Method
Two Detail
If you would rather use the FUNC button for something like
Spot metering, then you'll probably need to use Method One
to set your lens specs.
In
order to use the camera's controls to directly input the lens
specs, you must assign the FUNC button to FV Lock/Lens data
using Custom Setting F4. If you decide that you use older
lenses frequently enough to change the FUNC button to that
setting, then, first we'll set Custom Setting F4 to FV Lock/Lens
Data. (See D200 manual page 170 for more detail)
As
you look at Figure 4, find the Custom Setting Menu then select
F Controls from it and scroll right. Next, select F4 FUNC
Button and scroll right. There is quite a list of things you
can select for the FUNC button to do. Scroll through these
until you find FV Lock/Lens data and scroll right. Now the
camera is ready to accept input from the FUNC button and Command
Dials to set your lens specs.
| Setting
the Minimum Focal Length:
Hold down the FUNC button and turn the REAR Command Dial
as you watch the focal length selections scroll by on
the Top Control Panel LCD. Stop on the focal length closest
matching your lens. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Setting
the Maximum Aperture:
Hold down the FUNC button and turn the FRONT Sub-Command
Dial until the maximum aperture closest to your lens appears
in the Top Control Panel LCD. |
|
 |
Congratulations!
By using one of the methods above, your Nikon D200 is now
ready to use your faithful Nikkors of olden times.
Variable Aperture Zoom Lenses Adjustment
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.
If you do use variable aperture zooms, be sure to check your
histogram frequently. Since most variable aperture zooms vary
by one stop you must allow a stop of extra exposure, either
manually or with the exposure compensation controls.
"The Nikon Guide to Digital Photography with a D200 Digital
Camera" (your manual), on page 95 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."
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 installed 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, or non-variable
zoom, it's so fast and easy to set the lens data that you
may not feel the need to add a CPU chip. You decide!
