Nikon Body for N/AI and AIS lens

[waynecrider]

I have a N/AI and AIS lens that I would like to use on a body that will meter with both. Any suggestions outside of Nikkormat that will work.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

I have a N/AI and AIS lens that I would like to use on a body that will meter with both. Any suggestions outside of Nikkormat that will work.

almost any Nikon body made after 1959 with an Fmount should work,Nikon FM,FE.

 

[waynecrider]

I should have added with "modes"

 

[frank]

almost any Nikon body made after 1959 with an Fmount should work,Nikon FM,FE.

Dangerous post! There are several more modern bodies that will not mount non-Ai lenses and damage will occur if one persists. FM2 and FE2 and some other subsequent bodies have Automatic indexing tabs that do not flip out of the way for the continuous ridge on the rear of non-Ai lenses.

No problem the other way round with Ai lenses on older bodies, using closed aperture metering.

 

[Chan Tran]

Any camera that can meter correctly with a Pre AI lens will meter correctly with any AI/AI-S mount lenses (except the series E which is really not called AI or AI-S lenses). That is the older camera is more compatible. A camera designed for AI/AI-S lenses may work with the Pre AI lenses but only with stop down metering and some newer one even can be damaged by mounting a Pre AI lens.

 

[Les Sarile]

I should have added with "modes"

F3, F4, F5 (modified), F6 (modified)
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/compatibility-lens.htm

 

[dynachrome]

My favorite in this category is the Nikkormat FT2. It uses an MS-76 battery rather than a mercury cell. It has the convenient tab for changing the film speed. This is a big improvement over the adjustment on the Nikkormat FTN. It meters equally well with pre-AI and AI/AIS lenses as long as the AI and AIS lenses have the prong. Yes, you do have to index the aperture for pre-AI and AI/AIS lenses but that is a minor inconvenience. What if there is no AI prong on an AI/AIS lens? You can then use stop-down metering. If you have mostly AI/AIS lenses then you can look for a Nikkormat FT3. This will eliminate the need for indexing but with pre-AI lenses you will need to remember to flip back the camera's AI tab and then use stop down metering. My repair person considers the FT3 more reliable overall because the AI system is less complicated mechanically that the manual indexing system of the FT2 or FTN. Most Nikkormats by now would need some service but after that should be reliable for some time. Earlier this year I bought a first version 35/2.8 AI lens (6 element version) specifically to use with my FT3 and other AI bodies.

 

[frank]

This site may help: http://www.aiconversions.com/compatibilitytable.htm

F with meter heads, F2 with meter heads, nikkormat Ft, nikkormat Ftn, Nikkormat Ft2 all index the lens aperture via the rabbit ears on the lens. Subsequent camera bodies are auto indexing with a tab on the body's lens mount. On some of these models, the auto indexing tab is able to flip up out of the way, some are fixed. Models with the fixed tab can not mount Pre-Ai lenses.

 

[Xmas]

This site may help: http://www.aiconversions.com/compatibilitytable.htm

F with meter heads, F2 with meter heads, nikkormat Ft, nikkormat Ftn, Nikkormat Ft2 all index the lens aperture via the rabbit ears on the lens. Subsequent camera bodies are auto indexing with a tab on the body's lens mount. On some of these models, the auto indexing tab is able to flip up out of the way, some are fixed. Models with the fixed tab can not mount Pre-Ai lenses.

Even the linked site is abstract eg

I) FG20 are incompatible like FGs!
II) E series and later AIs are identical in that they don't have rabbits ears

Etc.

The yellow type 2 change is not necessary with


I) FM
II) F2 with the metering heads I use which can be set to recognise a lens has no ears
Etc

Each of this list have convenient stop down modes but that is a subjective call. Ie I've got kits and tools to fit rabbits ears to mine but use them as is.

 

[andrew.roos]

The F4 is compatible with more lenses than any other Nikon. It works, unmodified, with everything from pre-AI (NAI) to G type lenses (including, of course, AIS lenses). Cameras earlier than the F4 do not support the G lenses (which require camera body control of aperture), while later cameras require modification to support pre-AI lenses. The F4 has PSAM modes.

There are other cameras that would be compatible, such as the F3 or the original FM and FE (but not the FM2, FE2 and later). However they don't have the modes you want. Later cameras like the F5 require modification to be compatible with pre-AI lenses.

