Nikon 'E' Lenses

'E'-lens.

'E' lens.

Nikon already has a whole list of lenses labeled 'E' (instead of the usual 'D'and'G'). A complete list can be found here.

The letter 'E' in the lens name means'Electromagnetic diaphragm '-' Electromagnetic diaphragm '. These lenses control the aperture (open and close the petals) using an electromagnetic mechanism built into the lens. This is done in order to improve the accuracy of the aperture when shooting at high speeds. It is stated that such lenses can easily close and open the aperture even at speeds of about 11 frames per second (although who cares about such speeds?)

As far as I know, since some time the old, non-'E 'Nikon lenses have been tested for the ability of the aperture mechanism to shoot at speeds up to 10 fps. It is strange that for the sake of one or two additional frames per second it was necessary to redraw the entire control system. In theory, there are indeed some problems with the old 'blinking' aperture control mechanism. This is due to temperature phenomena and other mechanical features that can affect the final dimensions of the formed diaphragm opening. But, in my opinion, mistakes in exposure this is minimized.

Conventional Nikon lenses and cameras have special tabs on the lens and camera mount. These tabs provide a simple 'blinking' or 'jumping' diaphragm mechanism.

Lens protrusion (correctly called 'linkage levers'):

Mechanical diaphragm protrusion

Nikon lens mount for mechanical iris control.

There is no such protrusion on 'E' -type lenses; commands to the internal aperture control mechanism go directly to the lens through the microprocessor contacts.

Camera protrusion:

Aperture jump on Nikon cameras

Aperture jump on Nikon cameras

For Nikon cameras, this mechanism has been virtually unchanged since 1957.

The Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 800mm 1: 5.6E ED FL VR lens description on the official website states that the cameras:

Nikon D1, D1h, D1x, D2h, D2x, D2hs, D2xs, D40, D50, D60, D70, D70s, D80, D90, D100, D200, D3000

will not be able to work correctly with him, due to the inability to electronically control the diaphragm. For Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 400mm 1: 2.8E ED FL VR, there are no restrictions at all (maybe they are not?). I have not worked with these lenses :), so it is not possible for me to indicate real problems with incompatibility. But, most likely, all type 'E' lenses will not work correctly with this list of cameras. Such lenses on cameras from this list will always shoot at the maximum open aperture.

The question to which I do not have an answer yet: will these obsolete, but still used cameras work with a lens to which one of the new teleconverters is attached - Nikon AF-S teleconverter TC-14E ​​III 1.4x and Nikon AF-S teleconverter TC800 -1.25E ED? That is, can teleconverter compensate for the camera’s inability to control the iris of the lens.

And one more question: whether the usual flashing of the camera can change the compatibility with similar lenses. In my opinion, there is only a problem in transmitting control signals from the camera to the lens.

Nikon has 3 more lenses labeled 'PC-E'(Pperspective Ccontrol with Electronic diaphragm - Prospect Control using Electromagnetic Diaphragm) which have a similar diaphragm control mechanism. It is worth noting that it was on 'PC-E' lenses that the possibility of electromagnetic diaphragm control appeared for the first time in 2008.

Auto iris control with these lenses is only available when used on cameras. Nikon D300 и D3 (with other cameras there is no exact information). At the same time, these 'PC-E' lenses can be used on other CZKs, albeit only with manual aperture control (performed using a special button and 'special shamanic chants'). But it's still a pity that a number of film cameras are incompatible with 'PC-E' lenses (on such cameras the aperture will always be closed).

Personally, I am a little upset by the fact that I have not found an exact compatibility list of 'E' and 'PC-E' lenses for CZK. Are the developers really so lazy with the release of a new camera to add or not add it to the compatibility list for some 5 non-standard lenses. Nikon, aren't you ashamed?

PC-E Nikkor Lens

PC-E Nikkor Lens

Spoiler alert!
Where would it be without him?

