Older Nikkor AF lenses used in manual mode on FM body?

[jay moussy]

There are cheap Nikkor AF 70-210mm 1:4, and AF 35-70mm 1:3.3-4.5 lenses, with a free N2020 near me.

Is this affordable glass worth using in my FM, FG, EM bodies, in manual mode??

The N2020 may be full of surprises, good or bad?

 

[Sirius Glass]

Even F and F2 bodies?

 

[Chan Tran]

Even F and F2 bodies?

You have to do stop down metering with the F and the Non AI version of the F2. The focusing ring doesn't feel as good as AI/AI-S lenses.

 

[jay moussy]

To add, this is what I am looking at:

Both lenses with aperture rings, it looks like ( I did not think of that until mentioned by poster above!).

 

[wyofilm]

I might be pilloried in the town source for posting this because of its source, but "God hates a coward" (Laura Engels Wilder) so here it goes.

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

 

[jay moussy]

I sort of do get into the various Nikkor flavors, every six months or so, and think I 'got' it, but then forget it all and have to start all over again!

 

[Sirius Glass]

I might be pilloried in the town source for posting this because of its source, but "God hates a coward" (Laura Engels Wilder) so here it goes.

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

OMG KR finally wrote something useful. Damnit I am going to pour myself a drink. Would you like one?

I even learned something from him with my F100​

No AFis an inconvenience, but guess what: Nikon AF cameras still all have an electronic dot (or arrows and a dot) in the viewfinder which tell you when you've got perfect manual focus. It's slower, but just as accurate.

 

[Autonerd]

There are cheap Nikkor AF 70-210mm 1:4, and AF 35-70mm 1:3.3-4.5 lenses, with a free N2020 near me.
Is this affordable glass worth using in my FM, FG, EM bodies, in manual mode??

Yes, they'll work just fine. I have the AF Nikkor 70-210 as well as a 35-135 and 28-85 that came in a bundle with an N8008 and N4004, and I use them with my FE and FG. They work fine. Biggest issue is the "gearing" on the focus ring -- there isn't much movement so it can be tricky to get precise focus.

They'll work on any Nikon with a meter coupling tab rather than a meter coupling pin (the thing that the rabbit ears engage). If it has a pin, you'll have to stop down the lens using the DOF preview button to meter. I believe that's the case with the F and F2.

The N2020 may be full of surprises, good or bad?

Haven't tried the N2020 but I can tell you that I find my auto-focus, auto-wind N8008 to be a very boring camera to use. May as well be shooting digital.

Aaron

 

[Chan Tran]

Yes, they'll work just fine. I have the AF Nikkor 70-210 as well as a 35-135 and 28-85 that came in a bundle with an N8008 and N4004, and I use them with my FE and FG. They work fine. Biggest issue is the "gearing" on the focus ring -- there isn't much movement so it can be tricky to get precise focus.

They'll work on any Nikon with a meter coupling tab rather than a meter coupling pin (the thing that the rabbit ears engage). If it has a pin, you'll have to stop down the lens using the DOF preview button to meter. I believe that's the case with the F and F2.



Haven't tried the N2020 but I can tell you that I find my auto-focus, auto-wind N8008 to be a very boring camera to use. May as well be shooting digital.

Aaron

Yup for the F. There are 6 eye level prism for the F2. One has no coupling whatsoever it's the DE-1. 3 with the pin, DP-1, DP-2 and DP-3 and 2 with the tab, DP-11 and DP-12.

 

[GarageBoy]

The N2020 is great - cheap as chips, and does what an EM/FG/FE does with a built in motor (the only minus, if the noise bothers you) - the AF is usable, if primitive, and the focus confirmation can come in handy

 

[George Mann]

The second version of the AF 35-70 (thick focus ring) has better manual focus ergonomics and feel than the first (thin ring).

 

[mgb74]

I've used AF Nikkors in manual focus mode, but never really liked the feel of the focus. Since they come with an AF body, I'd grab them and use them with that. Then keep an eye out for an inexpensive N90s body. Best price/performance AF Nikon IMO.

