Dandelion Focus Confirm/CPU modification?

<p>Hello all - Does anyone have any experience with the ~$35 Dandelion focusing confirmation chip as installed on a Nikon lens with a Nikon (D)SLR?<br /> http://filmprocess.ru/nikon_spec_en.htm<br /> <!--ebay item: 350356246369 --><br /> I have read of many 4/3rds, Canon EOS, and Pentax users who have purchased lens adapters with these already installed for their repsective mounts, but no Nikon users with Nikkor glass. I intend on installing the Nikon-type ones onto my library of Nikon MF lenses with the intent if having my D300 recognize the lens in the same way it reads the old Rolland Elliot CPU modifications. In fact, I think this may be superior to the R.E. mods, as the Dandelion chip can be programed with the correct aperture and focal length for each lens as opposed to the R.E. hacks which only transmitted the correct aperture.</p>

<p>So my query is to see if anyone has tried to install the Dandelion onto their AIS lens and how it is working out? Also, where would one learn and find details on where and how each lens mount needs to be cut out? Or does anyone provide the installation as a service? It would have to be an independent shop as no Nikon authorized service center is allowed to do it (I've asked around).</p>

<p>I assume there are limitations for some lenses. I consulted this Bjørn Rørslett chart detailing lens upgrade options for a service he does not seem to actually offer.<br /> http://www.naturfotograf.com/lens_CPUconversion.html<br /> I would love to upgrade as many of my older Nikkors as possible and maybe even replace the R.E. installed chip in my 300/2.8 that has the CPU from a 45mm/2.8 which gets mixed up with the real 45mm/2.8 that I own when sorting in Lightroom... So any pointers?</p>

<p>David this looks very promising.<br>

Is there a link to a distributor?</p>

<p>Borjn has done this on some of these conversions so lets hope he sees this thread and gives us some insight as I have a 28mm 2.5 that I would like to convert.</p>

<p>Ian R</p>

<p>I would probably pay some money for a chip for my 55mm f3.5. It would be even more useful with this.</p>

<p>This is very interesting. I have a chip from Bjorn for my 28mm f2. I have yet to install it though. If the picture is everything included it should be much easier then OEM Nikon chips. If this works out to be easy I have several AIS lenses to convert.</p>

<p>There's this note on the programming page about even older lenses than AIS:</p>

<p><em><strong>Note:</strong></em> <em>In pre-AIS series lenses manufactured before 1981 the aperture control mechanism has a non-linear construction. When making pictures with such lens a slight expo correction may be needed. </em></p>

 

<p>How does the Dandelion ring attach to the lens mount? I have a couple of lenses with chips added by Rolland Elliot, and it takes some relatively precise handwork to drill two screw holes to attach the chip. Same with Dandelion? They work great, matrix metering and TTL flash exposures with various Nikon Bodies.</p>

<p>Dandelion says theirs won't work with F90x (=N90S?)... But my R.E. modified lenses work fine with my N90S.</p>

<p>Well, so far, this post seems to have generated more questions than answers...</p>

<p>@Walter - These chips are manufactured in Russia and are being sold through some sellers on eBay as well as Leitax as an option for their lens mount conversions. Leitax will install the chip onto an adapter for a small fee (€10).</p>

<p>@Carl & Ian - I contacted Bjorn a few times in regards to the chips he mentions on his site and he said he was out. How long ago did you get yours and were they actual Nikon chips, clones, or something else like these Dandelions?</p>

<p>@Richard - Most people don't put the terms "precise handiwork" and "Rolland Elliot" in the same sentence ;) Depending on the lens, sometimes it is much more than the insertion of a pair of threads to install a chip. Many require large sections of the lens mount (chrome area) or the rear element housing (matte black area) to be removed in order to facilitate the chip. Generally, the longer the lens, the less work is required.</p>

I just chipped my 20mm f3.5 Nikkor. It is critical to install the chip properly. It is rather fragile due to it's small size. There really isn't any way to make it bigger and have it work properly. My first attempt ended miserably because I didn't position it properly and bent the pins. On the second attempt I used a depth gauge to properly position the chip. Measure twice glue once. Programming the chip is rather straight forward. You MUST read the directions. There is a reset function if you screw up the programming. If you use a super glue type adhesive cover the pins with a bit of gaffer's tape. Cyanoacrylate based based glues out gas and cote the pins. A light touch with some emery paper will clean it off but the chip won't work until you do. Let the glue harden for 24 hours before reinstalling the lens mount back onto the lens so the out gas doesn't coat the rear lens element.