Canon has been using electronic aperture control since 1987 on all of its lenses. And there are no compatibility problems (though only with Canon lenses released after 87th year, not like Nikon - with 57, yes, all these old warm tube manual lenses). For example, Nikon uses as many as two mechanical transfer units from the camera to the lens - a diaphragm pusher and a focusing motor for 'AF'- lenses. I recommend looking at the insides of the Nikon camera here. I personally admired the foresight of Canon designers.

What's next? All these super-expensive lenses do not seem to bother a mere mortal photographer. But it was not there. Most likely, in the distant future, 'E' type lenses will become a mass phenomenon, and to save on mechanical parts, cameras without a diaphragm pusher will be released, which will lead to incompatibilities. For example, something similar happened when the camera exited Nikon D40 (and all its subsequent modifications), which removed the focusing motor, which led to incompatibility with lenses'AF'-type.

There are more articles on Radozhiv regarding iris control with Nikon lenses:

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Add a comment: Dmitry K

 

 

Comments: 64, on topic: Nikon 'E' Lenses

  • Denis

    Huh, but I thought that E lenses work on all digital cameras ... Really a shame for Nikon. Could have made support for an electromagnetic diaphragm already starting with screwless cameras. They are pulling their outdated mount to the last, causing confusion in compatibility ...

    • Andrei

      Shame? I beg of you! By the time the lenses displace the good old AF-D and AF-S, there will be no cameras without the support of an electromagnetic diaphragm drive. But Nikon still draws the opportunity to use the good old Ai-series manuals and I am immensely glad of this opportunity.
      And today, and over the next few years, even D200 or D2 users will not need lenses with the ability to take pictures at a speed of more than 11 frames per second.
      So who will feel disadvantaged?
      PS I myself, as yet, a happy owner of D70s.

      • Denis

        With the exception of the "jumping rope", almost any CZK allows you to use the good old manuals, both Nikonovsky and others. But on the Nikon bayonet, except for native and medium format optics, nothing will fit, infinity will disappear. Therefore, the fact that Nikon is still pulling its mount is not such an advantage.

  • Oleg

    In general, the absence of a normal mechanical aperture control ring on modern SLR lenses is blatant. And now they also put an electronic focus ring. And if on mirrorless fixes and mini-zooms this is still justified by the extremely compact size / weight, then these have completely lost their fear.

  • Yarkiya

    People, tell me stupid, what is Page 3700?

    • DCN

      Arkady is just joking) it means nothing

      • Yarkiya

        I understand that this is irony, in the direction of kenon, but I wonder what this meme means.

        • Arkady Shapoval

          In the picture, Ayanyami Rei, who smiles very rarely, and since she is happy for Canon, it’s not easy :) Think of it like an Easter egg on page 3700 Radozhiva, there are others)

        • Dmitry K

          This is Ray Ayanami, the heroine of the cult anime about the Great Combat Humanoid Robots. In the course of the story is always sad. Rei can smile for something really good. More details here http://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Евангелион

          • anonym

            ZOMG TEH REI !!!

  • Madness scif

    http://photo-parts.com.ua/customers/62-dslr-qq.html/ sorry for the flood, but you do not need to put an electronic aperture on lenses of the brand nikkor. nikon has always been famous for simplicity, efficiency and opportunity. and optics worth about 8000 cu even many professionals cannot afford. only news agencies do it

    • Denis

      Meanwhile, almost any Nikon optics are more expensive than Canon's, the same lens in the Nikon version is more expensive. It doesn't matter, third-party manufacturers, used, new ... I don’t know what kind of simplicity we are talking about (the mechanics in Nikons are much more complicated than electromagnetic drives of other systems), but the prices for this “simplicity” are usually higher.

  • Gene jb

    It is strange that Nikon still uses an ancient mechanical jump rope. By the way, the electromechanical diaphragm assembly itself is quite simple and I think it's cheap. Therefore, it makes no sense to fence the mechanics. Most likely, nikon has simply been pulling the entire lens park with him since 57 ... But this is too conservative. Kanon won calmly released a new bayonet and is not steaming….

