 Paul A. Dierks |
Interchangeability of Nikon Lenses I borrowed a friends Nikon FE2 camera and lenses so I could start doing some film SLR nature photography - with a strong emphasis (eventually) on macro photography. The lenses he has with his camera are: Micro Nikkor 55 mm 1:2.8 Nikon Lens Series E Zoom 75 - 150 mm 1:3.5 Nikkor 24 mm 1:2.8 It turns out that his camera body doesn't work and I'm now looking around for another body to use along with his lenses - possibly purchasing a body of my own. The questions I have are: How interchangeable are these lenses with other Nikon cameras? I'm new to this site but not new to photography - probably an advanced beginner - but I'm purely a hobbyist with the objective of enjoying myself as I work towards becoming a better photographer. (Spoken like a true retiree!!) If I like the results I get from this venture, after I return the camera and lenses to my friend, I will get a set of my own lenses (upgraded?, i.e. a "good” macro lens and maybe a 300 mm zoom) to go with the camera body I buy now. Thanks.
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Bob Cammarata |
That's the beauty of the Nikon System...that the lenses ARE inter-changeable to other Nikon bodies. The three that your friend let you borrow are not AF lenses so,...obviously, you would need to manually focus with the N-80. When you upgrade to your own lenses, consider the 60mm Micro-Nikkor to replace the 55mm. Aside from the advantages of auto-focus, the 60mm has 1:1 lifesize capabilities. (The 55mm only achieves 1/2 lifesize.)
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Paul A. Dierks |
Thanks for your quick response. I thought that was the case but wanted some confirmation. However, your breif response raised a bunch of other questions: 1. Is there a source one can go to and see the fine details/specifications of a whole array of camera lenses? 2. I see by your web site that you primarily use manual focus - why? (Perhaps, in your answer you can point out - terms of macro photography - what the essential difference is between AF & manual focus.) 3. Whenever I get to buying my own lenses I'll check out the 60mm Micro-Nikkor. I read somewhere that the 105 f2.8D AF Micro-Nikkor is THE ONE to have in your camera kit; however, it carries a pretty hefty price tag. For someone who is not going to be a professional or sell photos for profit, is it really necessary to have this lens? Are there some other "good" lenses slightly below that cutting edge but which may have significantly lower prices on them? Thanks for your help. P.S. I scanned your Gallery - very nice! It appears that we have strongly parallel interests in photography and fishing.
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Jon Close |
The Nikon mount is very versatile, but compatibility across manual focus and af lenses and bodies is not universal. The oldest Nikkor lenses were "non-AI" (non-Auto-Indexing) and would work on older model bodies like the FM and FE in "stop down" mode, but can not be mounted on later models such as the FM2 and FE2 without modification (modified lenses are referred to as "AI'd"). Manual focus AI/AI'd lenses can be mounted on autfocus bodies, but on lower and mid-level af bodies (including the N80), the metering doesn't fuction because the lens lacks electronic communication with the body. Going in the other direction AF Nikon lenses can generally be mounted on manual focus bodies, but the G-series af lenses lack the ring for manually setting aperture, and can not be stopped down on manual bodies. http://www.nikonlinks.com/unklbil/bodylens.htm is a table of Nikon lens and body compatibilities. WRT to a 105 f/2.8 macro lens, Tamron's 90 f/2.8 Macro and Sigma's 105 f/2.8 EX Macro are well regarded and less expensive than the Nikon. The Vivitar 105 f/3.5 Macro (made by Cosina) has decent optics, but has the lack of build quality one would expect for its rock-bottom price.
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Bob Cammarata |
Paul, Thanks for visiting my web site, and for your nice comments. I will try to address all of your questions in order: www.nikonusa.com is where to go for specs on all of their lenses and equipment. The reason I shoot only manual-focus is personal preference. That is what I've always used, and have learned to become comfortable with it. I've never used the 105 AF Micro-Nikkor, but if it produces 1:1 reproduction, it might be the way to go...as it will allow you to shoot at a greater distance from a skittish subject.
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