Re: Older Nikon AI, AIS lenses

E

ectobuilder

Veteran
Re: Older Nikon AI, AIS lenses

So I have this older Nikon lens (dumb lens no electronic contacts) that I was trying to put onto a D7100 and for the life of me couldn't figure out how to mount it.

There was no painted "dot" on the lens to tell me how to align it and I fiddled and fiddled and still can't mount it.

Then the sales guy said some Nikon lenses don't work on current generation Nikon DSLRs. Is that true?
 
AFAIK the Nikon F mount hasn't changed since it was originally introduced, so it should just go in without issues. Maybe post a couple of pictures of the lens?
 
ectobuilder said:
I found this resource saying that pre-AI lenses can damage some Nikon F-Mount cameras today...
http://www.bythom.com/lensacronyms.htm
Click to expand...

First thought: unless the miror is hitting the lens (unlikely on an APS-C body), I don't see how the lens could damage the modern body.

After 5 minutes on google:
http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/nikonfmount/lens2.htm
"The last seven lenses having serial numbers not listed above cannot be mounted on the FA or subsequent Nikon models, especially the earlier entry AF models like F401, as they may hit the camera's meter coupling lever. However, they can be used after modification. In addition, AI-modification of most non-AI lenses having a meter coupling shoe is available. Do not attempt to mount older Nikkor lenses which have not been AI-modified, as they might damage the camera."
So yes, it seems newer cameras have a lever that can be damaged if you use them with an unmodified old lens.
DIY modification: http://www.zi.ku.dk/personal/lhhansen/photo/repair/aimod/aimod.htm
 
its a black dot clearly seen at 1200Oclock in the images above?

You mount the lens with that dot at about 0200 and rotate it anti clockwise till it locks in at midday/night

Anti clockwise when facing towards the camera/chip/front element

(post editied for accuracy)

S
 
Last edited:
morgan_moore said:
its a black dot clearly seen at 1200Oclock in the images above?

You mount the lens with that dot at about 0200 and rotate it anti clockwise till it locks in at midday/night

Anti clockwise when facing towards the camera/chip/front element

(post editied for accuracy)

S
Click to expand...

OMG! THANKS! I so didn't know what that "black dot" was at all!! Looked like a mini screw head or something! THANKS!
 
Went to my local Best Buy, armed with my Nikon manual lens. And guess what???? IT WORKED!!! I tried it on the D7000 and D600 and the cool thing too is as I adjusted the aperture the camera displayed the F-Stop in terms of number of clicks! So it starts from F0 to Fx, x being increments of 1. So if the lens clicks 10 times then the maximum F-number is F10. Pretty cool.
 
You should be able to go into the menu of the camera and tell the camera the speed of the lens and then the ap reading will be correct..
 
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