(This message is posted on the D700 forum as the problem so far has been confined to the D700, not to other Nikon DSLR's.)

Anyone know of a problem with this lens on the D700? It is reported and sold as compatible with Nikon but has a definite problem with the D700 (and only the D700?) in that it consistently shoots at one f-stop closed down from the f-stop selected by the aperture ring.

This lens has absolutely NO contacts to communicate with the camera. You go to manual mode and set the aperture on the aperture ring. It cannot be set from the camera body. On Nikon, if you are in A-mode, the shutter speed does track the aperture setting for a constant EV. (Of course, it got the aperture from the metal cutout on the lens that engages the tab on the camera's mounting plate -- Think AI, AIS.
(It is my suspicion that the metal cutout on the lens is not registered properly. But then, why on the D700 only?)

An unconfirmed report on the web stats there is a version that does include a chip to communicate with the camera but it doesn't state just what is communicated. That message did state that that version of the lens is compatible with the D700 but my retailer pleads ignorance, insisting the the original version with no contacts is compatible with the D700. (Yes, it does mount on the D700 and can take pictures but at the wrong aperture.)

Any encouragement here? Thanks!

Visit my Nikonians gallery.

I assume you've got the correct aperture set in non-CPU lens data portion of the setup menu, but you might want to double check.

John
"One should photograph objects not only for what they are but for what else they are." -- Minor White

"Traveling John", they don't pay you enough!

That was precisely the fix! It probably applies to any Nikon that has the non-CPU settings in the Setup Menu.

I simply went to Menu>Setup>Non-CPU>Lens #1, 85mm,f1.4>OK.
Works great and noone at any Rokinon retailer, nor at Rokinon itself had a clue.

This great news as the lens itself is wondrous, priced under $300. It is manual focus and manual f-stop but on Nikons in A-mode, the shutter speed will track the aperture setting for a constant EV.

Thanks for the help!

Visit my Nikonians gallery.

Glad I could help. I'm familiar with the process because I use a couple of old Nikkors on my D700. My favorite is a 55mm f/3.5 Micro-Nikkor that dates from around 1963 (and that I've owned since 1973). I had it converted to AI, and it's among my sharpest lenses.

John
"One should photograph objects not only for what they are but for what else they are." -- Minor White