Film lenses on DSLR

[Decfish]

I am getting ready to purchase a Nikon D70s and have a few questions regarding using film lenses. I have a Nikon AF 35-80mm lens that I used on my N70 and want to use it on the D70s. Will there be any camera functionality loss, i.e. exposure sensors, f-stop range, focusing, etc., or will the camera perform as if I were using a dedicated digital lens?
Also, I do know that when using a zoom film lens on a DSLR there is an increase in zoom rate. What is the ratio of increase?
Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

[fitzperry]

The Nikonians site has a chart that details the compatibility of all their lenses with the dslr line:

http://www.nikonians.org/nikon/slr-lens.html

 

[handicap18]

I am getting ready to purchase a Nikon D70s and have a few questions regarding using film lenses. I have a Nikon AF 35-80mm lens that I used on my N70 and want to use it on the D70s. Will there be any camera functionality loss, i.e. exposure sensors, f-stop range, focusing, etc., or will the camera perform as if I were using a dedicated digital lens?
Also, I do know that when using a zoom film lens on a DSLR there is an increase in zoom rate. What is the ratio of increase?
Any help is greatly appreciated!

Any of the lenses you used with the N70 will work with anyof Nikon's dSLR's. EVERYTHING remains the same.

That being said, there is what is referred to as a 'crop factor' (the ratio of increase you asked about, though its really not an increase and it also applies to all lenses, zoom and prime). The sensor in a dSLR is a different size than a frame of film. With Nikon it is a 1.5x difference. So what you see though the Nikon dSLR is croped 1.5 times what you see in a Nikon film SLR.

Take a look at this thread. Oblilo has posted some great pictures that illustrate the "crop factor".

There is a difference in "Digital" and "non-digital" lenses, however, as you'll see in the above mentioned post, either can be used on either's body. Though a DX Nikon lens used on a film body will have some image issues around the edges.

Hope this helps. Keep asking if you don't know. Where here to help as best we can.

 

[Decfish]

Thanks for the information; it helped me get a pretty good handle on things.

Took the plunge and got the D70s. Can't wait to get out with it and start shooting.

Next question, thinking of eventually getting another lens. Thinking of the Tamron 18-200. Any thoughts?

 

[handicap18]

Your better off with the Nikon 18-135 for about the same money. The only super zoom worth it in the 18-200 range is the Nikon with starts at $700. With the Tamron and the Sigma 18-200, once you get past 140mm or so it has a very hard time focusing especially in lower light. It may search quite a bit before settling on the focus and you will miss a lot of shots. Plus it is f/6.3 at 200mm. It is a very good walk-around lens if you plan on only using it outdoors.

The more zoom you put in lenses it generally means you are going to loose some quality, most especially in the lesser expensive lenses. Its nice to have a "all-in-one" lens, but one of the advangages of SLR cameras is the ability to change lenses. Most SLR users have at least 2 lenses (those that use zoom lenses anyway, those that use only prime lenses probably have 4 or 5 lenses). They are generally 18/28mm to 55/125mm and 55/70mm to 200/300mm. Many also have a third lens such as a 50mm f/1.8 as it is very inexpensive (Nikon's is about $100 and Canon's is about $80), produces very sharp pictures and is excellent in low light situations.

All that being said, everyone is different. Their use of the camera and what they use their camera for is different. So everyone's needs are different (as are their budgets)

Good luck

 

[fitzperry]

Any of the lenses you used with the N70 will work with anyof Nikon's dSLR's. EVERYTHING remains the same.

Perhaps I'm mistaken (wouldn't be the first time), but I was under the impression that non-D lenses would not provide distance information to the TTL flash in the D70S. Not a huge issue like losing AF capability, and not a loss of a function that the op would have had on the N series camera, but it is different than the lenses made for the digital line.

 

[handicap18]

Perhaps I'm mistaken (wouldn't be the first time), but I was under the impression that non-D lenses would not provide distance information to the TTL flash in the D70S. Not a huge issue like losing AF capability, and not a loss of a function that the op would have had on the N series camera, but it is different than the lenses made for the digital line.

