Compatibility between Nikon Film Cameras and modern, electronically controlled lenses

[Nicolas_K]

Hi everyone,

I'm a total noob when it comes to Nikon's SLRs and would like to learn about which, if any, Nikon film cameras support electronic aperture control. Given that most DSLR lenses can still be focussed directly, autofocus is less of a concern to me.


This is not a pressing question, as I'm not currently in the F-Mount market, but I would like to own some F-Mount cameras at some point in the future and am doing research ahead of time.

Thanks in advance for any responses I get!

 

[Paul P K]

Hi everyone,

I'm a total noob when it comes to Nikon's SLRs and would like to learn about which, if any, Nikon film cameras support electronic aperture control. Given that most DSLR lenses can still be focussed directly, autofocus is less of a concern to me.

This is not a pressing question, as I'm not currently in the F-Mount market, but I would like to own some F-Mount cameras at some point in the future and am doing research ahead of time.

Thanks in advance for any responses I get!

I assume that with electronic aperture control you mean G lenses (which lack an aperture ring )

Based on my own experience the F100 is fully compatible with that type of lenses, as the (same generation) F5 and later F6 will also be.

If memory serves me well the F90/F90X will also work, but with some limitations (sorry, long time ago, don't exactly know what limitations, but perhaps someone els can help with that).

HTH

 

[jwlaff]

Hi, if you go to Ken Rockwell's site, and open up his Nikon section, you can find a lens compatability chart which will give you all the information you are looking for. Hope this helps.

 

[Chuck Yadmark]

If you mean electronic diaphragm, I believe the answer is none, with a tiny chance the F6 can.

Having said that I think that lack of E control just means these lenses will all be shot wide open, no stopping down possible.

 

[Blufftonian]

If you mean E type lenses (electronic aperture control) then these lenses aren't compatible with older digital Nikon bodies never mind film cameras.

https://www.nikonusa.com/images/learn-explore/photography-techniques/2011/which-nikkor-is-right-for-you/media/nikkor-lens-compatibility-chart.pdf

 

[Stan Disbrow]

Hi,

No E lens operation on my digital F5 so I expect none on the film version either.

Stan

 

[afoton]

Hi everyone,

I'm a total noob when it comes to Nikon's SLRs and would like to learn about which, if any, Nikon film cameras support electronic aperture control. Given that most DSLR lenses can still be focussed directly, autofocus is less of a concern to me.

I assume that with electronic aperture control you mean G lenses (which lack an aperture ring )

G lenses is mecanical and several film SLR with AF are fully compatible, most of the cheaper bodies back to F-401 and some of the newer high end bodies. The other bodies will work with G lenses only in S and P mode.

But electronic aperture control is, as allready written in this thread, not compatible with any film SLR.

 

[cosmicnode]

If you mean electronic diaphragm, I believe the answer is none, with a tiny chance the F6 can.

Having said that I think that lack of E control just means these lenses will all be shot wide open, no stopping down possible.

That's not completely correct, I pulled my 70-300FX P E lens out of my bag and fitted it to a F5, the viewfinder was very dim when switched on , the lens was partly stopped down and the camera would not operate it. My D3 operated the iris, when I returned it to the F5 it was now fully open. I could not repeat this, however the lens will not focus on the F5, focus is completely electronic, fly by wire.

 

[fpapp]

If you mean electronic diaphragm, I believe the answer is none, with a tiny chance the F6 can.

No go on the F6. It still stick sticks in my craw that Nikon didn't issue a firmware update to make it possible.

 

[scokill]

Hi everyone,

I'm a total noob when it comes to Nikon's SLRs and would like to learn about which, if any, Nikon film cameras support electronic aperture control. Given that most DSLR lenses can still be focussed directly, autofocus is less of a concern to me.

This is not a pressing question, as I'm not currently in the F-Mount market, but I would like to own some F-Mount cameras at some point in the future and am doing research ahead of time.

Thanks in advance for any responses I get!

Short answer is no E lens will work on a film camera. Also you can't focus AF-P lens on film camera.

 

[Nicolas_K]

well, that's unfortunate, but I guess that's a bandaid ripped off, then. thanks for your quick reply!

 

[JamesRL]

I think the answer depends on your definition of electronically controlling the aperture.

Older AF / AF -D lenses are compatible with non entry level DSLRs and film cameras. They still have aperture control on the lens but on a DSLR are locked so the camera can control the aperture.

On G lenses there is no aperture ring on the lens and older film cameras can't adjust the aperture. But many autofocus film cameras can use G lenses.

The newest AF-P lenses cant be used on older DSLRs or older film cameras. But there is no shortage of good AF-S full frame lenses that work fine on film cameras and DSLRs.

I have two AF film cameras, an F90 and an F65. The F90 is a prosumer type film camera with matrix metering. It can use the G lenses fine( except AF-P). The cheaper but newer F65 can not only use G lenses but also enables Vibration Reduction. They are both very inexpensive. The F100 is more sought after and more expensive. The F4/F5/F6 are professional cameras.

 

[Chuck Yadmark]

There are a nearly infinite number of manual focus Nikon lenses out there that can be had for nothing. I wouldn't base my future purchases on mutual compatibility.

 

[Leica Kid]

The type e lenses won't be compatible. And if i remember right, pre f5 will have issues. There are some lenses that are made today that will still work on the old film bodies and todays newer cameras. For example, my zeiss lenses will work perfectly on my d7500 from 2017, just as the will on a f5 from the 1980s.

 

[Stan Disbrow]

Hi,

I did. I went to get a Nikkor 200-500 and came home with a Sigma 150-600 because the Nikkor is an E lens and so No Go on an F5. Which I have both a digital and a film version of.

It's still important to a few of us that we have compatibility with film cameras. There are still some specialty things where film does the trick and digital does not. Oddly there used to be specialty digital (Kodak) but no more, so back to film.

Stan

 

[Stan Disbrow]

Hi,

Just FYI: the F5 was 1996 thru 2004. The F4 was 1988. Before that, the F3 was manual focus save for two oddball lenses, and nothing other than the F3AF operated those.

I went FE (79) to FA (83) to F4 (90) to F5 (98). After that began my digital era which includes digital versions of the F5.

Stan

--
Amateur Photographer
Professional Electronics Development Engineer
Once you start down the DSLR path, forever will it dominate your destiny! Consume
your bank account, it will! Like mine, it did!