Old Nikon Lenses - F2 era!

[A Owens]

I read in another thread on this forum that old manual lenses from an F2 could be used on the D70. Sure there would be no auto focus etc.

But is that so? Would they work?

 

[Walt Palmer]

Yes. No auto focus or meter, but they work just like on your old Nikkormat or F if you remove the meter.

I read in another thread on this forum that old manual lenses from
an F2 could be used on the D70. Sure there would be no auto focus
etc.

But is that so? Would they work?

 

[Ed Lake]

I read in another thread on this forum that old manual lenses from
an F2 could be used on the D70. Sure there would be no auto focus
etc.

But is that so? Would they work?

I understand, and the pdf of the manual should mention (you'll have to search for the location of the pdf), that manual lenses attach, but don't meter or, of course, autofocus. You'll have to use the histogram or an external meter for metering.

 

[RSR2]

Most do, but no exposure meter, camera shows when in focus if max aperture large enough > 5.6 I think. Histogram shows exposure after shot, so it's easy to take a few shots and get the right exposure. Used my old 180 2.8 ED with no problems

Rob

 

[Jackrabbit]

Most do, but no exposure meter, camera shows when in focus if max
aperture large enough > 5.6 I think. Histogram shows exposure after
shot, so it's easy to take a few shots and get the right exposure.
Used my old 180 2.8 ED with no problems

Rob

Page 183 in the manual shows that the AF and the Al P lenses will meter but not in the 3-D mode. The Al and the Al S lenses will have to be used on manual focus and exposure

 

[macmaven]

I put my 16mm fisheye from the F2 era on my D-70 and it was very tight locking it in the breach. I think that there is more plastic around the edge that goes toward the body than current lenses.

Anyway it was so tight, I thought it may stress the mount. So no more old lenses on mine.

Anybody want to buy a 16mm fisheye?

macmaven

I read in another thread on this forum that old manual lenses from
an F2 could be used on the D70. Sure there would be no auto focus
etc.

But is that so? Would they work?

 

[A Owens]

Thanks for the prompt responses. The D70 just pulled ahead in the competition for my hard earned dollarios!

 

[Bruce M.]

My ancient 1969 135mm f/2.8 Nikkor-Q, Micro 55mm Nikkor and 35mm f/2 Nikkor all work wonderfully on D70 (they all were AI indexing updated decades ago). No metering isn't much of an issue, just LCD confirm a test exposure first. The focus indicator dot works great with manual focus lenses. Not super-speedy, but the price is right.

 

[Rliotta]

First, what does it mean "f2 era"? Second if the old lenses are not CPU will thry still work? I checked out an old, but quality Nikon lense at a camera store. No metering or focus, of course, but I saw no image after taking a shot. In retrospect it may have had a histogram all at the dark end--thus that would be why I didn't get a picture (okay some of this is new to me). So, do old NON CPU lenses work? The manuel is unclear to me, page 184, says can't use non-CPU lenses, but can use some in manuel mode. Can someon clarify this.

Thanks

I read in another thread on this forum that old manual lenses from
an F2 could be used on the D70. Sure there would be no auto focus
etc.

But is that so? Would they work?

 

[boz94816]

I was about ready to get on a waiting list for a D70 but was counting heavily on my Nikon ED 80-200mm 1:2.8D lens that I paid as much for as this camera body costs. Will the meter on any of the digital SLR's work with this lens?

--
Shuck

 

[ar bee]

yes you can use them (with very few exceptions mainly due to physical constraints) but you dont get metering! but what's the point you just try a few shots and bracket like there is no tomorrow

I even use an old MF teleconverter for the occasional still shot! and i use a 20mm 2.8 MF as well

 

[Anastigmat]

Most Nikon cameras made since the F3 have a meter coupling ring near the lens mount. When a lens is attached and the lens aperture ring is rotated, the meter coupling ring also rotates, informing the camera of what aperture the user has set on the lens so that the meter will work. The F80, on which the D100 and D70 are loosely based, does not have this meter coupling ring on the camera body. Therefore the F80 is no longer compatible with manual focus AI and AI-S lenses. The AF lenses communicate aperture settings to the camera using electrical contacts, not a mechanical metering coupling ring. These lenses can be used with the F80, D70 and D100 without problem. Older AI and AIS lenses do not have the electrical contacts. Therefore they will not communicate with the camera. Hence no metering with these lenses. That is unfortunate since a lot of the AI and AIS Nikkors were such great lenses but they can no longer be used on the D70 or D100 because a part that probably costs no more than a few bucks have been left out of these cameras.

Nikon is not the only camera maker that is obsoleting their older lenses. Pentax has also removed the mechanical meter coupling linkage from the *ist D because the *ist film camera also lacks this linkage. Pentax owners fare a little better, however, because Pentax A-series manual focus lenses communicate aperture info with the camera electrically, so these lenses can still be used on the *ist D, but the older M and K series lenses cannot be used except by using stop-down metering and by upgrading the camera to the latest firm ware. Nikon used to be the compatibility champ but now they have been replaced at the top by Pentax.

