Number of microprocessor pins on Nikon Nikkor lenses

CPU contacts on the Nikon lens

CPU contacts on the Nikon lens

Different Nikon Nikkor lenses with autofocus support have a different number of microprocessor contacts on the mount side. The reason for writing this article was the fact that some Nikon cameras have fewer bayonet contacts than the number of contacts on the lens itself, which raises the question - is it possible to fully use lenses with a large number of contacts on cameras with a small number of microprocessor contacts?

5 microprocessor pins on a Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm 1: 1.8 MKII lens

5 microprocessor pins on an old Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm 1: 1.8 MKII lens

Nearly all 'AF' type lenses have 5 microprocessor pins, that is, those that do not have a built-in focus motor.

Of course, there are rare exceptions, for example Nikon ED AF VR-Nikkor 80-400mm 1: 4.5-5.6D Vibration Reduction.

5 contacts used the very first Nikkor autofocus lenses, which began to be released back in 1986, an example of such a lens is Nikon AF Nikkor 35-135mm 1: 3.5-4.5. Even some modern lenses that are still produced and are not considered obsolete models (at the beginning of 2016, according to the official Nikon website), for example, Nikon ED AF Nikkor 14mm 1: 2.8D or Nikon AF Nikkor 24-85mm 1: 2.8-4 D IF Aspherical Macro (1: 2) use all the same 5 pins of the microprocessor.

Number of microprocessor pins not related to aperture control ringmore precisely, it does not matter whether it is a 'G' lens, or 'NON-G'. For example, 'G' lenses Nikon AF Nikkor 70-300mm 1: 4-5.6G и Nikon ED AF Nikkor 28-200mm 1: 3.5-5.6G IF Aspherical и Nikon AF Nikkor 28-80mm 1: 3.3-5.6G (MKIII) и Nikon DX AF Fisheye Nikkor 10.5mm 1: 2.8G ED (the only prime lens known to me without a diaphragm control ring and without a built-in focus motor) do not have a diaphragm control ring and at the same time have 5 microprocessor contacts. Lenses 'NON-G' type (with aperture control ring) can also have 5 microprocessor contacts, as an example. Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm 1: 1.8D и Nikon AF Nikkor 35-70mm 1: 2.8.

Number of microprocessor pins independent of the ability to transmit the focus distance into the camera, 'D' lenses and 'NON-D' lenses can have the same number of microprocessor pins. An example of this is Nikon AF Nikkor 35-70mm 1: 2.8 и Nikon AF Nikkor 35-70mm 1: 2.8D.

Number of microprocessor pins it doesn’t depend on whether it is a fixed lens or a zoom lens. An example is Nikon ED AF Nikkor 70-300mm 1: 4-5.6D и Nikon 180mm 1: 2.8D ED AF Nikkor.

6 pins microprocessor Nikon AF-Nikkor 80mm 1: 2.8

6 pins microprocessor Nikon AF-Nikkor 80mm 1: 2.8

6 pins have only two autofocus lenses: Nikon AF-Nikkor 80mm 1: 2.8 and Nikon AF-Nikkor * ED 200mm 1: 3.5, which were introduced in April 1983. These are the very first two autofocus lenses that were developed specifically for the first autofocus camera Nikon F3AF ...

These lenses have built-in micro-motors, which is 5 years ahead of the Canon EOS system with their Canon EF mount. Unfortunately, Nikon further developed a different autofocus concept, which led to the Nikon AF-Nikkor 80mm 1: 2.8 and Nikon AF-Nikkor * ED 200mm 1: 3.5 being used only with Nikon F3AF, Nikon F4 and Nikon cameras F501 (aka Nikon N2020). Nikon F4 and Nikon F501 cameras have a dual set of contacts for working with both these lenses and with new lenses released after 1986.

If these lenses are installed on a modern digital SLR camera, then most likely the camera burns to hell something terrible will happen.

7 microprocessor pins have many budget lenses with built-in focus motor. Most likely, the increase in microprocessor contacts has grown to service the built-in focus motor. Examples of such lenses are Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 55-200mm 1: 4-5.6G ED VR IF SWM or Nikon 18-55mm 1: 3.5-5.6GII VR II AF-S DX Nikkor.

Most likely, only some Nikon DX lenses use 7 pins of the microprocessor. Moreover Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm 1: 3.5-5.6G ED SWM Aspherical used 8 pins and the subsequent model - Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm 1: 3.5-5.6GII ED SWM Aspherical already 7.

