gerikson
Established
Considering every Nikkor now sold, except the newest PC-E lenses, lack an electronic diaphragm, I find this hard to believe.
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Nikon consumer DSLRs and MF lenses?
- Thread starter johannielscom
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Considering every Nikkor now sold, except the newest PC-E lenses, lack an electronic diaphragm, I find this hard to believe.
johannielscom
Snorting silver salts
Guys 'n gals thank you for all your replies. I have pulled the trigger on a D3100 and will test drive it. Buying through an online shop and allowed to return within 7 days so I can try a few shots before deciding whether it should be boxed up again.
What I would like most is to get that D300 again but there's no cash at hand and the D3100 can be had on credit. I'll earn that D300 (still EUR 1000+ here) by using the D3100 and then resell the 3100, resale value is pretty decent over here.
I'll post my findings here.
What I would like most is to get that D300 again but there's no cash at hand and the D3100 can be had on credit. I'll earn that D300 (still EUR 1000+ here) by using the D3100 and then resell the 3100, resale value is pretty decent over here.
I'll post my findings here.
bigeye
Well-known
The non-AI makes operation too crude for me, with the crop to 42mm equivalent AOV on the D3100 not appealing, either.
(One of the aspects I appreciate about Leica...)
D3100 is a nice camera, regardless.
(One of the aspects I appreciate about Leica...)
D3100 is a nice camera, regardless.
Ranchu
Veteran
Dude! I don't feel hostile towards you. Boast away! The entire affair was pretty frustrating for me, so perhaps that is what you're sensing. The link I posted earlier explains it as well as I've seen, even with the translated english. The camera uses an AF sensor that detects contrast, the more contrast, the more in focus. It looks up to the submirror, which looks out through the half silvered main mirror and through the lens at the scene.
The AF can be perfect, and the MF out, and vice versa. The screen position determines the manual focus accuracy, and that doesn't affect AF in any way. If the AF is out of adjustment, the camera needs to be sent back to the manufacturer, hopefully under warrantee, to fix it properly. But, if the AF is out, it could be the lens.
If the MF is out, we have to fix that with shims, the manufacturers won't help with it.
At the end of all that, I decided to use AF with AF cameras, and MF with MF cameras, modern nikon lenses are pretty good, even the cheap ones.
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NickTrop
Veteran
I was in the exact same boat as you. I bought a Nikon D5000 refurbished from B&H for $470. This model (which was recently discontinued) had a recall of an early production run and many were sold as refurbed units at a deep discounts. It has a full Nikon warranty. To me this was a no-brainer. I did NOT buy the kit zoom, however. Body only...
Instead, I bought the 35mm f1.8 Nikon AF-S for about $200. This, imo, is an excellent prime. It has very good specs "for a cheap consumer lens" if you read the "pro" reviews. Ignore them. In practical use, it's one of the best lenses I've owned mainly because it is very usable wide open at 1.8... much better performance than the old glass I've owned thanks to the modern coating technology. This is a light, compact, kit capable of outstanding images. 35mm focal length is the same as a nifty-fifty in 35 mm film - my favorite focal lenght.
I was in the same boat as you. This is what I chose after much deliberation... Pleased as punch with this combo - esp. given what I paid. I have no desire for any other DSLRs at the moment. They offer nothing that this kit doesn't have that's worth spending money on.
Forget dandelion chips. Bought one, doesn't work, threw it along with the M42 adapter it was glued to away. I know you're into a wider focal lenght but the 35mm AF-S is a good one to start with. Sigma has a 14mm that's pretty cheap, used, for wider.
Tompas
Wannabe Künstler
The lack of metering with MF lenses in the current low end Nikon DSLRs made me choose a Pentax K-x instead -- works perfectly with Pentax-A lenses, metering included. Smart of and good for Pentax, bad for Nikon: I would have prefered a Nikon otherwise.
But if it has to be Nikon, I'd say: spend the extra money and get a body that can meter with MF lenses. Digital sensors are far less forgiving than film...
But if it has to be Nikon, I'd say: spend the extra money and get a body that can meter with MF lenses. Digital sensors are far less forgiving than film...
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johannielscom
Snorting silver salts
Thanks Nick!
