D200 w/ AIS Lenses

[vajra_alsop]

I have a number of Nikkor AIS lenses, but I am very interested in

purchasing a D200 digital SLR. How will my lenses perform?

I have:

20mm 2.8

28mm 2.0

35mm 1.4

50mm 1.8

85mm 1.4

180mm 2.8

105mm 4.0 macro

28mm pc 3.5

 

ALL Ais.

 

I really don't want to have to upgrade to AF lenses but still want

to access a digital SLR. Any thoughts?

Thanks.

[mark_jordan3]

As I understand it, AIS lenses on the D200 will auto meter (spot & centerweighted) in Aperture Priority and Manual modes...the viewfinder is reported to be large and bright, great news for manual focussing. Just understand that in DX format there is a 1.5x crop factor to your lens' focal length...so your widest lens with your current lineup would effectively be 30mm.

[audun_sjoeseth1]

I'd give it a try. I've used my Nikkor AI24/2.8, F50/2 and AI50/1.2 with my Canon 20D and adapter, and I love the pictures I get (satisfied with the picture quality).

 

I've ordered the D200 and the new Tokina AT-X 12-24/4 for wide angle, but I'll keep and use the AI-Nikkors on the D200. The F50/2 will mostly stay at my F2.

[roland_larson]

As for manual focsuing aid, I'm also interested to know whether the D200 screen is user replacable. Appreciate if someone with firsthand experience would shed some light, thanks :)

[bernard_frank]

But won't you be able to dial in some AI lenses in the D200 like the F6 or D2X?

[david_h._hartman]

You will get Color Matrix Metering II, iTTL Flash, Aperture

Preferred and Manual exposure modes if you enter the lens data in

the non-CPU Lens Data menu. You can also select Variable Center-Weighted

and Spot Metering. <br>

<br>

The D200 has a function button so I believe you will also be able

to set a custom setting and enter the lens data by pressing the

function button and using the command and subcommand dials. This

is a feature of the D2H and I expect it will be for the D200.

YMMV!<br>

<br>

If you enter n/a for the maximum aperture in the non-CPU

Lens Data menu the camera will perform much like an F5 and when

matrix metering is selected the camera will default to center-weighted

metering. Again this is if and only if you enter n/a

for the maximum aperture.<br>

<br>

This level of support for non-CPU lenses is very good but for

fast paced events you will likely want a lens such as the 17~55/2.8G

ED-IF AF-S DX or one of the less expensive alternatives.<br>

<br>

You can expect excellent performance from most AIS, AI and AI(ed)

Nikkor lenses 50mm and longer. Bjorn Rorslett rates the 35/1.4

AIS at 5 on the D2X so its likely that it will perform very

well on the D200. Expect to see some CA with the 20/2.8 and 28/2.0.

Here is a link to Bjorns site...<br>

<br>

<a href="http://www.naturfotograf.com/lens_surv.html"

target="_new"><u>http://www.naturfotograf.com/lens_surv.html</u></a>

<br>

<br>

<a href="http://www.naturfotograf.com" target="_new"><u>http://www.naturfotograf.com</u></a>

<br>

<br>

I own all of the lenses you mention except the 35/1.4 AIS and 28/3.5

PC. My 180/2.8 is an ED AIS model. I dont own the 17~55/2.8G

DX but make due for now with a 35~70/2.8D AF Nikkor. My DSLR is a

Nikon D2H. <br>

<br>

Hope this helps,<br>

<br>

Dave Hartman.<br>

<br>

PS: there is a 24 page brochure on the D2OO and most any Nikon

site. I had trouble with the <a

href="http://nikonimaging.com/global/products/digitalcamera/slr/d200/index.htm"

target="_new"><u>Nikon Global Imaging Site</u></a> but got one by

right clicking and selecting Save link as The

focus screen will probably be fixed but Im not sure. See the

brochure.

[ShunCheung]

According to DPRview's D200 preview, you can indeed manually input the max aperture and focal length info for AI/AI-S lenses into the D200, and you'll have color matrix metering in the A and M exposure modes. However, it looks like the focusing screen is not interchangable (without taking the camera apart).

