Nikon D700 and 1972

[kshapero]

I got my first SLR in 1972, a Nikkormat FTN and a Nikkor S 50mm/f1.4. I still have it. I just read that a Nikon D700 can use non AI(S) lenses. Do you mean I can get a D700 and just pop on my 50mm from 1972 and here we go. What did I gain? $3000 less in my checkbook and no trips to the developing lab for about 8 years to catch up.
And yet it still sounds really cool.
BTW my daughter told me this joke she just made up: What do you call some one who has GAS and who is an asshole? A GASHOLE!!

 

[SolaresLarrave]

I'm buying that camera in December. Even have the spousal blessing for it. It's about the best digital camera to come in ages: good viewfinder (it's round and 0.72 magnification!), excellent high ISO performance, handles just like a film camera but works like digital.

And yes, it probably can handle non-AIS glass. In short, you can meter with it.

So can the F5, but after modification made by Nikon.

 

[JonasYip]

Careful. My impression is that the only Nikon DSLR that its safe to mount a non-AI lens on is the D40 or D40x (because it's missing the aperture control ring around the lens mount(?)), and that you need to get non-AI lenses "AI'd" to avoid damaging the other models. But I could be wrong....

Oh, there are some pictures of the aperture control ring here:

http://www.planetnikon.com/forums/i...pid=11140&mode=threaded&show=&st=&#entry11140

j

 

[monochromejrnl]

for what it's worth my friend the m8 (to quote another rff'er) is a close to a fully mature digital camera as i have seen. with careful set-up it can produce files with color and dynamic range equal to me s5 in an obviously way more competent package.

i have been one for a few weeks now and i can verify that it is one TOUGH camera. certainly tougher than my head...

has the D700 replaced your M8 for your paid work?

 

[Warren T.]

Jonas is correct, the D700 cannot mount non-ai (pre-ai) lenses. If you have a pet non-ai lens that you love and you want to use it on a D700, you'll need to get the lens ai-converted (either professionally or DIY).

the only dslr that can mount non-ai lenses without modification are D40, D40x, and D60.

--Warren

 

[M. Valdemar]

You can use AI and AIS lenses.

Pre-Ai lenses will not meter properly unless you use stop-down metering, and they have a high probability of damaging the AI coupling part of the D700 mount.

Having said that, the D700 is a remarkable camera. Anything you can see you can properly expose.

 

[Shac]

I think you need to check about non-AI lenses - I'm pretty sure they can NOT be used. The only non-AF lenses that are compatible are AI'd, AI and AIS lenses - at least that's what's shown in the D700 brochure
http://www.nikon.ca/en/pdf/brochures/D700_brochure_En.pdf

 

[M. Valdemar]

Sigma f4 8mm fisheye, D700

 

[M. Valdemar]

1970's 12mm Sigma fixed focus fisheye with Waterhouse stops, @ f11. Handheld on D700, AUTO-ISO (ISO 2500). This is a very slow lens:

 

[shimo-kitasnap]

I got to fondle one at B&H a couple of weeks ago, I'm seriously considering it as my first digital camera but I'm going to wait until the 5Dmk2 comes out in December just so I can fondle them both in the same store. but I'm still leaning nikon.

Old F enses are cheap and good, with canon it's EF or nothing, If only they stuck with FD.......

I like the layout of the thumb and index finger wheels and the fact that the on-off switch is around the shutter button.

12mp full frame I think will be adequate for me for years to come. I've made 8x10s with an 8mp rebel that I borrowed from my college that I can't tell if they are an inkjet or chemical print.

I finally ditched all my leica stuff this week and made almost enough for a d700 but figure I might as well wait 6-8 months and it will be cheaper still.

No how to get rid of the darkroom gear.......lightbox, reels, tanks, paper, lots of unshot film. And a negative scanner as soon as I'm done scanning everything.

 

[Warren T.]

FWIW, I still shoot with a D100 (6MP), and I've made very nice 16x20 enlargements from a formal portrait session with my friend's parents. They were very happy with the images which are now hanging in their living room. It's not all about the number of MP, so 12MP should really do you for a long time to come .