Don't know about that one. Never heard about it over on the nikon boards. I don't have that issue with my D50 and SB-600 flash when used with the 28-80mm f/3.3-5.6G AF lens that I have. The flash picks up distance no problem when zooming. But thats the D50, don't know for sure about the D70s. I would think that since they were produced fairly close together that it wouldn't be an issue, but like you, it wouldn't be the first time I was mistaken.

 

[Decfish]

Kyle thanks for the info! I did a little research and see that the Nikon lens you referred to is very new, don’t think it’s available in the US yet. It seems to be what I’m looking for. I do want one good “do all” lens, others will come later. I know that there are certainly sacrifices when you use a larger all-in-one zoom, didn’t know if they were as big of an issue with the DSLR’s, I am fairly new to the DSLR’s.

 

[Decfish]

I believe you are correct. There was compatibility chart I saw on one of the many web sites I searched (don’t remember which one, if I find it I will post) listing the different Nikon lenses and their compatibility with Nikon DSLR’s. I showed that the AF film lens I have is compatible but there was an issue with TTL flash. Not sure if the D50 was listed, I will look for the site.

 

[fitzperry]

Don't know about that one. Never heard about it over on the nikon boards. I don't have that issue with my D50 and SB-600 flash when used with the 28-80mm f/3.3-5.6G AF lens that I have. The flash picks up distance no problem when zooming. But thats the D50, don't know for sure about the D70s. I would think that since they were produced fairly close together that it wouldn't be an issue, but like you, it wouldn't be the first time I was mistaken.

If I'm reading this correctly, only the on-board flash would be affected. The speedlight would use its own sensor for distance info and wouldn't depend on info received through the lens.(?) I found this chart when I was considering buying an older lens. I assumed that any effect of the lack of distance info would be most pronounced in fill-flash situations.

 

[Decfish]

That is the chart I referred to in the above post.
Do you see this as an issue in low light situations where a flash is needed? Will the flash intensity be incorrect?

 

[fitzperry]

That is the chart I referred to in the above post.
Do you see this as an issue in low light situations where a flash is needed? Will the flash intensity be incorrect?

That's the chart I posted a link to in my response to your original post. I don't have any personal experience with this, as all my lenses are "D" lenses. I would guess it could be an issue in any kind of flash situation. As I understand it, the advantage of the Nikon i-ttl flash technology as compared to the onboard flash of competing brands is the camera's ability to control the strength of the flash based on distance information received through the lens. In other words, it increases the likelihood of getting a good result. Without that distance reading, I would guess that it works pretty much like any other in camera flash?

I do think it would be more of an issue in fill flash situations, such as when you are using the flash to light your subject in order to compete with strong backlighting.

 

[handicap18]

Kyle thanks for the info! I did a little research and see that the Nikon lens you referred to is very new, don’t think it’s available in the US yet. It seems to be what I’m looking for. I do want one good “do all” lens, others will come later. I know that there are certainly sacrifices when you use a larger all-in-one zoom, didn’t know if they were as big of an issue with the DSLR’s, I am fairly new to the DSLR’s.

If what I have read correctly it will be available here in the US at the end of this month. I believe it is the same for the new 70-300mm VR lens. I have that one pre-ordered and it is scheduled to be shipped 11/1. Hope that helps. You can get one right now on ebay from those people that bought the D80 as a kit and then didn't want the lens for one reason or another. Haven't checked out prices in the last few weeks on that front though. I hope to get that lens for next years trip. Saving my pennies as we speak.

 

[PaulD]

My understanding is that Nikon has been using distance information from the lens for flash exposure for some time (prior to i-TTL). I used to use the Nikon N90s (from 1996 I think) and it had 3D Matrix Metering. The D100 had the same system. As long as you are using a D-type or G-type Nikkor lens then distance information is communicated to the camera and incorporated into the flash exposure calculation.