 

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

[ellis_vener_photography]

Vajra, --<P>

 

They will perform fine. I am sort of sure that you'll have matrix metering as well in manual

mode and aperture

priority --that is how I read the press info on the D200 announcement -- but the spec

sheet (see below) seems to indicate center-weighted and spot metering only. I am asking

a contact at Nikon clarify this.<P>

 

Bernard-- yes.<P>

 

ALL -- take a look at <A HREF =http://tinyurl.com/d7oqq> for Nikon's for the D200 info

pages</a>

[ShunCheung]

Ellis, the following chart from DPRview (also on page 2 of their preview I referenced above) clearly indicates color matrix metering in A and M modes with AI/AI-S lenses if you manually enter the max aperture info. There is no 3D matrix metering, of course, as those lenses have no CPU to provide focusing distance to the body.

 

http://www.dpreview.com/articles/NikonD200/Images/lenscompatible.gif

[terry_rory]

Does this info have to be entered (re-entered) every time you mount an Ai/Ai-s lens? (Assuming this is the same way the D200 will operate.)

[terry_rory]

Ellis's link brings up the D50 page. I think this should be correct... <a href="http://www.nikonusa.com/template.php?cat=1&grp=2&productNr=25235"> ALL -- take a look at this for the Nikon D200 info pages</a>

[david_h._hartman]

3D Matrix metering is only available with D, G AF-S and AF-I

lenses. This is clear in the chart that Shun provides a link to

and expected. For example the 50/1.8 AF Nikkor I abought used is

a non-D lens so it will not give me 3D matrix metering. This lens

transmits no distance information, it cant. Once a person

understands the difference between 3D Matrix Metering and

Color Matrix Metering this confusion should end.<br>

<br>

Note that AF and P type lenses (both non-D types) offer the same

features as AIS, AI and AI(ed) lenses except that they allow

Program and Shutter Preferred modes.<br>

<br>

Program and Shutter Preferred modes require linear activation of

the aperture. This is a feature of AIS lenses but without a CPU

in the lens or complicated mechanical linkages in the camera body

(no thank you) the D200, D2X, D2Hs and D2H will have no way of

deciphering an AIS lens from an AI or AI(ed) lens.<br>

<br>

The chart indicates that there is no color matrix metering

available with a bellows, PN-11 or PK type extension tubes. If

you know the values to enter you may successfully fool the system

and get good color matrix metering with these, YMMV.<br>

<br>

You can add a CPU to an M2 or E2 tube to gain color matrix

metering with full manual stop down metering. These work with

cameras such as the D100, D70 and D70s also. These tubes are

attached directly to the body and then anything you choose to the

tube. A BR-4 or BR-6 semi-auto aperture ring can be used with or

without a double cable or cable and electronic release. The BR-6

Ring is safe for AF Nikkors, the BR-4 is only for AIS and earlier.<br>

<br>

Regards,<br>

<br>

Dave Hartman.

[david_h._hartman]

<em>Does this info have to be entered (re-entered) every

time you mount an Ai/Ai-s lens? (Assuming this is the same way

the D200 will operate.) --Trevor Hare<br>

</em><br>

Yes and no. The D2H and I presume the D200 remembers the last non-CPU

lens used. It also remembers the paired and focal lengths and

aperture of many non-CPU lenses (10 to 20 depending on the camera

and as I recall).<br>

<br>

When switching between an AF and an AIS lens the non-CPU data

remains the same so it does not need to be reentered.<br>

<br>

When switching between one AIS and another AIS lens the menu will

be used but with a custom setting, f4 on the D2H, you can select

FV/Lens Data. FV means Flash Value and Lens Data is

non-CPU lens data. Once this is done you press the Function

Button and roll the main command dial to select the lens focal

length. The last maximum aperture for this focal length is

remember and need not be reentered.<br>

<br>

If you use two lenses of the same focal length but different

maximum apertures then both the focal length and maximum aperture

must be reentered either with the menu or the function button.

