Old lenses for D200?

[Philip Freedman]

Chromatic abberation, leading to colour fringing, seems to be a

problem when using some older lenses with new DX sensors. I am

planning to get the new D200 in a few months time, and I like to use

prime lenses rather than zooms, but Nikon has few recently designed

primes. Does anyone have experience of using lenses like the Nikon

35mm f2, 50mm f1.8 and 85mm f1.8 with the D2X (or even the D200

itself) and do they all give good quality images without fringing?

[roland_vink]

No hand-on experience with this, but from what I have read most lenses from about 35mm - 135mm are pretty much free of chromatic abberations. The problem starts to show with longer telephotos (which is why many of them have ED glass) and wide angle lenses. For good evaluations of most old and new Nikon lenses read the reviews here: http://www.naturfotograf.com/lens_surv.html

[ellis_vener_photography]

I haven't seen any problems using a 50mm f/1.8 and 105mm f/1.8 AI-S lenses on a D2X,

D1X, D1H, D70 or D100. I don't expectto see any with the D200. I have a 35mm f/2 but it

is a 35mm f/2D AF Nikkor. Ialso haven't seen any problems with a 20mm f/2.8D AF Nikkor

(but the 12-24mm Nikkors I've used makes technically better --judging resolution and

contrast -- images. )

[beau 1664876222]

The D200 doesn't meter with the AIS lenses, right? (I mean, unless you stop down manually and meter manually.)

[vivek iyer]

Beau, The D200 will behave like the D2H(s) and the D2X with AIS lenses. ie., it will meter without stopping down. It is the first non flagship DSLR to have a non crippled metering system for current (which include AIS lenses) Nikkors.

[ben z]

My read on the D200 specs is that it will work just like the F100 in that AI/AI-S will meter open-aperture in M and A modes, with spot or centerweighted patterns. You lose S and P modes and matrix metering. I have a nice set of AI lenses, was looking at a D1X but it was too big and heavy. The D200 sounds like a good possibility, especially in a year or so when I can get a refurb or a demo, compared to using adaptors on a Canon 20D. The only thing I'm disappointed is it doesn't seem to have interchangable focusing screens. A split and/or microprism aid would've been what I'd have wanted. I suppose I could get used to the electronic focus confirmation if I had to.

[beau 1664876222]

Wow, if that's true I think I'll buy one. I once said that if Nikon could make a sub-$2,000 DSLR that functioned with all my old AIS lenses I'd buy it, so I guess I should back up my words.

 

Now I just have to find a use for a digital camera!

[david_h._hartman]

<em>The D200 doesn't meter with the AIS lenses, right?

--Beau *<br>

</em><br>

Wrong according to a 24 page brochure with a file name of D200_brochure_Final_EN.pdf.<br>

<br>

I dont recall where I downloaded it but it may have been

the Nikon Global Imaging site (Japan) or Nikon, UK. <br>

<br>

You will have manual focus with electronic rangefinder assist,

Color Matrix Metering in Aperture Preferred and Manual Modes as

well as Center-Weighted and Spot Metering. Im pretty sure

you get iTTL flash as well since the D200 gives color matrix. I

dont see a chart just now. Obviously only AF-D and G type

lenses offer distance information for 3D metering. You also get

center-weighted and spot with PK-Series and the PN-11 extension

tubes.<br>

<br>

AIS as well as AI and AI(ed) Nikkors are definitely (or

defiantly) on for the ride.<br>

<br>

Regards,<br>

<br>

Dave Hartman.

[jose_salcedo1]

I have a Nikon D2X and the camera meters perfectly well with my AI-S lenses. In fact, it

meters perfectly well (and also takes stunning pictures) with Hasselblad lenses that I have

(and use with the D2X with a Fotodiox all-metal adapter).

 

In this regard, the D200 operates exactly as the D2X: it meters perfectly with AI-S lenses,

and I strongly suggest that you take a spin with some superb AI-S lenses, like the 24mm

f/2.8 (with CRC), the 50mm f/1.8, the 55mm f/2.8 Micro and others. You will be stunned

by the results.

 

Best regards,

Jose

[bjørn rørslett]

D200 assuredly will do matrix metering with AI or AIS lenses. I've tried :)

[beau 1664876222]

"AIS as well as AI and AI(ed) Nikkors are definitely (or defiantly) on for the ride."

 

I'm really glad Nikon did this. A big advantage over EOS is Nikon's legacy lens mount, and they blew it on the D100, D70, etc. by ignoring their manual-focus lenses -- especially as they were still manufacturing and selling them!

[joseph_smith3]

Based upon the great and accurate and expert info in sites like this, I ordered my D200, my first digital camera. I have AIS lenses I want to use on a DSLR and the D200 looks like a great way to do this--they will meter just like they do on my my F100. Today, I stopped at a large retail pro photography store here in Houston, TX where I live to pick up some literature on the D200. They had nothing. The sales person tried to tell me that AIS lenses would mate to the D200, but not meter on the D200. Nikon still has a way to go to sell their stuff. No wonder people are buying thru the Internet or by phone. Joe Smith

[vivek iyer]

Beau,

 

While you may not be able to capture something splendid like this:

 

http://www.photo.net/photo/3351175

 

for a shot like this (when the oppurtunity presents itself to you- another classic capture!)

 

http://www.photo.net/photo/1091975

 

the DSLR will be useful.

