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Old Nikkor lenses on digital cameras

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Ed Troy

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I have an ancient Nikon F2AS that I bought over 20 years ago. I could not be more pleased with the service I have gotten from it. It does all that I want, and is built like a brick. Now, however, I want to get some digital capability. I've been considering buying a cheap (

TIA,
Ed
 
Ed,

we have old Nikon MF lenses (20,24,28,35 shift, 85/135/200 Micro) and use none of those as I feel the new lenses are better in term of color definition.

On the other side we now only photograph manual. We start using the internal metering as a hint and then correct exposure using the histogram.

Uwe
Ed Troy said:
I have an ancient Nikon F2AS that I bought over 20 years ago. I
could not be more pleased with the service I have gotten from it.
It does all that I want, and is built like a brick. Now, however, I
want to get some digital capability. I've been considering buying a
cheap (
see on ebay for new and used cameras, like the Fuji S602z, which
seems to offer everything I want except interchangeable lenses.) My
other alternative is to put out the extra bucks and buy a true SLR
digital camera, which is what I will eventually own. My dilema is
that all of my Nikkor lenses are the old style lenses. That is,
they are AI lenses, but not AF lenses. (I have no need or desire
for autofocus.) But, upon further investigation, I have found that
some of the digital SLR cameras, like the Nikon D100, which I
really like, and which can be had for about $1000, requires a
Nikkor AF lense if you want to be able to use the camera's exposure
meter. I admit that many times I use a handheld light meter, but I
would not want to always have to use a handheld light meter! Thus,
if I buy a D100, I will have to buy a whole new set of lenses. This
is not a pretty thought! I was told that if I buy a D1x or D1H, I
can use the built-in spot meter even with my old lenses. This would
be fine for me. As time goes on, I would probably upgrade my lenses
to af lenses, but I don't want to do that now. The only problem is
that D1X's and D1H's are usually not available for less than $2000.
This is still cheaper than buying a D100 and a few AF lenses, but
it is more than I want to spend. What I am wondering is if the Fuji
S1 pro, and perhaps some of the Kodak (DCS760, for example) work
with the older Nikkor lenses. It looks to me like they do work fine
with the older Nikkor AI lenses, without restriction, but I am not
totally clear about that. Again, I do not care about autofocus, but
I would like to be able to use the in-camera light metering
systems, or at least the in-camera spot meter. Does anyone know the
answer to my questions?

TIA,
Ed
Click to expand...
 
Ed,

If you have Nikkor AI and/or AIS lenses you can use them with Center Weighted metering on the Nikon E2, D1, D1h and D1x as well as on the Kodak 600 and 700 series DSLRs (since they are based on the Nikon F5). Of course, AI-modified non-AI lenses fall into the same category, in case you have any of those.

You can use the older lenses in manual mode only, with no on-board metering, with the Nikon D100 and Fuji S1 & S2 DSLRs. The Nikon D100 and Fuji S2 use, essentially, the Nikon F80 film body electronics (while the older Fuji S1 uses the Nikon F65 parts). The F80 body has only the electrical lens aperture coupling and is missing the mechanical coupling used on the AI and AIS lenses.

Your best bet for a DSLR would be to get a D1 series unit. That way, you can make the most use of what you already have in the way of lenses. Original D1 units can be had quite reasonable these days.

Stan
Ed Troy said:
I have an ancient Nikon F2AS that I bought over 20 years ago. I
could not be more pleased with the service I have gotten from it.
It does all that I want, and is built like a brick. Now, however, I
want to get some digital capability. I've been considering buying a
cheap (
see on ebay for new and used cameras, like the Fuji S602z, which
seems to offer everything I want except interchangeable lenses.) My
other alternative is to put out the extra bucks and buy a true SLR
digital camera, which is what I will eventually own. My dilema is
that all of my Nikkor lenses are the old style lenses. That is,
they are AI lenses, but not AF lenses. (I have no need or desire
for autofocus.) But, upon further investigation, I have found that
some of the digital SLR cameras, like the Nikon D100, which I
really like, and which can be had for about $1000, requires a
Nikkor AF lense if you want to be able to use the camera's exposure
meter. I admit that many times I use a handheld light meter, but I
would not want to always have to use a handheld light meter! Thus,
if I buy a D100, I will have to buy a whole new set of lenses. This
is not a pretty thought! I was told that if I buy a D1x or D1H, I
can use the built-in spot meter even with my old lenses. This would
be fine for me. As time goes on, I would probably upgrade my lenses
to af lenses, but I don't want to do that now. The only problem is
that D1X's and D1H's are usually not available for less than $2000.
This is still cheaper than buying a D100 and a few AF lenses, but
it is more than I want to spend. What I am wondering is if the Fuji
S1 pro, and perhaps some of the Kodak (DCS760, for example) work
with the older Nikkor lenses. It looks to me like they do work fine
with the older Nikkor AI lenses, without restriction, but I am not
totally clear about that. Again, I do not care about autofocus, but
I would like to be able to use the in-camera light metering
systems, or at least the in-camera spot meter. Does anyone know the
answer to my questions?

