Yeah, I've been checking that out, as I have quite a few Tamron adaptall
lenses, some old AI compatable lenses and a pre AI 55/3.5 Micro-Nikk*r.
Sound too good to be true -- well it is.
The problem is the N80 (S2, D100) has no way to meter continuous
lighting from a manual focus AI or AIS lens,since those lenses have no
electronic way to relay an f/stop setting value to the metering system.
Let me make this clear: There is NO camera based metering of any kind
on the S2 and D100 with the older lenses, not even stop down. It is
possible to get AI/AIS lenses 'chipped' to meter with these cameras, but
kludges and extra expense kinda spoil the whole almost cheap and elegant
part of the idea.
This quote from an entry in the DPReview Fuji DSLR forum outlines the issue:
"> I recently bought a used Nikon 180mm f/2.8 ED manual focus lens. It
makes excellent images, and I was aware before I bought it that
it could only be used in pretty much full manual mode, so I'm pretty
happy with it. Does anybody have an idea why they didn't do this?
***Like Tariq said, Nikon wants people to PAY for its "pro-oriented"
bodies and their number one feature,which is simply being capable of
metering with the "old" and the "current system" of metering. The
N90,N8008,F5,D1 series all have the spring-loaded Aperture Coupling Tab
on the body, and that connects to the Aperture Coupling Ridge on the
back of AI,AiS,and AI-converted lenses,making them capable of old or new
lens use.
***In other words, Nikon's "better" bodies have had a DUAL metering
system that checks first for contacts....if no contacts on the lens, the
AI ridge on the lens conveys the metering info. This is one reason the
D1 series is so much more costly. And,no doubt why Nikon licensed only
the N80 body to Fuji and to Kodak for development. at the 'lower end' of
the market.
**Allowing really full compatability between old optics and the newest
lenses has LONG is the province of Nikon's flagship bodies and "serious"
bodies,going back to 1977 with the flip-up tab on the better bodies.
Nowadays,in this new digital era,the licensees are not being allowed to
cut into D1x and h sales by offering a SINGLE model that can leverage
old and new lenses...at least not at the $2400 price point. The Kodak
DCS's 760/720 were much more expensive,and built on F5,so they also
attempted to target the people who want to be able to use any 1977-2002
lens with at least some metering. For a very serious price,and at no
sales harm to the D1 class.
Bummer,
Moose
Mickey Trageser wrote:
Walt, I'd just be sure I knew exactly what you lose when putting a manual
focus lens on the digital body. Maybe some of the features disappear?
< This message was delivered via the Olympus Mailing List >
< For questions, mailto:owner-olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx >
< Web Page: http://Zuiko.sls.bc.ca/swright/olympuslist.html >
|