Old lens on new DSLR

[sd_matt]

Does anyone have experience with Nikon DSLRs?

I would like to mess with older lens doing all in manual since the focal lengths I’m considering would only be used once in a while.

Anyways my question; Besides looking for F mount is there anything else that would prevent me from using an older lens on a D90 or D40?

[joestool]

If only there were forums for photography so you could ask your question there…

[joestool]

If only there were forums for photography so you could ask your question there…

[joestool]

If only there were forums for photography so you could ask your question there…

[joestool]

If only there were forums for photography so you could ask your question there…

[joestool]

If only there were forums for photography so you could ask your question there…

[ucodegen]

The Nikon DSLRs are an interesting bunch. Some of them support the older lenses.. some of them can’t. The older AF lenses used a drive from the camera body to focus the lens. Newer Nikons have the lens AF motor in the lens body.

D90 – This has the in-body motor drive for older AF lenses. It is also supposed to be able to handle the old manual ‘F’ lenses. You may need to switch the camera body to manual focus – as well as run the shutter/aperture in manual.

D40 – Different beast. It does not have the ‘in-body’ focus motor. It is only designed for AF-I/AF-S type lenses. As for the older all manual F mounts, I am uncertain as to whether they will work with a D40.

NOTE: To use the old F mount lenses on these bodies, you may need to change the switch setting on the lens that controls the aperture step down when a shot is taken. It tends to be a small switch near the aperture ring with the switch moving forwards/backwards.

[ucodegen]

The Nikon DSLRs are an interesting bunch. Some of them support the older lenses.. some of them can’t. The older AF lenses used a drive from the camera body to focus the lens. Newer Nikons have the lens AF motor in the lens body.

D90 – This has the in-body motor drive for older AF lenses. It is also supposed to be able to handle the old manual ‘F’ lenses. You may need to switch the camera body to manual focus – as well as run the shutter/aperture in manual.

D40 – Different beast. It does not have the ‘in-body’ focus motor. It is only designed for AF-I/AF-S type lenses. As for the older all manual F mounts, I am uncertain as to whether they will work with a D40.

NOTE: To use the old F mount lenses on these bodies, you may need to change the switch setting on the lens that controls the aperture step down when a shot is taken. It tends to be a small switch near the aperture ring with the switch moving forwards/backwards.

[ucodegen]

The Nikon DSLRs are an interesting bunch. Some of them support the older lenses.. some of them can’t. The older AF lenses used a drive from the camera body to focus the lens. Newer Nikons have the lens AF motor in the lens body.

D90 – This has the in-body motor drive for older AF lenses. It is also supposed to be able to handle the old manual ‘F’ lenses. You may need to switch the camera body to manual focus – as well as run the shutter/aperture in manual.

D40 – Different beast. It does not have the ‘in-body’ focus motor. It is only designed for AF-I/AF-S type lenses. As for the older all manual F mounts, I am uncertain as to whether they will work with a D40.

NOTE: To use the old F mount lenses on these bodies, you may need to change the switch setting on the lens that controls the aperture step down when a shot is taken. It tends to be a small switch near the aperture ring with the switch moving forwards/backwards.

[ucodegen]

The Nikon DSLRs are an interesting bunch. Some of them support the older lenses.. some of them can’t. The older AF lenses used a drive from the camera body to focus the lens. Newer Nikons have the lens AF motor in the lens body.

D90 – This has the in-body motor drive for older AF lenses. It is also supposed to be able to handle the old manual ‘F’ lenses. You may need to switch the camera body to manual focus – as well as run the shutter/aperture in manual.

D40 – Different beast. It does not have the ‘in-body’ focus motor. It is only designed for AF-I/AF-S type lenses. As for the older all manual F mounts, I am uncertain as to whether they will work with a D40.

NOTE: To use the old F mount lenses on these bodies, you may need to change the switch setting on the lens that controls the aperture step down when a shot is taken. It tends to be a small switch near the aperture ring with the switch moving forwards/backwards.

[ucodegen]

The Nikon DSLRs are an interesting bunch. Some of them support the older lenses.. some of them can’t. The older AF lenses used a drive from the camera body to focus the lens. Newer Nikons have the lens AF motor in the lens body.

D90 – This has the in-body motor drive for older AF lenses. It is also supposed to be able to handle the old manual ‘F’ lenses. You may need to switch the camera body to manual focus – as well as run the shutter/aperture in manual.

D40 – Different beast. It does not have the ‘in-body’ focus motor. It is only designed for AF-I/AF-S type lenses. As for the older all manual F mounts, I am uncertain as to whether they will work with a D40.

NOTE: To use the old F mount lenses on these bodies, you may need to change the switch setting on the lens that controls the aperture step down when a shot is taken. It tends to be a small switch near the aperture ring with the switch moving forwards/backwards.

[Hobie]

Nikon’s site lists lens compatibility.

I am assuming you are considering big tele’s or very wide angles. The ‘normal’ zooms or focal lengths are not worth loosing the metering and auto focus. You will have to carry a separate exposure meter. Unless you are getting a terrific deal, like free on the old lenses I feel it is not really worth it. Plus it seems that folks selling old lenses price them quite high given their age. Granted if they are in focus and work, no problem but new is not that much more….and you get the auto functions.

You may find a better deal finding someone who is selling a newer camera and a bunch of lenses together. Hey you can never have just one camera! 😉

[Hobie]

Nikon’s site lists lens compatibility.

I am assuming you are considering big tele’s or very wide angles. The ‘normal’ zooms or focal lengths are not worth loosing the metering and auto focus. You will have to carry a separate exposure meter. Unless you are getting a terrific deal, like free on the old lenses I feel it is not really worth it. Plus it seems that folks selling old lenses price them quite high given their age. Granted if they are in focus and work, no problem but new is not that much more….and you get the auto functions.

You may find a better deal finding someone who is selling a newer camera and a bunch of lenses together. Hey you can never have just one camera! 😉

[Hobie]

Nikon’s site lists lens compatibility.

I am assuming you are considering big tele’s or very wide angles. The ‘normal’ zooms or focal lengths are not worth loosing the metering and auto focus. You will have to carry a separate exposure meter. Unless you are getting a terrific deal, like free on the old lenses I feel it is not really worth it. Plus it seems that folks selling old lenses price them quite high given their age. Granted if they are in focus and work, no problem but new is not that much more….and you get the auto functions.

You may find a better deal finding someone who is selling a newer camera and a bunch of lenses together. Hey you can never have just one camera! 😉

[Hobie]

Nikon’s site lists lens compatibility.

I am assuming you are considering big tele’s or very wide angles. The ‘normal’ zooms or focal lengths are not worth loosing the metering and auto focus. You will have to carry a separate exposure meter. Unless you are getting a terrific deal, like free on the old lenses I feel it is not really worth it. Plus it seems that folks selling old lenses price them quite high given their age. Granted if they are in focus and work, no problem but new is not that much more….and you get the auto functions.

You may find a better deal finding someone who is selling a newer camera and a bunch of lenses together. Hey you can never have just one camera! 😉

[Author]

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