I’ve bought a used Nikon AF 28mm f/2.8D, but it doesn’t seem to be compatible with my D600, as the viewfinder displays an fEE error

Ken Stuart, via email

Jason says… Unlike modern G-type lenses, older D-type lenses feature an aperture control ring. When used with digital SLRs, you need to set the aperture ring to its narrowest value, typically marked in orange. Communication is then enabled with the camera, so the lens works properly in PASM shooting modes and scene modes. The aperture remains wide open for bright viewing through the viewfinder, but is stopped down to the correct value by the camera immediately prior to the shutter opening.

If you adjust the aperture ring on the lens to anything other than its narrowest setting, you’ll see the fEE error message and won’t be able to release the shutter. In purely manual lenses (not Nikon AF-D lenses), you can reduce the aperture using the lens’s aperture ring, and the metering system works accordingly, enabling correct exposures, albeit with a darkened viewfinder image.

You’ll notice a small safety lock switch with an orange marker, which can be engaged to lock the lens to it narrowest aperture