--Warren

 

[Frank Petronio]

Since they are probably about the same build quality as a 5D and a D300 you already know that the Nikon will be more solid, have more logical and ergonomic controls, and probably have a couple less silly features than the Canon. But the Canon will be cheaper.

 

[M. Valdemar]

Very nice portfolio, Frank Petronio.

 

[kshapero]

Jonas is correct, the D700 cannot mount non-ai (pre-ai) lenses. If you have a pet non-ai lens that you love and you want to use it on a D700, you'll need to get the lens ai-converted (either professionally or DIY).

the only dslr that can mount non-ai lenses without modification are D40, D40x, and D60.

--Warren

read this month's review of the D700 in Shutterbug, they totally disagree. they are very specific about the usage of a non AIS lens with the D700.

 

[monochromejrnl]

well i do use a few different cameras depending on the job so the d700 hasn't really replaced anything. that being said i sure do use it a LOT lately...

ah i c.. heard that you were selling your M8 (or maybe one of your M8s)... and assumed that the D700 was replacing it ... wrong assumption ...

 

[john_s]

The manual for the D700 does say that pre-AI lenses can NOT be used. I don't know what happens if you try. Some info at these sites:

http://www.aiconversions.com/compatibilitytable.htm

http://www.zi.ku.dk/personal/lhhansen/photo/fmount.htm

I use my 28mm PC-Nikkor on my D700 and it's not an AI lens, having a totally manual (pre set) diaphragm. Metering has to be done stop-down, and aperture closed manually prior to exposure, but it does work ok (and is permitted according to the D700 instructions).

 

[gavinlg]

Since they are probably about the same build quality as a 5D and a D300 you already know that the Nikon will be more solid, have more logical and ergonomic controls, and probably have a couple less silly features than the Canon. But the Canon will be cheaper.

Love your site/portfolio. Love the alternative girls series - just spent a few hours going through it all. You get really beautiful B&W images from that d300.

The only silly feature that canons really come with is the instant print button, which on the 5dmk2 doubles as some other function (think it's live view activation)
re: ergonomics, I've found it depends who you ask. The d300 for me was ergonomically poor. I found the grip was too shallow, the ISO button had poor placement (constantly hit other buttons trying to get it, those other buttons being QUAL which is not a good button to hit accidentally), the menu system was overly complex and the custom banks were nightmarishly (and un-needingly) complex.
The 5d I've now gone back to is by comparison so simple it's almost boring. Everything is straight forward and simple.

Also like to add to the OP the d700 is amazing camera, don't hesitate buying it.

 

[monochromejrnl]

well you did hear right... i did sell an m8 and a couple of lenses. i do still pack an m8 and an m6ttl though.

the m8 is a great camera but it just cannot complete all the jobs i need to do. the d700 is an excellent all around workhorse of a camera so far! on the weekend i was involved in a "dispute" with a lady of the night and her "business manager". before i knew it i had been whacked in the head with a bottle and the d700 went sailing onto the pavement. not a nick (on the camera). tough as nails man!

i'm still trying to drum up the courage to spend the money to acquire a D700... currently own and use a D200 (but relatively rarely vs. my Ms with film)... borrowed a D3 and the sensor is truly spectacular but even the D700 is a bit big and clumsy vs the M3/4.. don't shoot for a living so it's hard to justify

 

[SolaresLarrave]

Alright, in page 373 of the Nikon D700 manual it says that the camera is NOT compatible with non-AI lenses. It can work with AI-S glass with some limitations (no AF, of course, but it will meter with them).

Akiva, you can always have your lenses modified if you want to use them with this body. I guess you want to contact Authorized Photo Service in IL to find out if they will do the job.

Good luck!

 

[dimitris]

In the meantime I would start building my Ais stable. I would recommend the following:
1. 55mm f3.5 macro (around $60)
2. 105mm f2.5 (around $150)
3. 50mm f1.4 (around $120)