thit_cho

I currently use the Nikon F100 (I have two bodies, both of which I take on safari), and I am thinking of "biting the bullet" and purchasing a Nikon digital camera, which would allow me to more easily drop stuff onto the Internet (instead of converting print negatives to a CD). I have a bunch of Nikon and Nikon-compatible lenses, though. Does anyone know if I will sacrifice quality by using the lenses for my F100 on a Nikon Digital SLR (still deciding between D50, D70 and D200).

Thanks, Michael

cary999

Nikon F100, great film bodies.
Lenses, ask the experts-
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/forum.asp?forum=1030
In general, I think you are good to go. The real big difference is the sensor size factor. The size of the Nikon digital sensor is a bit smaller than 35mm film. Therefore, the Field of View (FOV) for the Nikon sensor gives an effective longer focal length for a 35mm film lens. Simply put, the factor is 1.5. So a 35mm film, 100mm focal lens length becomes 150mm equivalent on digital. A 200mm film becomes 300mm digital. This is good news for safari photographers. However, a 28mm film becomes a 42mm digital and this is bad news for landscape and architecture photographers.
FWIW, Canon has camera bodies with both the 35mm film sensor size and the Nikon sensor size (but not in the same body). And this of course is another reason for Nikon and Canon fans to argue.
The Nikon D50, D70, D200 are all good bodies, so I have read. I have real life experience only with the D200, just got it 3 months ago. Love it. I just had a few hundred extra dollars lying around looking for a home so I splurged. Actually, after many, many, years of 35mm film SLRs I was waiting for a digital equivalent and the D200 seems to be that. I just hope I'm happy with it for 5 years until a new generation pries me away from it.
regards - tom

DIPPERDAVE

As the previous reply indicated the main difference is that the focal length you'll achieve will be greater. However some of your older lenses won't work at all and other older ones will work at less than full function - however the ones that work (most) will lose no definition. For a huge discussion on this go to dpreview.com and go to the nikon forums. I have a D70 with 18-200 VR and plan to use that on safari next feb.

LyndaS

Michael-
Jim asked the very same question at the store where he bought the DS70 as we have been die-hard Nikon users since the 70's and have a ton of lenses. The guy at the camera store said, yes, most Nikon lenses for sure are compatible, but he also said we may not be as happy with the quality (I do believe he was talking definition, but not sure about that - I just heard 'may not be as happy'), and, the camera of course would become very heavy suddenly, which was a consideration for us.
He also said our Vivitar lenses (Nikon compatible) probably wouldn't work. So, we bit the bullet and bought the 300 lense they had for the digital.
But, Jim did take the Nikon 50 mm lense from the analog from way back on this trip, for 'sunsets over the crater' but I am not sure if he used it - I will find out!

thit_cho

Thanks, I will eventually switch to digital, and will have to start replacing lenses. I will use film for my next safari, though, since I'm leaving on Wednesday. I am heading today to B&H Photo in NY to buy film and some accessories, so I'll spend some time in the digital department.

Kavey

Lynda, I think Jim's model is the D70s not DS70... just incase of any confusion!

I'm pretty sure old Nikkor lenses are compatible but since I didn't have any when I bought my D70 I on't know about quality issues though.

Don't forget about the crop factor - a 28mm lens from a 35mm film camera will equate to between 42 and 45 mm on a consumer digital SLR.

thit_cho

Thanks, even though I went to buy film and just "look" at the digital SLRs, I bought the Nikon -- so while I originally intended to bring two Nikon print cameras with me, I will now bring one print and one digital.

LyndaS

Kavey, you are right! I am a little dislexic sometimes... either that, or I just don't pay attention!

Michael I asked Jim what the camera guy said about the lenses - he said they wouldn't work on auto mode, and that may not make us too happy. Jim did use the 1.4 - 50mm lens for the sunset shots, he said the pictures came out fine!

But, anyhow, I see you have taken the plunge now!

thit_cho

My Nikon lenses (and my Nikon-compatible Tamron zoom lens) work with my Nikon digital camera (I was told AF lenses would work with the digital camera, and they do).