Which Nikon DSLR will fit these lenses?

Hello, I'm new here. I have a Nikon 8008 SLR with two Nikkor lenses and a flash.

AF Nikkor 28-80mm 1:3.5-5.6 D
AF Nikkor 75-300mm 1:45-5.6
Nikon Speedlight SB-24 (flash)

I purchased this camera around 1990 and it still works GREAT! I love it but can't afford developing. I would like to go digital and keep my lenses and flash. Which camera body will allow this, if any? I worry that my lenses are too old to fit new models.

I am new to the digital world of photography when it comes to DSLRs. I have a Nikon Coolpix 5700 that has been to the shop twice already, factory defects and has broken once again for no reason. I am very disappointed with this camera and hesitate to go with Nikon again, but I am a huge fan of Nikon SLR and am hoping I just got a lemon. Please tell me that the DSLRs are made better and I'm stepping up to better quality, should I purchase another Nikon. If there are no cameras that fit my lenses, I will not buy another point and shoot from Nikon, I will continue to use my SLR and go with a little, inexpensive digital from a diff. company. Ouch, that really hurt to say but I have had the worst experience with my Coolpix 5700.

Can someone give me some insight? I'm crossing my fingers that there is a Nikon model that produces beautiful pictures with my old lenses and flash. I'm looking in the lower price range as well.

Thanks so much!!!!

jane

I've never had a problem with my Coolpix 5000 which is fairly similar - same age, anyway. There is a service advisory out on the 5700, see this link. Maybe they'll take care of it for you.

Since you have AF lenses, any camera except the D40 should work, like the D50 or D80. I think with the D40 that you wouldn't have autofocus, but maybe someone can verify if that's the case.

The D40s don't have the autofocus motor in the body for the older bayonet style focus drive. The D50, D70, D80, D200, and D2H/x cameras do have this and can also accept the newer AF-S lenses.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by janeqb

Hello, I'm new here. I have a Nikon 8008 SLR with two Nikkor lenses and a flash.

AF Nikkor 28-80mm 1:3.5-5.6 D
AF Nikkor 75-300mm 1:45-5.6
Nikon Speedlight SB-24 (flash)

...

Can someone give me some insight? I'm crossing my fingers that there is a Nikon model that produces beautiful pictures with my old lenses and flash. I'm looking in the lower price range as well.

Thanks so much!!!!

jane

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As others have said, the D40 and D40x won't drive the autofocus so lets assume you're going for a D50/D70/D70S/D80/D200.

The weak point in your setup is the flash.

1. The SB-24 will NOT work in auto-TTL mode with any Nikon DSLR (reading light reflected from "film" doesn't work with digital sensors which are shiny). You CAN use the SB24 with a DSLR using the lightmeter in the flash. It works, but it's less precise than TTL metering
2. Assuming you buy a modern flash like the SB600 - your 28-80 will work okay but the 75-300 has no D chip so you can't use 3D Matrix Metering. This is not a big deal - you will find that shots with the flash reflected in shiny surfaces are underexposed

You may actually find that you need flash less than you expect. A DSLR can go up to a "film speed" of 1600ISO with much better quality than film.

Bear in mind that because the digital sensor is smaller than the film frame, the view you get with your lenses will be different from what you get now:

- the 28-80 will give a view like a 42-120
- the 75-300 will give a view like a 112-450

I usually advise people to get a camera with one of the excellent kit lenses which are designed for digital (18-55/18-70/18-135). Prosumer lenses designed for film like the 28-80 are okay on a DSLR for enlargements up to 8x10 but they don't have the resolution necessary for giant enlargements.

Charles

Thank you all so much! I've been doing quite a bit of research and have learned that yes, my camera lenses will work but as you mentioned, they will change the view. Other than that, will I lose performance and clarity as well? Will it be a noticeable difference? The kit lens (18-55mm) that comes with the Nikon DSLR is f3.35-5.6G. That's not great! I'd have to spend more to get a better lens and right now I can't afford it. That's why I want to know how well my lenses will work with it. Mine rock!!! Not sure if I should buy the kit lens or just the body. I can always purchase a wide angle later on.

I've narrowed my choice down to two models. The D50 or D70s (upgrade from the D70). What are the main differences? It appears that they came out around the same time and are very similar. The D50 uses an SD card, where the D70s uses the one I have from the 5700, a CF. The D70s has two wheels on top, making it easier to switch modes. Other than that, how different are these two cameras? I know that I need to really sit down and compare the stats.....and I will! Just thought I'd ask if anyone here knows off the top of their head.

Thanks for the info about the flash. I figured that. I really love my flash because of the red lazer it uses to focus in the dark. Do the DSLR flashes have this feature? It is what saved me on many occasions!

Another View, I know that web link all to well!! I most definitely have one of the lemons because it has yet another symptom on the list they provide. Oh well. Here we go again. They did fix it free of charge the past two times. I would hope they do it again! I am going to give Nikon another chance because of the many years of enjoyment with my SRL.

Sorry this got so long. It is so nice to have found this site. You have been VERY helpful!! I really appreciate it.

jane

Quote:

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Originally Posted by janeqb

they will change the view. Other than that, will I lose performance and clarity as well? Will it be a noticeable difference?

