Flip-up Aperture Tab on F5

Does anyone know if Nikon still can/will do this modification to this camera? I've heard of it being done recently on an F6, but not on an F5.

 

I've tried contacting them directly, but apparently I'm not calling it the right thing or just talked to the wrong person as they didn't seem to have a clue as to what I was talking about(they kept insisting that I had a D5 and corrected me when I referred to it repeatedly as an F5).

 

If they can do it, does anyone know the magic words or secret handshake to get the right person at service?

 

Also, I've heard the number $130 tossed around-is that still about what I should expect for the modification?

I've had some difficulty getting through to the right knowledgeable person before at Nikon service centres - I had a lens checked out to find out whether the field curvature was normal, and after a week they said "yes, it's supposed to have barrel distortion". Facepalm. Quite possibly nobody's still there from when the F5 was current.

 

I doubt Nikon will still do this (unless it's exactly the same part as the F6, which is still "current"), but if you find someone else who'll do it (or if Nikon claim they actually will), please let me know. I've always meant to get my F5 "done".

Andrew,

 

I'll try again.

 

Unfortunately, I'm going to send my F5 back for a replacement next week. KEH-which always does me right-managed to send one missing the AF-on button next to the vertical release. I debated about sending it back, but ultimately decided that I like/use that button enough that I would mix it. Plus, AF is a bit touchy on this body.

 

I'll finish up the roll of Ektar in it and then send it back. They didn't have another BGN grade one, so they offered me a refund or an upgrade to an Ex+ one for $100. I'm going with the latter. I MIGHT call them back and see if they can check everything in stock and see if there's one already modified.

 

Granted the F4 really is a much better camera for non-AI lenses than the F5, but still I'd like to have the option.

I can't see either the F5 or F4 better with Pre AI lenses than the F3, or FM, FE which can be had for little money.

Truthfully, when it comes down to it I'd rather use an F FTN or F2/DP-1 for pre-AI but I can only cram so many bodies in a camera bag. You actually get coupled metering on those cameras.

 

I now only every single digit "F"(and multiple examples of several) with the exception of the F6(still too expensive for me). I know a lot of folks love the F3, but I'll just toss it out that it's my least favorite of the series. I'm not about to get rid of mine and do use it, but give me an F2 or F4 any day.

 

I love the F4 because it can work with everything from pre-AI to G-series lenses plus it gives matrix metering with AI/AI-S lenses.

I never used an F4 as I only had/have F3, F3 and F5. I am tempted to get an F4 just to see if I really dislike it like I thought. Since being a Nikon guy I never liked Canon and I thought the A series were not good. I now own the AE-1, AE-1P and A-1 and they proved I was correct in disliking them.

Careful there-I cut my teeth on an A-1 and have owned nearly every FD mount body.

 

This is something that can be fought to the grave, but I consider the New F-1 a better camera than the F3 for quite a few reasons. The F3 has its strong points, but give me a New F-1 any day. That's part of why it falls to the bottom of my list of favorite Nikons.

 

The F4 is a different story-it's a modern body that still operates like a classic one. There's a button, knob, or switch for everything. Like I said, it has, AFAIK, the best lens compatibility of any body made(except maybe the Df). Flip the tab and you can throw a pre-AI on the camera. Put an AI converted lens on it and you get aperture priority and manual. Move to a "real" AI or AI-s lens and you get matrix metering. If you are lucky enough to find one(or adapt an F3 one), put in a K screen and you have a split image in a big, bright clear viewfinder to help you along with the electronic rangefinder. Throw a G lens on it and you can get program and shutter priority, albeit without VR. Heck, even F3AF lenses are fully functional on it, and the cheap 18-55 DSLR kit lens even works(as long as I keep it at 24mm or longer to prevent vignetting). It only started losing compatibility with stepper motor lenses and electronic apertures.

I never care for the K screen. I threw them away. I don't like focusing aid. When I bought my F2 in 77 the first accessory I bought is the type D screen.

I find that when it comes to critical focusing, it helps me a lot. In fact, on my MF cameras, I often use the loupe in conjunction with the split image to get focus absolutely correct.

 

I forget what screen is my F3 now-it has a grid and a large split image.