With a 105/2.5 and 105/4.0 Micro-Nikkor I enter the 105/4.0 as a

100/4.0, with a 20/2.8 and 20/3.5 I have to enter both. <br>

<br>

If a speedlight is mounted and turned on the FV function will

preempt the Lens Data function.<br>

<br>

It is more complicated to write this out than to do it. This

works really smoothly for most photography.<br>

<br>

The reason I said above, This level of support for non-CPU

lenses is very good but for fast paced events you will likely

want a lens such as the 17~55/2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX or one of the

less expensive alternatives. is for fast paced situations

it is too complicated in my opinion.<br>

<br>

Unless I could leave on AIS lens in place I would not try to use

AIS lenses for a wedding, banquet, birthday, PJ or PR event. In

these situations Id prefer an AF-S or AF-D lens by a wide

margin. For portraiture, landscape, wildlife, macro, etc I find

this level of AIS support great. In these situations some will

prefer AF and others will not while some will be split. Those who

prefer AF in some or all of these should not care because they

will have an AF lens on the camera anyway.<br>

<br>

Im sorry I writing fast as Im out of time and Im

not that good a writer anyway. I do hope this helps,<br>

<br>

Dave Hartman.

[terry_rory]

Thanks David for giving a very comprehensive answer.

[terry_rory]

I appreciate the work you put in to it.

[yeux tortu]

Hmm,

 

Time to stock up on manual focus Nikkors? Will the D200 create a new demand for these optical gems? They are dirt cheap right now and I have acquired; 20 4.0, 50 1.2, 55 2.8, 100 2.8 E, 105 1.8, and 180 2.8 ED.

 

Thats 6 Nikkors for my 20d. I also own 2 Canon lenses and 4 Zeiss lenses. For those hardcore Nikon loyalists who wouldn't switch to a low cost EOS mount, the D200 looks like an affordable platform for these superb lenses.

[kelly_flanigan1]

Metering is sort of like a flashback to the Photomic T Nikon finder. Here one aligns/sets the max aperture of the lens; to the asa. This was for full aperture metering. Other poor souls had to use stop down metering; and grind their own lenses; raise cows for the bones to make their own film. :) Actually stop down metering was common in the 1960's; since many long telephotos were still preset; plus those 19 dollar 135mm F2.8 preset jobs many folks bought

[vk2jk]

<p>Hi Falks<br>

I was reading with great interest all above comments re non CPU lenses and setting in Menu<br>

Well I just done a quick test<br>

I did input the information in the menu first i did this with the 50mm F1.4 all works fine,,, then i did replace the lens with the Nikkor 105 F2.5 I noticed that the previus setting needed to be upgraded to the now 105 lens with its minimum apeture<br>

I do conclude that one need to input all the data in the menu the lenses used sadly only 1 data is kept in memory I am talking now about the D200<br>

How ever this is ok with me it is a quick process and worth doing i have a nice collection of non CPU lenses will now use them on the D200 I will be interested to see I do also have a nice brand new Nikkor 35mm F2.8 non AI I wonder if it will work??<br>

Any one cantell me?/</p>

<p>Thanks for reeding<br>

regards<br>

Peter</p>

[vk2jk]

<p>Hi Falks<br>

I was reading with great interest all above comments re non CPU lenses and setting in Menu<br>

Well I just done a quick test<br>

I did input the information in the menu first i did this with the 50mm F1.4 all works fine,,, then i did replace the lens with the Nikkor 105 F2.5 I noticed that the previus setting needed to be upgraded to the now 105 lens with its minimum apeture<br>

I do conclude that one need to input all the data in the menu the lenses used sadly only 1 data is kept in memory I am talking now about the D200<br>

How ever this is ok with me it is a quick process and worth doing i have a nice collection of non CPU lenses will now use them on the D200 I will be interested to see I do also have a nice brand new Nikkor 35mm F2.8 non AI I wonder if it will work??<br>

Any one cantell me?/</p>

<p>Thanks for reeding<br>

regards<br>

Peter</p>