Question for you LomoGurus out there concerning the Nikon adapter for Diana lenses...

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This was basically an impulse purchase – I figured since I have three Nikon SLRs and six Diana lenses, the adapter would be great for some cool lo-fi plastic-lens shots on a camera I can actually control. However, I hadn’t realised that, once the adapter is attached, you have NO CONTROL over the aperture setting, and becasuse the camera does not recognise the lenses, the built-in light meter is of NO USE AT ALL either. And of course, the instructions that come with it don’t even mention these issues, so they are also of NO HELP AT ALL…! I figure my only option is to put the cam in manual or aperture-priority mode and set the shutter speed manually, using the Sunny 16 rule (major bummer, as I was relying on using the light meter to avoid having to do the maths for every shot!). However, to do that, you need to know what the F number of the lens is when fully open (since that’s the only position you can ever use it in). Still, I’m determined to load a roll and get out there and test this thing out, but it would be really helpful if any of you gurus could offer any tips, or at least let me know what the F numbers of the 38mm, 55mm and 75mm Diana lenses are. All advice greatly appreciated….! Thanks.

written by buckshot on 2012-12-21

One Like

gauthierdumonde.

17 Comments

gauthierdumonde · 2012-12-26 13:15
I told you not to buy them. And because of that I am not going to measure it for you :). If I had a pair of compasses I would do it ofcourse. Just for fun I measured the actual aperture of the 110 lens, which is accidentally next to me. It is 8mm, so 110/8 = 13.75, f/13.75 is the 110 soft tele lens. The other lenses are in Rosie's bedroom and she's sleeping now. My 75mm measures 12mm so it's f/6.25 (not on your Diana, the Diana body's apertures limits it to 5mm, so f/15). The 55mm is f/7 with your adapter. (those two were in th attic).
buckshot · 2012-12-26 19:56
@gauthierdumonde: I know, you warned me - but I'm a rebel ;-) Thanks to your formula, and having measured that the hole in the adapter is 7mm, I've calculated that for the 38mm, 55mm and 75mm lenses, the apertures are f5.4, f8 and f11 (roughly). That helps a lot. Thanks, pal!
twinklecat · 2012-12-27 03:01
Try it on a DSLR if you've got one, I used mine to see what the focal distances are like, just messing around for fun. It's $11, what did you expect?
buckshot · 2012-12-27 09:14
@twinklecat: Yes, it's hardly a major investment ;-)
gauthierdumonde · 2012-12-27 09:43
Bucks, as you will probably get nice results with it... you will convince me to try mine too. So I already dug it up from my lost and found box :)
buckshot · 2012-12-27 11:50
@gauthierdumonde: The race is on... ;-)
gauthierdumonde · 2012-12-27 12:54
Funny. Ok. it is 13.52pm, now I have to shoot a roll an develop it. A race is about speed and not about quality (I say).
buckshot · 2012-12-27 14:06
OK, you're on...! I'm starting now (14:06 UK time)...;-)
gauthierdumonde · 2012-12-27 14:36
My roll is shot. Dropped my patterson tank during development. Now I got some -almost developed- pics. And no Tank. Going to scan them when dry anyway
gauthierdumonde · 2012-12-27 15:35
I think your ony goal was getting me to shoot with the Diana Lens on a Nokon SLR. Because you know, you can't beat me when it comes down to speed :). So you won. www.lomography.com/homes/gauthierdumonde/photos/17635206

And yes there are possibilities and opportunities. But Diana lenses suck on an slr if you try to mimic the Diana effect. You have to go lo-fi in a way the Diana can't, but the Nikon with a Diana lens can.
buckshot · 2012-12-27 16:10
@gauthierdumonde: 16:10: My roll has just gone into the 1-hour process lab... Gives me time to do the dinner shopping...then at least an hour to scan, upload, tag... Pressure, pressure...!
gauthierdumonde · 2012-12-27 16:11
Mine are already here.
buckshot · 2012-12-27 19:35
@gauthierdumonde: 19:33: Album is finally live...! See here: www.lomography.com/homes/buckshot/albums/1919289-i-lost-a-r… (It took longer than expected because I had to learn how to work the Epson V600 scanner I received this morning ;-) Looks like you won the race, my friend, but I don't mind - it was great fun anyway...! Thanks for playing!
buckshot · 2012-12-27 20:05
@gauthierdumonde: By the way, I discovered that my F100 light meter works with this adapter when in fully manual mode (but my FA and F50 didn't), so I didn't need to use Sunny 16 after all. Yippee...!
alburnkat · 2012-12-28 14:37
@gauthierdumonde and Buckshot, Hey guys, I love using my Diana's Fisheye on my Nikon FG. It's a pretty basic SLR I was given by one of my neighbors, and the only lens I had for it was the 50mm on it, and after paying to get the shutter working, I wasn't interested in spending more money on what started out as a free camera. But hell for less than 20 USD I could have four more lenses. So far I haven't tried any of the other lenses because I've been so happy with the Fisheye. And Bucky I did freak out a bit when I released I was going to have a fixed aperture and that I had no idea what it was. I've gotten away with just shooting with aperture-priority, although the camera says my shutter speed will be Very slow (1/2 to 1/8 sec.) it actually is exposing at something a lot more handheld friendly. Good Luck guys and have fun with it.
buckshot · 2012-12-28 15:06
@alburnkat: Yeah, it turns out I freaked out a bit prematurely, because it does actually work with both my F100 and (having tested it again just now) my FA too, in aperture priority mode. Most of my shots yesterday (which was overcast and pretty dark) were shot handheld at 1/30s or even 1/15s, which is just about manageable thanks to the F100's sturdy build and feather-light shutter release. To be honest though, I don't think I'm going to be in any great hurry to shoot with this adapter again, except perhaps to try out the macro opportunities that the 55mm close-up attachment offers. I'd be interested to see your fisheye results if you point me in their direction, though...! Cheers, Kat.
buckshot · 2012-12-28 15:07
@alburnkay: Doh...! Just saw your notification... (grins sheepishly).