Which Nikon Camera Can Use Old Lenses?

The FTZ (“F to Z”) converter allows the new Nikon Z mount to accept any old Nikon lenses. Any AF-S, AF-I, or AF-P lens can be used with it without any issues. However, you lose Autofocus when using AF-D and AF lenses. You also have to manually open and close the aperture (just like when using Nikon manual focus lenses like the AI, AI-S, and AI-D) AE lenses).

Moreover, using the stabilized, enlargeable electronic viewfinder on Z cameras makes manual focusing simpler than it ever was with film cameras. Any Nikon autofocus lens, except the five new “AF-P” lenses, will focus automatically on any Nikon digital SLR, except the Nikon D5600, D5500, D5300, D5200, D5100, D5000, D3500, D3400, D3300, D3200, D3100, D3000, D60, D40x, and D40. 

Only more recent lenses, known as “AF-S” lenses, will autofocus with these fourteen SLRs. The D500, D3300, D3400, D3500, D5300, D5400, D5500, D5600, D7500, and more recent cameras are compatible with the AF-P lenses flawlessly.

Which Nikon DSLR camera can I use with my old F-mount lenses?

Z series mirrorless cameras with an FTZ converter perform better than any Nikon DSLR when using old F-mount lenses, by which you mean pre-autofocus lenses for the original Nikon F. The only DSLR body that works with all Nikon lenses is the Nikon D500. 

Some of them—the Z series—only supports Nikon digital cameras. The Z series does not feature a mechanical mirror cell, so using lenses that extend into that area does not need locking the mirror.

Additionally, the Z series has superior close-focus performance compared to DLSRs (because they have several in-plane focus sensors). With a Z, the complete absence of aperture coupling is therefore irrelevant, and manual focus is made incredibly simple by focus highlighting.

Related: How to change the shutter speed on Nikon d5600?

Can I use my old Nikon SLR lenses with a newer digital camera body?

Depending on the type of camera and the specific lenses you own. Very likely that it’s a Nikon, particularly one from the higher level ranges. Older Nikon lenses work better with mirrorless Nikons than with more recent DSLRs.

A mirrorless camera is also quite plausible. Since Nikon’s F mount has the longest flange-to-sensor distance of any standard mount, mirrorless system adapters are simple to make. However, if it’s another DSLR, particularly if the formal is smaller than the full-frame lens, it’s far less likely to work.

For instance, most older lenses lack an in-lens focusing system; therefore, using Autofocus would require models from the Series 7000 and upwards that have an in-body focusing motor. A mounting adaptor for retrofitting the latest mirrorless Nikon cameras with an F-mount style is included.

Are lenses for DSLRs and SLRs interchangeable?

It varies. Although Nikon has continued to use the same mount since the first SLR, there are certain restrictions. I can use manual metering, aperture priority, or my old film lenses. Although they are slow to focus and do not autofocus on entry-level Nikon DSLRs, I can still use the AF lenses that were compatible with the initial autofocus Nikon film SLRs.

other brand info: Do All Canon Lenses Fit All Canon Cameras?

Which NIKKOR Lens Type is Right for Your DSLR?

❖ AF-P Lenses

The camera’s menu system can be used to change settings for the newest AF-P lenses, including the Vibration Reduction and AF/MF modes. The lens barrel of older lenses has switches for turning VR on and off and switching between manual focus and automatic focus modes.

Not all Nikon DSLRs are compatible with AF-P lenses because the focus mode and Vibration Reduction are set using the camera menus. At the same time, those that are may need to upgrade their firmware to display the relevant menu items.

Related: Nikon D7000 Time Lapse Settings

❖ Old NIKKOR Lenses

One of the best things about Nikon camera systems is that you can utilize the majority of legacy lenses—lenses you may have used with your Nikon SLR camera that used film—with your digital SLR. Depending on the NIKKOR lens you plan to pair with your DSLR, there might be some restrictions, but we’ll cover that briefly.

❖ AI Lenses

With a few exceptions, AI manual focus lenses can be used with any Nikon DSLR. The more expensive camera bodies can typically measure light with an AI NIKKOR lens. An AI NIKKOR lens may be mounted on prosumer- and consumer-level bodies; however, the exposure must be calculated manually with a light meter rather than just looking through the lens.