TIA,
Ed
Click to expand...
--
Amateur Photographer
Professional Electronics Development Engineer
More info and list of gear is in my Posters' Profile.
 
The D100 goes for around twice what you mentioned ... and I've not seen a $2K D1x ... or I might own one! It might cost you a bit more than you think!
Ken
Ed Troy said:
I have an ancient Nikon F2AS that I bought over 20 years ago. I
could not be more pleased with the service I have gotten from it.
It does all that I want, and is built like a brick. Now, however, I
want to get some digital capability. I've been considering buying a
cheap (
see on ebay for new and used cameras, like the Fuji S602z, which
seems to offer everything I want except interchangeable lenses.) My
other alternative is to put out the extra bucks and buy a true SLR
digital camera, which is what I will eventually own. My dilema is
that all of my Nikkor lenses are the old style lenses. That is,
they are AI lenses, but not AF lenses. (I have no need or desire
for autofocus.) But, upon further investigation, I have found that
some of the digital SLR cameras, like the Nikon D100, which I
really like, and which can be had for about $1000, requires a
Nikkor AF lense if you want to be able to use the camera's exposure
meter. I admit that many times I use a handheld light meter, but I
would not want to always have to use a handheld light meter! Thus,
if I buy a D100, I will have to buy a whole new set of lenses. This
is not a pretty thought! I was told that if I buy a D1x or D1H, I
can use the built-in spot meter even with my old lenses. This would
be fine for me. As time goes on, I would probably upgrade my lenses
to af lenses, but I don't want to do that now. The only problem is
that D1X's and D1H's are usually not available for less than $2000.
This is still cheaper than buying a D100 and a few AF lenses, but
it is more than I want to spend. What I am wondering is if the Fuji
S1 pro, and perhaps some of the Kodak (DCS760, for example) work
with the older Nikkor lenses. It looks to me like they do work fine
with the older Nikkor AI lenses, without restriction, but I am not
totally clear about that. Again, I do not care about autofocus, but
I would like to be able to use the in-camera light metering
systems, or at least the in-camera spot meter. Does anyone know the
answer to my questions?

TIA,
Ed
Click to expand...
--

No 1D, very few lenses, no camera bag or teleconverters thanks to some thief. Also, NO Canon 1200mm f/5.6.
 
I've been watching ebay, and have seen a few very good deals. They are few and far between, but every once in a while you see one. But, like you said, most go for higher prices.

Ed
Ken Phillips said:
Ed Troy said:
I have an ancient Nikon F2AS that I bought over 20 years ago. I
could not be more pleased with the service I have gotten from it.
It does all that I want, and is built like a brick. Now, however, I
want to get some digital capability. I've been considering buying a
cheap (
see on ebay for new and used cameras, like the Fuji S602z, which
seems to offer everything I want except interchangeable lenses.) My
other alternative is to put out the extra bucks and buy a true SLR
digital camera, which is what I will eventually own. My dilema is
that all of my Nikkor lenses are the old style lenses. That is,
they are AI lenses, but not AF lenses. (I have no need or desire
for autofocus.) But, upon further investigation, I have found that
some of the digital SLR cameras, like the Nikon D100, which I
really like, and which can be had for about $1000, requires a
Nikkor AF lense if you want to be able to use the camera's exposure
meter. I admit that many times I use a handheld light meter, but I
would not want to always have to use a handheld light meter! Thus,
if I buy a D100, I will have to buy a whole new set of lenses. This
is not a pretty thought! I was told that if I buy a D1x or D1H, I
can use the built-in spot meter even with my old lenses. This would
be fine for me. As time goes on, I would probably upgrade my lenses
to af lenses, but I don't want to do that now. The only problem is
that D1X's and D1H's are usually not available for less than $2000.
This is still cheaper than buying a D100 and a few AF lenses, but
it is more than I want to spend. What I am wondering is if the Fuji
S1 pro, and perhaps some of the Kodak (DCS760, for example) work
with the older Nikkor lenses. It looks to me like they do work fine
with the older Nikkor AI lenses, without restriction, but I am not
totally clear about that. Again, I do not care about autofocus, but
I would like to be able to use the in-camera light metering
systems, or at least the in-camera spot meter. Does anyone know the
answer to my questions?

TIA,
Ed
Click to expand...
--
No 1D, very few lenses, no camera bag or teleconverters thanks to
some thief. Also, NO Canon 1200mm f/5.6.
Click to expand...
 