 

My first F2 came with a D screen. I had a K screen in a box, and I couldn't change it fast enough. I can generally get by with a plain matte screen, and actually don't like microprisms at all, but the light fall-off on the D screen was more than I cared for.

 

With all of that said, one of my favorite screens I've used is the SK screen I have for the new F-1. "S" means it's a spot metering screen(the screen in these cameras dictates the metering pattern). It's a purpose built slow telephoto screen, though. Most of the image is aerial, meaning that it's quite bright but also doesn't show focus, but it has a center matte patch optimized for focusing slow lenses. It's a joy to use.

Why not just have John White at

 

AI Conversions for Nikon Lenses: Effective, Fast and Affordable!

 

Ai your lenses? They will then work on most Nikon 35mm film cameras as well as most Nikon digital cameras. If you have several lenses, ask Mr. White for a volume discount.

Why not just have John White at

 

AI Conversions for Nikon Lenses: Effective, Fast and Affordable!

 

Ai your lenses? They will then work on most Nikon 35mm film cameras as well as most Nikon digital cameras. If you have several lenses, ask Mr. White for a volume discount.

 

I am also a collector.

 

I know John does good, functional work but I also don't like the appearance of his conversions-in particular the paper ADR scale. For functional purposes, I do have a few with factory conversions and then even a home hack-job 55 1.2 that I use, but I'm not cutting rings that haven't already been cut.

 

Basically, what it amounts to is I have good pre-AI lenses that I'd like to use on newer bodies, but don't want to hack up with a milled aperture ring. The flip up aperture tab lets me do this.

Ah, you are a collector; I understand your need to keep your lenses pristine.

BeBu, taste is of course arguable, but I think the F4 is great. The F is forever unmatched, a high point in camera history, the F3 smooth and beautiful, but the F4, despite being huge, heavy, and relatively unbeautiful, does an awful lot of things well.

BeBu, taste is of course arguable, but I think the F4 is great. The F is forever unmatched, a high point in camera history, the F3 smooth and beautiful, but the F4, despite being huge, heavy, and relatively unbeautiful, does an awful lot of things well.

 

I might dispute the "ugly" part :)

 

I probably have different tastes than other folks. With that said, I got started into Nikons(not even 6 months ago) with a gift of an F3 and Nikkormat FTN along with a 20mm 3.5(non-AI, 72mm front) and two 55mm Micros(one AI, one pre-AI). As they say, it all went downhill from there-especially when I got to thinking about how much I love old lenses and that there's a fair bit of backward and forward compatibility.

 

Even in my Canon days, I always loved the look of the F4 and it was a camera I considered buying more than once. When I decided to start a full-scale transition, an F4 was actually the first Nikon body I bought. Even though it's chunky, I'm still in love with it. The F4s we usually find in the US is a beast, but the smaller grip version is a bit more manageable. In fact, I'd say it's not much bigger than something like an N8008. That reminds me-the local big "new" shop has one with the small grip in the used case that I should grab.

 

BTW, as I said I'll cut up a lens that's already had a botched conversion-going back to my 55 1.2 that wasn't cut enough. I also have a couple of lenses with the factory conversion ring, including a beautiful chrome-bodied Nikkor-P 105 2.5

 

 

Still, though, I'd like to be able to do this with my F5

 

 

So that I can do something like this

 

 

I have an AI-s 50mm 1.4, so using a lens like this isn't a priority but I still love the "character" of these older lenses. And, as I said, I don't want to cut up the aperture ring and stick a paper label on it to do that. Aside from that, some lenses(like the fairly valuable 20mm I have) don't have enough "meat" to properly engage the aperture tab even after they're cut. I'd consider a factory conversion, but then I also like the overall look and feel of these lenses in their factory configuration.

 

BTW, I'm also the nut who would like to put forks on his 80-200 2.8 and 105 2.8 Micro to be able to get coupled metering with Fs and F2s. Granted, on the F Photomic, F T, and F Tn, it's still possible to meter even without coupling. On the Photomic, you just slide the tab on the front back and forth, and then read the aperture off the back and set it on the lens. With the T and Tn, you have to manually set the maximum aperture on the finder(regardless of whether or not the lens is coupled), but otherwise they work the same way. Still, though, I might send those lenses to John White since the parts to do it myself seem elusive. While I'm at it, I wouldn't mind to add one to an AF or AF-D 50mm 1.4 so that I'd have a truly universal 50mm(save for AF on the newest low end cameras).