I guess that when it comes to this set-up and the expected use of it, I come pretty close to your approach to the whole matter and will have similar thoughts and results!
I guess that when it comes to this set-up and the expected use of it, I come pretty close to your approach to the whole matter and will have similar thoughts and results!
johannielscom
Snorting silver salts
Well, for film and film M's I regularly use the LightMeter app in my iPhone, and plan to shoot RAW on this camera, which pretty much behaves like film with a 2 exposure latitude either way. So I guess I'll be fine!
L. M. Tu
Established
I use a D40 and I got it precisely to be able to put a digital sensor behind dozens of old manual-focus lenses. Mine came with a cheap Katzeye-imitation screen that really helps with manual focusing, and that's a solution that I recommend. Another feature that I like very much is that the D40 and other Nikons of that class retain automatic diaphragm operation with nearly any lens, which I value more than having in-camera metering. The lack of metering doesn't bother me - I have a Sekonic for incident-light metering.
css9450
Veteran
I suppose every forum has one: the guy who says "why not just use Canon?" in every thread about Nikon equipment. Frankly it gets tiring.
shadowfox
Darkroom printing lives
In that specific case, it's warranted.
Canon EF mount *will* allow you to use more types and brands of manual lenses than Nikon F mount.
It's not brand fanboy-ism.
css9450
Veteran
Perhaps, but with all due respect, he's asking about a specific Nikon product to use with his Nikon-mount lenses. If he was looking for other brand-name options as well, perhaps I missed that part.
Roscoe
Established
Wow.. sorry to add tiring questions... 😕
I've never even read a Nikon thread, let alone posted "in every thread about Nikon equipment".. This thread caught my eye because I recently became interested in DSLR's and MF lenses which is in the title. I posted that question because I honestly want to know why choose that particular camera to do the desired task. I know very little about Nikon bodies and which ones meter with MF lenses, but the op stated the d3100 didn't, but still wanted a lower budget body to use his manual glass. If he had said the D200, D300, or even the D700 was in the budget, I never would have asked. I've found the Canon's have no problems with most MF lenses, and can be a cheap, effective way to put a digital sensor behind them.
I'm confused because it's like needing a truck to pull a trailer and settling on a Toyota Corolla because it has a motor and will get down the road, although VERY slow, and will probably break. Now, it would be nice to use a new, full size Toyota Tundra, which is designed for the job but costs three times as much. So I suggest a used Chevy pickup... a nice used one can be had for the price of a new Corolla.. unless there is something about the Corolla I never knew about, please tell me more..
I have no camera brand affinity and actually own only one Canon DSLR and one Canon RF, but 5 OM's, an Olympus RF, a Minolta SLR, couple of Pentax SLR's, Voigtlander, Kodak, a Hexar, a Mamiya TLR, etc, etc, etc.. Oh, and a Ford sits next to a Chevy in my driveway, and I drive Toyotas almost daily. 😀.
Sorry for the rant, but I've never been called out on a post in any of the three forums I belong to, RFF being the only camera one. I use forums for two things, to learn new info, and share what I've learned, not to troll. 😎
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ampguy
Veteran
I've not found lack of metering with MF lenses a problem with the d40x, or issues with focusing. You still get the histogram, and clipping indicators, as well as focus confirmation which I've found accurate.
The AFS 35/1.8 is a cheap contrasty medium sharp lens. It's no Leica equivalent, and is a huge mound of plastic, but it's a great value lens for snapshots.
Maybe next black Friday or so I'll look at the d5100 or d7000, but for now, they don't seem any better than a Nex, and are a lot bigger, with high prices, for what they are, a lot of plastic.
The AFS 35/1.8 is a cheap contrasty medium sharp lens. It's no Leica equivalent, and is a huge mound of plastic, but it's a great value lens for snapshots.
Maybe next black Friday or so I'll look at the d5100 or d7000, but for now, they don't seem any better than a Nex, and are a lot bigger, with high prices, for what they are, a lot of plastic.