[rick_beets]

You need to find a use for a digital camera? I can't find a use for a film camera! I only

have 2 left, one for slide film on a copy stand, (I shoot for a number of artists and

competions still require slides of their work) and several 4X5 cams (gathering dust) The

high resolution digital cameras will do anything your film camera does and more. Nearly

every pro shooter has sold off their medium and large format and gone digital. Further

more, almost every lab in the country now scans negs and prints from digital files and very

few offer E-6 processing anymore. Advantages of digital? Well for starters, if I am

shooting high school seniors outdoors, I used to carry four backs, 1 for 120, 220 portrait

film, 1 for higher speed film when shooting under the trees by a waterfall (pretty dark) and

1 for B+W. With digital I can change the ISO, change color balance, adjust contrast to

match the scene, etc, etc. With the Nikon D2X I have many more choices of lenses than I

did with medium format and the quality is at least as good. How many times have I

wished I had a really long top quality lens for my Mamiya RZ, with the Nikon, now I have

several, and they have image stabilization built in! Have fun!

[dan_brown14]

The AIS spot and CW metering of the D200 is really a nice feature. It makes me sorry I

sold my 105/1.8 and 35/1.4 and a few other AIS Nikkors last year. OTOH, they can be

had a really great prices on ebay these days.

[ilkka_nissila]

Yeah, Nikon accomplished what they wanted with the D100 and D70 - people sold their manual focus glass and the prices of second hand lenses collapsed. But the negative publicity they got must have cost them a lot of customers. I really welcome the support of old lenses although I only have one manual focus lens left. It feels almost like in the "good old days."

[wilfred_wong]

Ilkka, nikon certainly sucessed in that. I got my 85 1.4 mainly 'cos the 85 f2 can't meter on D100/D70. i ditn't get the 1.8 'cos 1.8 and f2 are real close... dun want to buy a direct replacment so i got the 1.4 instead.

 

i sometimes miss the small size and lightweight of the 85 f2....

looks like i can't escape from the D200.

[ben z]

"Bjorn Rorslett Photo.net Patron, nov 03, 2005; 05:44 p.m.

D200 assuredly will do matrix metering with AI or AIS lenses. I've tried :)"

 

IF that's true it'll be the first Nikon since the F4 to do so. Way to go, Nikon, for un-crippling it.

[dan_brown4]

It is not true, the D200 will only spot and CW meter AIS lenses.

[sebastian gloeckler]

Hi all,

 

What features of the flash system would you lose with manual lenses? Just the distance information, but the rest (i)TTL should work as expected, right? Anyone who tried this with the D2X?

 

Thanks,

cu seba

[ilkka_nissila]

Please guys, the D2H, D2Hs, D2X, F6, and D200 all support matrix metering with Ai, Ai-S and Ai modified lenses, as well as Ai teleconverters, but not extension tubes. Read the brochure (and manuals in the case of all but the D200).

[Prof-K]

Dan Brown, have you tried the D200, or even read the brochure? I believe Bjorn did both.

[ShunCheung]

As a lot of you know, I hate wrong information in this forum.

 

As far as the D200's capabilities go, Phil Askey's DPReview has a lot of details. Scroll down a bit on the following link and lens compatibility with the D200 info is in green:

 

http://www.dpreview.com/articles/nikond200/page2.asp

[david_h._hartman]

Here is a link to the Nikon D200 brochure offered at the Nikon

Imaging Company Website...<br>

<br>

<a

href="http://nikonimaging.com/global/products/digitalcamera/slr/d200/pdf/D200_24p.pdf"

target="_new"><u>Digital SLR Camera D200</u></a><br>

<br>

I could not test this link as it stopped repeatedly but that is

probably a problem with heavy traffic. I'm quite sure that this

is the link I used to download my copy.<br>

<br>

Here is a link to the same brochure at Nikon Singspore...<br>

<br>

<a

href="http://www.nikon.com.sg/CATALOG/D200_brochure_Final_EN.pdf"

target="_new"><u>Digital SLR Camera D200</u></a><br>

<br>

Im sorry I cant confirm this one either. I normally

check all the links that I post. If these dont work later

with lighter traffic please accept my apology.<br>

<br>

Best,<br>

<br>

Dave Hartman.

[david_h._hartman]

<em>What features of the flash system would you lose

with manual lenses? Just the distance information, but the rest (i)TTL

should work as expected, right? Anyone who tried this with the D2X?

--Sebastian Gloeckler<br>

</em><br>

Im using the SB-800 with my D2H along with AF-D, AF, AIS

and AI Nikkor so Ive tried this with the D2H. <br>

<br>

Right, you will loose 3D or distance information with

AIS and AI Nikkors as you note but not i-TTL or Balanced i-TTL

flash. You also loose Shutter Preferred and Programmed Modes with

AIS and AI Nikkors but you retain Aperture Preferred and Manual

exposure modes.<br>

<br>

You also get something called AA or Auto Aperture. This is like

the old auto thyristor or auto flash but the camera informs the

speedlight of its settings, particularly the lens aperture

so it is quite automated but the speedlight uses its

electronic eye rather than the cameras five-segment

TTL multi sensor located in the bottom of the mirror box.<br>

<br>

For your peace of mine I just installed my 50/1.8 AI and SB-800

on my D2H. Here is what you get with AIS and AI Nikkors...<br>

<br>

TTL, BL, FP<br>

TTL, FP<br>

AA, FP<br>

GN, FP<br>

M, FP<br>

RPT<br>

<br>

The camera was set to Aperture Preferred exposure mode. The SB-800

will not show a mode it cannot deliver with the camera, settings

and lens. FP is the FP sync feature set in the custom settings of

the D2H and D2X and automatically used by speedlights that

support this feature. When the shutter speed goes above 1/250th

second the flash automaticly switches into the FP sync mode. The

focal length and maximum aperture of the lens was entered in the

shooting menu.<br>

<br>

This gets quite complicated to explain so if you want more

information I suggest downloading an SB-800 and D2X or D2Hs

manual.<br>

<br>

Hope this helps,<br>

<br>

Dave Hartman.