aperture rings not working w/ my Novoflex adapter

keithlango

Well-known member
I'm new to the FS100, so I'm not sure if this is the way it's supposed to be or not.

I've tried three different Nikkor lenses with manual aperture rings (50mm f1.8 AIS, 35-70 f3.5 AIS & 70-210 f4 Af) and in none of these cases did rotating the aperture rings on the lenses affect the aperture of the lens for the camera. The image coming through was always wide open. The Novoflex adapter has the aperture ring adjuster. I tried turning that to stop down the lenses, but that didn't make any difference, either. Of course the Novoflex aperture ring works fine to stop down my DX and newer Nikon mount lenses that don't have manual aperture rings (a couple of Tamrons and a Sigma). But these older Nikon lenses that I'd love to use don't seem to be agreeing with the Novoflex adapter.

Is this normal? Am I doing something wrong? I see other users here are employing these same older Nikkor MF and AF lenses with their FS100's so I'm thinking I'm missing something.

Thanks for the n00b help.
 
You have to sync up the Novoflex with the aperture setting on the lens. Once they're in the same position the Novoflex will operate the lens aperture.

If the lens' aperture ring works then you know the adapter isn't "hooked up" to the lens.

Ive never had an issue with any Ais lens.
 
I thought that if you are using an AI-S lens, the Novoflex aperture ring is sorta redundant, no? You don't need that controller ring on the Novoflex when you have the aperture ring on the Nikkor. You WOULD need the Novoflex if you were using the "G" series lenses which do not have aperture rings....or do I have this completely wrong? Wouldn't be the first time! ;-)
 
I use the older manual nikon lenses.

If you want to use the aperture on the lens, make sure the novoflex adapter is set to "closed" (small circle).

If you want to use the Novoflex aperture control, stop down the lens all the way, and then use the circle.

Just confirmed this with my camera and nikon lenses. If you want to see why this works this way, look at the lens mount, and play with that little metal tab. The Novoflex uses the old automatic exposure lever to "override" the lens aperture
 
I thought that if you are using an AI-S lens, the Novoflex aperture ring is sorta redundant, no? You don't need that controller ring on the Novoflex when you have the aperture ring on the Nikkor. You WOULD need the Novoflex if you were using the "G" series lenses which do not have aperture rings....or do I have this completely wrong? Wouldn't be the first time! ;-)

with the Novoflex you get smooth aperture controls rather than the discrete stops on the lens aperture control. You don't need to have your lenses de-clicked.

You're right, you don't need the Novoflex aperture on Ais lenses as you're likely using an nd fader too but some of us prefer the smooth aperture.
 
I use CANON fd LENSES with cheap adapters that have that quirk, too. I bought a used lens that I couldn't adjust the aperture and thought it was defective!
 
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