Nikon DSLR fans: what are my options for this use?

Ken Ford

Ken Ford

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I'm a long-time Nikon shooter, going on my fourth decade now. However, when it comes to their DSLRs I generally only read up when I'm in the market for a new body then don't pay attention again until it's time for the next. My D300 is still going strong and I have no plans on replacing it.

What I'd like to research is a compact DSLR that will meter with AIS MF glass. What's out there?

My specific situation: I have an AIS 50/1.2. I've never been a fan of 50mm on full frame but I *love* the AOV on APS. I use it on my D300, but I don't want to drag that beast out for street candids.

Something the size of a D40 would be perfect; low light capability and low price are important. Used gear is OK, too.

Any suggestions?
 
As far as I know none of the small Nikons meter with AI glass - in fact the best choice is to get a Canon and use an adapter. You'd get stopped down metering, but it's better than nothing.
 
You can also try the Pentax K-m with adapter. It is super small and cheap (used) body, have stop-down metering and built-in focus confirmation. I have used it with a 30 year old SMC 75-150/4 and I had really pleasing results.
 
Ken Ford said:
My specific situation: I have an AIS 50/1.2. I've never been a fan of 50mm on full frame but I *love* the AOV on APS. I use it on my D300, but I don't want to drag that beast out for street candids.

Something the size of a D40 would be perfect; low light capability and low price are important. Used gear is OK, too.

Any suggestions?
Click to expand...

Put a Dandelion chip in your Nikkor (specs here, available at Leitax for 28 EUR).

It will work like a chipped Nikkor lens, giving you metering on the low-end digital bodies. You also get focus confirmation and aperture control from the body.
 
Due to the extreme size of the rear element I'm not sure this lens has enough clearance for one of the Dandelion chips:

attachment.php


I did find mention of a guy who hacked a CPU internal to his D40, but I'm not sure I want to take such a radical step!
 

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NEX is *not* an option - I'm old school and detest cameras that do not have eye level finders.

D7000 may be an option, but is really more than I care to spend on this.

I may need to look at a body that doesn't give me metering... not ideal, but it's a possibility.
 
I think your point about goon eighths D300 without a grip is a good idea. I use my 45mm P lens in that configuration and it's a nice package.
 
I think the D7000 is your only option, if size really matters. The D300 isn´t that big, I lug a D2x around and find it rather handy, in the sense that it can do anything - and it fits in my hand nicely. In M mode I can use any lens on it. I indeed use M/LTM glass for macros, even FSU MF glass with adapters if it pleases me.
 
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/compatibility-lens.htm

THe only ones that meter are the D700, D300*, D200, D7000, D1/2/3.

An alternative is to put a hotshoe meter on top of a non-metering camera like a D40. For example:


Nikon D40 by StarbuckGuy, on Flickr

(of course you'll manually transfer the readings to the camera.)

One interesting thing about the cheaper dSLRs (D40, D60, etc) is that you can put pre-AI lenses on them!
 
Ken Ford said:
Due to the extreme size of the rear element I'm not sure this lens has enough clearance for one of the Dandelion chips:

View attachment 81523

I did find mention of a guy who hacked a CPU internal to his D40, but I'm not sure I want to take such a radical step!
Click to expand...

You're right, with the 50/1.2 the clearance could be a problem. One would have to mill away a slot in the inner metal sheath of the bayonet, at least.

If that's the only lens you want to use, the D7000 looks like the only option. For other lenses, the Dandelion solution should give you metering on the D40/50/60/70/90 and D3000/3100/5000 as well.
 
Metering is not needed on the D40, you have a histogram that is about 4x the size of that on an M8/M9. the D40 takes any Nikon lens I've ever thrown on it.
 
Ken,
Ken Rockwell has a nice lens/body compatibity chart (so does the "Nikonians" site). If I remember correctly, the D90, D80, D70-type bodies will mount the Ai and Ais lenses but no metering. I don't find that a problem because I can use Sunny 16, or my hand-held meter, or (mostly) just looking at the histogram on the LCD screen.
 
stock lens hood?

stock lens hood?

Is that the stock lens hood that CV ships for the Nikon 40mm lens? looks like a security camera.

antiquark said:
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/compatibility-lens.htm

THe only ones that meter are the D700, D300*, D200, D7000, D1/2/3.

An alternative is to put a hotshoe meter on top of a non-metering camera like a D40. For example:


Nikon D40 by StarbuckGuy, on Flickr

(of course you'll manually transfer the readings to the camera.)

One interesting thing about the cheaper dSLRs (D40, D60, etc) is that you can put pre-AI lenses on them!
Click to expand...
 
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