Thanks

I read in another thread on this forum that old manual lenses from
an F2 could be used on the D70. Sure there would be no auto focus
etc.

But is that so? Would they work?

 

[Jared Hunter]

I assume my old 70's lenses from my F model will work ok?
Here's my f1.4 50mm:
http://www.pbase.com/image/23883477

My ancient 1969 135mm f/2.8 Nikkor-Q, Micro 55mm Nikkor and 35mm
f/2 Nikkor all work wonderfully on D70 (they all were AI indexing
updated decades ago). No metering isn't much of an issue, just LCD
confirm a test exposure first. The focus indicator dot works great
with manual focus lenses. Not super-speedy, but the price is right.

 

[Deadpixel]

I posted this about a week ago. It was a shot taken with a 1985 Nikkor 80-200mm f/4 manual lens. No CPU, so no metering or AF.



Matt

Thanks

I read in another thread on this forum that old manual lenses from
an F2 could be used on the D70. Sure there would be no auto focus
etc.

But is that so? Would they work?

--


http://www.pbase.com/deadpixel

 

[wsjenkins]

--
C P 5 4 0 0 , D 7 0

 

[Jared Hunter]

"Pre AI lenses cannot be used since they bump into the little tab near the depth of field preview button. The tab will flex a little in case you make the error of forcing such a lens on, however repeated use would probably cause some distress"

See the section "F mount and Lens Compatibility":
http://www.photo.net/nikon/D70/

I'm reading conflicting information...

Matt

Thanks

I read in another thread on this forum that old manual lenses from
an F2 could be used on the D70. Sure there would be no auto focus
etc.

But is that so? Would they work?

--


http://www.pbase.com/deadpixel

 

[Deadpixel]

The manual lenses I have are all AI lenses. You can identify this from the metal rabbit ears WITH HOLES on the aperture ring.



These manual lenses can be used without problems on the D70.

Matt

"Pre AI lenses cannot be used since they bump into the little tab
near the depth of field preview button. The tab will flex a little
in case you make the error of forcing such a lens on, however
repeated use would probably cause some distress"

See the section "F mount and Lens Compatibility":
http://www.photo.net/nikon/D70/

I'm reading conflicting information...

--


http://www.pbase.com/deadpixel

 

[A Owens]

First, what does it mean "f2 era"?

By this I mean lenses that were being made when the Nikon F2 was being made. That was around late sixties/early seventies. The F series are Nikon's professional level film SLR's. After the F2 there was the F3, F4 and the current model the F5. They are beuatiful cameras to use (IMHO) and the high end Nikon lenses from that period I think are great.

Second if the old lenses are
not CPU will thry still work? I checked out an old, but quality
Nikon lense at a camera store. No metering or focus, of course,
but I saw no image after taking a shot. In retrospect it may have
had a histogram all at the dark end--thus that would be why I
didn't get a picture (okay some of this is new to me). So, do old
NON CPU lenses work? The manuel is unclear to me, page 184, says
can't use non-CPU lenses, but can use some in manuel mode. Can
someon clarify this.

Judging from some other posts in response to my question it would appear that they do work, just that you have to focus through the viewfinder (or I guess the LCD) and use an external light meter (or I guess there is a meter of some sort [histogram?] on the D70. The F2 has no CPU (as you so aptly descibe the presence of electronics). In those days the "CPU" power on board of the D70 could not have been conceivable let alone have been housed in a large skyscraper.

Thanks

Thanks for your interest.

 

[A Owens]

My ancient 1969 135mm f/2.8 Nikkor-Q, Micro 55mm Nikkor and 35mm
f/2 Nikkor all work wonderfully on D70 (they all were AI indexing
updated decades ago). No metering isn't much of an issue, just LCD
confirm a test exposure first. The focus indicator dot works great
with manual focus lenses. Not super-speedy, but the price is right.

When you say "they all were AI indexing updated decades ago", do you mean you had them modified in some way? If so how and who did it?

It is sounding to me like my ones (similar to the pbase photo link posted) may not work as they are.

 

[Ed Lake]

First, what does it mean "f2 era"?

By this I mean lenses that were being made when the Nikon F2 was
being made. That was around late sixties/early seventies. The F
series are Nikon's professional level film SLR's. After the F2
there was the F3, F4 and the current model the F5. They are
beuatiful cameras to use (IMHO) and the high end Nikon lenses from
that period I think are great.

Certain AI lenses (those made after about 1977) can be converted to use a cpu. Look here for more information: http://home.carolina.rr.com/headshots/Nikonhome.htm .

In general, any AI or AIS lens can be used as manual focus and metering (see here for explanations of the terms: http://kenrockwell.com/nikon/nikortek.htm ).

However, many AF lenses are available in the used market. In fact, the Nikon used market is huge. Just be sure that the item you want wasn't beaten to death by a pro!