The AIS lens, which was developed later, enabled automatic aperture control, which more precisely regulated the aperture. A manual lens with an integrated CPU (essentially a computer) known as an AI-P lens transmits metering information from the lens to the camera.

Related : Using Old Pentax Lenses On Dslr

❖ E-Type NIKKOR Lenses

To allow extremely precise electronic diaphragm or aperture blade control while utilizing auto exposure during continuous photography, especially when shooting at high frame rates, several newer NIKKOR lenses incorporate an electromagnetic diaphragm mechanism in the lens barrel. This is different from G or D-type lenses, which operate the diaphragm blades mechanically.

How To Use Old Legacy Lenses On Your Modern Nikon DSLR

➔ Step 1

Click the MENU button, then navigate to the SETUP MENU (the little wrench).

➔ Step 2

If you scroll down, non-CPU Lens Data is near the bottom of that option. If you choose it, the following screen will show you a couple more options: Focal length (mm), maximum aperture, and lens number. Select any under “lens number” to configure up to 9 lenses! I begin with one because I’m a naturally original person.

➔ Step 3

If you’re using a zoom lens, choose the lens’ longest focal length. If you’re using a prime lens, choose the focal length that fits your lens. I, therefore, choose the high-end because I utilize an old 70-210 lens for one of my lenses. Select the largest aperture possible for the Maximum aperture of your lens.

➔ Step 4

You’ll be in the same place if you go to Done. You can program any additional lenses you desire by following the same procedure again. Please remember that my 70-210 is a peculiar lens, so I could only select 200mm in the Non-CPU Lens Data menu because it was the closest option.

That lens is slightly underexposed, but correcting for about.3 usually works well. I wouldn’t worry because it’s unusual that you will encounter this issue with your lens; even if you have a lens like the 58mm, the system has you covered. If you’re programming a shorter focal length, such as 21mm, you should choose the highest option.

Watch more: 55mm vs 50mm lens

Note:  Nikon DSLRs shouldn’t have Non-AI lenses mounted without the ring since doing so makes it extremely difficult to remove the lens and frequently results in damage. However, Nikon can upgrade your Pre-AI lens to AI if you get it serviced by them.

Can I use an AF-S Nikkor on any current Nikon camera body?

Yes. You may use an AF-S Nikkor lens with any contemporary Nikon camera body. AF and AF-S lenses can be used with DSLR cameras with focus motors. Or, because AF-S Nikkor lenses have focus motors built into them, they can be used with any contemporary Nikon camera body, regardless of whether the body has a focus motor. This is due to the lens itself controlling the focusing function.

Can I use consumer-level camera bodies on an AF lens?

Yes. Consumer cameras can be utilized with an AF NIKKOR lens with limited capability. By turning the focus ring on the lens barrel, you will have to focus the lens manually. Your subject will be in focus once it has been verified by the electronic rangefinder, which is shown in the viewfinder’s lower left corner. When the subject turns green, and the focus ring on the lens is turned, the object is in focus.

Do new digital SLRs support older film SLR lenses?

Depending on the brand of the camera. Older lenses will only fit today’s cameras or will only function as they should because several manufacturers have modified how their lenses and cameras join together lately.

• Older film SLR lenses have a small amount of distortion when used with the majority of digital SLRs.
• Since digital SLRs can only view the center of the image, they enlarge the zoom slightly.
• Long-zoom lenses can zoom much more on a digital SLR, this is rarely a problem.
• However, it challenges landscape photographers and real estate brokers who depend on wide-angle lenses because the latter will no longer see as far.

Most manufacturers now produce a new line of lenses designed exclusively for digital SLRs to address this. You will still need to focus manually if you have outdated lenses that require manual focusing and are compatible with a new autofocus SLR.

Final Words:

We’ll do our best to make this as simple as possible because reading about all the various lens kinds and abbreviations could be intimidating. You’re considering purchasing one of the newest NIKON lenses, but you’re still determining if it will be compatible with your camera. You may quickly determine this by looking at the acronyms that make up each NIKON lens’ name. Hope this helps!