Author Topic: Now that's a cheap lens (Read 1300 times)

voyager · « **on:** July 12, 2011, 12:02:49 AM »

Nikon just released a 40mm f/2.8 1:1 macro lens for $279.

Take note, Micro Four Thirds.

asterinex · « **Reply #1 on:** July 12, 2011, 12:34:13 AM »

Wow, any reviews yet ?

adash · « **Reply #2 on:** July 12, 2011, 01:03:27 AM »

Yes, that's nice. Who has experience with 4/3 ZD 35/3.5 on m4/3 bodies? I guess it is now cheaper, and only half a stop slower than that Nikkor.

cosinaphile · « **Reply #3 on:** July 12, 2011, 03:50:40 AM »

a welcome addition to the nukon stable

at a fair price

Danny · « **Reply #4 on:** July 12, 2011, 03:55:42 AM »

Very interesting and yep, love to read a review on that one. Thanks for that.

Hang on, are those pins on the rear of the lens supposed to be for micro four thirds ?? and why would Nikon do one ??

Danny · « **Reply #5 on:** July 12, 2011, 04:00:05 AM »

Quote

Nikon just released a 40mm f/2.8 1:1 macro lens for $279.

Take note, Micro Four Thirds.

Naaa mate. Canon call their macro lenses "macro" and Nikon or Nikkor have always called a macro lens "Micro". I've had a few of them

. Trust me.

Canon 50mm macro

Nikkor 60mm Micro

Canon 100mm macro

Nikkor 100mm Micro

and so on. Its always just been a terminology thing between the two companies.

asterinex · « **Reply #6 on:** July 12, 2011, 04:16:45 AM »

I've just read on a Belgian tech-news-site that Nikon introduced a 40mm 2.8 macrolens for Nikon-dslr's with aps-c-sensor.

Danny · « **Reply #7 on:** July 12, 2011, 04:18:07 AM »

Correct, its a Nikon AF mount and not for 4/3

adash · « **Reply #8 on:** July 12, 2011, 05:08:01 AM »

Of course it's not m4/3 (Although I wish it was

).

Em5 Pete · « **Reply #9 on:** July 12, 2011, 05:55:32 AM »

Why make a Nikkor Micro in a [G] style that has no f/stop ring?
I'd think a micro lens would more useful with the f/stop ring.
But, it is under $300.00, and that may have been the reasoning to make it more affordable.

I love my 55mm Micro Nikkor f/3.5 Pre-Ai, Excellent lens all around.

adash · « **Reply #10 on:** July 12, 2011, 05:59:01 AM »

Quote

Why make a Nikkor Micro in a [G] style that has no f/stop ring?

Maybe because of the built-in motor? Furthermore, it is not compatible with old film bodies, so there is no point in putting an F-stop ring. Aperture control is available on the newer bodies via the thumb wheel.

asterinex · « **Reply #11 on:** July 12, 2011, 08:16:50 AM »

And if they make one for M4/3 it would cost 800 dollars

Em5 Pete · « **Reply #12 on:** July 12, 2011, 09:46:23 AM »

Quote from: adash on July 12, 2011, 05:59:01 AM

Quote
Why make a Nikkor Micro in a [G] style that has no f/stop ring?
Maybe because of the built-in motor? Furthermore, it is not compatible with old film bodies, so there is no point in putting an F-stop ring. Aperture control is available on the newer bodies via the thumb wheel.

Oh, I understood that "G" lenses have no f/stop ring, and that it can only be used on AF bodies (Film/Digital)..
I just saying that that like Canon EF lenses, it can only be used wide open M4/3 bodies, or other mirrorless body's...
Just another potentially nice lens that we can't use to it's full potential. Which isn't Nikon's concern anyway..

But, I applaud Nikon for an under $300.00 micro at 60mm fov on their cameras.

popo · « **Reply #13 on:** July 12, 2011, 09:49:09 AM »

Don't the Nikon G lenses still use an aperture lever? As in, not electronic aperture? I have seen G to EF adapters that provide a mechanical coupling to that lever to manually control the aperture. I haven't looked for one, but it should be trivial to implement in a m4/3 adapter.

Em5 Pete · « **Reply #14 on:** July 12, 2011, 11:08:05 AM »

Quote from: popo on July 12, 2011, 09:49:09 AM

Don't the Nikon G lenses still use an aperture lever? As in, not electronic aperture? I have seen G to EF adapters that provide a mechanical coupling to that lever to manually control the aperture. I haven't looked for one, but it should be trivial to implement in a m4/3 adapter.

Not sure on the Aperture lever, But, I nabbed this about G lenses.

G (Gelded): 2000 (won't work on manual focus cameras) top

G is not a feature, G is a handicap. G stands for gelded.

G lenses are lenses which have been crippled by removing their aperture rings to save cost. This is a classic example of taking away features while making customers think they are getting something new. G eliminates many features with older cameras.

These newest AF lenses have no aperture ring. This means that they will not work on manual focus cameras since there is no way to set the aperture. You can mount them, however every shot will be made at the smallest aperture and your metering will be way off (probably about SIX stops underexposed) since the camera has no way to know what the aperture will be.

This is silly, but you may get them to work on closed-loop auto exposure cameras like the FA in A mode. Good luck if you want to waste your time on this.

The G series work fine on all current AF Nikon cameras on which the manual aperture rings were a pain. On legacy AF cameras like the 8008 and 6006 you may lose the A and M modes, you'll have to see. I forget if for those modes if one sets the aperture on the camera or on the lens aperture rings.

All the G series are also D. They are not AI-s.

This removal of the aperture ring is typical migration for Nikon: Nikon tends to make new lenses work on all cameras for about 15-20 years after they discontinue the camera. AF cameras have not needed aperture rings for most modes since they were created about 20 years ago! Of course collectors growl about this and the brilliant new G lenses won't work at all on the brilliant FM-3a, but so what; all the other manual and AF lenses made today still work great on every camera they've made since 1977, and with a small modification to add an aperture prong will work great (with all meter coupling) even on the original Nikon F from 1959. This is good, although G lenses are still useless on manual focus cameras.

For an AF camera to control the aperture on any non-G lens with an aperture ring you just turn the aperture ring to the minimum setting in orange (usually f/22) and flick the lock so it stays there, and then everything is done on the camera body. If for some reason the lens is set otherwise the camera will flash something like " F - - " to let you know to set the lens back to the minimum setting.

It doesn't say if there is mechanical part or not. But, if it the all Electronic mount... then there is no mechanical part.

adash · « **Reply #15 on:** July 12, 2011, 12:07:37 PM »

Quote

It doesn't say if there is mechanical part or not. But, if it the all Electronic mount... then there is no mechanical part.

Not sure about genuine Nikkors, but Sigma 50/1.4 in F-mount does not have an aperture ring and <does> have a lever on its bottom that will open up the aperture when pushed. The lens aperture will stay closed (~F/16?) in the default state or when unmounted.
I think it's on the left (10 to 11 o'clock) on that photo:

Anyway, dumping compatibility with MF Nikons is not an issue as this lens is anyway incompatible with the 36x24mm frame size.

popo · « **Reply #16 on:** July 12, 2011, 12:46:07 PM »

As a Canon main system user I've not looked in detail at Nikon's other than in passing. In a quick search for example, here is an example G to m4/3 adapter with manual aperture control of G lenses.

Now that's a cheap lens