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Using 3rd party lens adaptors on D70

PostPosted: Sun May 06, 2007 10:48 am
by Rick
Hi.

I am after some information/advice re using "T" adaptors on a D70.

Several months ago I got hold of a 500mm F4.5 Pentax lens, a very old totaly manual lens. I have had it serviced and it seems to be a reasonable lens, I have used it on my Spotmatc.

The people who serviced the lens told me I could get an adaptor that will fit the D70. I have made inquiries around some of the bigger camera stores in Sydney, responses have ranged from sure, maybe, to I dont know.
The problem with using an adaptor seems to be the lens to body information contact points. One guy said he uses an adaptor on his D200 with the same lens, if Nikon lens work on both bodys (D70 & D200) then the body contacts must be in the same position on both.

I did speak to a tech at Nikon, he said that as it was a 3rd party lens & he worked for Nikon he had to say no but if I made enquiries on the internet (he sugested Nikonians) I just might get a different answer.

So, if anyone can help me with any advice I would be very gratefull.

Cheers Rick.

PostPosted: Sun May 06, 2007 11:01 am
by rooboy
A couple of points:

You definitely won't get any metering on a D70 with anything other than a CPU Nikkor lens. AFAIK, M42 lenses (Pentax screw mount) has a different register length to Nikon F mount. This means you won't be able to focus to infinity. Please correct me if I am wrong.

Ebay is full of M42 to F mount adapters, such as this one. That listing also states that you won't get infinity focus.

PostPosted: Sun May 06, 2007 11:18 am
by Rick
Patrick

Thanks for that link, I am aware that I will loose all auto functions and that it will be a totally manual use with some limitations.

From that link it seems that the adaptor may work, but I would like to heare from someone that has used the combination, you know, like a guinea pig.

Thanks
Rick.

PostPosted: Sun May 06, 2007 6:18 pm
by gstark
Rick,

Is the a lens with a native M42 thread mount, or does it use the M42 via the T-Mount? Your initial message suggests the latter.

You should be able to get a T-Mount - Nikon AI adaptor, which will permit metering on a D200, but not on a D70, as the D200 has the mechanical AI coupling.

That should't prevent you from using that lens on a D70, but everything will then be manual

PostPosted: Sun May 06, 2007 6:54 pm
by Rick
Gary

The Pentax lens has the direct thread mount without any auto features, a completely manual lens. Even mounted to the Spotmatic body I loose the auto aperture function that I have with my other Pentax lens that lets me compose the shot at maximum arpeture and press a button to close down to the set arpeture, I think that is now known as a "depth of field" feature.

I need an adaptor to fit the Nikon F mount on the D70 body with a female thread for the pentax lens, I am sure that I will loose all auto functions.

It seems that I will be able to get an adaptor and use the set up full manual without focus at infinity. I am not sure exactly what that implies, will that give me a maximum focus distance somewhere out there and no further?

Maybe you or someone else can answer that one for me.

Cheers and thanks Rick