Have Nikon FE2 and lenses - want DSLR upgrade

[fritzfield]

I bought this at the PX overseas in 1984. I have a 28 - 90 zoom and a 100mm Macro that I used in my residency. I have a regular flash and a Ring-light flash for the macro lens. I'd like to get back into SLR type photography and I'm excited about NO FILM to waste. Do any of the current Nikon DSLR accomodate my lenses/flashes? I can't seem to get good answers online and the young lady at Best Buy was not really confident in giving me any concrete info, especially about the flashes that go on the FE2 hotshoe being transferrable to a current Nikon model. The Nikon D90 appears to me to be an equivalent to my trusty FE2, I just want to keep my "stuff".

 

[twistedlogic]

Do you have some model numbers?

I see the AF Zoom Nikkor 28-105mm f/3.5~4.5D IF MACRO was introduced in 1998, but couldn't find if there was an older non-AF version. And I believe auto focus wasn't introduced by Nikon until 1986, meaning both your lenses are MF.

In short, yes they will mount and allow you to take a picture. The bad part, they will not meter or AF on the D90. In order to get metering with AI/AI-s lenses you need a D200, D300, D300s, D700, D2, D3, or a D3x.

Now flashes I have no clue.

 

[fritzfield]

Sorry. My only "genuine" Nikon part is the black body FE2. The lenses and flahes are Vivitar, Sunpack, and Tamron.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: twistedlogic
Do you have some model numbers?

I see the AF Zoom Nikkor 28-105mm f/3.5~4.5D IF MACRO was introduced in 1998, but couldn't find if there was an older non-AF version. And I believe auto focus wasn't introduced by Nikon until 1986, meaning both your lenses are MF.

In short, yes they will mount and allow you to take a picture. The bad part, they will not meter or AF on the D90. In order to get metering with AI/AI-s lenses you need a D200, D300, D300s, D700, D2, D3, or a D3x.

Now flashes I have no clue.

will the lenses stop down automatically on a D90? if not, the lenses are actually more compatible on canon (which will meter just fine with an old nikon)

 

[ProfJohn]

According to Ken Rockwell the older Nikon flashes are worthless on the digital Nikons.

Although that is most likely an exaggeration, they may still fire when you press the button, but you aren't going to get anything fancy out of them.

If money is an issue buy a SB-400. Cheap and one of the best accessories you will ever get for your camera. Bounce it off the ceiling and your indoor photos will look awesome. And outdoors it makes a decent fill flash too.

 

[ProfJohn]

BTW your 'stuff' is so out dated that it is probably not even worth keeping.

You can get some damn good quality lens for cheap these days.
If you buy the d90 with the kit lens you won't need your older 28-105. The macro is a little harder to replace since good macro lens tend to cost good money.

 

[jpeyton]

fritzfield, while a few older third-party F-mount lenses are absolute gems (I have several myself), many are not.

Is your 100mm macro made by Vivitar or Tamron? What is the max aperture and the serial number? This lens might be worth using on a newer digital body, but I need a little more information.

Your 28-105mm is probably not worth using, especially since you will likely be purchasing a cropped-sensor camera. Nikon's 18-105mm VR, 18-70mm, or 18-55/55-200mm VR combo, would all be better choices, especially on the wide-angle end.

You have to be careful using older flashes in the hot shoe of newer digital cameras; the trigger voltage might be incompatible and fry the hot-shoe. Your best bet if you want to use the flashes is to purchase a cheap set of wireless radio triggers. More information about the flashes (brand/model).

But if you want the easy route, get a D90/18-105mm kit, or a D5000 18-55/55-200mm kit. Both offer outstanding image quality, and the included lenses are ones that give you great bang-for-the-buck. Your 100mm macro will work with either one; so will your 28-105mm (but I doubt you'll want to use it).

 

[fritzfield]

Here are the old parts/models:

1. Vivitar Series 1 28mm -90mm; f 1:2.8 - 3.5 No. 28349421

2. Vivitar 100mm f 1:2.8 1:1 macro Telephoto No. 22706802

3. Sunpak auto DX 8R Thyristor ring- flash

4. Vivitar Auto Thyristor 5600 System flash


Everything works today, like new.