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A lot of people will tell you to multiply the focal lengths by 1.5 (for example, 50mm becomes 75mm) but that's not really true. You have the angle of view (or coverage) of a 75mm lens, but the perspective of a 50mm lens. Wide angle lenses can be used to exaggerate the foreground and telephotos can be used to compress distance, and the amount that this happens doesn't change. So - if you shot a lot with a 28mm lens and liked how wide it was, you'll need to look at something more along the lines of 18mm. It will have the same angle of view but an even more exaggerated perspective. Don't make this any more complicated than it is - you won't even think about it after a little use. In fact I'm not even sure how to really describe it anymore than that. :)

And no, you won't lose any clarity or sharpness. You can control a lot of this yourself in camera or with Photoshop and you'll be surprised at the quality. There is a learning curve but the rewards are there...

I generally would choose a newer digital camera over an older one, and this case that would be a D50 over a D70s. Unless there's a feature that you need or really want with the D70s, I'd go for the D50.

Flash - I was going to mention that - the newer Nikon DSLR's use a really great, but all new, flash system. It will be well worth the investment. I have an older Fuji S2 which doesn't use any of the new stuff, and it's a real pain to do anything with flash.

Good luck with the 5700...

Q. My camera lenses will work but as you mentioned, they will change the view. Other than that, will I lose performance and clarity as well? Will it be a noticeable difference?

A. I don't think that you would notice any difference unless you made poster-size enlargements

Q. The kit lens (18-55mm) that comes with the Nikon DSLR is f3.35-5.6G. That's not great!
I'd have to spend more to get a better lens and right now I can't afford it. That's why I want to know how well my lenses will work with it. Mine rock!!! Not sure if I should buy the kit lens or just the body. I can always purchase a wide angle later on.

A. The 18-55 is the exact equivalent of your 28-80, even down to the plastic mount. It's a great deal in kit with the D50. The 18-70 is the exact equivalent of the 28-105 which was used by many professionals for years. You'll probably find it in a kit with the D70s

Q. I've narrowed my choice down to ..the D50 or D70s ...The D50 uses an SD card, where the D70s uses the one I have from the 5700, a CF. The D70s has two wheels on top, making it easier to switch modes. Other than that, how different are these two cameras?

A. They are very similar, derived from the D70. The D50 was an entry-level model and the D70s an advanced-amateur model to fill the gap till the D200 was released.
- The D50 has a simplified 450 element metering sensor which is less precise than the 1005 element one on the D70/D70s.
- The D50's built-in flash cannot pilot remote flashes (apart from that it can make full use of the Nikon flash system, like the D70/D70s).
- It looks like the D50 had a more advanced image processing chip - high ISO noise figures are slightly lower than the D70s

Q. I really love my flash because of the red lazer it uses to focus in the dark. Do the DSLR flashes have this feature? It is what saved me on many occasions!

A. The SB600 and SB800 do. I find the SB800 is very similar to the SB28 I used with my (film) F100. The way the TTL works is quite different however - I found the SB800+D70 didn't seem to be as precise as the SB28+F100. The SB800+D200 is much better.

Charles

Wow, thank you for more invaluable info! I have been comparing the two and with your help, I have a much better understanding now. I am a tiny bit concerned about the size and weight of the D50 vs. the D70s. Although a very small difference, the D50 is lighter and smaller in size. My concern is that with my big and heavy SLR lenses (especially the 75-300), the D50 may be cumbersome to use vs. the D70s. The last thing I want is a top heavy camera and awkwardness due to using heavy lenses on such a light weight camera. The D70s is bulkier and heavier, which is what I'm used to. I love the solid and heavy feel, however, the D50 suits my all around needs just fine. I also like the improved noise reduction at higher ISOs, very important to me. So, my question is, will the D50 be too small when using my heavy lenses? I plan on buying the body only and waiting till Christmas to buy a digital lens. Money doesn't permit me to buy a kit right now.

Thanks again! You don't know how you have saved me time and effort. I'm such the newbie!!

jane

There is very little difference in size and weight between the D50 and D70s.
With a lens like your 28-80 you may notice the difference in balance between the two but once you start mounting bigger lenses both camera will be severly "top heavy"

I have no problem using a D50 with an 80-200 f2.8 which is larger than your 75-300.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by janeqb

Wow, thank you for more invaluable info! I have been comparing the two and with your help, I have a much better understanding now. I am a tiny bit concerned about the size and weight of the D50 vs. the D70s. Although a very small difference, the D50 is lighter and smaller in size. My concern is that with my big and heavy SLR lenses (especially the 75-300), the D50 may be cumbersome to use vs. the D70s. The last thing I want is a top heavy camera and awkwardness due to using heavy lenses on such a light weight camera. The D70s is bulkier and heavier, which is what I'm used to. I love the solid and heavy feel, however, the D50 suits my all around needs just fine. I also like the improved noise reduction at higher ISOs, very important to me. So, my question is, will the D50 be too small when using my heavy lenses? I plan on buying the body only and waiting till Christmas to buy a digital lens. Money doesn't permit me to buy a kit right now.

Thanks again! You don't know how you have saved me time and effort. I'm such the newbie!!

jane

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I've tried a friend's D50 and it felt just like the D70 - solid and reassuring. The body is slightly shorter (space saved by the different smaller memory card) but it's not noticable.

I have used the 70-210 f3.5-4.5 with the D70 and it was fine. When I use REALLY big lenses like the 80-200 f2.8 I use the D200 with a battery pack, gives me a lot more to hold on to.

Charles