Specifically, Nikon manual focus lenses on Nikon DSLR cameras.
Why use old manual focus lenses? Because they are some great lenses, can be found cheaply (with a few exceptions) and they fit the latest F mount DSLR cameras. Even he oldest Nikkor lenses will work with minor modification. Of course they will not autofocus but they will produce outstanding images just as they did years ago. This is because Nikon uses the same F Mount today that was used in the original SLR camera in 1959. The biggest issue is the original Non-AI F mount lenses that must have a minor modification in order to mount. WARNING: Do not try to mount a Non-AI lens on your digital camera unless it has been modified. It will damage your camera! Don’t ask how I know but I will explain this later in the post. Just think, you can buy for the price of a meal, a vintage professional lens that someone gave a weeks pay for when it was new.
For me, the vintage lenses give a look to my images that cannot be duplicated by modern lenses. Yes I have modern lenses that I like very much but mostly I enjoy the look of the old lenses. Some of my vintage lenses have hand ground elements and the lens formulas are designed and calculated manually while modern lenses are computer designed and robotically ground to produce perfect glass. Too perfect sometimes. Just like a guitar player covets the sound of vacuum tube amplifiers, the vintage lenses have their own unique character.
Nearly all Nikon DSLR cameras have a menu setting “Non CPU” lens where you can enter the focal length and aperture information for you manual focus lenses. Usually you can enter up to 9 lenses and easily select between them each time you change lenses. Because the original series of autofocus lenses used the mechanical aperture signaling, the latest DSLR still has the little feeler tab on the camera. This allows the manual focus lenses to transmit the aperture information to the camera. Most forms of metering work and the automatic aperture works just as it did on a manual camera. Manual focusing can be a bit tricky because the viewfinder screen is not made for manual focusing but Nikon has provided a dot and arrow focus aid at the bottom of the screen. Once you get used to it, focusing is quite accurate.
Lens Types of Nikon F Mount
Non-AI or Pre-AI: This was the original F mount from 1959. It used the prong to engage a pin on the camera to transmit the aperture information to the camera. After mounting the lens, it was necessary to turn the aperture ring from one end to the other in order to properly engage the pin. These lenses are recognizable because the prong does not have the two holes in it and there is not a second aperture scale on the rear of the aperture ring. Unless these lenses have been modified, they cannot be mounted on a DSLR. When Nikon came out with the Automatic Indexing (AI) lenses, they provided an update program to convert the Non-AI lenses to AI so they could be used on later cameras. These modified lenses are easily recognizable when buying on auction sites otherwise, they can be converted to AI.
AI Automatic Indexing: With the introduction of the F3 camera, Nikon created the Automatic Indexing system to allow for easier mounting of the lenses to the camera. With AI, the aperture information is transmitted by a notch on the aperture ring to a feeler on the camera. As the aperture ring turns, the feeler follows and the camera knows what the aperture setting is. The prong was retained on newer lenses in order for them to work on the older cameras and is recognizable because of the two holes in the prong. The reason for the holes, is to let light onto the aperture scale so you could see it in the viewfinder. Nikon continued to use the AI ring on autofocus (AF) lenses so even the latest D850 camera has the aperture feeler.
AI-S Automatic Indexing -S: I don’t know what the S stands for but the AI-S lenses have an enhanced aperture mechanism that allows certain cameras to use shutter priority and other metering modes. There were only a few cameras such as the FA that could use these modes. They can be identified by a notch in the lens mount just above the locking slot and the smallest aperture (usually F22) is orange. Most of us can use AI and AI-S lenses interchangeably although the AI-S lenses are desirable because they are newer and may have updated lens formulas or coatings.
AI Conversion: Non-AI lenses can be easily converted so they can be used on modern cameras. When AI was released, Nikon provided conversion kits for most of the older lenses and the lens could be sent to Nikon for conversion. These conversion kits are mostly gone now but sometimes can be found for specific lenses. Later on, people began modifying the lenses by precision cutting of the aperture ring so it matches the aperture feeler on newer cameras. If you are mechanically inclined, you can do this conversion yourself and there are still a few people that will do this conversion professionally. Most of my lenses have the factory kit but a few have the aperture ring cut.
Cameras for Vintage Lenses
I know everyone will tell you mirrorless cameras can be adapted to take vintage lenses but using the adapters, the aperture information does not transmit to the camera and the automatic aperture operation does not work so you must shoot with the lens stopped down. Even Nikon’s own FTZ adapter is lame and does not even autofocus with AF style lenses. While focus peaking is an advantage of mirrorless cameras, I still prefer to use Nikon lenses on a Nikon F mount camera. Just about any Nikon DSLR and even the latest and greatest Nikon D850 will mount and work perfectly with AI, AI converted, and AI-S lenses. Enter the Nikon Df. Introduced in 2013, the Nikon Df is a retro-style camera that mimics the look of the old Nikon film cameras It really shines because of its ability to mount and operate just about any Nikon F mount lens ever built including the very early Non-AI lenses. Remember what I said about not mounting Non-AI lenses on your camera. Well, the Df is the exception and the aperture feeler can be folded up to clear the Non-AI lens with out damaging the camera. The Df also has the sensor from the professional D4 camera that is still sought after and used by many pro photographers, It is my absolute favorite camera for using vintage Nikon lenses. My hopes are that Nikon continues with the Df and builds the Df2 on the Z Mirrorless body with a fully functional FTZ adapter.
Adding CPUs to Manual Focus Nikon Lenses
Unlike other manufactures, when Nikon developed autofocus cameras, they chose to keep the F mount and modify it by adding a CPU to the lens that transfers all the information to the camera. The mechanical aperture feeler and control linkage was retained and a screw drive was added to autofocus the lens. This allowed Nikon shooters to continue to use their older lenses on their new cameras. Because I had many older lenses, I wanted to add CPUs to them. My first one was a 28mm F2.8 AIS and I was able to locate a CPU from a damaged autofocus lens. With very careful cutting and drilling of the mount, I was able to mount the CPU on my manual focus lens. Later a company called Dandelion developed a glue on CPU that can be added to most manual focus lenses. I have added the CPUs to many of my manual focus lenses. Most were easy glue on but a few required cutting of the mount or light shield and I have a couple of lenses that it is not possible to mount a CPU. It is not necessary for the casual user to have CPUs on the lenses but I like it because it identifies the lens in the metadata and makes it easier when changing lenses because you do not need to go through the menu each time.
Gallery of Images from Nikon Manual Focus Lenses