Older lens for digi camera question, help please....

[Fishboy]

Hi all, i have a Nikon D80 and would love a longer lens(200+) for wildlife etc, but i just dont have the funds......

My question is could i use an older(no VR/IS/AF) lens and if so does anyone know which ranges would be compatible?

Any help would be fantastic!

Thanks,


F

 

[Big Mike]

Any Nikon lens made (for 35mm SLR cameras) in the last 30 or 40 years will probably work.

 

[Derrel]

Nikon Lens Compatibility

Note that pre-Ai lenses will NOT mount, and they might damage your camera. The switchover from pre-AI to Ai began in 1977, but not "all" lenses were converted to the Ai status immediately. Your D80 will not light meter with anything except AF lenses of one type of another.

A few likely choices would be the 300mm f/4.5 ED~IF, which is a solidly made lens that's very compact and has absolutely superb manual focusing due to its special internal focusing mechanism,and its long, wide focusing throw that allows this lens to be used even for action sports while manually focusing. This lens also works well with extension tubes,and was a favorite of famed nature/closeup shooter John Shaw. It is one of the lightest, most easily-carried 300's ever made, by any maker. The 300mm f/4 PRE-AF-S autopfocusing model was made for about a decade. It's available reasonably affordably.

Nikon's 400mm f/3.5 ED-IF is another super lens; it's almost exactly like the 300/4.5, only scaled up quite a bit. Costs more too.

 

[Foxman]

Nikon Lens Compatibility

Note that pre-Ai lenses will NOT mount, and they might damage your camera. The switchover from pre-AI to Ai began in 1977, but not "all" lenses were converted to the Ai status immediately. Your D80 will not light meter with anything except AF lenses of one type of another.

A few likely choices would be the 300mm f/4.5 ED~IF, which is a solidly made lens that's very compact and has absolutely superb manual focusing due to its special internal focusing mechanism,and its long, wide focusing throw that allows this lens to be used even for action sports while manually focusing. This lens also works well with extension tubes,and was a favorite of famed nature/closeup shooter John Shaw. It is one of the lightest, most easily-carried 300's ever made, by any maker. The 300mm f/4 PRE-AF-S autopfocusing model was made for about a decade. It's available reasonably affordably.

Nikon's 400mm f/3.5 ED-IF is another super lens; it's almost exactly like the 300/4.5, only scaled up quite a bit. Costs more too.

+1. Just make sure that if you do purchase an oldie goldie lens that is has been up-fitted for AI. That link also has some incredible info about old Nikon Lenses as well as best bang for the buck lenses to be on the lookout for. Some really great info. Here is his top 12 lens suggestions, the last one might be of interest. Nikon's 10 Best Lenses

 

[Fishboy]

Thankyou so much guys!:thumbup: this info is just what i needed

Thanks once again!

Fishboy