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Re: [OM] Digital now! Free lenses!

Subject: Re: [OM] Digital now! Free lenses!
From: Moose <olymoose@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Fri, 10 Jan 2003 15:58:18 -0800
Yeah, I've been checking that out, as I have quite a few Tamron adaptall lenses, some old AI compatable lenses and a pre AI 55/3.5 Micro-Nikk*r.

Sound too good to be true -- well it is.
The problem is the N80 (S2, D100) has no way to meter continuous lighting from a manual focus AI or AIS lens,since those lenses have no electronic way to relay an f/stop setting value to the metering system. Let me make this clear: There is NO camera based metering of any kind on the S2 and D100 with the older lenses, not even stop down. It is possible to get AI/AIS lenses 'chipped' to meter with these cameras, but kludges and extra expense kinda spoil the whole almost cheap and elegant part of the idea.

This quote from an entry in the DPReview Fuji DSLR forum outlines the issue:

"> I recently bought a used Nikon 180mm f/2.8 ED manual focus lens. It makes excellent images, and I was aware before I bought it that
it could only be used in pretty much full manual mode, so I'm pretty
happy with it.  Does anybody have an idea why they didn't do this?

***Like Tariq said, Nikon wants people to PAY for its "pro-oriented" bodies and their number one feature,which is simply being capable of metering with the "old" and the "current system" of metering. The N90,N8008,F5,D1 series all have the spring-loaded Aperture Coupling Tab on the body, and that connects to the Aperture Coupling Ridge on the back of AI,AiS,and AI-converted lenses,making them capable of old or new lens use.

***In other words, Nikon's "better" bodies have had a DUAL metering system that checks first for contacts....if no contacts on the lens, the AI ridge on the lens conveys the metering info. This is one reason the D1 series is so much more costly. And,no doubt why Nikon licensed only the N80 body to Fuji and to Kodak for development. at the 'lower end' of the market.

**Allowing really full compatability between old optics and the newest lenses has LONG is the province of Nikon's flagship bodies and "serious" bodies,going back to 1977 with the flip-up tab on the better bodies. Nowadays,in this new digital era,the licensees are not being allowed to cut into D1x and h sales by offering a SINGLE model that can leverage old and new lenses...at least not at the $2400 price point. The Kodak DCS's 760/720 were much more expensive,and built on F5,so they also attempted to target the people who want to be able to use any 1977-2002 lens with at least some metering. For a very serious price,and at no sales harm to the D1 class.


Bummer,
    Moose

Mickey Trageser wrote:

Walt, I'd just be sure I knew exactly what you lose when putting a manual
focus lens on the digital body. Maybe some of the features disappear?



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