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02/13/2010 09:19:42 PM · #1 |
| Hi, this may be a stupid question... I have a Vivitar 35mm 2.8 lens that I would like to use with my D70. Do I need an adapter of some sort for this to work and would I be damaging my camera if I tried to attach it without? I'm pretty clueless about these older lenses (bought it from ebay for peanuts - I'm assuming it's rather old). |
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02/13/2010 09:21:17 PM · #2 |
| Vivitar made lenses in many different mounts... was the one you bought made with a Nikon mount? |
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02/13/2010 09:25:29 PM · #3 |
| That depends. Is it made for Nikon cameras? If it isn't then yes you need an adaptor. DO NOT try to mount your lens if you're not sure. I'll let the Nikon gurus fill you in on what adaptors to get for your camera. Some older Nikon mounts don't fit on the newer cameras at all so be careful. |
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02/13/2010 09:33:35 PM · #4 |
| Ah, I'm not entirely sure, but the mount says N/F on it if that means Nikon or not I don't know. |
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02/13/2010 09:37:39 PM · #5 |
Originally posted by Cinnamon_Girl:
Ah, I'm not entirely sure, but the mount says N/F on it if that means Nikon or not I don't know. |
Well, it either means "Nikon F" or "Not Finished," I'm not sure which ;-)
Seriously, it does sound like it is a native Nikon lens. I'll let those more familiar with some of the finer points of Nikon compatibility address whether this particular lens might have any "gotchas" to watch out for. |
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02/13/2010 09:41:20 PM · #6 |
Here's a link that may help;
Lenses and their mounts
When you get to the Nikon mount, click the image for more details.
The Nikon DSLR's have a little lever that sticks out of the body next to the mount, at the lower left when looking at the camera with the lens off. The Nikon Ai, and "Ai'd" lenses will work on the body without interfering with that lever. The earlier "Non Ai" lenses will bend that lever if you try to mount them on the current Nikon bodies.
The "Non Ai" lenses can be identified by looking at the back edge of the aperture ring. On a "Non Ai" lens, you will see that the back of the aperture ring is even and smooth all the way around. On a more recent "Ai" lens the back edge of the aperture ring will be notched in places. The notched areas will be level with the face of the chromed part of the mount lugs.
So, if there are notches in the back of the aperture ring on he Vivitar lens, it will probably work. Look for the little lever on your camera, and watch it carefully when you try to mount the lens you have, to make sure that it will fit without mashing the lever toward the camera body.
ETA, You will have to manually focus and set the aperture on the older lens. I am not sure if your camera will meter with it or not, but you can shoot without a meter by looking at the LCD and adjusting settings to get what you want. It works well for me with my older lenses. Check your camera manual about light metering with manual lenses. It may be able to meter in one of the exposure modes.
Message edited by author 2010-02-13 21:50:50.
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02/13/2010 09:44:52 PM · #7 |
| Not a stupid question because mounting an "almost" mount can damage the indexing tab on the camera. If in doubt, show the lens to an expert to determine conclusively that the mount is safe. What can be safely said is that any mount made since 1980 or even a bit earlier will be compatible with the D70 and safe to try out. I have many old lenses and in fact an almost 30 year-old Vivitar that fits fine. The best way to tell is that on the oldest lenses, so-called "non-AI (autoindexing)" lenses, the flange of the lens which is also the f-stop ring is smooth all around. The autoindexing mounts introduced cutouts from the overhanging flange to ingage the indexing tab on the camera mount. The old flange would therefore rub aganist and damage an autoindexing camera body like the D70. The newer autoindexing flange cutout will push against the indexing tab providing information to the camera about what lens is mounted. I'll say that again: it's that simple - the flange rubs against the indexing tab on the camera body causing physical damage even breaking the tab. Try Ken Rockwell's web site kenrockwell.com to learn more about Nikon mounts. |
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02/13/2010 10:09:30 PM · #8 |
Thanks for that link, according to that site it's a non Ai lens (since it has no holes in the fork and no ledge on the aperture ring). Now the question is how much is one of these Nikon mounts.. and where do I get one? (google search proving fruitless)
Also is there any way to tell HOW old this lens is, for curiosity's sake, by the serial number maybe? |
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02/13/2010 10:37:40 PM · #9 |
I seriously doubt that you would find a kit to "Ai" that lens, since it is not a Nikon brand lens.
Most camera shops have someone who can do this little operation.
If you or one of your friends is handy with tools, the lens can be modified by carefully cutting the protruding part of the aperture ring away in all of the area where it would be possible for it to come into contact with the little lever on the body while it is being mounted. I have modified a couple of non Ai lenses to fit my Fuji by doing that with a Dremel rotary tool. It's pretty easy to do by putting a back cap on the lens to keep the chips out of the works, then vacuum out any remaining cutting chips along the edge of the aperture ring before removing the cap. The ring can be marked by scratching it with a sharp pointed tool at the ends of the area to be cut away.
On a normal Ai lens, the cutaway is made so that when the aperture ring is mounted on the camera, and turned as far as it will go toward f16/ 22, the end of the cutaway moves the little lever on the camera. This was done so that the lever/switch could tell the camera that an "automatic metering" (Ai--Aperture Indexing) lens was mounted, and that the aperture was set to minimum so that the camera could control the aperture when shooting in program or shutter priority modes.
Re date built. The first mention of a Vivitar 35 2.8 is here in the 5th group, Nov 1978.
Vivitar Lens History/ Google
This link gives the manufacturer from the serial numbers. Vivitar lenses were made by many manufacturers and branded Vivitar for marketing.
Vivitar Lens Manufacturers
Message edited by author 2010-02-13 23:06:08.
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