    • Dmitry K

      but all sorts of mega lenses with a lamp picture in use (such as 105 2.8 non-ai) and even a camera for junk made (nikon df) Yes, it’s not convenient. But there’s really nothing to break - the motor in the camera, the diaphragm leash from the camera. Uncle Vasya, with his hands not trembling, will easily fix everything that service centers have already refused because of obsolescence. And try to disassemble the Elka, I think the point will be. They refuse the screwdriver, but it’s a pity, some screwdriver lenses are faster than motor lenses and the picture is at least no worse

      • Denis

        But there is something to break in the chamber - the mechanism of this jump rope is rather complicated.
        And it was not necessary to change the entire mount. It was enough just to make an electromagnetic diaphragm and control it through the available contacts, as happened with autofocus. If you want to shoot with ancient optics - clamp the leash, put it on and work with manual iris control. Because of this skipping rope, Nikon has some problems - we have already read about compatibility, Duc and exposure metering with manual lenses works on selected cameras, because of the same skipping rope. There are no problems with this on Canon.

        • Dmitry K

          ultimately, if the camera does not die, it will become obsolete, and a good lens and after 30 years a good lens. And the simpler a good lens is made, the longer it will live

          • Denis

            All the same, you need to go ahead, not forgetting about backward compatibility. In our years, making a mechanical link between the lens and the camera is a stone age. They abandoned the screwdriver autofocus, and the diaphragm jumped and jumps with the lever. Regarding simplicity - just an electromagnetic drive is simpler than a mechanical one. there is no complex system of leverage. And from the side of the camera, in general, only electronics. On manual optics, as they shot without autofocus, they shoot, is it really so difficult to shoot without a jump rope? I've shot on Gelik 44, I didn't feel any discomfort. But I felt it perfectly when I put on the Helios-81N on the Nikon, where the jump rope worked, but the exposure metering through one place.
            Vaughn Canon generally threw away the junk and made an excellent bayonet mount, on which Nikon optics can be installed through adapters. And no screwdrivers and jumpers. Nikon has just gotten over and goes the same way, but at what cost? One and a half cameras will support the new optics; massive digital carcasses will not be pulled by all.

    • Do_Oraemon

      Duc need to rejoice! That old glass is suitable as poured on new carcasses. And to the delight of some, also Kiev optics. Otherwise, you would have to close and then open with handles in front of each frame. And Canon, just, has a large percentage of glasses periodically “falling off” from carcasses. Nikon is so wonderful that the old optics fits without problems.

      • Oleg

        The canon has a shorter working length on it, you can put on any lens and shoot in manual mode, while the infinity disappears in nikon. This is his advantage. For me, for example, this turned out to be an argument in favor of Kenon.

        • Dmitry K

          nominally yes, but with Nikon glasses there will be no diaphragm for humanly working through the camera. Manuals of the major league such as Zeiss are made for both canon and nikon. So besides the grandfather's chest with the junk, bonuses are not so hot. And if you look at the good, then the old Nikon glasses are no less than Soviet ones, and the diaphragm jumps only on Nikon.

          • Denis

            With Nikon glasses, not all Nikon cameras work adequately, then the metering does not work, then, as it turned out, the diaphragm. And not all lenses fit on all cameras without alteration. Jumping, in my opinion, is not such an important advantage compared to the ability to put more optics.

            • Arkady Shapoval

              Actually, an article about incompatibility a long time ago in Radozhiv was :)

              • Denis

                Well, for example, I read that article for a long time, it just became a discovery for me that E-lenses do not work on all cameras) In general, I was surprised how screwless lenses do not have any problems, and the unfortunate diaphragm cannot be pulled without a jump rope ...

  • Gene jb

    >> It is stated that such lenses can easily close and open the aperture even at speeds of about 11 frames per second (although who cares about such speeds?)

    but isn’t it easier to not open it between frames?

