Tip: Using newest Nikon E lenses stopped down on Nikon film bodies

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Hello dear Nikon film SLR users,
as you know, for some years now Nikon is offering new lenses in the "E type" version, with electronic aperture.
These lenses are only completely (with all functions) compatible with newer Nikon DSLRs (from D300, D3 on to current models).
If you are using them on one of the latest Nikon film SLRs like the F6, F100, F5, you normally can use them only with open aperture, but stopping down is not possible.
So unfortunately limited backwards compatibility.
That is a bit sad as some of these new E type lenses are really outstanding, like the 4/300 PF, 5,6/500 PF or the 1.4/105.

But it looks like there is a little trick for using these E lenses even stopped down on Nikon film bodies like the F6, F5, F100, F80, F90x etc..
Some members recommended that solution on an other forum:

"Put the lens on a DSLR, set your aperture, then hold Pv (DoF Preview), or take a long exposure shot. While holding Pv or exposure, the aperture will physically stop down, and during this period, remove the lens. The aperture will then be stuck in this position.
You can then mount it onto your F6, F5, F100, F80, F90X, F80 etc. stopped down. The aperture will remain in this stopped down position until you put it back onto your DSLR."

They wrote it works. Also pictures with the stopped down aperture and lens mounted on a film body were posted. I have not yet tested it by myself as I currently don't own an E lens (yet).

Of course that is not an option in situations which need fast operation. But in situations when you have a bit time and shoot longer series with the same aperture it should work.
I can imagine using it in situations like
a) Portrait shooting with e.g. the 1.4/105. In my portrait work I often do longer series in which I am using the same aperture for many shots (f4; f5.6, f8). So setting e.g. the aperture on the 1.4/105 at f5.6 (on my D3s), switching it to my F6s (or my F5, F100) and then make the series as wanted with that aperture would be no big deal.
b) In landscape photography and generally with studio work it should be relatively simple, too.
c) I am tempted by the 4/300 PF and 5,6/500 PF. The 4/300 has its best performance ("sweet spot") at f5.6, therefore I would use this lens mostly at this aperture anyway. So setting the aperture at f5.6 first on my D3s, and then using it this way for a longer time / series on my F6 would also be no big deal.

I think for those using both modern Nikon film and Nikon digital bodies this is generally good news.
Looks like the use of E lenses on modern Nikon film bodies is at least a bit less limited than we have thought so far :smile:.

Best regards,
Henning
 

alentine

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Thanks very much Henning for the information.
Is it possible with mechanical cameras like FM3a/FM2n ?
 
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Thanks very much Henning for the information.
Is it possible with mechanical cameras like FM3a/FM2n ?

As written in my posting above, I currently don't have an E lens myself, therefore unfortunately I cannot test it.
But I have just got another message from a F6 user who have tested the 1.4/105 E on it just an hour ago, and he confirmed that it works as described above.

With the FM / FM2 / FE / FE2 / FM 3A it probably works in "Arbeitsblendenmessung" (sorry, I don't know the technical term in English; "working aperture metering" is probably not the right one). You have the little knob at the lens mount for de-coupling the open aperture metering. You probably have to use it, de-couple the open aperture meter and use the selected (not open) aperture for metering.

Maybe if one member here with an E lens has one of these cameras, he could try it and report the result here.

Best regards,
Henning
 
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With the FM / FM2 / FE / FE2 / FM 3A it probably works in "Arbeitsblendenmessung" (sorry, I don't know the technical term in English; "working aperture metering" is probably not the right one). You have the little knob at the lens mount for de-coupling the open aperture metering. You probably have to use it, de-couple the open aperture meter and use the selected (not open) aperture for metering.

I have found the correct technical term in English: Stop down metering.

Best regards,
Henning
 
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