Need body for AIS lens.

[waynecrider]

I picked up a 19mm Vivitar lens and am looking for a rather cheap/small/hardy body that I can dedicate the lens to. Unfortunately the lens doesn't meter on my N80's and I'd like something with a meter. Btw, let me know if you have anything sitting around needing a home.

 

[Confusion Circle]

Nikon F4...hardy, but not small. I have one, but You'll have to pry it out of my cold, dead hands!

 

[Dan Fromm]

EM. FG. FG20. FM10. All small, light, inexpensive.

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

The FGs were problem-prone IIRC. Not so cheap, but look for an FE2. Gorgeous little bodies, handle well, very reliable.

 

[copake_ham]

The older Nikkormats (e.g. FT-2, FT-3 or EL series) were built to last forever and make excellent back lens caps for AIS lenses!

And they only cost around $50 to $75 nowadays!

 

[mawz]

I'd go with an FE or EM. The latter if you can live with aperture priority only.

 

[DBP]

I have a Nikon EM I keep planning to sell - works fine, but I have too many Nikons.

 

[spark]

check out John White's page at aiconversions.com for a full list of what bodies meter with it and and how. AIs work as manual focus/aperture prioity on some of the autofocus cameras. I'll second the comments on FM's and EL's. EL is built very well, aperture priority and the battery is easily available, unlike a lot of 60's/early 70's automatic cameras.

 

[Paul Sorensen]

I think that the FM or FE would be great and super cheap. The FE2 and FM2 are better, and a little more expensive. If you want something a little more pro oriented and are willing to pay more, perhaps an F3, without a motor, its not that big, but plenty stout.

 

[Richard Kelham]

I have a Nikon EM I keep planning to sell - works fine, but I have too many Nikons.

Apart from querying the concept of "too many Nikons" (is such a thing possible?), I'm amazed your EM is still working – mine fell to bits years ago.

I think the OP would be well-advised to get an FE2 for reliability, ruggedness and getting the most out of his AIS lens.



Richard

 

[Nick Zentena]

I have a working EM to -)

 

[Craig]

I have an EM, but I have no idea if it works or not, Ive never tried it! I inherithed it, and it was more of a keepsake than a working camera to me.

For the AIS lenses, I'd get an F3. It's one of my favourite Nikons, rugged and feels right n teh hand. The film advance lever is buttery smooth too, and now they are so cheap compared to a few years ago.

I have a working EM to -)

 

[Steve Smith]

The FGs were problem-prone IIRC.

FGs have had a far amount of unfair criticism in my opinion. They are not so robustly built as some of the other Nikon models but so long as you don't want to hammer in nails with it, it should be o.k.

The FG also has aperture and shutter priority as well as manual and programmed automatic exposure and supports TTL flash - all in a compact body about the same size as the Olympus OM series.

I have had mine for 20+ years and it has always worked perfectly and has never needed a repair. (it will probably break tomorrow now I have made this statement!).

Steve.

 

[Paul Howell]

FGs have had a far amount of unfair criticism in my opinion. They are not so robustly built as some of the other Nikon models but so long as you don't want to hammer in nails with it, it should be o.k.

The FG also has aperture and shutter priority as well as manual and programmed automatic exposure and supports TTL flash - all in a compact body about the same size as the Olympus OM series.

I have had mine for 20+ years and it has always worked perfectly and has never needed a repair. (it will probably break tomorrow now I have made this statement!).

Steve.

I bought a FG with the motor drive as a second light weight body for my
F 3P. Although not professional grade it was a good performancer, the only feature that it lacked which I missed was depth of feild preview. At 20 years old if the electroics fail finding replacement boards may take some doing.

From I recall the FG had aperture and full program with the AIS P lens but not shutter priority. Unless the aftermarket lens has the P setting you have both aperture and manual modes.

 

[fotch]

I talked to three different camera repair places about my dead FG, which looks as new as the day I purchased, and they all said "common electronic problem, cannot be repaired" I does work in manual mode (one shutter speed, I think it 1/90th) so I have kept it thinking of it as a adjustable box camera with a great lens. Only Nikon that ever died on me.

 

[copake_ham]

Coming back to this thread - at the end of the day, I too would recommend the F3. I have three and for a rugged manual (and aperture-priority) piece gear they are great!

 

[Paul Howell]

For the price a F2 is another option.

 

[waynecrider]

The older Nikkormats (e.g. FT-2, FT-3 or EL series) were built to last forever and make excellent back lens caps for AIS lenses!

And they only cost around $50 to $75 nowadays!

Am thinking about a FT3 but forget the prices for one in good condition. I've seen FM2n's at the same price.

 

[dsullivan]

AIS Body

We were looking for a second body to go with the AIS lenses that go on our (still fully functional) FG and have bought an F301 (aka n2000) on a bit of a whim, it's not turned up yet but it might be another one worth looking at.

David

 

[waynecrider]

For the price a F2 is another option.

I'm actually surprised at what F2's are going for in good condition. I checked KEH and their not cheap if you want a good body with metering finder.