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Please, Newbie help needed!

lens compatibility

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32 replies to this topic

#1
Hultman

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Well, I'm not really a newbie, only a newbie in this new digital world.  Yes, I'm old (70) and my cameras date back as well.  The problem is that my ex wife took any new digital camera gear that I did have and I need to start over (digitally, that is).  

 

The problem is that I still have the old film cameras, including an F5, N90S, and many more.  That includes some nice Nikon lenses.  So What I need is a new digital body that will work with the older AF lenses.For example, one of my favorite is a Nikkor 35-80 labeled "AF"  Not AF-s or another other sub set, just AF.  And another Nikkor, also just an "AF" 24-120.

So my newbie question is, will these lenses work on what new digital body?  I still want the AF functions, but other than auto focus, what other features will work with what digital body?

I REALLY appreciate any help any of you can give me!!!

 

Thanks!

 

Jim Hultman



#2
Ron

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Hi Jim, Welcome to the forums.

 

With the cache of lenses you have you're going to need a digital body that has a built in AF motor. There are a number of Nikon full frame (FX) and crop sensor (DX) cameras that will work with just about any Nikon lenses from the AI series upwards. The things you need to decide are whether you want an FX or DX camera and whether you want a brand new body or can settle for a refurb or slightly older technology. Once you decide that, we can give you more specific recommendations.

 

--Ron



#3
Bengan

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What did you have before and how did you like that? What do you like to shoot and how much are you willing to spend?



#4
Snorky

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 how much are you willing to spend?

 

An important question... what is your budget?



#5
Merco_61

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You can start by ignoring the D3xxx and D5xxx series and the new mirrorless cameras as neither of those have a focus motor and relies on the lens having one.

 

If your old lenses have the D suffix, they have the second version of the AF chip that transmits the distance information to the body. This makes Matrix metering and flash exposures work better than the earliest chipped Nikkors.

 

A budget would be helpful if you need more specific information.



#6
Hultman

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Thanks Guys!

 

To answer your questions, my favorite was actually the N90S.  My ex wife used the F5 for weddings and such.  

 

The lenses I mentioned are labeled 1:4-5.6 D and 1:3-5-5.6 D, which I assume means they are "D" lenses?  (Sorry, Nikon numbers and nomenclature have always been a bit of a puzzle to me)

 

Do I want an FX or DX body?  I don't know.  (That's how dumb I am!)

 

As for what type of shooting I do, it would be a combination.  Wild life, nature, people, animals, cars, motorcycles, pretty much everything.

 

I also have a couple flashes that would be nice to have function the same way they did on the film bodies.  They are an SB-26 and an SB-800.

 

Budget isn't really an issue, am not planning on doing pro work, so no point in duplicating the old F5.  I'd be thinking of more along the lines of the N90S

 

Really appreciate the help!!  Thank

 

Jim



#7
Merco_61

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If you want the lenses to give the same field of view they do on film, you need a FX body. The DX sensor is smaller, so you get a cropped image compared to film or FX.

The D750 is about as close to a digital N90S as you can get. It is also the last non-pro body to have provision for a vertical grip if that is a consideration.

 

I wouldn't be surprised if you find the old normal zooms less satisfactory to use than they did on film as the digital sensors are more demanding and reveal flaws that weren't noticeable. That said, the 35-80 still has a look that is unique enough to be noticeable.

 

The SB-800 works fully on digital bodies, the SB-26 is manual only.



#8
Hultman

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OK, so it looks like I can get a new FX D750 body for around a grand.  Works for me! 

 

Now I need to find the best vendor.  Any suggestions?

 

Thanks!

 

Jim



#9
TBonz

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B & H and Best Buy both have the D750 bodies for about $1500.  I saw B & H had a refurbished body for about $1000.  I usually purchase from B & H and have never had any issues dealing with them.  At Best Buy you can probably stop by a near by shop and get your hands on one before you buy.  I have had great experiences with KEH as well if you are considering used.



