NIKKOR AI on a DSLR BODY
Apr 16, 2013 14:00:10 #
Hello to all. This is my first post so I would like to introduce myself. I'm a rank amatuer who just purchased a Fujifilm HS25EXR hoping it would give me great pictures with p&s simplicity. Drawn to the superzooms like a moth to a flame! And since I will be going to Alaska soon I thought it would be nice. Oh well. I guess I was born too soon. I am having fun with it though and it does take decent pictures.
Does anyone have experience with these Nikkor AI lenses on a digital body? I've read up on it and I'm confused as to the actual functionality.
On most of the affordable Nikon bodies they must be stopped down manually so these are not an option for me. I cannot afford the more expensive camera bodies and even if I could I'm not sure it would be worth it. I've read that they will meter on a Canon body. That is probably the way I would go. I'm just looking to get some use out of these lenses and don't want to spend a fortune doing it. The lenses I have are 50/1.4, 28/2.8, 43-86/3.5 amd 105/2.5 that were used on an FE body that was a wedding present from my wife way back when.
So is there a Canon body out there that would be a better match than any other within say <$300? I realize that it will have to be something used, will not auto focus of course and I will need adapters for each lens. Can anyone shed some real world light on this subject? Thank you so much for any advice and information that you can share.
Does anyone have experience with these Nikkor AI lenses on a digital body? I've read up on it and I'm confused as to the actual functionality.
On most of the affordable Nikon bodies they must be stopped down manually so these are not an option for me. I cannot afford the more expensive camera bodies and even if I could I'm not sure it would be worth it. I've read that they will meter on a Canon body. That is probably the way I would go. I'm just looking to get some use out of these lenses and don't want to spend a fortune doing it. The lenses I have are 50/1.4, 28/2.8, 43-86/3.5 amd 105/2.5 that were used on an FE body that was a wedding present from my wife way back when.
So is there a Canon body out there that would be a better match than any other within say <$300? I realize that it will have to be something used, will not auto focus of course and I will need adapters for each lens. Can anyone shed some real world light on this subject? Thank you so much for any advice and information that you can share.
Apr 16, 2013 19:59:24 #
I would stick with Nikon. Get a hand held meter or use your camera as a meter using your kit lens (this is a lot of work since you have to switch lenses to shoot) - Dave
Apr 17, 2013 09:07:28 #
wingclui44
Loc: CT USA
About $400 you may find a used semi-pro Nikon D200 at Adorama or B&H in very good condition. This is a excellent camera. I have mine for 5 years and use it with all the AI & AIS lenses from my Nikon-Ftn and Nikkormat. I even use the non-AI lenses with a little moderation.
That's why I love the Nikon system, I won't waste any thing from the old!
Good Luck!
That's why I love the Nikon system, I won't waste any thing from the old!
Good Luck!
Apr 17, 2013 11:53:58 #
Apr 17, 2013 11:55:23 #
wilsondl2 wrote:
I would stick with Nikon. Get a hand held meter or use your camera as a meter using your kit lens (this is a lot of work since you have to switch lenses to shoot) - Dave
That does sound like a lot of trouble plus I plan on buying the body only. Thanks for the suggestion.
Apr 17, 2013 12:06:33 #
wingclui44 wrote:
About $400 you may find a used semi-pro Nikon D200 at Adorama or B&H in very good condition. This is a excellent camera. I have mine for 5 years and use it with all the AI & AIS lenses from my Nikon-Ftn and Nikkormat. I even use the non-AI lenses with a little moderation.
That's why I love the Nikon system, I won't waste any thing from the old!
Good Luck!
That's why I love the Nikon system, I won't waste any thing from the old!
Good Luck!
That looks like the best and least expensive option in a Nikon body as it will meter with the least amount of inconvenience. The price is my issue. I was thinking that I could get away with a CanonT2i or T3i.
After doing some more reading up on this it seems like you have to meter first then open the lens up totally to focus and then stop down again to shoot because the focusing screens are not as bright on the cheaper bodies. Maybe for Christmas. Thank you for the suggestion.
Apr 17, 2013 16:23:57 #
wingclui44
Loc: CT USA
On the D200 body, I just set it on aperture mode and set the aperture what ever I want and still can focus with the lens full open, the aperture will close automatically to the preset setting while I press the shutter and the camera adjusts it's shutter for the right exposure.
Because the D200 and the other more expensive bodies have built-in aperture linkage to detect the setting of the aperture on the lens, and can be used on A-mode. The other cheaper entry-level bodies like the D-5000 series; D-3000 series; even the D-90 can not be metering with the AI or AIS lens, except stopping down!
Because the D200 and the other more expensive bodies have built-in aperture linkage to detect the setting of the aperture on the lens, and can be used on A-mode. The other cheaper entry-level bodies like the D-5000 series; D-3000 series; even the D-90 can not be metering with the AI or AIS lens, except stopping down!
Apr 18, 2013 08:46:40 #
wingclui44 wrote:
On the D200 body, I just set it on aperture mode a... (show quote)
Thank you WINGLUI44. So it will meter exactly like my FE body. That's a definite plus. I appreciate the explanation. Thanks again.
Apr 18, 2013 08:59:18 #
wingclui44
Loc: CT USA
We share knowledge and make each other a better photographer!
Happy Shooting, and Good Luck!
Happy Shooting, and Good Luck!
Apr 18, 2013 10:11:10 #
wingclui44 wrote:
We share knowledge and make each other a better photographer!
Happy Shooting, and Good Luck!
Happy Shooting, and Good Luck!
+1
Apr 17, 2014 19:13:25 #
romanticf16
Loc: Commerce Twp, MI
Do stay with the Nikon brand. The D200 is a good choice, a D300 would be even better, but might push the price, used to about $500. It will have more resolving power under low light conditions. The 43-86 is the poorest quality of the lenses you own- the others should perform very well for sharpness.
Apr 18, 2014 08:23:00 #
wingclui44
Loc: CT USA
[quote=romanticf16]Do stay with the Nikon brand. The D200 is a good choice, a D300 would be even better, but might push the price, used to about $500. It will have more resolving power under low light conditions. The 43-86 is the poorest quality of the lenses you own- the others should perform very well for sharpness.[/
I have the non-AI of the 43-86mm and converted to AI, yes, it's a poor made lens especially lens flare, but I like it's softness and sometime used it on portrait. The newer version of AI is much better and sold for $50 used.
I have the non-AI of the 43-86mm and converted to AI, yes, it's a poor made lens especially lens flare, but I like it's softness and sometime used it on portrait. The newer version of AI is much better and sold for $50 used.
Apr 18, 2014 08:36:07 #
ralphfr wrote:
Thank you WINGLUI44. So it will meter exactly like my FE body. That's a definite plus. I appreciate the explanation. Thanks again.
I too have the FE and a D200. I got the D200 for many reasons, one of which being I wanted the ability to use my old lenses with no hassle. You can find a very nice condition D200 on ebay for ~$250. Less if you get lucky. Here is a good deal, but better hurry. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nikon-D200-DSLR-/191133220211?pt=Digital_Cameras&hash=item2c806d7d73
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