Will a "D" lens work on a N4004?

[attack_donut]

I have the opportunity to purchase a sigma 10-20mm lens, it's a "D" lens (sans aperture ring) and I've read conflicting info on whether it'll fit and work normally on my N4004 or not.

In addition, will something as shallow as 10mm give me a fisheye look, or just a very wide field of view?

Thanks

[TimF]

I would have thought no, considering the vintage, but having consulted my copy of Simon Stafford's Nikon Compendium I believe the answer is that it will. In P mode you set the shutter dial to A and the aperture dial (on the camera top plate) to S, in Tv the shutter speed is selected manually and the aperture set to S, in Av it's shutter dial to A and select aperture manually. Manual is done setting both manually obviously.

I'd recommend that you test this lens on the camera though, before shelling out for it, if possible. Or at least get an assurance from the seller that they'll refund you if it won't work.

EDIT: I was momentarily confused by you using the "D" description, but of course with Sigma this means digital rather than distance as it does with Nikon's older lenses. If this lens is designed for APS-C DSLRs then you'll just get a circular image in the centre of the frame. If it'd for both full frame and cropped digital then my earlier comments stand.

[El_Sid]

I have the opportunity to purchase a sigma 10-20mm lens, it's a "D" lens (sans aperture ring) and I've read conflicting info on whether it'll fit and work normally on my N4004 or not.

In addition, will something as shallow as 10mm give me a fisheye look, or just a very wide field of view?

Thanks

Not sure about the aperture ring situation but I will say that you can expect vignetting if you use it on the N4004. I have this lens in Canon fit and out of curiosity I tried it on one of my film EOS. I didn't take many test shots but it vignettes badly at 10 and 20mm and, as far as I can see, across the full aperture range.

If you want a really ultra-wide zoom for the N4004 you'd be better advised to look at the 12-24 Sigma which is a 35mm format lens - though the same issue regarding the lack of an aperture ring may still apply...

On the aperture ring front I queried this with a Sigma rep at the Focus event in Birmingham last year and, apparently, Nikon fit lenses described as 'D' may or may not have an aperture ring depending on how old the design is - Sigma simply use the 'D' tag to indicate that the lens passes distance information to the camera. Only proper Nikon lenses are 'D'-type when they have an aperture ring and 'G'-type without one - both types still pass distance info on though...


PS

For further clarification any Sigma lens classified as DC is for APS-C format only while lenses defined as DG are 35mm format but with enhanced suitability for digital use as well...

[attack_donut]

El Sid-

Thank you for explaining what the DG and DC means I have difficultly figuring out all those acronyms.

But both of you are correct, I'll have to try it out and see what it does...

[weasley]

The Sigma 10-20 is a DC lens with HSM (or at least mine is), which means it is set up to expose a DX-sized sensor and needs a body that can drive the lens-mounted focussing motor for AF to work.

In terms of exposure, I just put mine on my F801s and although the camera reports an exposure for all modes, it doesn't appear to be accurate and there's no way of controlling the aperture in 'A' mode (the camera reports f/32 is set but the lens only goes to f/22 minimum).

In 'P' mode(s) it varies the aperture setting on the screen but doesn't appear to stop the lens down during exposure (from a brief peer down the lens when firing).

Finally, it vignettes at all focal lengths, going from mild at 20mm to a noticeable circle at 10mm. And you won't get a fish-eye, just a wide field of view.

[attack_donut]

Yeah, may just have to be happy with my 17-35mm f/2.8 tamron.

Thanks for all the wonderful help and info in this great Nikon board!

[GeoffR]

A Nikon AF-D, which should have an aperture ring, will work. A Nikon AF-G which does not have an aperture ring may work because the F401/N4004 has a minimum aperture switch, not an coupling ring, and has an aperture dial on the top of the camera. You have to set the aperture using the camera with the F401 because if you don't have the aperture ring set to minimum the meter does not work.

What will not work is a DX, or equivalent, lens because it is not designed to cover the 24 x 36mm frame. That said, it will "work" but you won't be impressed with the results.