 

Still, though, my question remains-can Nikon still do the conversion on the F5? I'd much rather make a factory modification to the body than modify a bunch of lenses. While I'm at it, I really should pick up an F6 and have it done also, although the used prices are still too high for my liking.

With today's camera prices I wouldn't put a Pre AI lenses on camera that were designed for AI lenses and newer.

I wouldn't put MF lenses on the F5, F6 etc..

I would buy cameras to match the lenses.

With today's camera prices I wouldn't put a Pre AI lenses on camera that were designed for AI lenses and newer.

I wouldn't put MF lenses on the F5, F6 etc..

I would buy cameras to match the lenses.

 

Well, you started out telling me to get an F3, which goes against this.

 

Even though I'm a collector, I also like using this stuff. When I'm out and about, I'd rather carry one body that can handle all the lenses rather than carry three. An F4 is close to being "the one body." An F5 lets me use VR on lenses like the 24-85 that I've really come to like, but if I can get the flip-up tab can also use pre-AI on it. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my Fs and F2s, but there again size and weight mean I don't want to haul a full complement of bodies everywhere.

Is there any different "character" between a pre-Ai 50mm f/1.4 and a slightly later 50mm f/1.4 Ai Nikkor S.C? I don't think so.

 

I have a few samples of 50mm f/1.4, and I see more difference in sample variation than between Ai converted and native Ai lenses. Besides, those differences are only visible pixel-peeping on a high megapixel DSLR at near wide-open apertures. On film I doubt any "character" differences will be seen at all.

Is there any different "character" between a pre-Ai 50mm f/1.4 and a slightly later 50mm f/1.4 Ai Nikkor S.C? I don't think so.

 

I have a few samples of 50mm f/1.4, and I see more difference in sample variation than between Ai converted and native Ai lenses. Besides, those differences are only visible pixel-peeping on a high megapixel DSLR at near wide-open apertures. On film I doubt any "character" differences will be seen at all.

 

I thought so too, so I initially recommended the FE, F3 which are cheaper than a good F2 or F. But the OP revealed that he is a collector and wanted to use his equipment unmodified and so I agree to that. However if that is the case I would rather go further as to use camera and lens that are in matching period. I think the OP has a large collection and it's impossible to bring everything with him when he goes out and shoot. So I would think it's best to use cameras and lenses for 1 era one day and another for another days.

I'm no fan of Dremel'd-up lenses. The process is disfiguring, however neat the job, and makes it imperative to find those elusive "Ai kits" if you want a "factory"conversion. With F5, it's really a matter of finding the right bits to do the job. A long shot? Try Nikon Canada.

I'm no fan of Dremel'd-up lenses. The process is disfiguring, however neat the job, and makes it imperative to find those elusive "Ai kits" if you want a "factory"conversion. With F5, it's really a matter of finding the right bits to do the job. A long shot? Try Nikon Canada.

 

Thanks for the suggestion on Nikon Canada-it might be worth an email.

 

I'm glad I'm not the only one who dislikes the home made conversions. As I said, I've grudgingly kept my 55 1.2, but only for the fact that it's a useable 1.2. I'm keeping my eyes open for the conversion ring. I also picked up an absolute junker of an Auto-Nikkor 55 1.2 with a good ring that can swap on if I want to (mostly) erase the hack job on my good one.

BeBu, taste is of course arguable, but I think the F4 is great. The F is forever unmatched, a high point in camera history, the F3 smooth and beautiful, but the F4, despite being huge, heavy, and relatively unbeautiful, does an awful lot of things well.

Yeah right! Back in the old days more pros used Nikon than Canon. It was the F4 that made pros switched to Canon. As bad as you might think of the F3, pros stayed with it and didn't switched to Canon F1.

Can we please not start a brand war?

 

All I'd really like to do is find out if it's possible to have a factory modification done on a camera body that was once offered as a service...