Will Nikon Film SLR lenses be usable to Nikon Digital SLR cameras? I want to confirm because I heard they do.?
Im just going into photography now. I know very little. I was recently given a Nikon film slr camera with a set of awesome lenses. I was planning to buy a Nikon digital slr camera and was wondering if I could use the film camera lenses on the digital camera. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
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Tagged with: camera lenses • digital camera • digital slr camera • film camera • nikon digital slr • nikon digital slr camera • photography
Filed under: film camera lenses
The answer is yes for most lenses, for details, see below.
If the lens is very old (so-called pre-AI, manufactured from 1959-1977) you need to be careful, because those lenses may damage a Nikon DSLR unless they are slightly modified.
To be fully functional on all Nikon DSLRs (including D40, D40x and D60), you need a lens with an AF-S designation (or AF-I - but those are rare). You may use lenses without AF-S/AF-I om those bodies, but auto focus will not work.
For other combinations, refer to the table provided by Ken Rockwell (see link). His article also tell you how to recognise a particular type of lens.
Generally yes, although they may not have the full function of a new lens.
You may have to manually focus, that is turn the focus ring on the lens yourself rather than a motor doing it. The auto focus control system should still give some indication when it finds a point in focus.
Metering and exposure modes may be limited to manual only rather than the full range of automatic exposure modes.
Despite these limitations Nikon lenses are very good optically and worth using.
http://digital-photography.suite101.com/article.cfm/old_lenses_on_digital_cameras
Basically yes. As long as they're AI [manual focus] or AF you shouldn't have any trouble mounting them to a Nikon dSLR. Though depending on the model there may be some limitations. Specifically:
-Consumer level "D##" (eg. D40, D60, D80, D90) won't light meter with most AI lenses.
- The entry level D40 and D60 won't autofocus with basic AF lenses. (only AF-I and AF-S)
Also most Nikon dSLRs, except for the D700, D3, and D3x, are "crop frame". This means the sensor is smaller than a 35mm film*, and as a consequence the field of view you get at a certain focal length changes by a factor of "x1.5" when compared to your film camera. For example a 50mm lens will look a bit more like 75mm. This is can be annoying if you shoot wide angle, because suddenly your lenses aren't as wide. But otherwise it just takes a little getting used to.
*To give you a visual idea of what I'm talking about, the forth box starting from the top is a nikon sensor compared to 35mm film:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ec/SensorSizes.png
That is the reason professional photographers buy camera systems … for the interchangeability of all the components
Here is the complete list of all the Nikon lenses and bodies and their compatibility
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/compatibility-lens.htm
I am using lenses I bought in the mid 70's with my D300. So yes you can You may not get all functions with all cameras. AI lenses will not autofocus and only meter on theD200 D300. D700.D2 and D3 . AI lenses will not matrix meter on the D1 but will center weighted meter and spot meter. The work in manual mode on all other Nikon DSLR but you have to use the sunny 16 rule or a stand alone meter.
AF and AF-d lenses will meter on Nikon DSLR but will not autofocus on the D60/D40x/D40 cameras. Not a big deal as manual focusing is not a terribly difficult skill
AF-s and AF-I will give you full function on all Nikon DSLR
Some pre AI lenses and home conversions to AI may be more problematic and there are some invasive fisheye lenses that can break the mirror on new Nikons so those are cautions
What lenses did you get? There is some great legacy glass out there that gives wonderfull results in a very durable mostly metal and glass lens ( not much plastic) These things will last you a lifetime. Congrats on getting it. Also what film camera ?