Newbie question re. old lenses on a modern DSLR

[Mike Headon]

Hello folks...
If I get an adapter to allow me to use my old Nikon F-mount tele lenses
on my Canon EOS 450D, will I be able to use the camera to get an
exposure reading? (Without putting the Canon lens back, I mean). I
appreciate that I will have to set everything manually.
Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer!
Mike
--
Mike Headon

e-mail: mike dot headon at enn tee ell world dot com

[nospam]

In article <7le9tbF...@mid.individual.net>, Mike Headon
<po...@YCKMHWA.com> wrote:

> Hello folks...
> If I get an adapter to allow me to use my old Nikon F-mount tele lenses
> on my Canon EOS 450D, will I be able to use the camera to get an
> exposure reading?

you'll have manual stop-down metering.

[Mike Headon]

Thanks, it's great to know that it is possible!

However:
1) I am "very old and stupid"(tm).
2) The instruction book does not give any clue as to how to do it.

So, I would be very grateful if somebody could post a link to an
"idiot's guide" source of info which could help me.

thanks - Mike

[nospam]

In article <7lgq30F...@mid.individual.net>, Mike Headon
<po...@YCKMHWA.com> wrote:

> >> If I get an adapter to allow me to use my old Nikon F-mount tele lenses
> >> on my Canon EOS 450D, will I be able to use the camera to get an
> >> exposure reading?
> >
> > you'll have manual stop-down metering.
> Thanks, it's great to know that it is possible!
>
> However:
> 1) I am "very old and stupid"(tm).
> 2) The instruction book does not give any clue as to how to do it.
>
> So, I would be very grateful if somebody could post a link to an
> "idiot's guide" source of info which could help me.

you need the appropriate adapter for whatever lens you want to use.
attach the lens and set the camera to manual metering mode (consult the
canon manual for how to do that). since the lens is completely manual,
you will have to set the camera to some default aperture setting, maybe
f/1 or whatever f/stop the lens happens to be. try both and see what
works best if the manual doesn't say which one to use.

next, adjust the aperture on the lens and the shutter speed on the
camera to center whatever indicator there is for exposure. since the
aperture is controlled manually, the viewfinder will get dark when you
stop down.

regardless of what the meter says, you will more than likely want to
shoot a photo and see how it looks and adjust accordingly because
stop-down metering is not 100% accurate on canon.

it's digital. experiment! it costs nothing.

[Mike Headon]

That's fantastic, thanks! I will get the adapter and try it.
regards - Mike

[Paul Furman]

If there is a meter reading, I'd guess you could shoot in aperture
priority or does the camera refuse without an electronic signal? Entry
level Nikon bodies will refuse to meter in this case.

If so, the only reason to go manual is if you are stopped down too far
and can't see to focus because it's too dark and you are working on a
tripod. In that case, use manual as described above to set your
exposure, then turn the aperture ring wide open and focus, then turn the
ring back to where you had it to take the pic.

--
Paul Furman
www.edgehill.net
www.baynatives.com

all google groups messages filtered due to spam

[Mike Headon]

I guess I won't know for sure until I get the adapter and try it.
And yes, I am old enough to remember SLRs which required a manual preset
ring on the lens aperture. e.g. the Wrayflex, which had a mirror
viewfinder so that your view was reversed left-to-right (and upside down
if you turned it on its side for a portrait view!).

Thanks again for all the tips.