ai lenses are strictly dead manual, not even auto iris stop down.

Adding an AF shaft drive motor to an adapter would benefit “D lens” users but still won’t deliver auto iris stop down speed and convenience to Ai lens users.

The problem crudely described is that Ai lenses do not have a precision iris stop down lever. It moves full arc every time (on an old camera). “D lenses” have a precise iris stop down lever action. The Nikon FTZ provides precision iris lever actuation, so “D lenses” can let the body control the aperture. Ai lenses are just outa luck.

Let's set this straight again. I conceded to you in a past thread that "D" has nothing to do with the way a lens focuses. "D" indicates that distance information is transferred to the camera, and this designation began with the second generation Nikon AF lenses. All subsequent Nikon autofocus lenses are also D lenses, even though they may not have "D" stamped on the lens barrel.

On the other hand, nearly all lenses with D stamped on them are from the generation where a motor is needed in the camera for autofocus. D on a lens has become synonymous with "needs a motor in the camera." It's in common usage now. But again, to concede to you, it is not always true. The lens in this photo is stamped D and has an internal focusing motor. I have to credit Ken Rockwell for the photo. Love him or hate him, he knows hardware in and out.

"... I have a little 28-105 f/3.6-4.5 D zoom that is noticeably sharper than the 24-120 f/4 VR that I bought for my D810..."Exactly therwol! Totally with you on this epic mid-range vintage Nikkor. I went out and shot mine Saturday 11-13 after you reminded me in another post how fabulous this little gem actually is!

For those who are under the delusion that the latest and greatest "plasticware" is better, maybe rethink that the over weight and over priced Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8E ED VR Lens is the best thing since sliced bread.
At $2,096.95 it cost way over 10 fold over what I paid for my AF 28-105 f/3.5-4.5D (purchased previously owned in condition 9 from B&H for $119) nearly a decade ago. Unlike the "New" 24-70mm f/2.8 this vintage Nikkor is virtually free from distortion and wonderfully sharp out to nearly the edge of the frame.

therwol below is the image I captured Saturday on my Nikon D3x mated to that epic vintage AF 28-105 f/3.5-4.5D.
Note: There is no cropping here... this is native FX format edge to edge (albeit I had to down-sample to 8x12 from 13x20 in order to stay within UHH upload limits). I challenge any other "Armchair" photographers in this thread to post validating images of their so called fabulous high end mirrorless or DSLR mid-range zooms which show how they can meet or exceed with I accomplished here with a 13 year of camera and a 24 year old "D" screwdriver Nikkor (which btw uses civilized 62mm filters not pricey 82mm filters like the Plastic Latest and Greatest 24-70mm.)

And yes I chose a "Kodachrome" day to shoot this in... Hand held with that massive D3x body dampening any mirror vibration. Though I'm not foolish enough to shoot a f/4.5 in low light without a tripod... enough said

As for Nikon's Z line? If I wore a younger man's clothes I would indeed be very interested... however I've mastered my D3x and my deliverables are well received by my clients. At the end of the day nothing else matter to me...
I do not seek to establish my persona by the "Kit" I use, only by the deliverables I produce, my client list and my published tearsheets...

Thank you for your inspiration therwol...
Greatly appreciate!
Cheers!
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