 

[soydios]

Autofocus if present will work on all bodies.
AI(-s) autoexposure metering only works on D200+ and D2+ bodies.
Auto flash exposure I have no clue.

Basically, everything will work together perfectly fine manually. (And I don't care what Nikon or Ken Rockwell says, AI, AI-s, and pre-AI lenses mount and work just fine on my D50 and D90; I dunno about pre-AI on a D200+ or D2+, though knowing Nikon it should too.)

 

[jpeyton]

I'm reading above average reviews about the 28-90mm; the 100mm macro is something that gets rave reviews (and I've used one myself).

I'll have to do more research on the flash units.

As mentioned previously, any Nikon DSLR from the D90 downward won't meter with the lenses. You can only shoot in full manual exposure mode (setting the aperture and shutter speed yourself).

Nikon DSLR models from the D200 upward do meter with those lenses (so you can shoot in aperture priority). I've never had a fun time manually focusing lenses on newer cropped-sensor DSLRs; the two main issues are small viewfinders and focusing screens that are catered to AF lenses. For macro on a tripod, MF lenses are fine; for hand-held photography that requires accurate focus, you'll need some practice (or a full-frame sensor with matching viewfinder).

 

[fritzfield]

Originally posted by: jpeyton
I'm reading above average reviews about the 28-90mm; the 100mm macro is something that gets rave reviews (and I've used one myself).

I'll have to do more research on the flash units.

As mentioned previously, any Nikon DSLR from the D90 downward won't meter with the lenses. You can only shoot in full manual exposure mode (setting the aperture and shutter speed yourself).

Nikon DSLR models from the D200 upward do meter with those lenses (so you can shoot in aperture priority). I've never had a fun time manually focusing lenses on newer cropped-sensor DSLRs; the two main issues are small viewfinders and focusing screens that are catered to AF lenses. For macro on a tripod, MF lenses are fine; for hand-held photography that requires accurate focus, you'll need some practice (or a full-frame sensor with matching viewfinder).

Well, I like the MANUAL settings (f-stop and speed), that's part of the reason I bought the FE2 in the first place. I just like the idea of taking tons of 35mm SLR quality pics without the hassle of film - Kodachrome please RIP.

 

[jpeyton]

Originally posted by: fritzfield
Well, I like the MANUAL settings (f-stop and speed), that's part of the reason I bought the FE2 in the first place. I just like the idea of taking tons of 35mm SLR quality pics without the hassle of film - Kodachrome please RIP.

Then you won't have any problem with any Nikon DSLR body. If you're on a budget, the D40 will do; you can get used D40 bodies for $250 or less. A D50 or D70s body will also work great; both are around $325 used. The best image quality at this point lies with the D5000 and D90 (both have identical 12MP sensors with great high-ISO capabilities); the D5000 is about $550 used for the body only (and not much more for a new one). D90 used bodies go for $700.

 

[twistedlogic]

Originally posted by: fritzfield
Well, I like the MANUAL settings (f-stop and speed), that's part of the reason I bought the FE2 in the first place. I just like the idea of taking tons of 35mm SLR quality pics without the hassle of film - Kodachrome please RIP.

Also be aware that most of the bodies mentioned in this thread are not considered true 35mm. I'm not sure if you know or not, but they are considered "cropped" (1.5 X focal length) cameras (nikon calls DX), as the sensor is a bit smaller than a 35mm frame. Nikon offers a (FX) "full frame" lineup in the D700 ($2700), D3 ($5000), and D3x ($8000).

Budget, :evil:?

Also consider that the D40, D50, and D70s mentioned are all unique as they offer a 1/500 sec flash sync speed. And with wireless radio triggers you could get up to 1/1000 x-speed.

 

[fritzfield]

Thank you all. The D90 looks like the best price/performance. I'll have to get a new Ring-light, probably the Sigma EM-140 DG and still use my old Vivitar Macro lens on manual, although the kit lens seems to be a good low cost choice for regular photography with this body. And of course the SB-600 flash for regular photos. Thanks again!