    • Dmitry K

      and then goodbye autofocus and metering in the series, all in 1 frame will be

      • Denis

        Exposure metering is also done elementarily with the aperture closed, but with autofocus, yes, there may be problems.

      • Gene jb

        Dmitry, do you really think that in 90 ms (in a series of 11 k / s) autofocus can work? Something I doubt. But the metering can, it depends only on the processor and the metering sensor (matrix).

        • Dmitry K

          proof about autofocus times http://digitalservis.ru/nikon/784/nikon-d4.html/
          official site, black and white http://www.nikon.ru/ru_RU/product/digital-cameras/slr/professional/d4s
          quote from consumer brochure “Updated autofocus system allows you to more effectively“ capture ”and track the subject at 11 frames per second; in addition, with the new Group AF mode, the AF-area control becomes much more precise ”
          questions?

        • Dmitry K

          The updated autofocus system allows you to more effectively “capture” and track an object at a speed of 11 frames per second - a quote from the site Nikon about d4s.
          “The D4S offers more effective targeting and tracking. It can shoot at an incredible 11 frames per second in FX format with AE / AF, which exceeds the capabilities of its predecessor, the D4 model. ”Quote from a consumer brochure.
          http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSxlQab4zQo and here Kai will not only show autofocus at a speed of 11 frames per second, but also compare it with canon))

    • Arkady Shapoval

      I suspect that when the aperture is closed, especially at low values ​​(F / 16, F / 22, etc.), the phase sensors become blind and do not focus correctly. + exposure metering is also carried out at an open aperture. Although some cameras do just that - during continuous shooting, they lock the exposure (accordingly, they do not open the aperture in the intervals between shots).

      • Dmitry K

        D3 and D4 just have time to open and measure, in d4 there are even 2 modes: A) 10 frames with metering and B) 11 frames offhand on the first.
        Threat of something we answer with Arkady duet)))

  • Basil

    Nikon D610, manual, page 327, lens compatibility - Nikkor AF, G, E and D

  • anonym

    and also any manuals work in the “A” mode, as long as there is an F mount, that is, no problems with any optics.

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Not any old 'F' mount lenses, the so-called Non-AI, simply won't even fit the D610 without rework. Details here https://radojuva.com.ua/2012/06/nikon-ai-s-old-lens-about/

      • Basil

        meant those that are indicated in the manual, and AI, as well as those that have the ability directly or through an adapter to "F"

      • Basil

        I don’t know about other types of cameras, I’m talking about D610 about Nikkor type "E"

      • Basil

        I read the link, thanks, I didn’t know some subtleties.

    • Denis

      Exposure metering with manual optics does not work on: Nikon D40, D40x, D50, D60, D70, D70s, D80, D90, D3000, D3100, D3200, D3300, D5000, D5100, D5200, D5300 and Nikon D100.

      So only in “M” to shoot with such cameras. And all because of the jump rope, the camera could have measured, but it does not know to what value the aperture will “jump” during shooting, so on such cameras (without a sensor of the set aperture), exposure metering without optics was removed altogether.

      • Andrii

        D200 also does not know to what value the aperture will jump. He only knows how many degrees the lever has deviated and only in this way calculates how many steps to make the exposure compensation.

      • Yaroslav

        Denis, the camera always knows to what value the aperture will jump, because the camera itself controls the aperture. As for the sensor of the set aperture, it is needed so that the camera knows how much the photographer will manually close this aperture when using manual optics. As for the electric drive of the diaphragm, the control signals to the diaphragm module are fed through a train that constantly bends during zooming and periodically breaks down for this reason. Therefore, a mechanical drive is EQUALLY RELIABLE AND LONGER LONGER than an electric drive. The disadvantage of a mechanical drive is a large inertia of the system when operating at high speeds

        • Denis

          Nothing like this. The camera does not know to what value the aperture will close, because it does not know what is exposed on the ring. It is because of this that exposure metering does not work on cameras that do not have a ring sensor.
          "Therefore, a mechanical drive is EQUALLY RELIABLE AND LONGER LONGER than electric." - well, this is generally funny. You contradict yourself - as an electrical loop that breaks down due to mechanical (!) Impact, so it is short-lived, and the mechanics itself, subject to the same wear, is more reliable and more durable? Tell this to engineers from other firms who have long abandoned mechanics.

