I recently purchased a Nikon D5000 body for use in a very specific application. I am trying to find an inexpensive 35mm or 50mm lens for it. I do NOT require any functionality beyond that provided by a pre-CPU lens. I just need to focus on a stationary point and take pictures repeatedly. It seems that a non-AI lens would more than suffice for my needs, however I cannot find a definitive answer as to whether I can use one on my D5000. There are many that say that there is no problem using a non-AI lens on the D5000 and even that it is one of the few Nikons that is meant to allow you to do so, yet it says in no uncertain terms in Nikon's paper explaining which lenses you can use that non-AI lenses are unable to be used with a D5000.
Down at the bottom it states "The following non-CPU lenses are incompatible:" and underneath that it says "Non-AI lenses"
After typing that just now I noticed that it says non-CPU lenses; does this mean that there are CPU non-AI lenses and that I should be able to use those? Non-CPU lenses are something like pre-1980's, correct?
From what I have been able to determine from my research, it all has something to do with aperture rings and the lens physically hitting the shutter in the body? I apologize if this has been answered before; I didn't find anything when I searched but I find it hard to believe this question has not been asked previously. Thank you in advance for your help!
Edit: Well, for me this question has been rendered moot, as I've realized that I can get a Nikon DX VR AF-P NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5~5.6 G lens for $50 and that should work just dandy. However, I have a number of pre-AI Nikon lenses so when the D5000 arrives, I will probably post an answer here if there is not already one posted by someone else. I understand that it is probably not possible to say "all non-AI lenses work" or "don't work" because apparently some will attach to your body yet end up damaging it but it would be nice to have a rundown of what makes a lens one that you may safely use. If I suss it all out before there's an answer posted, I'll make certain to post it here.