D800 vs D4 vs Canon 5d Mark III---to switch or not to switch

A Non-AI lens needs to be modified to work on almost any modern Nikon. The body of the lens needs to be notched out to couple with the indexing tab of the bayonet mount on the camera body.

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kawasakiguy37 said:
Non-AI lenses are quite old. You cant even use them with many FILM nikon cameras. If you want to use non-AI lenses on any Nikon your going to have to convert the mount.
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Thanks for your reply. It's unfortunate NON-AI lenses can't be used on a D800 without modifying the lens. Not a total loss, since this lens works perfectly on my GH2 in manual mode using an inexpensive mount adapter. Thanks again for the confirmation.
 
Peter J. DeCrescenzo said:
Thanks for your reply. It's unfortunate NON-AI lenses can't be used on a D800 without modifying the lens. Not a total loss, since this lens works perfectly on my GH2 in manual mode using an inexpensive mount adapter. Thanks again for the confirmation.
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They're not hard to mod. You just need a dremel, some masking tape, and some balls!
 
10 years shooting in studio? I could use an assistant!
", I would probably buy a couple of the new Nikon D800 bodies. A 36 Mpix sensor with 14 stop dynamic range produces absolutely gorgeous still images."

Well, even though I officially retired from stills in 1990. I've made about 70,000 still images with my stupid point and shoots.. so i'm being pulled back it seems. The D800 therefore sounds perfect for a Webformat movie maker (me) AND a recovering serious still shooter that doesn't need the battlefield worthy D4 but is weary of pushing his point and shoots.
I am intrigued by the olympus E-M5 and will likely wait for a side-by-side with the D800 before i spring on two bodies of either camera.
You know, i've not been unhappy with 5MP and 8MP until I decided to do a book project and now the 8MP is the res limit for my current work. So yea! bring on the 36MP. It will be nice to shoot with a $3,000 'hasselblad'. And these lenses you all have to buy. Ouch! A lot has changed in 20 years :(


TheDingo said:
...Coming from a 10+ year background in studio photography, here's my take on shooting stills with GH2.

Main Issues

- Bad Jpeg Engine : You have to shoot RAW if you want to obtain professional results with the GH2. The Olympus Jpeg engine reigns supreme here. ( especially with the new OM-D E-M5 camera )

- Fast AF Glass : Slowly being fixed, but it may take a few more years before a full range of fast M4/3 glass is available.

- Dynamic Range : At low ISO ratings some Canon / Nikon cameras have a 2-3 stop dynamic range advantage. GH2 photos can look harsh by comparison.

- Body Build : Canon / Nikon offer better build quality with their pro cameras. The GH2 still doesn't have a proper grip from Panasonic.

...I am interested in checking out the Olympus OM-D E-M5 camera, and may pick up a body just to shoot stills with my GH2 lenses. If I made most of my living from shooting stills, I would probably buy a couple of the new Nikon D800 bodies. A 36 Mpix sensor with 14 stop dynamic range produces absolutely gorgeous still images.
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Cosimo Bullo said:
Nikkors on a Nikon... what a concept! (Nikkors on 5d, RED, GH2 user)
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Oddly, as much as i loved them (yes the best ones are sharp) mounting Hassy zeiss lenses and Apo enlarging lenses onto my Nikons really blew all but my Macro Nikkors out of the water. But this was for studio still life and 3/4 fashion not infinity work . So I'm keen to compare current Zeiss to Nikkors.
 
Old nikkor and pentax glass is a steal. I shot this with ai/ai-s glass http://vimeo.com/11409809 I loved the nikkor glass until I got my first Leica but the Leica's cost a lot more and are only maybe 15% better. I still prefer the look of vintage japanese glass to the modern glass.
 
 
My friend, Peter Beckett likes to mess with camera stuff especially HDSLR.
He has invented various devices for shooting with a pocket wizard remotely and with a cable release.

The latest may be a game changer. It restarts an unattended Video automatically.
I will be able to set up my V1, D7000, D4, or D800 to take a Video of an Event while taking stills with a second camera.
The only limits will be the battery and memory card.
I could attach an external power source and use the largest cards.
The remote is also capable of starting, stopping, and restarting.
 
This guy will modify your AI lenses.

This guy will modify your AI lenses.

Peter J. DeCrescenzo said:
Thanks for your reply. It's unfortunate NON-AI lenses can't be used on a D800 without modifying the lens. Not a total loss, since this lens works perfectly on my GH2 in manual mode using an inexpensive mount adapter. Thanks again for the confirmation.
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John White, a well known AI-modifier, AIed two lenses for me and did a fine, prompt job. I am not affiliated with him other than being a satisfied customer.

http://www.aiconversions.com/images/AIOrderForm011026.htm
 
squig said:
Old nikkor and pentax glass is a steal. I shot this with ai/ai-s glass http://vimeo.com/11409809 I loved the nikkor glass until I got my first Leica but the Leica's cost a lot more and are only maybe 15% better. I still prefer the look of vintage japanese glass to the modern glass.
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I can't tell you how true and how painful your observation is. As in why'd i sell off all my legacy nikkors in 1990 ...thinking future glass would be way better and cheaper :(
 
For what it's worth, Legacy Leica's are a boon to high DR digital cameras because they were always recognized as being slightly lower contrast than Legacy Nikkors.
This gave Nikon a huge leg up over Leica in the 60's-90's when print was king and Nat Geo has full time retouchers and digital retouching 'fix' the plates. Now it's reversed as the legacy nikkors will seems sharp but will loose about 1/2 stop in crushed shadows on screen.

Samuel H said:
first: keep in mind that vintage glass is a lottery: http://www.similaar.com/foto/lenstests/lenstestsc.html

and then: it's a bit more expensive, but vintage Leitz for Leica-R is hard to beat:
http://gettingelemental.blogspot.com.es/2011/12/portland-lens-test-2011.html
http://www.hurlbutvisuals.com/blog/2010/02/06/still-lenses/
http://www.hurlbutvisuals.com/blog/2010/07/03/leica-r-mount-lenses-for-the-canon-hdslrs/
http://www.similaar.com/foto/lenstests/lenstestsa.html
http://www.similaar.com/foto/lenstests/bokehtests.html


and it works on basycally anything, whereas Nikon F glass won't work on Sony A or Pentax K cameras
http://www.similaar.com/foto/lensmount/lensmount.html
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I sent a link to his order page, but should have sent a link to his home page, where you can learn which types of conversions he does, etc.

http://www.aiconversions.com/index.html

For $25 plus shipping, it is a very fair deal, I think. I learned about him on www.photo.net and apparently he's been at it for many years. I have a pre-AI 105mm 2.5 and a 24mm 2.8 and they are both great. I love putting those oldies on a new body like a D700 (oops, now an old body). This is why I've stuck with Nikon all these years.
 
while were on legacy Nikon AI lenses. can someone please fill me in as I've been out of the loop for 20 years.
Aren't legacy Nikon AI lenses optimized for imaging onto film?
What disadvantages are there in using Nikon AI lenses for DSLR work if any?
 
Zephyrnoid said:
What disadvantages are there in using Nikon AI lenses for DSLR work if any?
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Old lenses may be lower contrast, more flare prone. Old zooms may have slower F-stop and are less sharp compared to newer lenses.

Old lenses may breathe more when focusing.
 
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