D5100 and older Nikkor Lenses

M

MojosEye

New member
Apologies upfront as I've posted similarly on other forums so this may be repetitive to some of you.

To start, since this is my first post, a brief introduction. I just picked up a new used D5100 with the kit 18-55mm (under 400 clicks for under $400) and this is my first foray into DSLRs. I used to shoot film (positive and negative) but lifestyle changes along with the "inconvenience" of film had me put the old equipment aside. Eventually, with the change in times, I went digital but with a point-n-shoot. First a Minolta which was meh!... then a couple of years ago to a Panny Lumix with a Leica lens that goes from 28mm to 10x (still really liking it). Before going digital, I've only used manual Nikons (F2, FM2, Nikonos V). I've learned alot but I've forgotten alot as well.

Well enough of my history lesson but I felt like I wanted more control of my shooting and images again. The whole DSLR world is pretty new to me. In the past all I've had to think about was ISO, shutter speed and aperature so all the controls, bells and whistles are quite a change. More than anything, the cost of equipment sure has changed with the times as well! ::what:: So I decided that the D5100 was a pretty good level to jump in especially with the price point I managed.

So my first question is what "old" Nikkor lenses can I leverage with the D5100. I know that I will be shooting in manual but that's okay for now. It's what I'm used to but I will be looking for some AF glass in the not too distant future. I put on a couple of my lenses and while they seemed okay, I haven't checked them all out thoroughly through the full aperature ranges (is there any risk in damage to body or lens?).

Here's what I have (all Nikkor):
55mm/1.2 (tried this one first and OMG it still rocks!)
35mm/2.8
85mm/1.8
135mm/2.8
35-105mm/3.5-4.5
80-200mm/4.5-5.6

Second question: Can the focusing screen on the D5100 be changed?

Thanks in advance.
 
SkvLTD

SkvLTD

Senior Member
51 will eat anything with a Nikon mount no problem whatsoever. I kinda feel that AF is much better suited for zooms since you have to worry about the zoom and focus, but primes are simple enough not to worry much about the AF. Plus at night, almost all AF is pretty dinky and its just faster focusing by hand.
 
M

MojosEye

New member
This is a quick shot of the 85/1.8 (taken with the 55/1.2).

_DSC0019.jpg
 
Marcel

Marcel

Happily retired
Staff member
Super Mod
I have a 55 1.2 also and just LOVE what that lens can do. One just has to know when "NOT" to use it though since it can get pretty pretty soft in backlit situations @1.2… AMHIK
 
S

Sandpatch

Senior Member
The best advice I read on this topic was that you can use the old lenses, but you probaly won't want to because of their lack of auto metering and auto focus. I inherited a number of very nice 1970-era Nikkor lenses from my Dad when he passed away and found that while they were fun to play with, they were time-consuming to use and I didn't often carry them.

I kept his 55mm Macro and enjoy it very much, but sold the rest. If you do sell, many earlier-era Nikkor lenses are highly desirable and bring excellent money. All of mine had been converted to AI by Nikon and that seemed to greatly help their resale value.
 
E

Eye-level

Banned
The 55, 85, and 135 are the keepers...classic kit from that era.

They are fun to play with and manual everything is not so bad and if you Ai convert them you can meter with certain bodies...don't know about the 5100 though...
 
SkvLTD

SkvLTD

Senior Member
Really though, coming from film you probably know all of the aperture settings way better than I do and instant gratification of being able to see what you just took should take care of everything for ya. Shoot in RAW and you can fine-tune just about everything later in photoshop or another program.
 
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