Confused by Nikon autofocus lens system: I am a Canon USER, and a COLLECTOR of Canon and Nikon film cameras. I now have my first Nikon autofocus camera body. It's an N2020, which has...

nadelewitz Loc: Ithaca NY

I am a Canon USER, and a COLLECTOR of Canon and Nikon film cameras. I now have my first Nikon autofocus camera body. It's an N2020, which has an internal focusing motor that drives the lens focusing mechanism via a screw-drive socket. I am bewildered by Nikon's lens naming/designation system on AF lenses.

I know as a film camera it needs FX lenses, not DX.

I know I can use lenses with the screw-drive socket in their flange. What about lenses with built-in focus motors? Do these lenses ALSO have screw-drive sockets?

How do I tell from its full model designation whether a lens is FX or DX, whether it has the screw-socket or an internal drive motor (without seeing the flange), and whether it will focus on the N2020?

I see the DX in lens names, but I don't see FX. Does the lack of FX in the name mean it IS FX?

Is there a list/chart that shows what all the elements of a Nikon AF lens name mean? Coming from the Canon EF system, Nikon is all Greek to me.

BebuLamar

It doesn't AF with lenses that have built in motor.
It doesn't work with lenses that don't have aperture ring.

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

nadelewitz wrote:

I am a Canon USER, and a COLLECTOR of Canon and Ni... (show quote)

https://photographylife.com/nikon-lens-nomenclature

uhaas2009

If there are no DX written than it’s a FX lens.

All my Nikon lenses can be used with the screw drive motor from the camera body. Just try.
Ken Rockwell have a lots of info about lenses and more

Pistnbroke Loc: UK

If it starts 24or 28 to xxx its FX if it starts 18-xx its DX..you want the old D screw drive lenses

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

From PHOTO NET.com
"Any lens with an aperture ring that is fitted at the rear of the lens and has two rows of f/stop numbers will work in all exposure modes on the N2020/F-501. That includes almost all Ai, AiS, Series E, Ai-P, AF, AF-D, AF-S* and AF-I lenses. Only AF and AF-D lenses support autofocus. Ai lenses will work in automatic PDUAL mode but they will not automatically shift the program to high speed mode for focal lengths over 135mm. Most Non-Ai lenses can not be safely mounted. There are several non-AI lenses that can not be safely mounted even if they are Ai-converted (they will jam on the lens speed post switch lever inside the mirror box).
*only if equipped with aperture ring"

BebuLamar

I have an N2020 but it has a problem that is it only AF in one direction. If I set the lens to infinity or a distance farther than the subject then it will AF. If the lens is set at closer distance than the subject the lens won't move. But that would be sufficient for me to check on AF and exposure with other lenses.

nadelewitz Loc: Ithaca NY

Some helpful answers here. Thank you.

The "nikon_lens_nomenclature" article is just what the doctor ordered.

Just so I have this right.....ANY Nikon body with screw-drive WILL NOT focus a Silent-Wave lens?

BebuLamar

nadelewitz wrote:

Some helpful answers here. Thank you.

The "nikon_lens_nomenclature" article is just what the doctor ordered.

Just so I have this right.....ANY Nikon body with screw-drive WILL NOT focus a Silent-Wave lens?

Not true. Only some old film cameras and noi all of them. All dslr can AF silent wave lenses.

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

nadelewitz wrote:

Just so I have this right.....ANY Nikon body with screw-drive WILL NOT focus a Silent-Wave lens?

To see which lenses can be used, and how they will function, check the camera’s User’s Manual under “Compatible Lenses.”

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

RWR wrote:

To see which lenses can be used, and how they will function, check the camera’s User’s Manual under “Compatible Lenses.”

Doesn’t Nikon have a matrix showing which lenses can be used with which camera? A User’s Manual applies only to lenses issued before the manual was printed.

BebuLamar

rehess wrote:

Doesn’t Nikon have a matrix showing which lenses can be used with which camera? A User’s Manual applies only to lenses issued before the manual was printed.

Nikon does but it may be a problem for the OP camera. His camera is too old and many of the lenses types were not even introduced yet. So a chart which listed his camera may not list current lenses.

nadelewitz Loc: Ithaca NY

I found this Nikon Lens Compatibility reference from Ken Rockwell. Answers questions for film cameras and digitals.

https://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/compatibility-lens.htm

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

nadelewitz wrote:

I found this Nikon Lens Compatibility reference from Ken Rockwell. Answers questions for film cameras and digitals.

https://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/compatibility-lens.htm

rhess and BebuLamar are correct. Rockwell’s list is your best bet - I actually have it bookmarked, but completely forgot about it.
Once you understand how and why Nikon’s cameras and lenses have evolved over the years, I think you’ll find that their designations are not really all that confusing.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

RWR wrote:

rhess and BebuLamar are correct. Rockwell’s list is your best bet - I actually have it bookmarked, but completely forgot about it.
Once you understand how and why Nikon’s cameras and lenses have evolved over the years, I think you’ll find that their designations are not really all that confusing.

Still confusing to an outsider.
These discussions always sound like McDonald’s Farm:
AI - AI NO.