In article <5i4k1h$q1f$1@cronkite.cc.uga.edu>, mc@ai.uga.edu says...

>Greetings! I'm revising my book, _Astrophotography for the Amateur_,
>and want to include some specific information about Nikon cameras.
>Here are some questions I need answered, preferably by owners of the
>cameras involved:
>
>(1) Do cameras that require AI lenses, such as the FM2, also require
>a new kind of T-mount or telescope adapter? Or can T-mounts and manual
>lenses from the Nikon F era be put on them without damage?

T-mounts are the same for both non-AI and AI bodies, but mostly
"transition-era" bodies allow the use of the older non-AI lenses
(by moving the AI tab out of the way before the lens is put on
[stop-down metering is then necessary - done by engaging the
DOF preview while metering] - the FM, FE, F3, F4, F2A, and F2AS
Nikon bodies allow for mounting non-AI lenses, though they are
AI bodies.

>(2) Does the DW-4 (6x magnifying) finder fit the F2? F2A? or only F3?

F and F2 screens and finders (with slight modifications) can be
interchanged, but the F3 screens and finders are different.

>(3) Is there a right-angle _magnifying_ viewer for the FM and FM2?
>I know there's a right-angle viewer and a magnifier, but apparently
>they can't be used together. Or can they?

I don't think so. The right-angle finder that screws into the camera
eyepiece is rather low in magnification.

>(4) Do the FM and FM2 take the same interchangeable screens?
>Is there a clear-crosshairs or matte-with-clear-crosshairs-center
>screen for either of them?

The FM does not allow screen changing, but the FM2 does.
The only stock screens are the split-with-microprism, the full
matte, and the full matte with grid lines. The F-series pro cameras
offer a full line of screens, including the two you mentioned.

>(5) When the F3 is used to take a time exposure on T without battery
>drain, can one use a cable release, or does one have to use the manual
>trip lever?

The cable works, but in common with the F and F2, the "T" exposure is
ended by moving the shutter speed dial - not handy!

>(6) Are the FE and FE2 simply FM and FM2 with auto exposure added?
>What other differences are there?

The FE2 adds TTL flash, and the FM doesn't have interchangeable screens.
The match-needle FE/FE2 metering has some advantages and disadvantages
compared with the 3-LED FM/FM2 metering.

>(7) Who is maintaining the Nikon FAQ these days?

John Wall? (Someone *will* chime-in at this point...!;-)

>Many thanks!

You're welcome!

>(I'm on the sinking ship of Olympus OM, myself, wishing I had started
>a Nikon system long ago...)
>--
>Michael A. Covington http://www.ai.uga.edu/faculty/covington/
>Associate Director <><
>Artificial Intelligence Center
>The University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602-7415 U.S.A.

We've all made similarly serious mistakes in the past, also, I'm sure...!;-)
Hope This Helps (If all goes well, "HTH" and "Bob Neuman" will
become "David Ruether" - with the advent of
a web page and a new e-mail account...;-)