  • Gene jb

    Not in a subject, but found an interesting article on a geek magazine http://habrahabr.ru/post/143169/

  • Alexander

    The D7000 claims full support for this lens. So everything is in order. There should be no problems with the compatibility of lenses with such an aperture device.

    • Denis

      That is, if compatible with the D7000, is everything okay? An interesting argument :)
      And the whole list of unsupported cameras is nothing. Well, the owners of such cameras will have to be updated, in which case. Buy megapixels unnecessary for them, heavy RAW files, etc.
      But seriously, of course, the owners of such cameras, in principle, will hardly look at these glasses, so at this stage there will be no serious problems, there are too few such optics, and many more compatible ones. And in the future, whether you like it or not, you will have to fork out for a new camera. And goodbye to the “warm tube” picture of your favorite camera.

  • Sergei

    From everything I read, including the debates, I conclude that the described distant future is not so distant and Nikon will have to switch to an electronic diaphragm as in his time - Canon did it, for the manufacturer I see only the positive side again new-old))) camera, new lenses - in short, not a plowed field, and everyone who will not be satisfied with indignation, and will subside Nikon will leave one model in the manner of DF for fans of the same tube, read manual heat for a lot of money, but how, you want high art pay.

    • Denis

      Nikon generally slows down for some reason in terms of progress)) Comparing with the same Canon - the screwdriver autofocus held out for a long time, Canon refused for a long time, the mechanical aperture jumper is still used, only now they began to jump from it - the mentioned competitor lost it along with a screwdriver; the full-frame camera was also “born” much later ...

      • Alexander

        Denis, well, about heavy RAW this is far-fetched, about megapixels by and large, too. 16Mpix is ​​approximately 40 / 30cm photograph, if printed with a resolution of 300dpi. IMHO, for my taste, the balance is maintained. And if on the topic, no one has canceled the mount contacts, they will release new software on the camera and everything will be normal (Just an example of the D7000) And I agree, there are very few innovations. It would be BETTER to increase the DD, and reduce the noise of the matrices. For me personally, if the D7000 was noisy at least like the D600, it would be an ideal camera.

        • Denis

          “16Mpix is ​​about 40 / 30cm photograph if printed at 300dpi” - this is if printed. Nowadays, not many people print (why create dusty archives?), The majority looks at the monitor and uploads it to the network. Megapixels are only useful here for cropping. But the weight of RAW files is by no means far-fetched - even flash drives are choked with such data streams, and then they must be stored somewhere else. When shooting in JPEG, there are no such problems, not only do they weigh a little themselves, but also the resolution can be reduced immediately during shooting. With RAW, alas, this cannot be done, although I would be glad to be able to save RAWs of lower resolutions.

          But this is all a distraction from the topic.

          • Alexander

            Denis, I shoot RAW + Jpeg, both flash drives do not choke. Two 16Gb UHS-1 cards work wonders. ))) And to store ... An external Seagate on 3TB helps a lot with this. In addition, I delete most of the pictures, leaving only those that I like.

            Well, really, let's not litter the branch ...)))

      • Alexander

        I just printed large photos and here megapixels are very much even in the subject ...)))) Plus, there is the possibility of cropping without visible damage.

  • Sergei

    Hello, dear.
    Thanks first for such a valuable resource. I discovered it recently.
    I’ve been studying this site for 3 weeks now.

