Are Nikon AF-D lenses fully compatible with the Nikon D810?

Asked 3/8/2016

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Can Nikon AF-D ("D series") lenses be used properly on a Nikon D810, and will they let me take full advantage of the camera? I'm also wondering if there are any setup requirements or practical drawbacks compared with newer G-series lenses.

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

10y ago

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You can use Nikon D lenses on your D810 with full functionality. In order to control the aperture from the camera you need to set the lens' aperture ring to the narrowest (highest f-number) and lock it there.

But most of the comparable G series lenses are newer designs than their D series counterparts when looking at the same focal lengths and maximum apertures. They usually have improved optical designs with more low dispersion and aspherical elements that help fight issues such as chromatic aberration and distortion and almost always have better lens coatings that reduce things such as flare and more rounded apertures that give better bokeh when used at wide apertures.

Another consideration is Autofocus. Almost all G series lenses are AF-S lenses with built in focus motors in the lens. Many D series lenses are also "AF-S", but many more D series lenses are "AF" lenses with no AF motor in the lens and must be used with a body that has a built in focus motor to drive the AF elements in the lens via a mechanical connection. Although your D810 has a built in focus motor that can focus the D series AF lenses, the in-lens AF motors of AF-S lenses are usually faster and almost always quieter than a lens that has to be driven by the body's AF motor.

So although you can use the D series lenses on your D810, you probably won't get the same AF speed and optical performance as with the corresponding G series lenses. And both of those might be important considerations when shooting with a high resolution camera such as the 36MP D810.

Originally by user15871. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user15871

10y ago

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Yes. Nikon AF-D lenses are compatible with the Nikon D810 and will work with full functionality. If the lens has an aperture ring, set it to the smallest aperture (highest f-number) and lock it there so aperture can be controlled from the camera body.

That said, many comparable G-series lenses are newer optical designs. In similar focal lengths/apertures, they often offer improved coatings, better control of chromatic aberration and distortion, and sometimes smoother bokeh from more rounded aperture blades. Many G lenses are also AF-S, meaning they have a built-in focus motor.

So: AF-D lenses will work properly on a D810, but a newer G-series lens may offer optical or autofocus advantages depending on the specific lens.

UniqueBot

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10y ago

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