Three Eye

I am trying to get back into photography from a time in the 1960's where I used a Nikon F and a series of manual lenses with the little flange on the f-stop ring which engaged a pin extending from the pentaprism housing.

I would like to use a few of these old lenses in my D7000, but am confused. I read I should not do this without getting some kind of conversion to the mount. These lenses should fit on the D7000 body, but would they do damage to it?

If I need them modified, how do I go about that?

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Unlike some other makers, Nikon has used the same mount for years. The lenses should fit fine, but you won't have autofocus.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

You need them "AI" converted. (Auto Index)
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/nikortek.htm#ai

Any number of places listed on Google:
http://www.google.com/#bav=on.2,or.r_qf.&fp=bb5efefb0fc1c0dc&q=Nikon+Ai+conversion

Rick Is a member here and runs Discount Camera Repair in Denver. You might contact him.
http://www.discountcamerarepair.com/
Rick@discountcamerarepair.com
I've had work done by him. He's good and priced fairly.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Like yourself, I have a Nikon F, but from 1971. The original 50mm f/1.4 lens for that camera will fit, but probably damage the contacts inside the camera body. So will the 35mm f/2.8 and 135 f/2.8 that I have had for years. There is a raised area in each of those lenses, probably to eliminate some light hitting somewhere inside the body, that will more likely damage the contacts.

There are a number of older lenses that will, however, work and work well. It's best to check and make sure there is no potential for damaging the contacts inside the body. If there is a problem with any of your lenses, you can have a good camera repair person machine the "flange" off the older lenses and that will work. But, make sure the person knows what they are doing.
--Bob

Three Eye

Thanks so much. I kept with the Nikon system in hopes of being able to use these "old friends", but was unsure if they would work as is. I have no problem with them being fully manual. Now I have to figure out what kind of digital processing software I need to get. That seems like a real can of worms!

edgorm Loc: Rockaway, New York

I use a guy out west named john White. He's good, fast and inexpensive.
Contact johnwhite@aiconversions.com

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

There is a guy here in Tempe who can do the conversion, as well. Contact Joe at Tempe Camera. - 1-800-836-7374. Since this is a pretty standard request, I'm sure he can give an estimate over the phone. He's the owner and a really great person.
--Bob

OnDSnap Loc: NE New Jersey

Not sure if your lenses are the same as mine but all my AI's from the 70's used on my F2A Photomic's and FE's work on my D5100, and D7000

Howard5252 Loc: New York / Florida (now)

Some lens will fit, some won't and that is not what I want to tell you. You most likely will lose auto focus and that is a big consideration especially if your old Nikon was fitted with a focus screen that you liked. Simply put, you may find it difficult to get pinpoint focusing with todays screen.

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

Since you shot with these at one time I'm assuming you know the difference between an Ai,Ais & Non Ai lens...If your lenses are Non-Ai (solid prong, no aperture ridge on the mount end & only a single set of aperture numbers on the mount end) Then they should be modified to Ai spec before using them on any Nikon DSLR that is not an entry level model (D200 & below, that includes your D7000)...The older Non Ai Nikkors have an aperture "skirt" that extends down past the mount face of the lens & that will foul the aperture following tab on the camera body. 3rd party Nikon mount lenses, for the most part, will not damage the body as their "skirts" are flush with the mount face of the lens. I moderate a group on Flickr dedicated to using older manual focus lenses on Nikon DSLR's, & am pretty informed on this. Jon White & others can modify those older lenses. Others do a homemade conversion by using a dremel tool to remove the excess material, but that should be done with caution & precise measurements. Some stores, (Pacific Rim comes to mind) may still stock the old conversion kits from Nikon so as to do an aperture ring swap yourself, but that old stock is very limited anymore......

Al Beatty Loc: Boise, Idaho

I second this suggestion. I've used John's service several times and I'm very pleased with the result. Take care & ...

Three Eye

Thanks so much to all of you for your advice. I am going to send two of them to John White.

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

Thank you Jerry that helps me in selling my complete Nikon 8008 system. Minolta from 1985 fits and works well on the sony alphas. Price in now more reasonable just bought a 28-80mm for $30.. looks as tho never used!

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

You'd better read what others have said about about some lenses needing modification.

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

Ain't nobody said life is easy, not even Jerry! Thanks for the caution, this winter while your snowed in I will send the lens to you for mod... :lol: :thumbup: Nikon chart**

Minolta lenses work as is, no mod. The Auto zoom (8 contacts not 5) works but Sony alphas. The manual zooms 5 contact lens still AFocus, works just fine. Maxxium Lenses are highly rated glass, but heavy....

**Nikon Chart:
http://imaging.nikon.com/lineup/dslr/d3100/compatibility02.htm