CONCLUSIONS
Many of the old Nikkors are extremely fine lenses, and the
cost of them was quite high. It's a shame to simply abandon
the use of lenses like a Nikkor AI-S 600mm, or a 55mm AI-S
Micro Nikkor. The D2x has returned a measure of functionality
to us that many have missed.
The
fact that we can now use matrix, averaging, and spot metering
with our older Nikkors is marvelous. You can use prime and
zoom lenses with this technology, although it's best to stick
to zooms with apertures that do not vary across the zoom range.
The
D2x manual on page 130 states: "Lens data are not adjusted
when non-CPU lenses are zoomed in or out. After changing the
zoom position, select new values for lens focal length and maximum
aperture."
But,
it has been my experience, and the experience of others, that
zooms work just fine WITHOUT adjustment, as long as they are
not variable aperture. If you use a variable aperture zoom,
please realize that the camera has no way of knowing that the
aperture is varying since a CPU chip is not there to inform
it. So, if your variable aperture zoom varies by one stop, which
is common, you must allow a stop of extra exposure, either manually,
or with the exposure compensation controls.
If
you set the one-stop variable aperture zoom to f/8, then zoom
to its maximum setting, the aperture actually equals f/11, but
the camera's aperture control ring is still reporting the f/8
setting, and the meter is metering accordingly. These are only
minor difficulties, and ones that anyone who has used a medium
format or bellows type camera is very familiar with. If you
are using a variable aperture zoom, simply add exposure on the
long end.
It
is possible to have a CPU chip placed in your favorite old Nikkor
lens if you would prefer, and that might be the best course
to take on an expensive AI-S variable aperture zoom lens. But,
for a single focal length prime lens, it's so fast and easy
to set the lens data that it may not be necessary to add a CPU
chip. You decide!
One
D2x user reported to me that he is successfully using Hasselblad
lenses with a Fotodiox® adapter and in stop-down mode. Imagine
using matrix metering with a medium format lens. The point is
that the D2x is a flexible professional camera with the ability
to do what YOU want to do with it.
In
any case, Nikon has overcome a rather difficult obstruction
to our using older non-CPU lenses. By pro consumer demand…the
old AI-S Nikkors are back!
Keep
on capturing time ...
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