Rabbit ears, anyone?

<p>Could perhaps someone suggest a possible source for the meter prongs (a.k.a. "rabbit ears") that used to feature on non-AI/AIS lenses for earlier Nikon F/F2 cameras? I need to attach one of those to a Vivitar lens (with Nikon baynet mount, of course) to use it in my oldies.</p>

<p>Try this, <a href="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NIKON-F-F2-LENS-COOPLING-/130776112227?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e72dd1c63">http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NIKON-F-F2-LENS-COOPLING-/130776112227?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e72dd1c63</a></p>

<p>Check the screw holes (if present) on the Vivitar aperture ring to make sure they match the spacing of the Nikon meter prongs, approx. 7.5mm. I've seen some third party Nikon mount lenses that used a wider spacing for the the meter "coopling" shoe screws (apparently this eBay seller's spell-checker wasn't working). :-)</p>

<p>I actually own and use a Nikkor "pancake" 45mm f2.8p which I normally use on a DSLR as it operates through all programs but is manual focus only. There is absolutely no way to affix the required "rabbit ear" prong so when I use it on my Nikon F2 with DP-1 metering head, I use stop down metering. My suggestion is use stop down metering with your Vivitar lens as it is doubtful the prongs are interchangeable from Nikkor to Vivitar!</p>

<p> </p>

<p>At least some Vivitar (the old days) prongs and the Nikkor ones were interchangeable, so try, don't give up.</p>

<p>Paul: thank you for your warning, but I've seen other Vivitar lenses identical to the one I own (a 28-200mm zoom) fitted with the prong, so I'm pretty sure this can be attached. The major problem is not so much to locate a prong, but rather to find one with the appropriate curvature.</p>

<p>I actually don't think the curvature will be a great issue. Differences are slight and there's room for a little variation. A lot of Vivitar lenses I've seen used a prong with a single screw, quite different from the Nikon standard, and some other third-party lenses had a different spacing between the screw holes. It is possible, though, to drill tiny holes when they're not there, and attach a prong with little screws, as long as you're very careful with location. I did this once long ago with a prongless lens and found that I did not need to tap the threads, if the hole was just right and the screws right. </p>