Can't attach lens to camera body.

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B00j1

New member
I have a Nikon D3000. Just bought a super telephoto lens. AI-s Nikkor 500mm f/4P. I know, crazy right. I am no pro.

Anyway, if the aperture ring is locked the camera body won't lock to the lens. And if the body is locked to the lens, the aperture ring won't lock. No matter how you slice it, I can't use my lens. What's up with that????
 
BackdoorArts

BackdoorArts

Senior Member
You have a compatibility issue. Outside of AF-S lenses, here's what Nikon says about the D3000...

AF NIKKOR for F3AF not Supported.
AF-S, AF-I: All Functions Supported.
AI-P NIKKOR: All Functions Supported Except 3D Color Matrix Metering II.
Electronic rangefinder can be used if Maximum Aperture is f/5.6 or Faster.
IX NIKKOR Lenses Cannot be Used.
Non-CPU: Autofocus not Supported. Can be used in Exposure Mode D, but Exposure Meter does not Function.
Non-Type G or D AF NIKKOR not Equipped with an Autofocus Motor: All Functions Supported Except 3D Color Matrix Metering II and Autofocus.
Type G or D AF NIKKOR: All Functions Supported Except Autofocus.
Type D PC NIKKOR: All Functions Supported Except some Shooting Modes.


Nothing on there about Ai-S, so I'd have to assume it's not supported. That's the kind of stuff you want to check first. Most of the Ai-S stuff isn't compatible with any of the modern Nikons except for the Df, which is why it's so popular with folks with lots of old glass they haven't been able to use.
 
Marcel

Marcel

Happily retired
Staff member
Super Mod
I don't know but with the Ais lenses I use I have to set the aperture on the lenses. None of my bodies 7000, 600 & 700 would allow me to vary the aperture from the controls. So, you might just want to set your wanted aperture on the lens and use it that way. I don't know if the aperture will be recognized by the body to allow you to meter the light though with the 3000... But it probably can be used manually or take the shutter speed reading with the aperture closed (not sure if there is a DoF preview on your model either). Since you have the lens now, you probably will end up getting a D7000 or 7100 to match it. Just make sure the lens works on either by bringing the lens to the store to test it BEFORE you invest in another body.

Good luck and enjoy your Nikon.
 
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aroy

Senior Member
Most of the Nikon DSLR can use AIS lenses. The least you can get is manual exposure on cheaper bodies, and Aperture priority exposure on the rest. There seems to be some lever in the lense which is interfering with the aperture changes. (The Rabbit Ear on the AIS lenses rotates with aperture changes to indicate to the older bodies the set aperture. If it is jammed by the body then aperture will not change)

In your case get the lense checked, either professionally, or on a Film Camera or on the higher end bodies, to ensure that the lense is working. In case the lense if fine, you mat have to get rid of the "Rabbit Ears".
 
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