Number of microprocessor pins independent of Nikon VR's integrated image stabilizer. As an example: lenses Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm 1: 3.5-5.6GII ED SWM Aspherical и Nikon 18-55mm 1: 3.5-5.6G VR AF-S DX Nikkor use all the same 7 contacts.

8 CPU pins have most 'AF-S', 'AF-P' and 'AF-I' lenses, that is, lenses with a built-in focus motor. Some believe that additional contacts were added to improve the power supply to the lens motor, as well as to transfer additional data to the camera. Additional data is associated with tracking the movement of the camera and lens in space. An example of such lenses is Nikon 18-105mm 1: 3.5-5.6G ED Nikkor VR AF-S SWM DX IF Aspherical or Nikon N AF-S Micro Nikkor 60mm 1: 2.8G SWM ED IF Aspherical Nano Crystal Coat.

10 microprocessor pins have advanced lenses with built-in focus motor. Some believe that an increase from 8 to 10 contacts occurred for more comfortable work with teleconverters. In fact, there is no exact data on this issue. An example of such lenses is Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm 1: 4G ED SWM VR IF Nano Crystal Coat or Nikon AF-S Nikkor 18-70mm 1: 3.5-4.5G ED DX SWM IF Aspherical.

7 pins on the Nikon D40

7 contact plates on the Nikon D40

True, there is one mystery - why some amateur-level cameras have only 7 contacts to receive signals from the lens. These cameras include Nikon D60, D40x etc. What will happen if lenses are installed on such cameras that have 8 or 10 microprocessor contacts?

Will they work worse with these lenses?? As my practice shows, multi-contact lenses work with these cameras as well as on cameras with a large number of contacts. From this, I conclude that the Nikon system has backward compatibility between different generations of cameras and lenses.

The number of contacts on the camera mount of all Nikon DSLR cameras is either 7 or 8. Even if you use an advanced Nikon camera with 8 microprocessor contacts and use a lens with 10 contacts, what will the 2 remaining contacts do? Leave your thoughts on this subject in the comments.

Material prepared Arkady Shapoval. Training/Consultations | Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Telegram

Add a comment: Lef

 

 

Comments: 48, on the topic: The number of contacts of the microprocessor on Nikon Nikkor lenses

  • Sergei

    “Even if you use Nikon's advanced 8-pin CPU and use a 10-pin lens, what will the remaining 2 pins do? "

    So why did you write this? Now I, as that professor from a joke, will suffer from insomnia and think how I would sleep better when my beard was under the covers or on top. :)

    • Sergei

      The only reasonable thought is that the “extra” contacts on the lens are used during service work. Perhaps the lens is mounted in special equipment. Can be used for flashing in the manufacturing process or for alignment in a service center.

      The second thought is that on future Nikon carcasses there will be 10 contacts on the bayonet and the manufacturer at some time thought about the compatibility of his glasses with future carcasses.

      • Sergey

        Most likely two extra contacts just to activate the service mode.
        Future compatibility is not possible. the lens does not know what a carcass that has not yet been released will want from it.

  • Sergei

    As you can see, some cameras blink an LED (the one that talks about recording on a USB flash drive, for example) when a native lens with a chip is put on the camera, or a manual lens with a dandelion. Perhaps some of the contacts are used to warn the camera that the lens is in the process of putting on so that, for example, it does not supply power to the lens and does not burn tender brains.
    And yes, as already mentioned, perhaps the extra contacts are used to flash the lens brains, software alignment at the factory, etc. etc..
    Or they will be used with the hidden meaning of a new generation of carcasses! : D

    • Sergei

      Another thought. If the article contains an exhaustive list of lenses with 10 contacts, then ... These are zooms. I took apart the whale 18-55 VR and I know how many brains there are - much more than it might seem from the simplicity of the lens. At the same time, there are a lot of moving parts in the zooms. As you know, you need two contacts to flash the microcontroller. And we can assume that in lenses with 10 contacts there are just two separate microprocessors (having connection only by power supply, working autonomously. For the firmware of the second controller, two additional contacts to 8 are needed.

