How do I know if it's safe to use a Nikon SB-20 on an Olympus E-520?

Question

I have an Olympus E-520 and I borrowed a Nikon SB-20 flash which I intend to use as an optical trigger for an off-camera flash (TTL connectors on the flash connector are removed to avoid mixing ttl signals). How do I find out if it's safe to use on my camera?

Asked by ruminator

Answer

Well, the there is a flash trigger voltage overview site that says Nikon SB-20 has a trigger voltage of 5.5V, and that some older Olympus digicams has trigger voltage of 10V, and that Olympus recommends something in 3-6V range. There's a related thread on dpreview forums that suggests that flashes in this range should be okay.

Answered by che

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What is the reason to change the mount type in Nikon 1 series?

Question

To use Nikon F-mount lenses, Nikon 1 series require an adapter.

Moreover, the flash unit mount is a custom one too and it seems that there is no adapter at all, but maybe I'm wrong.

What is the technical reason to use custom mounts for this new brand, while there are obvious disadvantages of not keeping the mount which already exists for a half of a century, and the hot shoe which is largely compatible with most manufacturers?

Answer

The Nikon SLR lenses are designed such that the image circle falls on the sensor/film plane based on the distance from the sensor to the mount (flange focal distance). For an SLR, this distance includes the space needed for the mirror. As the Nikon V1 doesn't have a mirror, the distance from the sensor to the mount point is substantially smaller, so in order to use an SLR lens you need an adapter to create the distance. This adapter does just that.

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Can I use old Pentax lenses on newer Pentax DSLRs?

Question

Can I use old Pentax lenses from the film days on the newer Pentax DSLRs?

Are there any caveats or exceptions? Are adapters or modifications needed?

Answer

Yes, all Pentax DSLRs accept all K-mount lenses. This includes autofocusing (if applicable), focus confirmation, metering, IS, etc.

The oldest two series, K and M series (database), do not have aperture contacts, and thus do not work with Av and Tv mode. Instead, you'll have to use M mode, but you will get meter readings. It can also suggest a shutter speed if you push the +/- or green button (depending on camera model and settings). Metering on these digital SLRs tends to be noticeably more inconsistent than on on the film SLRs they were designed for. These two series do not get matrix metering, just center-weighted and spot, but do get focus-trap.

There is a rare breed of K-mount that Ricoh used, called "KR" mount. They have an extra pin which will get stuck if it is not removed.

You can also get a M42-PK adapter and use the endless supply of great cheap screwmount lenses available at ebay, pawnshops, etc. They will have focus confirmation, IS, center/spot metering, and can actually use Av mode as they will stop down with the aperture ring.

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Are aftermarket battery grips made for the Canon T2i compatibile with the T3i?

Question

I know that the T2i (550d) and T3i (600d) both use the same OEM BG-E8 grip. There are some aftermarket grips (that are significantly less expensive than the OEM one) that are specifically marketed toward the T2i. Am I correct in assuming they will also work with the T3i?

Answer

You shouldn't have any problems with a grip designed for the T2i working on a T3i. They have the same body shape on the bottom, and both use the same battery. As you said, the Canon grip is identical - the BG-E8, so there is no reason why other brands wouldn't work the same. The only reason one of them wouldn't work for some reason is if it had extra hardware that somehow interferes with the flip out screen(new feature to the T3i.), but I can't imagine that ever occurring. I did find at least one example of an off brand unit that claims to work on both units - B&H - Vello BG-C5.

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Canon T2i/T3i Aftermarket Battery Grip Compatibility

Question

I know that the T2i (550d) and T3i (600d) both use the same OEM BG-E8 grip. There are some aftermarket grips (that are significantly less expensive than the OEM one) that are specifically marketed toward the T2i. Am I correct in assuming they will also work with the T3i?

Answer

You shouldn't have any problems with a grip designed for the T2i working on a T3i. They have the same body shape on the bottom, and both use the same battery. As you said, the Canon grip is identical - the BG-E8, so there is no reason why other brands wouldn't work the same. The only reason one of them wouldn't work for some reason is if it had extra hardware that somehow interferes with the flip out screen(new feature to the T3i.), but I can't imagine that ever occurring. I did find at least one example of an off brand unit that claims to work on both units - B&H - Vello BG-C5.

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Are there recent entry-level/prosumer DSLR cameras that can use/are compatible with high quality older manual lenses?

Question

A reason to use older lenses is to save money on bigger zoom or other normally expensive auto-focus lenses.

Is this still something people do?

Answer

Yes, there are. Most DSLRs are backwards compatible with lenses of film DSLR from the same brand. The main exceptions are Olympus, Panasonic and Sony.

Canon changed its mount completely when they introduced autofocus, so you will have less luck there.

Nikon manual focus lenses are compatible with higher-end bodies (D90, D300S, D7000, D3S, D3X, etc). Compatibility is not universal though, so not all MF lenses will work, you'll have to look up each case separately.

Pentax is known by many to have the highest-level of legacy compatibility. Most MF lens in the K-mount will work on all Pentax DSLRs. As an awesome bonus, all those lenses will benefit from stabilization provided the DSLR bodies. You only have to enter the right focal-length manually into the camera. If you are considering long zooms (when you said 'bigger') then this is huge.

Sony acquired the Konica-Minolta and its DSLRs are compatible with MF focus from the Maxxum/Dynax/Alpha (depending on where in the world you are) generation. Like Pentax, stabilization is provided by the body too.

Olympus and Panasonic use an all-new 4/3 mount which has no legacy lenses. However, if you consider the new Micro Four-Third SLDs (mirrorless cameras) they can support just about any legacy lens using an adapter.

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How do I find out which Nikon film cameras will work with my newer G F-mount lens?

Question

I want to pick up a film camera but I have a nice G lens (Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 with VC) and I'd really like to be able to use it.

I'm having a hard time understanding which cameras will be able to work either fully or partially. For example, if I put it on a Nikon FM3A it would work but without any aperture control or autofocus right? Most of the backwards compatibility charts I've seen are extremely confusing.

Answer

The two lens compatibility resources that I know of are nikonians.org and Ken Rockwell. A caveat is that they only deal with Nikon lenses; it's a harder question to answer with your Tamron.

If it really is like a Nikon G VR lens, then with the FM3A it won't work at all, but it won't damage your camera to attach it. On the other hand, everything including metering, focus, and VR would work on an F100.

Edit

Of course, as danio says, the lens needs to have a sufficient image circle to cover the film. This lens doesn't, so it won't work on any 35mm film camera unfortunately.

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Is Nikon AF 70-300/4.0-5.6 G Black Nikkor Lens compatible with Nikon D80?

Question

I'm looking at the Nikon AF 70-300/4.0-5.6 G Black Nikkor Lens, and that page says that it's not compatible with Nikon D40, D40x, D60 and D5000. I'm not sure - would it work with my D80?

Answer

Yes it will work. Those cameras don't feature an in body focus motor and won't autofocus with any "AF" lens. Your D80 should be fine with any AF or newer AF-S lens.

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