 

[AgX]

The second version of the AF 35-70 (thick focus ring) has better manual focus ergonomics and feel than the first (thin ring).

This are the important things.

I do not use AF lenses, but to substitute manual focusing lenses, they should focus as good as manual-only lenses. Which means:

-) focusing ring at good position
-) apt damping
-) apt throw

 

[George Mann]

-) focusing ring at good position
-) apt damping
-) apt throw

The throw of af lenses will never be as good as the manuals. But some are sufficient.

 

[jay moussy]

Yes I gave some thought to the manual focusing, which, despite the low price, makes me rethink the purchase.

One possible upside with these lenses: being able to take them in harsh environments without much concern, like by the sea shore.

 

[Ariston]

I might be pilloried in the town source for posting this because of its source, but "God hates a coward" (Laura Engels Wilder) so here it goes.

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

I like Ken Rockwell's site. It is well organized and very informative. I don't know why it seems fashionable to dislike him...

 

[Chan Tran]

This are the important things.

I do not use AF lenses, but to substitute manual focusing lenses, they should focus as good as manual-only lenses. Which means:

-) focusing ring at good position
-) apt damping
-) apt throw

The throw is shorter and not well damp. Both to make it AF better, less strain on the motor.

 

[wyofilm]

I like Ken Rockwell's site. It is well organized and very informative. I don't know why it seems fashionable to dislike him...

I like Ken Rockwell's site. I've never been fashionable. Just ask my wife.

 

[Autonerd]

Then keep an eye out for an inexpensive N90s body. Best price/performance AF Nikon IMO.

Can't beat the N8008 for price/performance, IMHO. $10-$20 all day long. Not bad for what was once Nikon's top-of-the-line amateur body!

Aaron

 

[Autonerd]

I like Ken Rockwell's site. It is well organized and very informative. I don't know why it seems fashionable to dislike him...

I think some of his advice is very good and some is not so great. (Anyone who forwards the Pentax-K1000-is-the-best-thing-ever without context is slightly suspect in my book.) I think there's a bit of "If I deign to use it than it must be great". The pandering for $$ bothers me a bit -- you want to make money on a site, sell ads. He's implying that his advice is worth $$ to all of us who read it, which it may or may not be (see K1000 reference above).

Also, there's more to photography than sliding the saturation slider to the far right.

Aaron

 

[voceumana]

My first Nikon was an FM2n, and with it I bought a 60mm AF MicroNikkor and the 85mm f/1.8 AF Nikkor. Just turn off the AF. The 85mm's focus ring moves too easily for my taste, but it has never given me a problem, and is an extremely sharp lens.

 

[Sirius Glass]

When a camera has AF, I use the auto focusing and rarely need to adjust. When the focusing is manual, I focus manually.

 

[Huss]

When a camera has AF, I use the auto focusing and rarely need to adjust. When the focusing is manual, I focus manually.

Yeah. While it is cute using manual focus lenses on AF cameras, when you revert to intended for use AF lenses, you realize how much more sense it makes.
I was 'playing' with Zeiss ZF.2 lenses on my F6 and F4, then switched to Nikon AF-D lenses (the F4) and Sigma Art lenses (F6) and the instant focus attainment with no messing around made it so much more productive.

 

[George Mann]

Yeah. While it is cute using manual focus lenses on AF cameras, when you revert to intended for use AF lenses, you realize how much more sense it makes.
I was 'playing' with Zeiss ZF.2 lenses on my F6 and F4, then switched to Nikon AF-D lenses (the F4) and Sigma Art lenses (F6) and the instant focus attainment with no messing around made it so much more productive.

That's all fine and dandy for those that need immediate results, but many such as myself prefer the slower, more methodical approach using old mechanical lenses that have given us the unique results we seek time and time again.

 

[Huss]

Yes, they'll work just fine. I have the AF Nikkor 70-210 as well as a 35-135 and 28-85 that came in a bundle with an N8008 and N4004, and I use them with my FE and FG. They work fine. Biggest issue is the "gearing" on the focus ring -- there isn't much movement so it can be tricky to get precise focus...

Aaron

Exactly. Most af lenses have such a short manual focus throw that it makes it difficult to get precise focus.