<p>So after all that work, did the chip work on your lens? Where or who did you buy it from? I'd like to get a couple.<br>

Thanks.</p>

 

<p>Hello,<br>

I Have installed one on a 55 mm 2.8 micro nikkor. The chinese guy who sold me the chip on ebay sends you an mounting ring if you buy two chips at once. With this ring, installation is quite easy : simply put the chip on the ring (it holds it) apply glue on the chip and place the ring in the proper position. You then just have to wait until the glue dries. Programming is a bit cumbersome. But once it is made, your lens behaves just like a AIP lens : you get full auto exposure (P mode).<br>

On the nikkor 55, there is no need to make any other operation, but on other lenses it would be necessary to shave the lens barrel in order to gain the necessary space to glue the lens.</p>

<p>I finally gambled and purchased a chip and mounted it on my seldom-used and rather neglected 200mm/4 AI-s Micro. Works like a charm and no Dremeling needed. Make sure you purchase the Dandelion from a seller that includes the mounting guide. Because the plastic chip holder is epoxied to metal, the bond can't withstand too much torque. So you will have to be careful when mounting and removing lenses.<br>

If I may steer the direction of this old thread as it is one I did start a few months ago, lets use it to list lenses that do or do not need to be ground down to accept the Dandelion chip. So far we have:</p>

<ul>

<li>55mm/2.8 (AI/AI-s?)</li>

<li>200mm/4 Micro AI-s</li>

<li>20mm/3.5 (K/AI/AI-s?)</li>

</ul>

<p>Feel free to continue to add to this very short list.</p>

<p>my 55 micro nikkor is an AIS.<br>

Laurent</p>

<p>To revisit this old post... I have sucessfully installed the Dandelion chips onto a</p>

<ul>

<li>300mm/2.8 ED-IF AIs</li>

<li>200mm/4 Micro AI</li>

<li>24mm/2.8 AIs</li>

<li>28mm/2.8 AIs</li>

<li>300mm/4.5 ED-IF AIs</li>

</ul>

<p>Programming was easy, and no metal removal was required for any of these lenses. I purchased my chips from <a href="http://www.peleng8.com/">Peleng 8</a> via his feeBay store (user: ml-gvalt). He is registered in Lithuania but ships from Belarus. I was a bit worried about this at first, but the order arrived in a reasonable amount of time. One thing to note is that the chip alignment tool Peleng 8 sells is different than the ones you see elsewhere on the web. They are half-circles of a thick plastic, not the full rings you see elsewhere. They work fine for gluing, but I would rather have the circular tool in situations where some material removal is required in order to affix the chip. That is the only reason I have hesitated on chipping my 105mm/2.5 AIs. My 50mm/1.2 AIs can not accept the chip at all; the only examples where I have seen this particular lens chipped is with a reprogrammed Nikon chip which is thinner than the Dandelion.</p>

<p>My Dandelion chip has been installed for several months now and no problems. My 20mm f3.5 does require a +1 e.v. exposure compensation. Beyond that (non issue) it works like a charm. My 20mm has become the main lens for my second D70 body. These little chips are going to cause a $$ increase on eBay for older non-cpu lenses.</p>

<p>To add to the list of modifiable lenses. I just finished installing the chip on my Nikkor 180mm f2.8 ED AIS and Micro-Nikkor 105mm f4 AI. No disassembling needed. A whole lot of filing though. Chips work great! </p>