Nikon SLR Cameras

Old manual focus lens on Nikon D3000?

Guest
Guest

Just purchased a Nikon D3000, moving on from a Yashica FX-3. I want to get a similar lens to the Yashica's, but obviously a Nikon lens. I'd like it to be manual focus too. I'm thinking a lens from the 70s or similar. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Ospr3y
Ospr3y

I'm not sure if all film lenses will work on a Digital Single Lens Reflex camera, but I know some do. I own a (digital) Nikkor 35-70mm lens and it works fine as an MF lens.

Guest
Guest

Bad news, although the older lenses will physically mount on a D3000 (provided the 'rabbit ears' are removed on pre-Ai lenses, most will have been done by now) you will need to use the lens in full manual mode, taking a shot then checking the exposure and adjusting, as the D3000 will not communicate in any way shape or form with a non DX lens.

This means no AF (obviously on MF lenses, but also the newer AF-D lenses)
This means no automatic aperture stop down (you basically need to stop down, manually focus with a dark stopped down viewfinder on a small inaccurate penta-mirror screen)

In short the D3000 is probably the worst camera to use with manual nikon lenses. Sorry, but you need to be told.

If you want a lens with a manual aperture and perhaps MF, then you need a camera with the proper Ai onwards coupling and a pentaprism finder rather than a penta-mirror, you may even want to switch in a split prism focus screen. So really you need a D90, D7000 or D300s.

A used D200 would also be a good bet.

Sorry for this news, the D3000 is a great beginners camera for auto everything users. It isn;t really designed for more advanced use, or for those looking for a traditional experience.