umay
Newbie
Hi there!
I'm a new member and a bit lost. I try to identify my old Nikkor lens, because I would like to use it at the new Nikon D300.
the problem is that it seems that the lens is a Pre-Al, what means that I can't use it. But when I compare it with a visual guide (http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/compatibility-lens.htm) then it looks like an AL Converted one (2 rows...). Could I use it then? And if yes... how???
I'm very confused now. i'm afraid to break something.
The serial number is 274376
can anybody help me?
Thanks
Rike
I'm a new member and a bit lost. I try to identify my old Nikkor lens, because I would like to use it at the new Nikon D300.
the problem is that it seems that the lens is a Pre-Al, what means that I can't use it. But when I compare it with a visual guide (http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/compatibility-lens.htm) then it looks like an AL Converted one (2 rows...). Could I use it then? And if yes... how???
I'm very confused now. i'm afraid to break something.
The serial number is 274376
can anybody help me?
Thanks
Rike
peterm1
Veteran
This is correct. I use the following quick way of determining a lenses' AI status with pretty good accuracy. (The more features you have the more certian you can be.) :
1) The "foot" of the rabbit ears (the foot being the base - that is screwed to the actual lens) points towards the back of the lens (ie towards the lens mount) in a pre AI lens and towards the front of the lens in an AI lens. Usually an AI converted one will follow this convention too. In a native AI lens the rabbit ears also have holes cut in them, whereas in a non AI lens they do not. However the absence of holes is not a clear indicator as the old rabbit ears can be re-used in a home conversion. However if the holes are present it is a pretty good further indicator that the lens is AI.
2) In a "native" AI lens there are two rows of aperture numbers - one in front and one behind the rabbit ears. This can be missing in a converted lens, especially if its a home conversion. If its there though its a pretty good indicator that the lens is AI.
3) In a pre AI lens the circumference / base is circular with no notches or bumps. In an AI or converted lens there is a notch cut from the base of the lens which acts as a mechanical signal to the camera as to the lens maximum aperture. This is the aperture indexing of the "AI" so its the thing that really determines if a lens is or is not an AI lens. But its a bit harder to tell unless you know what you are looking for. The other two indicators are more obvious if you are inexperienced.