#10
Ron

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I agree that the D750 would be a good choice. Unfortunately, all of the great deals that various camera outlets ran during the holidays have expired. But even at US$1500 it's still a great buy. Your lenses should be adequate though probably not optimal. For example, I still use the old AF24-120D lens that I bought with my N90s on my D610 and it's perfectly usable. I also use the SB-28 that I bought for the same camera in both Auto and Manual and it works fine. Of course iTTL is a no go but otherwise, it works great.

 

--Ron



#11
Hultman

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Abe's of Maine has a new import  model for $939.  

What's "Import Model" mean?  No warranty? Would it be better to buy a refurb for about the same money?



#12
Merco_61

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That depends on how much trust you have in Abe's as Nikon won't do warranty work on grey imports. The warranty is Abe's responsibility and any work will have to go through them.



#13
Hultman

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Thanks.  As long as you're at it, what do you think of refurbished cameras?  Is it worth the savings?



#14
TBonz

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I think if I were given the choice, I would go for the referb over the gray market if it were me.  As I recall they come with a warranty from Nikon.  I have not purchased either option though.  I have purchased used gear from both B & H and KEH with success.  I have had much of my used gear for many years without any issues that I did not cause.



#15
Ron

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I would not, under any conditions, buy a gray market (import) product from any dealer. Should you ever (in warranty or out) have a problem with the camera, the onus is on you to find someone to fix it. And Nikon is making that very difficult. As TBonz says, I would buy a USA market refurb before I'd buy a new import product. Be it camera or lens.

 

--Ron



#16
bluzman

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I think if I were given the choice, I would go for the referb over the gray market if it were me.  As I recall they come with a warranty from Nikon.  I have not purchased either option though.  I have purchased used gear from both B & H and KEH with success.  I have had much of my used gear for many years without any issues that I did not cause.

I agree. I have a D5600 and D7500, both of which are refurbished items from Nikon. I have had zero problems with either. They each came with a full complement of accessories and exhibited "like new" physical appearance and functionality.



#17
Hultman

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First of all, thanks for the help and advice.  Just received my new (not refurb or grey market) D750 from B&H.  Yes, I paid the full $1500 for it, but didn't want to mess with any doubt as to the Nikon warranty or a used camera.

So, nice camera.  My lenses and flash seem to work fine on a few test shots.  BUT, being all enthusiastic and excited about the new toy, and seeing as how I have a nearly new smart phone and lap top, I thought I'd go all out and connect it all together with WiFi.  

I downloaded the Nikon WirelessMobileUtility app.  However, nothing I do has been successful in connecting the devices.

OK, maybe I'm being a bit over optimistic here, and I'm gonna mix a drink, read the manual some more and ponder the situation for now, but if any of you experienced folks out there might happen to have some advice on this matter, I'm sure willing to listen!!

And I do love the feel and first pics from the camera.  Can't wait to explore the features!

 

Thanks again for the help guys!!

 

Jim



#18
TBonz

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Jim,

 

There are several threads out here regarding connections with phones.  If I recall correctly, start fresh, neither device knowing about the other.  And then let the camera lead...but as you said, no substitute for reading the manual!



#19
Jerry_

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Jim,

The problem might come from the App.
The Wireless Mobile Utility that you mention above was designed for the WU-1a and WU-1b adapters, a kind of dongle that you connected to your camera (I have one with my older D610) to enable them to transmit&receive.

The D750 has the communication electronics build-in and is supported by a different app: Nikon’s Snapbridge (not saying this will be hassle free, but download and install that app and try again; indeed there a couple of discussions here about issues for connecting with Snapbridge)

#20
Merco_61

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Jerry, the D750 uses WMU.

Jim, start the wireless communication from the camera. Connect to the camera’s network from the phone’s control panel/control center before you start the app. When you start the app after these steps, it should work.
The manual is clear as mud when it comes to using WiFi.





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