Nikon Lens question

[jenn-]

I am thinking of moving into a DSLR. My FIL has an older Nikon SLR and I was curious if they should work on a DSLR. I know I will loose some of the digital features, but what other problems could this cause? If they are going to work, I will definitely go Nikon, otherwise I guess I will have to make the big decision Nikon vs Canon.

 

[YEKCIM]

This webpage might help. Keep in mind that any "35mm" full frame lens is subject to the 1.5X focal length multiplier, which helps you on the telephoto end, but hurts on the wide end. For example, if you have a 24mm wide angle prime in the collection, on a Nikon digital camera, the effective angle of view will be 36mm, in 35mm full frame terms (24 X 1.5 = 36). That being the case, you may need to consider at least one additional lens in the wide category; perhaps one of the kit zooms: 18-55, 18-70, or 18-135.

Hope that is helpful.

~YEKCIM

 

[Geoff_M]

Unless it's a really old Nikkor lens, it should mount on current Nikon dSLRs. As for its function:
- If it's an "AF" lens it will auto-focus with all of the current dSLRs, except for the D40/D40x.
- If it's not a "D" lens (has an extra contact that communicates focused distance to the body) then then some of the advanced metering and flash features won't work, but this isn't really all of that big of a deal.
- It it's an old manual "AI" or "AIS" lens, there may be mounting problems with the lens' aperture register "tab" ring that protrudes out the back edge of the lens. But if it mounts, it's still work just like it does on the regular SLR.

 

[ukcatfan]

You might find some more information on the lenses from this page. http://www.photodo.com/products.html

Hopefully it will work out for you. It is great to be able to start out with a lens lineup. If it does not workout for you, keep your mind open to other brands besides C&N because there are some really good deals out there these days. Every DSLR available is a good camera. Each brand and model just have their own quirks that some like and others dislike.

Kevin

 

[handicap18]

You wont really lose any "digital" features (though I don't really know what you mean by digital features). Chances are the lenses you have are AF lenses and they will not Auto Focus on the Nikon D40 or Nikon D40x. Neither of these to bodies have a focus motor in the body and rely on the lens having the focus motor. AF lenses do not have focus motors. AF lenses will work on all the other Nikon dSLRS (D50, D70, D70s, D80, D100, D200, D2Xs).

AI lenses (aka: manual focus lenses) will mount, but as they are manual focus thats all the will do on the dSLRs too. Also unless you get the D200 or higher, the meter in camera wont work so you'll have to do everything in manual (just like the old days).

Chances are pretty good that you wont have a problem unless you want to go with the D40 or D40x (the 2 entry level dSLR's).

Check out the lenses and let us know what they are and we'll be able to give you a more specific answer.

 

[jenn-]

Okay I got the camera from my FIL (the camera is an N50). The lenses are a Nikon AF Nikkor 35-80mm 1:4-5.8D
Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm 1:1.8
Tamron AF LD 70-300mm 1:4-5.6

So any guesses as if they will work?

 

[tinksdad]

Those lenses aren't pro glass, but the focal lengths will give you a great range. What a great start!!

Since they are all AF, then your not going to be able to use the D40/s. Try looking at the D80 or if you can find a D50 they'll work there as well.

I have the D200 and have that same f/1.8 50mm lens and it works quite nicely.

 

[handicap18]

Many moons ago I had that Tamron and I currently have the 50mm f/1.8. The 50mm is a GREAT lens. The 35-80mm would be just ok on a dSLR. The issues you have is that the size of the digital sensor in the dSLRs is smaller than what a frame of film is. What this means is that with the dSLR you get a different field of view. This is where the term "Crop Factor" come in. It basically makes the 35-80mm lens give the field of view of 52-120mm lens (multiplying 35 & 80 times 1.5). Not much of an issue when you look at the long end of zooms, however the wide shots now become an issue.

The 3 lenses you listed will mount onto all Nikon dSLRs. However, they will not be able to auto focus on the Nikon D40 or D40x (but will meter and you can manual focus).

For just a bit more money you can find a Nikon D50 with the 18-55mm kit lens, either referbished (meaning the D50, the lens is still being made) or used. The D50 is just about everthing the D40 is except for the 2.5" LCD vs 2" (on the D50), yet it will allow you to use the lenses your FIL has.

With this set-up your pretty much covered from 18mm to 300mm with the exception of the 15mm between 55 & 70 and you also have the 50mm f/1.8 for any low-light or portrait photography you might want to do down the road.

Other options are to upgrade the kit lens to an 18-70, 18-135 or 187-200mm lens, but that will add a lot more money. You could also get a new Nikon D80, but again, that is more money (as it is the next step up) or go with another maker all together. Keep in mind that if you do go with another maker (ie: Canon, Pentax, Sony, Olympus) that you might also want to have a fast prime lens (ie: one that opens wide to f/1.8 like the 50mm your FIL has) and/or will want to have a long telephoto such as the 70-300mm. Or you could opt not to use any of the lenses and still stay with Nikon and go the D40/40x route and start with all new lenses.

Personally I'd try and find a D50. However, keep in mind that this is a bias opinion as I have been a Nikon D50 owner/user for over a year and a half and absolutly LOVE it. I started off in a smilar situation. I had an older Nikon film camera (N70) and already had Nikon mount lenses so I went with the D50 and a kit lens (ended up moving up to the 18-70) and used my older 70-300mm lens and never looked back. In fact I've already replaced both of those lenses and added 2 more.

 

[jenn-]

Okay I have seen you guys recommend the D50 but where can I find one? I have looked at some of the bigger shops and they don't seem to carry them anymore.

 

[YEKCIM]

Like Kyle, I'm a very happy D50 owner, having purchased my two D50 bodies and my lens set back in January, about the time the D50 was discontinued, but before the supply dried up. A quick check for refurbs, revealed only this source. I'm not familiar with this retailer, and they don't have a stellar rating on resellrratings. Whether you'd want to risk ordering from them or not, I can't say.

If you want to AF, your only real choices are the current bodies with in-body focus motor, the D80 or the D200, or a used/refurb d50 or D70 (or D70s). You might find something on eBay, but remember that it's used and might prove problematic.

If I were in your position, I think I'd just bite the bullet and go for the D80, but that's just me. You can get a D80 body for about $900 online, but would still need another lens for wide stuff. You could also just start over with a lower-end model such as the D40 and new lenses. That would eliminate your being able to AF with your fil's lenses, but that might be a good option. A D40 with 18-135 superkit lens and the new 55-200VR lens can be had for less than $1000 online, and would be a good starter bundle.

Good luck!

~YEKCIM

 

[jenn-]

This might be what I have to do. If I get a DSLR I am sure my FIL will follow suit and he has the money to drop into a more expensive body and additional lenses. The last thing I want is to have to fight for the time with the lenses.

 

[YEKCIM]

This might be what I have to do. If I get a DSLR I am sure my FIL will follow suit and he has the money to drop into a more expensive body and additional lenses. The last thing I want is to have to fight for the time with the lenses.

I agree and am thinking that very issue may cost me another 70-300VR for Mrs. YEKCIM's D200. Otherwise I'm fearful that I'm going to have to "wait my turn" to use MY lens!

Good luck with your decision(s).

~YEKCIM