I think there is a work-around, even for the non-converted lenses. I understand it that the aperture can be set in-camera with a command dial. Just be sure to set it the same as what the lens is set at. Or just convert the lens to Ai. I think it also has Time AND Bulb settings on the shutter dial. And a real cable port for remote shutter release.
Yes. Nikon has a "Non-CPU Lens" list and you input the lenses you'd like to use in a list and just dial them up as you mount them. I have mine keyed to the Fn button so it is a one-button/one dial operation. I don't even think about it any more, it just happens. One thing that is funny is that Nikon's list includes only focal lengths they made themselves and they never actually made a 90mm lens. When I mount the 90 f2.5 Tamron macro (a perennial favourite) I had to list it as being "86mm f2.5". No matter, close enough. I think you still need the AI conversion for the camera to be able to tell what the f-stop is.
I would love to have an FM2!
Yes, I use this for a few of my own older lenses.
You and me both! I need another film body like another hole in the head, mind you...
Which 50 1.8? There were a couple. The one I have is the close focus (0.45m), all metal jewel.The FM2n is a glorious piece. Closest I come in Nikon bodies is my old F2S, though I do have a FE. I've never actually handled a N80. I also have a F4S which really is an amazing camera. Big, heavy and yet incredibly delicate and precise to work with and still all of those lovely dials like a "real" camera.Oh yeah, I also have a N2000, gift from a neighbour when they moved last Fall. It came with the "good" 50 f1.8 AIS so a nice little present.
What I like about using old glass on the full-frame Nikon bodies is that apart from having to dial up the lens I've mounted from a list I've set up in the menu (hooked into a single-button operation) I just use them exactly the same way as on the film bodies. I even get "Matrix", spot etc. metering with most of them. The only company to make the whole thing so seamless was Nikon with Pentax runner-up.
What is surprising is how many of the pre-AI lenses were actually converted at the time. I run into the occasional older Nikkor that wasn't but the majority of them have been. All of those I own were before they came to live with me.
That's the one that came with the N2000. When my neighbour gave me the camera I was expecting the "E" that was usually sold with them, but I was shocked to discover the all-metal one that focuses to 1.5 ft. No idea how that happened as they weren't that widely available in N. America as far as I know. They also gave me a a Ricoh XR-2 with the 50 f2 that is surprisingly nice as well. Sometimes you get lucky. I've used the lens a few times on my Pentax LX when I didn't feel like taking the 50 f1.2 out.
Agreed -- the DF is a true anachronism -- in so far it is a digital camera that can use both Ai and Non-AI (?) glass -- anything with an F mount. That makes the Df a really cool thing to any Nikkor geek
I once knew more about that fit want flange mount wise -- then once mirrorless took over I figured it would not matter much for long.... I am stuck with a Canon 5D mkII and 6D ff 35mm DSLR's. I found that these cameras also mount to 95% of all F mount Nikon glass, AI or Non-AI using $10 adapter rings. I then found out actually liked some native canon glass... so don't use the Nikon stuff to much these days. I shoot only manual, studio setting tethered to a Android tablet in Live View. The photos can then be FTP uploaded immediately. It's a rig, and it's sad that Sony and the others just don't let you tether much.Yep -- I use Canon's in body metering... but the old nikon glass does not do it well if stopped down to high.... The DSLR's are actually a hoot to use with the old "preset" lenses, that have click-less apertures though (like the Helios).... Did you guys know Ken Rockwell does audio too? Damn fine reviews he does... I sold him a Crown amp cabinet once, haha. I don't jibe much with quite a few of his opinions -- but -- taken with a bit of salt, his site rocks!
Really? Bummer -- are you sure? I thought it did .. so only Ai and not Non Ai then?
I have so wanted to go with Sony several times. Sony is also a bit jerky with software developers -- closed hardware (even more than the others). Canon has been totally hacked -- you can sideload Magic Lantern on most of the DSLR's and get cinema quality video footage -- magic lantern is also good for stills. Sony's hardware also tends to overheat and the batteries a re bit small -- all just small gripes though
Maybe someone can console me on this one -- -agreed with all above.... I like crop sensors. They are sharper. More practical for video. New ones, yes plenty of MP too. Yeah, the focal lengths need to be accounted for, but I often don't hear griping about a favorite 50mm now becoming a 90mm for portrait use, haha!
You can get an adaptor like a MetaBones Speedbooster which has a reverse element which focuses the lens down onto the sensor maintaining the original 35mm, 50mm, etc, and gaining 'speed' though I think what you end up with is what you'd get on a full frame - so you're probably better off where you are if only using vintage lenses. I can get razor thin DOF on my Xpro-2 but its best with the lenses made for the camera, or when using either my Speedbooster or Lens Turbo adapters. The problem with the Speedbooster is its not cheap so its best for picking a brand of vintage lenses and sticking with them. I had a whole bunch of Minolta lenses, which is why I have a Speedbooster for Minolta.
Whenever I see a "#sooc" tag I think of this image of printing notes on an iconic photo. Bit of a random aside but I never lack an opinion
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My tech sometimes has almost a full-time job converting various lenses to Canon mount for a local videographer. Sometimes it isn't too painful as the work is reversible, but sometimes depending upon the mount it is a one-way street and I find it a bit painful to watch. Still, they are lenses meant to do work and they're doing work...Agreed -- the DF is a true anachronism -- in so far it is a digital camera that can use both Ai and Non-AI (?) glass -- anything with an F mount. That makes the Df a really cool thing to any Nikkor geek
I worked with a company that had converted Panavision cinema lenses to Canon bodies for cinematography in tight places. That was a bit more unique at the time, before really nice film-quality cameras shrank, like the Red Epic and Arii Alexas. Still, it was pretty amazing what. you could get out of an older Canon 5D or 6D just by having that kind of lens on it.
What I took on my honeymoon, short though it was. I left the flash and motordrive at home, though, just took the 25 f2.8, 50 f1.4 and 100 f2...
The chap Adrian does all of the conversions for some reason shoots exclusively with 35mm German glass, all Leica R and Zeiss C/Y mount stuff. He brings in the most gorgeous, exotic glass and has the conversions done. Some of the lenses he uses I'd never seen examples of outside of a brochure...
