Will Nikon D600 focus confirmation work with an unchipped manual-lens adapter?
Asked 3/18/2014
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I want to use a manual Minolta Rokkor 50mm f/1.4 on a Nikon D600 via an adapter. I understand that on some Canon EF setups, focus confirmation may require a chipped adapter so the camera detects a lens. On Nikon, I’ve seen mixed information: some people say a chipped adapter is only needed so the camera can store lens data or use focus fine-tune.
Will the D600’s focus confirmation indicator still work with a manual lens on an adapter that is not chipped, assuming I don’t care about lens data or AF fine-tune?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
12y ago
2 Answers
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Focus confirmation does indeed work. I have a D7000 (which is ergonomically very similar to a D600 - think of a D600 as a D7000 with an upgraded sensor) and have been using a Nikon 80-200mm f/4.5 AI on it perfectly fine. I just rotate the focus dial until the green confirmation dot shows up on the screen.
An important concept to realize about a camera's phase/contrast detection system is that it works fine even if the lens does not have autofocus, because it is an optical, not mechanical, feature. Basically, your camera "knows" how to autofocus with any lens; the only thing keeping it from actually autofocusing with manual-focus lenses is the lack of a physical connection between the AF motor and the focusing ring. That's where your hand comes in: when you move the ring back and forth, the camera knows what you're doing and can detect when to stop.
Now, what a chip does allow for is the recording of EXIF information regarding the aperture on the D3000 or D5000 cameras. However, for anything D7000 or higher, the camera can record the aperture even without a chip.
As for AF fine tune, that is still possible. If you are only using one non-chipped lens, then just adjust the AF fine tune default value (which will be overridden by all your other lenses, as long as you've taken care to register them in your AF fine tune system). If you have multiple non-chipped lenses and their AF fine tune values differ, then you'll have to remember to update the default value each time before switching lenses.
Originally by user26820. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user26820
12y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes — Nikon focus confirmation can work with a manual lens even if the adapter is not chipped. The confirmation dot is driven by the camera’s focusing system, and manual focus lenses can still be used with it; you turn the focus ring yourself until the green confirmation indicator appears.
A chipped adapter is mainly useful for extra communication with the camera, such as reporting lens information or enabling certain body features tied to lens data. It is not required just for basic focus confirmation.
So if your main goal is to manually focus your Rokkor on the D600 and use the in-viewfinder confirmation indicator, an unchipped adapter should still allow that. A chip may add convenience, but it isn’t necessary for the confirmation signal itself.
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