| Author | Thread |
|
|
06/28/2007 08:09:18 AM · #1 |
If I put an older Nikon lens (for example the 50mm f/1.8 AI) on a body which doesn't have an aperture ring, I understand I lose metering. So I either use an external light meter, or use the 'trail-and-error' approach to get the right exposure. I'm okay with this.
However, if I want to use flash. On my film SLR I just set the shutter speed to 1/250s and select whatever aperture I want, and the exposure is usually about right.
Will this method work on a D40/D50/D80 body with a manual lens and flash? (i.e. set shutter speed to 1/250s and whatever aperture you want, and the exposure will be okay) |
|
|
|
06/28/2007 08:26:56 AM · #2 |
Originally posted by jhonan:
on a body which doesn't have an aperture ring,
|
Don't understand this one. What kind of body has an aperture ring? I thought only lenses have aperture rings.
Originally posted by jhonan:
However, if I want to use flash. On my film SLR I just set the shutter speed to 1/250s and select whatever aperture I want, and the exposure is usually about right.
Will this method work on a D40/D50/D80 body with a manual lens and flash? (i.e. set shutter speed to 1/250s and whatever aperture you want, and the exposure will be okay) |
It will only work if the flash you're using has built in feedback. Like the SB-26, or SB-28, or others set to auto that use their own sensor for light feedback. If the lens won't meter, I doubt that TTL operation is possible.
|
|
|
|
06/28/2007 08:37:56 AM · #3 |
Originally posted by fir3bird:
Originally posted by jhonan:
on a body which doesn't have an aperture ring,
|
Don't understand this one. What kind of body has an aperture ring? I thought only lenses have aperture rings. |
Thanks for the reply.
What I'm referring to is the 'AI Aperture Ring Connector' on the camera body which detects the aperture setting from the lens. The D200 has one (therefore the D200 will meter correctly with AI lenses), but the D40/D50/D80 doesn't. |
|
|
|
06/30/2007 04:09:05 PM · #4 |
Saw this one while browsing and know the answer, so I registered.
Basically the guy is correct in his description of 'aperture ring'. However he refers to the metering ring on the camera body.
Models below D200 don't have a metering ring. The D2 series inc D200 etc have this metering ring. Deliberate strategy by Nikon on the basis that if you require metering with your favourite old AI collection, you must have been able to afford such in the first place and can therefore be forced into spending the extra bucks on a D200 just to retain this feature. Many are angry that the D80 was stripped of manual lens metering at design stage.
Back to your question: No, you will not have metering capability on a D40/50/70/80 with manual lenses. You have to get into practice with 'sunny 16' exposure guestimates. Note, this was how all photography was done at one time. Try it, you'd be surprised it isn't that difficult and you have the best lightmeter available, e.g. an LCD. set this to show highlights so you know if you've blown the exposure out.
Flash with manual nikkors? dead easy. Go to the flash option in the menu and select 'manual' mode. You even have a choice of power levels!
On Models below D2XX series manual really does mean 'manual', but perfectly possible none the less.
N.B: I have a D80 here and nearly all work with this camera is done with older Nikkor AI lenses, all manual, just as it used to be. Principles hold true. Actually many of these older AI optics were and still are regarded as optical masterpieces of their time, In my opinion they beat the newer plastic wobbly vignetty stuff hands down.;-)
Regards
Steve |
|
|
|
06/30/2007 04:56:36 PM · #5 |
|
|
|
07/02/2007 06:37:58 AM · #6 |
Originally posted by x_steve:
I have a D80 here and nearly all work with this camera is done with older Nikkor AI lenses, all manual, just as it used to be. Principles hold true. Actually many of these older AI optics were and still are regarded as optical masterpieces of their time, In my opinion they beat the newer plastic wobbly vignetty stuff hands down.;-) |
Thanks for the reply Steve. Yes, I can see Nikon's marketing strategy in only putting the metering ring in the D200.
And yes, these old AI lenses are just fantastic. Everything else I'm okay with; manual focus and setting aperture manually. It's just that losing out on the camera's built-in metering seems such a pity, for the sake of a simple mechanical ring. But, on the bright side, at least you become an expert at guessing exposures. |
|
|
|
07/02/2007 06:43:03 AM · #7 |
Originally posted by thegrandwazoo:
The Deal |
And thanks for that link. A great summary page of the Nikon lenses back to AI type, matched up against all the body types. |
|
Home -
Challenges -
Community -
League -
Photos -
Cameras -
Lenses -
Learn -
Help -
Terms of Use -
Privacy -
Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2025 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 08/24/2025 11:33:45 PM EDT.