    I have a question. I use film Nikon F under it, I have a lens
    Nikon Series E 75-150 mm f / 3.5s Zoom lens
    More about him here: http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/emfgfg20/eserieslenses/htmls/36150mm.htm#75150mm

    Tell me, will the devil become a problem on the Nikon D7000?

    Please do not kick for such a stupid question, I just never worked on digital cameras. Used only film.

    Thank you.

  • Serg

    In the new Nikon D750, the ability to control the aperture while shooting a video video is declared, for more details about this

  • Andrey

    Good day. Tell me, Arkady, what kind of a ZOOM-NIKKOR 70-210 / 4 AIS series E lens? Does this mean anything other than electronic iris control?

    • Arkady Shapoval

      'Nikon Lens Series E' lenses are one of Nikon's simplest lenses. These lenses went as standard cameras for Nikon entry-level film cameras (Nikon Super Compact Bodies: EM, FG, FG20). The 'E' series can be safely called the whale lenses of its time. Typically, these lenses had slightly worse body and optical quality than the more advanced Nikon lenses. Nevertheless, the series 'E' is widely appreciated by many amateurs for its light weight and good image quality. None of the 'E' lenses have the name 'Nikkor', which refers to all Nikon 'real' lenses

  • Andrey

    Thank you, otherwise everywhere "bit by bit" about this same series

  • Kostjan

    There is such a moment: the electric drive of the diaphragm implies the presence of a flexible loop, which will inevitably fail over time, which happens with Canon lenses not so often. The mechanical drive is much more practical in this regard, pmsm.

    • Lynx

      Have you ever sorted a Nikon af-lens?
      there are such flexible loops - at least 2-3

  • WilliamSiva

    Great forum. Much thanks again. Awesome. Beckham

  • Dim

    Personally, I consider the electronic diaphragm a disadvantage - electronics easily breaks down, degrades, insulation ages and cracks ... Mechanics, on the other hand, have proven their reliability and indestructibility. I have a lot of old lenses, many arrived by mail from Japan and everything is in a state close to perfect

  • Dmitriy

    Got a Sigma 85 / 1.4 ART? It also has an electromagnetic diaphragm on it !!! What can I say ... of the minuses, these are of course possible breakdowns of electronics in the future (but this is only a possibility), and of the pluses, less vibrations of the camera when photographing with closed apertures. Fewer moving parts (diaphragm pusher) and therefore less vibration. Everything works great on Nikon d610 !! But on the Nikon F5 camera (film), the diaphragm no longer works. You can shoot only at a fully open aperture, but even with a film camera, the Sigma 85 / 1.4 ART lens focuses just as lightning fast and 100% accurate !!! I also have Nikon 14-24 / 2.8G and Nikon 35 / 1.4G. On F5, they are perfectly compatible)) It's a shame that on this excellent site there is no review for any of the lenses I have ((

    • Alexey

      I agree about the Sigma 85 / 1.4 ART, even when you turn on the preview, there is practically no sound when closing the diaphragm (for the first time I was even surprised). With the jump, everything rumbles.

  • Eugene

    Excellent article!
    One consideration. The advantage of E-shnyh lenses is not only in speed, but also in the stability of working out a given aperture value. This is especially valuable when shooting time lapses and interval shooting - flicker is practically zero.

  • Jeka

    It is noteworthy that Nikon E-series lenses with an electronic diaphragm are not supported on the models indicated in the article, but the electromagnetic diaphragm available on the Tamron 10-24mm F / 3.5-4.5 Di II VC HLD (model B023) model on my Nikon D90 with the latter I worked with firmware during a photo event to which Tamron brought its lenses. By EXIF ​​and by shooting a test chart at 45 degrees, the aperture was changed.

  • Nicholas

    I’ll add my accidental discovery to the previous comment: on my D90 I have a Tamron 35-150 F/2.8-4 (A043) lens, and this is a lens with an electromagnetic diaphragm, it works correctly. Even the firmware on the D90 has never been updated.

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