      PS As far as I remember, when installing the lens, the camera blinks an LED even when it is turned off (of course, if the battery is installed).
      PPS It’s sad that Nikon does not release an adjustment dock for lenses by analogy with Sigma, but this could be useful, for example, for those who do not have a normal official service. On the other hand, they can also be understood: the user configures everything there, then he will bear it. : D

      • Arkady Shapoval

        There are also 10-pin fixes, for example 105 f2.8 vr micro from the previous review.
        I had a D200, so her access indicator for the memory card turned on when I took the camera in my hands, and it was turned off, it feels like there was a motion sensor (the camera’s orientation sensor may have worked, which is responsible for the vertical / horizontal orientation of the photos) . I saw such a poltergeist on some Nikon cameras.

        • anonym

          Arkady, maybe it's naughty contacts on the battery. I had the same thing on the D7000 with a non-original batlock.

          • Arkady Shapoval

            I had a D200 without a block.

            • anonym

              I mean, maybe Vashet’s carcasses also got out of contact / oxidized / some other misfortune, but when moving, the above described happened.

        • Denis

          I programmed microcontrollers, in principle there was a situation where the controller fell asleep, and its internal pull-up resistors were turned off. in this case, input 0 can switch to 1 or vice versa. perhaps there was the same effect

        • THE

          My d7100 starts flashing if I come closer to it 1 meter.

          • varezhkin

            ...

            • THE

              The camera is lying on the table (the screen is turned off to me), you approach it closer than one meter (approximately), or wave your hand in front of it and the green light (memory card indicator) starts to flash (3, or 4 times).

      • Evgchita

        “… The user configures everything there, then he will bear it. : D "
        I would look at it from a different angle - the user will configure everything there himself, and then he will not carry either the lens or the money anywhere)

  • Dmitriy

    Colleagues, I have long wanted to ask: will the autofocus of G lenses work on cameras like F90X, if anyone knows? And also lenses like 17-35 with a diaphragm ring, but without a screwdriver?

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Autofocus in the F90X works with AF, AF-I, AF-S optics, just like that, the camera understands G, Non-G, D lenses. But VR will not work, as well as the newfangled AF-P, E-lenses :)

    • Bkrg

      Autofocus works well - tested on AF-S 70-300VR and AF-S 85 / 1.8. On the F90x, the G-lens does not work in A and M modes, only P and S, but it is quite possible to shoot - I put it on P and use the wheel to change the exposure pairs. The stabilizer at 70-300 does not work.

  • Dmitriy

    Thank you colleagues :)

  • Lef

    I recently discovered that the dandelion's rightmost contact on my Helios broke off. Oddly enough, xD functions normally

  • Dmitry

    I have the same situation with the dandelion, but it seems like a fragment of the contact he somehow reaches the desired contact area on the carcass. With a lump of foil, I increased the height of the broken contact for a more reliable contact.

  • Lynx

    Most likely, 2 contacts will serve to power the heating of the case of professional lenses for winter conditions.

    • elveel

      Exactly so that your hands do not freeze in winter.

    • Sergei

      Or cooling in the heat

      • Lynx

        In short - the body will be covered with Pele elements, and they will be powered!

        • Andrey Super

          Peltier! something like that ...

    • vlad

      and in summer for Conder

  • Denis

    the more contacts, the softer the course

  • anonym

    2 pins will be used by SkyNet

  • Gene jb

    The story that you told once again puts a huge minus to Nikon. In contrast, Canon simply applied the SPI bus. Everything. Power is supplied and commands are sent via the bus and responses on performance or lens parameters are received. The interface is very simple and has been used for a very long time. https://pickandplace.wordpress.com/2011/10/05/canon-ef-s-protocol-and-electronic-follow-focus/

    • Alex

      // The basic Nikon interface is 5 pins, Vcc (regulated power), RW1 (tach), SCK (serial clock), SIO (serial data), gap, gap, LGND (ground). That's enough to power a lens's little CPU (power and ground), communicate with it (clock and data), and monitor the motion due to the AF motor (tach).

      For AF-S and AF-I lenses, they fill the gap with RW2 (clock inature quadruple with RW1) and LBAT (unregulated power) for 7 pins.

      Some lenses add an extra high current ground, for 8 pins. High end Nikon cameras have 8 pins, cameras with lower power electronics have 7.

