Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Help a Gal out! ;) (DSLR Question)

WinkWink726

WinkWink726

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Dec 29, 2008
291
50
Pittsburgh Area, PA
Hey Everyone,
I've been using a Dino-SLR (meaning "Film") for a long time now and recently upgraded to a D3000 to get started in digital...

That said, I have an AF 100-300 lens from that film camera (the old Nikon N55) that I'm curious if I can use with this D3000?
The D3000 came with the AF-S 17-55; I just don't want to jack up my mount or anything. The main concern is "is AF and AF-S interchangeable" on the surface?

I'm assuming I can, as they're both F-mounts; I'm just thinking that maybe the AF function might be affected?

Help me out guys/gals and remember.... I'm a nooooob! :p lol

(Thanks for reading and any pearls of wisdom!)
 
I'm Pretty certain It Will

Fit ok, but it won't focus properly. I went all digital a long time ago and it's nice to see someone is still using film. I don't think you will wreck anything by trying, autofocus will definitely not work.

In short, you won't wreck your newbie, but the lens really isn't designed for Digital stuff.

It might kinda break your heart, but I guess I'd sell the film stuff and get some dedicated lenses.....I know, it hurts, but it's probably the best way.
 
WinkWink726 said:
Hey Everyone,
I've been using a Dino-SLR (meaning "Film") for a long time now and recently upgraded to a D3000 to get started in digital...

That said, I have an AF 100-300 lens from that film camera (the old Nikon N55) that I'm curious if I can use with this D3000?
The D3000 came with the AF-S 17-55; I just don't want to jack up my mount or anything. The main concern is "is AF and AF-S interchangeable" on the surface?

I'm assuming I can, as they're both F-mounts; I'm just thinking that maybe the AF function might be affected?

Help me out guys/gals and remember.... I'm a nooooob! :p lol

(Thanks for reading and any pearls of wisdom!)
Click to expand...

http://imaging.nikon.com/lineup/dslr/d3000/compatibility.htm
http://bythom.com/lensacronyms.htm
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/nikortek.htm

If it's the AI lens, you'll lose AF for sure, but I think you'd be better-served with a new 70-300VR image-quality-wise. The table should also be available in your manual.

The short version is that other than some fish-eye lenses that go too far back into the mirror box and will break the mirror if used, if it fits it'll probably work in at least manual mode.

Paul
 
Without knowing more about the lens (nikon/sigma/tokina/etc, f/4 or 5.6?) I can only agree with the others in saying that it should work but you won't get auto focus with a D3000.

The D3000/5000 cameras and their replacements don't have an internal autofocus motor that drives the lens. If this lens is an auto focus lens from the late 80's to mid 90's then it shouldn't have the internal focus motor unlike the modern kit lenses for the entry level Nikon DSLRs.
 
you guys are the best! :)

Thanks for the info (and the links!)!
It's good to know, for now, but I think you're all 110% right about needing to just switch over to some dedicated lenses. ;)

Has anyone tried any of the .42 wide angle attachment deals for their DSLR?
Verdicts for the hobbyist on a budget?
 
WinkWink726 said:
Hey Everyone,
I've been using a Dino-SLR (meaning "Film") for a long time now and recently upgraded to a D3000 to get started in digital...

That said, I have an AF 100-300 lens from that film camera (the old Nikon N55) that I'm curious if I can use with this D3000?
The D3000 came with the AF-S 17-55; I just don't want to jack up my mount or anything. The main concern is "is AF and AF-S interchangeable" on the surface?

I'm assuming I can, as they're both F-mounts; I'm just thinking that maybe the AF function might be affected?

Help me out guys/gals and remember.... I'm a nooooob! :p lol

(Thanks for reading and any pearls of wisdom!)
Click to expand...

Hey, do you like the camera? Im thinking about getting one...
 
Last edited:
compuwar said:
The short version is that other than some fish-eye lenses that go too far back into the mirror box and will break the mirror if used, if it fits it'll probably work in at least manual mode.

Paul
Click to expand...

That's the other way around though. The film camera has a much bigger mirror than the digital one. So if it works on film it works on digital. The same isn't always true the other way around, (especially with Canons) though. Some digital-only lenses will break the mirror of film/full-frame cameras.
 
WinkWink726 said:
Thanks!! I'm def going to start watching some of these guys on eBay! ;)
Click to expand...

Check to see if the 50mm lens you watch on ebay are auto focus or not on a D3000. Only the very latest one has the built in focus motor.
http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-50mm-1-...AYAC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1317614637&sr=8-1

Most of them will probably be like this
http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-50mm-Ni...LEN4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1317614637&sr=8-2
They will work on your D3000 but not auto focus seeing they have no internal motor and the D3000 does not have a focus motor in the body.

Just to add to the confusion check out the 35mm 1.8
http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-35mm-AF...PPT0/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1317614637&sr=8-5
It will auto focus too, it's fast like the 50mm but basically 'fits more in'. Like if you are inside or a smaller space taking pictures of people you can be closer, or from the same spot show waist up on a group shot rather then head and shoulders.

Have fun taking pictures, it's a fun hobby.

Joel
 
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
mackmgg said:
That's the other way around though. The film camera has a much bigger mirror than the digital one. So if it works on film it works on digital. The same isn't always true the other way around, (especially with Canons) though. Some digital-only lenses will break the mirror of film/full-frame cameras.
Click to expand...

Um no, in the case of Nikon cameras you're wrong. the lenses I mention require the film camera to be able to keep the mirror up full-time, that's not possible on the D3000 (in fact, it's not possible on most of the Nikon film cameras produced between 1959 and 2007.) This is a well-known issue. Just as pre-AI (1959-1977) lenses can break the maximum aperture detection lever, a few older fisheye lenses project too far into the mirror box- it's only a handfull of lenses of all the models manufactured.

Nikon's DX lenses are all completely compatible with full frame cameras, even the fisheyes.

I hate to quote KR, because I think he's an underinformed dweeb, but in this case he's informed, and here's what one of the links I provided has to say:

Invasive fisheyes are weird old lenses which poke into the camera. They require a full-time mirror lockup. Attempting to put them on any current camera will break the mirror. Some of these fisheyes are too big around to mount on some of the F-series because they bang into some of the finders. Be careful.
Click to expand...

See also:

http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/nikkoresources/fisheyes/

Warning: Lenses of this type may covers a field of view ranges from 180-220°. Check the finder for the intrusion of unwanted objects such as your feet, tripod legs or even part of the camera strap. Older versions of fisheyes required the reflex mirror to lock upward and you can only use an auxiliary accessory finder to compose and thus such fisheyes are not usable on all Nikon bodies except those that can lock the mirror out of the way to enable mounting of such lenses. The professional graded Nikon Nikon SLR camera such as Nikon F, F2, F3, F4, F5* and the Nikkormat are the only Nikon SLR bodies that equipped with such feature.
Click to expand...

These lenses include the Non-Ai Fisheye Nikkor 8mm f/8.0, 7.5mm f/5.6, 6mm f/5.6 and 10mm OP lenses.

Paul

----------
WinkWink726 said:
Thanks!! I'm def going to start watching some of these guys on eBay! ;)
Click to expand...

The designation you want on Nikon's lenses is AF-S, which indicates a built-in "Silent Wave" focusing motor in the lens. With Sigma, it's HSM, or you can simply use the Wikipedia guide at:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Nikon_F-mount_lenses_with_integrated_autofocus_motors

Paul
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back