D70 & Older AF Lenses & Matrix Meter

[chris hughes]

Okay, my D70S is on the way, should be here Monday. I've been using my beloved F-100

with these lenses and I'm wondering if they'll work with the D70S's matrix meter or if I'll

have to switch to the DX series lenses.

 

AF Nikkor 70 - 210 1:4-5.6

 

AF Nikkor 35 - 70 1:3.3-4.5

 

I also have a Tokina AF 20 - 35 1:3.5-4.5 and a Tamron AF 75 - 300 1:4.5-5.6LD but I'm

guessing these won't do the matrix thang.

 

Thoughts?

[john schroeder]

They will work fine. The only thing that might suffer is flash photos if they are not "D" chip lenes. I know the 35-70 is "D" chip and the Tamron 70-300 is also. The 70-210 and the Tokina you will have to check. The "D" chip give distance info to the flash computer. With out the "D" chip your flash might be a little harsh.

[chris hughes]

To clarify, I know that I won't get the 3D color matrix meter with these lenses but will I get

standard matrix metering or will they be limited to center weighted and spot metering?

[chris hughes]

Excellent. Thanks John. I do believe that the 70 - 210 is a D but I'm not 100% sure of that...

[ShunCheung]

Chris, all Nikon AF lenses from the AF era (since the late 1980's, thus excluding the very rare F3AF lenses) have a built-in CPU and therefore will work fine with metering on all Nikon DSLRs, including the D70s. The main potential issue will be the narrower angle of view as a result of the small sensor.

 

Most people in this forum agree (which is unusual) that D lenses make little difference on flash photography. On non flash photography, D or non-D make no difference.

 

Most 3rd-party AF lenses for Nikon should work also, but there may be some exceptions as we discussed recently.

[chris hughes]

Great news then. Thanks for the info. I really like the lenses I have right now and I wasn't

looking forward to having to switch to DX series glass. Can't wait to get that D70S in my hot

little hands! I love my F-100 and it'll continue to be a work horse but it'll be nice to get into

the digital realm with a true SLR.

[benoit_deshaies]

I'll second that "D" makes very little difference. I have a mix of D and non-D lenses and they all work great with the D70 flash. My AF 70-210 4-5.6 is the non-D version and it works great with the D70, flash and all. Maybe D made a difference in the past, but I can't see a difference with the advanced TTL of the D70.

[mawz]

D lenses only make a real difference in challenging flash situations, where they can maximize

exposure considerations for in-focus areas. In non-challenging situations they make little

difference and absolutely none in Ambient lighting.

[joseph_wisniewski]

Normally, as others have pointed out, the D makes a very small difference in metering.

 

There are two exceptions, where the difference is major.

 

The 70-210mm f4-5.6 is one. When Nikon went to the "D" version, they also changed the AF gear ratio, so the D focuses much faster than the non-D.

 

The 28mm f2.8 is the other "special case". When Nikon did the D version, they completly redesigned the lens. The new version has more elements and (I believe) CRC. It's sharper, and all around much better.

[astral]

I've just been using a Sigma 28mm f1.8 ASPH II as a fast standard lens (approximating to 45mm on 35mm). Used on a 35mm camera edges are fairly soft, but as the D70 sensor only sees the centre of the lens field it's pretty ok. (I knew there had to be a use for the Sigma!!).

 

All of the D70 features I need do function, like matrix, and the fancy features seems to work too. I'll try my 70-210mm f4 AF Nikkor tomorrow if the sun shines.

 

The next challenge is to hook up an SB20 flash off-camera using an SU4 slave unit and see if the D70 will squelch the flash output as my F80/N80 does.

 

 

Alan C. Nottingham, UK

[ilkka_nissila]

Joseph, a number of AF-D lenses focus faster than the AF versions. They also have improved manual focus rings in some cases.