      And higher end AF-S lenses add two more pins for communication between the chips in the lens and AF teleconverter. That's why they're typically only seen on larger AF-S lenses that make sense to use with teleconverters. Nikon cameras have 7 or 8 pins, teleconverters have 10.//

      That is, Nikon has been using a serial interface since the beginning of time, which pushes all the information back and forth + power contacts and synchronization. A little off the ground. The rest is for communication with the converter and additional power supply of a powerful AF engine.
      There is no magic =)

  • Anton

    If you open the contact on the lens with 5 pins (I don’t remember which one, you need to experiment), then the D5300 camera will “see” this lens and will meter and record the correct EXIF ​​data.

    • Arkady Shapoval

      The D5300 should already see lenses with 5 contacts, only autofocus will not work and distortion control there.

      • Anton

        Before all the contacts worked, the camera did not see the lens. Perhaps a breakdown, but it began to work after blocking one contact (the lens is old, approximately 1988-1990)

  • varezhkin

    An interesting observation ...

  • B.R.P.

    Thanks, Arkady. Very interesting information + thoughts of commentators.

  • Lef

    In general, why be smart? You can look up information on tyrnet for what contacts are used, well, or ask Lushnikov to ask, he developed a dandelion, which means he was engaged in reverse engineering.

  • Lef

    https://nikonhacker.com/wiki/Lens_Serial_Interface Here is some information on the Nikon interface

  • zengarden

    We guess by the number of aperture blades and the number of microprocessor contacts on Nikon Nikkor lenses, inexpensively, without registration and SMS ...

  • ñ

    Oh these Nikkor tricks, it would be better if the working segment was made normal

    • Dmitry K

      late, doctor.

  • Lef

    And by the way, guys, you think somehow analog- so many contacts for this, so much for that. And the interface is digital. YUSB, the most universal interface of our time, had only 3.0 contacts before version 4. 2 of which are meals. In version 3.0, stupidly added more lines for greater data transfer speed. So, adding more contacts on professional lenses can be, at a minimum, just duplication to increase reliability. There is little pollution or breakdown of the contact, and because of such a trifle, work can be frustrated, say, somewhere in the mountains. Well, or adding some kind of analog signals that are simply not used in amateur cameras. The greater the number of contacts on the lens than on the carcass can be explained by the fact that the developers did not want electrical contact with the camera, but they are needed, for example, for alignment or firmware at the factory or in the service center.

  • for

    'NON-G' type lenses (without aperture ring)
    typo seem)

  • Mikhail

    The number of contacts allows the camera firmware to recognize the version of the lens and its model for more accurate pair operation, it’s kind of like a barcode, as for the chip firmware, it is not sewn through the contacts but initially during its manufacture, the rest of the glass alignment is only manual and the ring lining under the front lens and glass displacement but not through the chip.

  • anonym

    Arkady, thanks for the article!
    Only you for some reason did not indicate the minus contact. Although his device is another huge "minus" of Nikon, in a different sense of the word. That's about it and I want to appeal to you and other blog readers. If basic contacts can be easily purchased on Ali or other sites, then this g…. There is simply nowhere to take a minus contact (I'm talking about lenses with a plastic mount, where there is this same pin). Someone can tell you what it is called correctly? The official disassembly instructions call it succinctly “part # 127” and go figure out where to get it. And you can't find a puck on it either. Thanks everyone!

    • Andrei

      Try to make this pin and washer yourself. If your hands are out of the right place. Or, alternatively, replace the plastic mount with a metal one, and simply “lay” the wiring (which goes to this pin) before installing the mount so that the fully installed lens mount with the wiring has reliable contact. Or in some other way to give them reliable contact.

  • Victor

    Faced the fact that two Sigma lenses (24-70 and 70-200) with 10 contacts do not focus on the d810. In general, the camera does not see autofocus on them. At the same time, they work great on d700. Fixes for 8 contacts (two Nikon and one sigma) work great on both cameras. Both chambers have 8 contacts. If you glue two "extra" contacts on the zooms, everything goes amazingly and focuses everywhere. I don't know what to think.

    • Artyom

      "If you glue two" extra "contacts on the zooms, everything goes amazingly and focuses everywhere."
      If possible - more details please.
      Faced a similar problem: Nikkor AF-S 300mm 1: 4D 10-pin mount. On D50 and D300s cameras autofocus works without question, but on D750 - the lens motor does not react at all.

  • Valery

    So I didn’t understand whether it is possible to use any contactor of other zooms to replace the Nikon 28-85 contactor. And if so, which ones?

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