 

[ElFenix]

Then you won't have any problem with any Nikon DSLR body. If you're on a budget, the D40 will do; you can get used D40 bodies for $250 or less. A D50 or D70s body will also work great; both are around $325 used. The best image quality at this point lies with the D5000 and D90 (both have identical 12MP sensors with great high-ISO capabilities); the D5000 is about $550 used for the body only (and not much more for a new one). D90 used bodies go for $700.

does the meter turn on with those old lenses on a D40?


vivitar series 1 lenses are pretty highly regarded. decoder chart

 

[fritzfield]

does the meter turn on with those old lenses on a D40?


vivitar series 1 lenses are pretty highly regarded. decoder chart

I don't know about the metering. Although, you are spot-on about the link that gives info on the lenses. My Vivitar Series 1, 28-90mm was indeed made in 1983 when I bought it, and the Vivitar Macro was indeed made in 1987 when I bought it as well (By Kiron.) I didn't know that. Amazing info!

 

[jpeyton]

The D90 is an excellent choice. I had one for about 6 months as was always satisfied with it's output. You should be able to get quite a good deal on one now; I see used bodies going for $700 or less.

 

[Dark Penguin]

Why not buy a Panasonic G1 and an adapter for your lenses?

 

[BarkingGhostar]

Wow, the FE2 was my first Nikon camera! Previous to the FE2, I had Minolta's first autofocus SLR (wasn't impressed at all), and then Canon's A-1 (not the AE-1 nor the AE-1 Program) and this was a nice camera, but when I got the FE2 is became a part of my right hand. The FE2 went everywhere i could legally take it that I planned on going.

Heck, the FE2 got me more threats in public than anything else.

I later replaced the FE2 with a new Nikon N90 (not the N90s). Had an FM (used) and took a tumble with it in a backpack and it was rock solid (miss it). I then got out of small format photography for a little while and came back, purchasing an N80. The N80 was ok.

I then bought the wife an D70, which marked the entry into DSLR. I was really turned off by this camera. Features were fine, but I swear the CCD sensor was a true POS. I am not sure if Nikon made this or if it was Sony. I had to post-production every single shot we took with it over the years.

This Xmas I bought my wife a D5000 kit from Costco, which included an 18-55 and 55-200 VR lenses.

 

[MotF Bane]

The D90 is an excellent choice. I had one for about 6 months as was always satisfied with it's output. You should be able to get quite a good deal on one now; I see used bodies going for $700 or less.

Not to derail, but what did you replace the D90 with?

 

[jpeyton]

Not to derail, but what did you replace the D90 with?

I didn't replace it with anything. I buy bodies all the time to try them out, just because of my passion for cameras. My main body right now is a D700, which I've had for 11 months.

 

[Madwand1]

Thank you all. The D90 looks like the best price/performance. I'll have to get a new Ring-light, probably the Sigma EM-140 DG and still use my old Vivitar Macro lens on manual, although the kit lens seems to be a good low cost choice for regular photography with this body.

Get a kit lens -- as mentioned, the budget DSLRs have crop sensors, which means that you'll lose much of the field of view compared to the film SLRs. In effect, you need a ultra-wide just to get back the wide-angle you previously had. The kit lens is the cheapest way to get this capability; prices for higher-quality ultra-wides go up steeply.

 

[cparker]

You will miss your fe2. Don't get rid of it or your lenses/flash, etc. You'll probably get back to it after a while. For digital SLR I'd say just get new, modern lenses. It's a different, new world out there. If you want an inexpensive way of starting, the d40 with kit lens is very nice. For zoom/telephoto get the 55-200 VR lens. If you want a fast prime, there's the 35mm 1.8. But even with just the kit lens, which is very good indeed, you would have a ball and learn to appreciate the new technology as well as the old technology with film, which for some types of pictures is still incredibly good as well as very cost effective when you consider the price of full frame dslrs and modern, quality lenses.