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Jon Nadelberg - 05 Aug 2005 23:34 GMT

I have a Nikon 28mm f/3.5 PC lens and was wondering how it would work with
any of the Nikon digital cameras. Would it be usable on any of them, or do
I have to get a certain model?

Thanks.

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All Things Mopar - 05 Aug 2005 23:37 GMT

On this date, Jon Nadelberg extended this wisdom for the
consideration of other readers...

> I have a Nikon 28mm f/3.5 PC lens and was wondering how it
> would work with any of the Nikon digital cameras. Would it
> be usable on any of them, or do I have to get a certain
> model?

I've still got my Nikkor PC lens, but mine is a 35mm, with
manual exposure using the old stop-down method for my still-
working 1969 Nikon FTN. Did they also make a 28mm?

Signature

ATM, aka Jerry

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Jon Nadelberg - 06 Aug 2005 20:22 GMT

> On this date, Jon Nadelberg extended this wisdom for the
> consideration of other readers...
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> manual exposure using the old stop-down method for my still-
> working 1969 Nikon FTN. Did they also make a 28mm?

Yep. An AI-S lens. It's about $1300 or so, or $900 grey market. I use
stop-down metering for it now.

Here's a link to it on bhphoto:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=3
6928&is=GREY&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

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DoN. Nichols - 06 Aug 2005 00:48 GMT

>I have a Nikon 28mm f/3.5 PC lens and was wondering how it would work with
>any of the Nikon digital cameras. Would it be usable on any of them, or do
>I have to get a certain model?

    According to the manual for my D70, on page 183, there is a lens
compatibility chart. In the line for "PC Nikor" (it does not specify
the focal length) in the "non-CPU lenses" section, It says:

    Manual focus (with electronic rangefinder assist)
        (electronic rangefinder won't work with tilts or
        offsets in effect)

    Manual focus (purely optical)

    Manual exposure (the camera's metering will not work.

    And -- in a section on "Incompatible accessories and Non-CPU
lenses" it says:

    PC 28mm f/4 (serial number 180900 or earlier)

    PC 35mm f2.8 (serial numbers 851001-906200)

    PC 35mm f3.5 (old type)

I suspect that the serial number ranges are intended to eliminate the
lenses without the AI aperture ring, as these will not mount on the
camera body, thanks to interference with the "fully-stopped down" sensor
which the camera needs to detect to allow the metering to work properly.
If your PC lens is in the "Incompatible" range, but it has been
retrofitted with an AI aperture ring, you should be able to use it
without problems -- baring problems which I can't foresee, since I have
never handled one of the PC lenses.

    Enjoy,
        DoN.

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skroob - 06 Aug 2005 01:38 GMT

i use the 28mm f3.5 PC on my D70. Full manual only, and no metering, but it
can get the job done if you know how to handle it.

>I have a Nikon 28mm f/3.5 PC lens and was wondering how it would work with
>any of the Nikon digital cameras. Would it be usable on any of them, or do
>I have to get a certain model?
>
> Thanks.

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Jon Nadelberg - 06 Aug 2005 20:26 GMT

> i use the 28mm f3.5 PC on my D70. Full manual only, and no metering, but it
> can get the job done if you know how to handle it.

So what do you do, use a light meter, or just sunny 16 or trial and error?

Looks like the D2 series works with AI-S lenses, but I'm not about to
pay that much money just for this one lens....

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Sheldon - 08 Aug 2005 21:54 GMT

>I have a Nikon 28mm f/3.5 PC lens and was wondering how it would work with
>any of the Nikon digital cameras. Would it be usable on any of them, or do
>I have to get a certain model?
>
> Thanks.

You can always give Nikon a call to be sure. Usually, the only problem you
will run into is if the lens is not AI you will have to get it modified or
it won't fit, and you will have to use the lens in manual mode with no in
camera metering. Really wide lenses that fit far back into the camera body
don't fit any of the digital cameras, or most of them.

Give Nikon a call. It's free.

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Jon Nadelberg - 09 Aug 2005 08:35 GMT

> Give Nikon a call. It's free.

Um, Gee, that's a good idea. I will do that.

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