Manual focus Nikon F to AF F mount lenses

[jolefler]

I let my Nikon F systems go long before the advent of F mount AF systems. Although I can do the non-AI, AI, AIS & converted dance in my sleep, I can't tell Larry if his AF lenses will fit the Nikkormat I've listed in the classifieds. I know someone here can, so PLEASE do.....Thanks a bundle!

 

[Chan Tran]

If you nikkormat is older than the FT3 which is an AI camera then Larry can mount just about any of his AF lens on it but... with the G lens he can not adjust the aperture (so it's basically no good). Other AF lenses will work but must be metered in the stop down mode as non of the AF lenses have the coupling prong. If the camera is the AI version then they will work fine except the G lenses which is only good for minimum aperture.

 

[PhotoJim]

As long as the lens isn't a G lens as noted above, you will be fine. The Nikkormat FS has no meter so you get full functionality. The FT, FTn, FT2, EL and EL-W support only stop-down metering, although if you want you can get the coupling shoes added to the aperture ring. The FT3 and EL2 (the latter of which is labelled Nikon, but is really a Nikkormat) permit full-aperture metering. I use AF lenses on my FT3 all the time.

 

[L Gebhardt]

Thanks for the answers. Glad I will be able to use the lenses i have with the camera. I would like to get more MF lenses because they just feel better, but for now I plan on using the AF lenses.

A dumb question, but what is the difference between a Nikkormat and the other Nikon cameras?

 

[bob01721]

"... what is the difference between a Nikkormat and the other Nikon cameras...?"

In a nutshell... marketing. Nikkormat was marketed to "serious amateurs" while Nikon was marketed mainly to "pros."

 

[L Gebhardt]

Thanks Bob, that's what I figured it might be, but I wasn't sure.

 

[Jim Jones]

. . . what is the difference between a Nikkormat and the other Nikon cameras?

As I recall, the Nikkormat sold for about 40% less than the Nikon F. It lacked many of the features that made the Nikon F the premier 35mm system of that time. Unlike its predecessor, the Nikkorex, the Nikkormat was reliable and durable. I regularly use both Nikkormat and Nikon F.

 

[DBP]

As I recall, the Nikkormat sold for about 40% less than the Nikon F. It lacked many of the features that made the Nikon F the premier 35mm system of that time. Unlike its predecessor, the Nikkorex, the Nikkormat was reliable and durable. I regularly use both Nikkormat and Nikon F.

The Nikon (F and F2) had interchangeable screens, finders and backs, and a horizontal titanium focal plane shutter. The Nikkormat had a fixed pentaprism, screen, and back, and a vertical Copal square shutter. The primary metering option for the F was usually echoed in the Nikkormat. In 1966, a Nikon F with 50/2 and Photomic metering prism listed for $402.50, the Nikkormat FT with 50/2 for $269.50. Makes the price for the late, lamented FM3a look pretty good doesn't it?

 

[Chan Tran]

The Nikon (F and F2) had interchangeable screens, finders and backs, and a horizontal titanium focal plane shutter. The Nikkormat had a fixed pentaprism, screen, and back, and a vertical Copal square shutter. The primary metering option for the F was usually echoed in the Nikkormat. In 1966, a Nikon F with 50/2 and Photomic metering prism listed for $402.50, the Nikkormat FT with 50/2 for $269.50. Makes the price for the late, lamented FM3a look pretty good doesn't it?

But then the FM series is really the new Nikkormat.

 

[DBP]

But then the FM series is really the new Nikkormat.

When it went out of production, an FM3a with 50/1.8 was going for around $620. Find me another product, not subject to Moore's law, that has incorporated 40 years of advances while going up 2.3 times. And the FM-10 is arguably a closer equivalent, and sells for less than the Nikkormat did. I know, it's not as solidly built as the Nikkormat, but a modern Chevy Impala is not as solid as the 1966 counterpart either. When you look at things in constant year dollars, photographic equipment, even new, is much cheaper than ever.

 

[Dan Fromm]

A dumb question, but what is the difference between a Nikkormat and the other Nikon cameras?

Back when the F and its meter heads and the Nikkormat in its various incarnations were both new, the key differences were seen as:

Nikkormat much less expensive.

Nikkormat finder not as nice in several respects; didn't show 100% of the frame, screen wasn't interchangeable, meter couldn't be upgraded as newer/better came out.

Nikkormat shutter/film transport much less durable. F, claimed MTBF 150k shots; 'mat, claimed MTBF, 30k shots.

Nikkormat X sync 1/125, F 1/60.

FWIW, when I had the chance I bought a Nikkormat FTN instead of an F with FTn head. At the 4 Wing RCAF spring, 1970 camera show, Nikon AG wanted all of about $50 more for the F + FTn head than for the 'mat. Two things turned me against the F. At the time, IIRC, I was an E-3; $50 meant a lot. And with the meter prism, the F felt very front-heavy in my hands. I never regretted getting the 'mat.