 

[Ricardo Miranda]

This is very simple indeed: cameras made for Pre-AI will not meter with AI/AIS lenses at full aperture. The same goes for AI/S cameras do not meter at full aperture with Pre-AI lenses.
The exception is the F2 with different heads: you can them swap the heads when you swap lenses. Photomic head for Pre-AI, Photomic A for AI/S lenses.
Or just buy a F4 and learn to live with stop-down metering for Pre-AI.

 

[ronnies]

This is very simple indeed: cameras made for Pre-AI will not meter with AI/AIS lenses at full aperture.

Yes they will! All AI and almost all AI-S lenses have the coupling prongs for pre-AI bodies. You can even fit prongs to the AF lenses with aperture rings and they will work too.

Ronnie

 

[Xmas]

The F4 is compatible with more lenses than any other Nikon. It works, unmodified, with everything from pre-AI (NAI) to G type lenses (including, of course, AIS lenses). Cameras earlier than the F4 do not support the G lenses (which require camera body control of aperture), while later cameras require modification to support pre-AI lenses. The F4 has PSAM modes.

There are other cameras that would be compatible, such as the F3 or the original FM and FE (but not the FM2, FE2 and later). However they don't have the modes you want. Later cameras like the F5 require modification to be compatible with pre-AI lenses.

But did the OP mention G lenses or automation?

 

[andrew.roos]

But did the OP mention G lenses or automation?

No he did not but I provided relevant information that answered his question, and is factually correct (unlike some of the other replies to the topic). The fact that the F4 also supports G lenses is relevant as it shows the breadth of the range of lenses it will take, which is indirectly related to the original question. In fact, it's just as relevant as your reference to the F2 when the OP specifically stated in post 3 that he is looking for a camera with modes, which the F2 does not have.

Who exactly appointed you arbiter of relevance on the site???

 

[Xmas]

No he did not but I provided relevant information that answered his question, and is factually correct (unlike some of the other replies to the topic). The fact that the F4 also supports G lenses is relevant as it shows the breadth of the range of lenses it will take, which is indirectly related to the original question. In fact, it's just as relevant as your reference to the F2 when the OP specifically stated in post 3 that he is looking for a camera with modes, which the F2 does not have.

Who exactly appointed you arbiter of relevance on the site???

I'd accept more information might be useful for OP and would be for others.

I do beg your pardon but I merely asked the question... Are questions verboten?

And the F2 does have an option of auto aperture control. Still maintainable but it is slow.

I hope we have helped the OP a bit?

 

[andrew.roos]

I hope we have helped the OP a bit?

I agree

 

[frank]

I was trying to point out a physical mounting incompatability with pre-Ai lenses and later bodies with fixed Ai tabs and the danger of physical damage being done.

 

[mopar_guy]

I should have added with "modes"

That 'Mode' thing is the tricky part in this.

What I have done is to choose the Nikon F for use with pre-Ai lenses. The F has one Mode that more modern cameras lack. I can set the shutter sync for type 'M' flashbulbs. I can also set the shutter sync for type 'FP' flashbulbs and I get shutter sync at 1/1000 second. I find this flash mode to be very useful.

 

[ronnies]

The only "modes" you will get with non AI lenses is A or M.

Ronnie

 

[Ricardo Miranda]

Ronnie,
You are right, if they have the "rabbit ears". Here in the UK, it was the habit of many a Pro to remove them.
That's why I had that simple rule as I am not expecting all AI to have the rabbit ears, although it is nice to see them. To many a photographer that is what sets Nikon apart and makes those lenses instantly recognisable.

 

[Ricardo Miranda]

And the F2 does have an option of auto aperture control. Still maintainable but it is slow.

I think it was only yesterday we were discussing that. I've never seen the servo-aperture device other than in a photo.
But, the option is there.

 

[waynecrider]

I found a chart at Rockwell for anyone's interest.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/compatibility-lens.htm

Looks like the cheaper route is with a FE.

 

[GarageBoy]

F2SB if you can find one - full aperture metering with non AI and AI lenses (as long as they have bunny ears) and late model SPD metering

 

[flavio81]

I have the FE and its a nice camera.
Another one to consider is the F3.

 

[anfenglin]

I second the F3, you can use the non-AI with stop down metering and the AI and AI-S completely normal. Also, you can use these links to convert your non-AI into an AI yourself if you dare: http://pindelski.org/Photography/2013/02/06/nikkor-ai-conversions-diy/
http://www.chr-breitkopf.de/photo/aiconv.en.html