NickTrop
Veteran
You're welcome. You know how you agonize over these things... When I read your post, I thought to myself we were like-minded. Wanted the most bang for the buck... This kit (D5000 + 35/1.8 prime) - for all practical purposes, takes the place of my fixed lens rangefinder fetish. It shoots a great 1600 iso, the lens is fast, quiet AF, with good results wide open. IQ is excellent (same processor as D90). It also has a quiet mode, and the shutter is naturally muted... Love the fact it has an articulated LCD (but contrast autofocus is slow...) It's not as nearly inaudible as a leaf shutter, but its very quiet for an SLR. - It even has a "quiet mode". It's also nice and compact. Definately look into it, especially if there are some refurbed units still around.
Another option might be the Samsung NX with the 30mm pancake lens. I don't think this camera sold as well as Samsung expected. But it's a nice APSC sensor. I see used bodies go for around $300. Cheap. The 30mm pancake lens, however, has retained its value. But this might be another option. If I see a used one cheap in a year or two, I might snatch one up.
I look for and shoot what I consider "sleepers". Both of these cameras fall in this category.
Also, mahn, for the price of the 35mm prime, personally I'd skip on the old MF glass. The new glass is so much better and made to work with the camera... Comparitively, the build quality is trash compared to the old stuff... but that's like comparing an old iron typewriter to a modern PC with a decent printer and word processing software and saying that the old typewriter has "better build quality".
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johannielscom
Snorting silver salts
Well,
I did it.
Had to sell two MF camera's to pay for the dogs surgery and decided to substitute them with a consumer DSLR so that I could have MF quality shots and finally get some work done in a timely manner. I post-ordered it so will have to put in some work to land a paid gig and fund it, but that's what it takes.
I chose a D3100 and am currently hooking it up with pre-AI lenses, a 50/2.0, a 58/1.4 and a 105/2.5 Nikkor. Also have a Panagor 28/2.5 that seems to have been issued with one of my Nikkormats, it's pre-AI, has identical lettering and actually is pretty sharp, albeit big.
I love the 58/1.4 since on the APS-C sensor it effectively is a 85/1.4😎
Cash looking up by buzzardkid, on Flickr
I did it.
Had to sell two MF camera's to pay for the dogs surgery and decided to substitute them with a consumer DSLR so that I could have MF quality shots and finally get some work done in a timely manner. I post-ordered it so will have to put in some work to land a paid gig and fund it, but that's what it takes.
I chose a D3100 and am currently hooking it up with pre-AI lenses, a 50/2.0, a 58/1.4 and a 105/2.5 Nikkor. Also have a Panagor 28/2.5 that seems to have been issued with one of my Nikkormats, it's pre-AI, has identical lettering and actually is pretty sharp, albeit big.
I love the 58/1.4 since on the APS-C sensor it effectively is a 85/1.4😎
Cash looking up by buzzardkid, on Flickr
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filmtwit
Desperate but not serious
(I should really read to the end of the thread before posting)
If you're looking at Nikon, then I'd say look at Fuji DSLR's. They can handle all your needs for about 75% of the price.
You could also go Canon and be able to use all the same Nikon glass, plus Pentax and with some work Minolta Rokkor.
If you're looking at Nikon, then I'd say look at Fuji DSLR's. They can handle all your needs for about 75% of the price.
You could also go Canon and be able to use all the same Nikon glass, plus Pentax and with some work Minolta Rokkor.
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hxpham
Established
If you can, you should save up for at least the D5100. It uses the same sensor as the D7000.
johannielscom
Snorting silver salts
Too late folks. 😀
in the post above (featuring my ever-nosy cat) I explained what I got myself and what it does for me! And no, it wasn't a Fuji, although I liked my S3 back in the day...
dave lackey
Veteran
Hey, good choice. That should be an excellent camera. Used my D40 for some very good professional work but sold it a few weeks ago after three years. As good as Nikon DSLR's are, they ain't Leica, so all I have now for the first time in a decade is film, that's spelled FILM, cameras. One Leica bag with 2 bodies and one Nikon bag with three. One day I will most likely have another Nikon DSLR but it better be cheap and about the size of the D40, no D3X for me.
I did keep the excellent 55-200 VR lens, though, for future use. Just not sure what it will go on as the G lenses (gelding?) are not compatible with any other Nikon I have right now.