Ed, be careful. I'm an eBay veteran and have gotten virtually all of my equipment on it (as well as some props and sold a couple of bikes). I've also been researching the hell out of the entry level D-SLRs with exchangeable lenses. If you find a D100 for under $2k, it is probably a grey market (or stolen) item. The D100, the Canon D60, and the Fuji S2 are all hot right now, and there is no incentive for prices to go down until the next round of models. If you're willing to take a European model (with NO warranty) or something that has been stolen, there are deals to be had (I almost bought a D60 from an Israeli photographer for $1600 who won the camera in a photo competition, but it was a Euro warranty), but even the NYC based discount electronics stores are selling grey market or no-USA warranty models these days because of short supply.

Be careful out there.

Kent

PS: If you find a USA warranty new D100 in a sealed box for less than $1900, buy it and sell it to me for $1900.
Ed Troy said:
Ed
Ken Phillips said:
Ed Troy said:
I have an ancient Nikon F2AS that I bought over 20 years ago. I
could not be more pleased with the service I have gotten from it.
It does all that I want, and is built like a brick. Now, however, I
want to get some digital capability. I've been considering buying a
cheap (
see on ebay for new and used cameras, like the Fuji S602z, which
seems to offer everything I want except interchangeable lenses.) My
other alternative is to put out the extra bucks and buy a true SLR
digital camera, which is what I will eventually own. My dilema is
that all of my Nikkor lenses are the old style lenses. That is,
they are AI lenses, but not AF lenses. (I have no need or desire
for autofocus.) But, upon further investigation, I have found that
some of the digital SLR cameras, like the Nikon D100, which I
really like, and which can be had for about $1000, requires a
Nikkor AF lense if you want to be able to use the camera's exposure
meter. I admit that many times I use a handheld light meter, but I
would not want to always have to use a handheld light meter! Thus,
if I buy a D100, I will have to buy a whole new set of lenses. This
is not a pretty thought! I was told that if I buy a D1x or D1H, I
can use the built-in spot meter even with my old lenses. This would
be fine for me. As time goes on, I would probably upgrade my lenses
to af lenses, but I don't want to do that now. The only problem is
that D1X's and D1H's are usually not available for less than $2000.
This is still cheaper than buying a D100 and a few AF lenses, but
it is more than I want to spend. What I am wondering is if the Fuji
S1 pro, and perhaps some of the Kodak (DCS760, for example) work
with the older Nikkor lenses. It looks to me like they do work fine
with the older Nikkor AI lenses, without restriction, but I am not
totally clear about that. Again, I do not care about autofocus, but
I would like to be able to use the in-camera light metering
systems, or at least the in-camera spot meter. Does anyone know the
answer to my questions?

TIA,
Ed
Click to expand...
--
No 1D, very few lenses, no camera bag or teleconverters thanks to
some thief. Also, NO Canon 1200mm f/5.6.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Ed:

The only other thing to remember is, if you've got older original lenses for the F2 that only had the rabbit-ear metering indexing and not the AI rear flange on the aperture-ring then you'll be pretty much out of luck with any new equipment (digital or otherwise) without having the lenses modified.

Since Nikon was pretty good about retaining the rabbit-ear arrangement on lenses through the early '90s there are a lot of lenses work either way, but it might be worth mentioning.
Ed Troy said:
I have an ancient Nikon F2AS that I bought over 20 years ago. I
could not be more pleased with the service I have gotten from it.
It does all that I want, and is built like a brick. Now, however, I
want to get some digital capability. I've been considering buying a
cheap (
see on ebay for new and used cameras, like the Fuji S602z, which
seems to offer everything I want except interchangeable lenses.) My
other alternative is to put out the extra bucks and buy a true SLR
digital camera, which is what I will eventually own. My dilema is
that all of my Nikkor lenses are the old style lenses. That is,
they are AI lenses, but not AF lenses. (I have no need or desire
for autofocus.) But, upon further investigation, I have found that
some of the digital SLR cameras, like the Nikon D100, which I
really like, and which can be had for about $1000, requires a
Nikkor AF lense if you want to be able to use the camera's exposure
meter. I admit that many times I use a handheld light meter, but I
would not want to always have to use a handheld light meter! Thus,
if I buy a D100, I will have to buy a whole new set of lenses. This
is not a pretty thought! I was told that if I buy a D1x or D1H, I
can use the built-in spot meter even with my old lenses. This would
be fine for me. As time goes on, I would probably upgrade my lenses
to af lenses, but I don't want to do that now. The only problem is
that D1X's and D1H's are usually not available for less than $2000.
This is still cheaper than buying a D100 and a few AF lenses, but
it is more than I want to spend. What I am wondering is if the Fuji
S1 pro, and perhaps some of the Kodak (DCS760, for example) work
with the older Nikkor lenses. It looks to me like they do work fine
with the older Nikkor AI lenses, without restriction, but I am not
totally clear about that. Again, I do not care about autofocus, but
I would like to be able to use the in-camera light metering
systems, or at least the in-camera spot meter. Does anyone know the
answer to my questions?

TIA,
Ed
Click to expand...
--
-- S.Keating, Daytona Beach FL
 
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