Request for confirmation on MF lens compatibility...

[KeithM]

I've been considering a fixed 'normal' lens and picked out the AF 35 f2D. But then, I happened to spot the ultra-thin 45mm f2.8 MF Nikkor lens - and I'm afraid the magpie instinct has hit me.

It looks absolutely fantastic and would make just a bit of a change to the normal large zoom. It'll be a slightly longer normal lens but that doesn't bother me and I spend 99% of my time in manual exposure and focus modes.

So - I've read the specs and checked out other threads here about compatibility but I just want to be absolutely sure I've got this right. With an MF CPU lens, apart from the 3D matrix metering mode, it will all work as advertised ? The little focus dot will work and aperture selection will still work from the camera ?

I know I'm probably being stupid here but I just want to be sure if I give in to the voices and buy this lens :)

Keith.

[Swampy]

I don't know about that lens, but I have an old 50-300mm Nikkor MF/MA lens. The focus dot does not work for me. The Camera will not work unless it's in M mode either.

I would have to say that the dot won't work since it depends on the chip in the lens for focusing information.

[pvalerio]

Check your manual. Since the S2 is based on the N80 (F80) body non-cpu lenses work only in manual mode.

This means you don't have metering at all. I have some AI-S lenses from my old F301 (N2000) and a F80 with the same problem. Nikon wants you to buy the new AF or AF-D lenses.

There is a table in the manual (copied from the N80 manual) where you can check compatibility.

If you want the 3Dmatrix metering you need the AF-D (for distance information) lenses.

[smunky]

I agree wtih the above, thats why I prefer the AF-D lenses.

[KeithM]

I've been whacking google and altavista with this one for the last couple of days and garnering more information...

There are a number of incarnations of this lens but it is the most recent one I'm looking at - it's a CPU AI-P lens which, according to a Nikon press release ( 2001 I think ), is compatible with the F80, amongst others, and supports all exposure modes!

It seems to be based on an old Tessar design but with modern glass and coatings - with fewer elements it should have better contrast and colour saturation, but not necessarily outstanding sharpness. The diaphragm leaves are also specially shaped to give a more circular aperture which gives a more pleasing look to the out-of-focus bits ( that bokeh word again ! ).

It's also quite expensive ( £300 UK ) for a 'simple' lens and is aimed at 'enthusiastic amateurs' - not professionals ( which sounds like me :) ).

The S2 manual does list AI-P lenses - only auto-focus and 3D matrix metering are not supported ( not surprisingly )...

So I *think* it's a goer ( quaint British expression ). Just a question of supply. The voices are winning :D

Keith.