55mm f3.5 Micro Nikkor conversion

I've got a nearly mint 55mm f3.5 Micro Nikkor--the model after the P but before the ai model, that I'm shipping

to John White to have ai'd so I can use it on my D300. Anyone have any experience with the manual focus micro

Nikkors on digital bodies? This one is tack sharp on an F body.

My 55/3.5 Micro Nikkor is an older version that was AI'd when I bought it several years ago, along with the M2 extension tube. One of the sharpest lenses I've used on my D2H, functions and meters perfectly.

My 55mm 2.8 works great with my D3 and I listed it on my non CPU list so it now works with the SB800. I have heard that the IQ is better on the 3.5 but I have never tried one. My serial is 228180.

I've used on a D70 and a D300, excellent lens. Didn't see any ill effects on a D700, but didn't try extensively either. I use it regularly on my D300.

I have non AI 105 2.5 that I'd like to be able to use on a D3.

 

Does anyone know who might be able to AI it in the uk?

You could always skip the surgery and use an M2 tube.

I have an f3.5 AI version that has outstanding performance on my D40.

Anyone with the tools and familiarity in metal working should be able to do the mod, it's essentially about carving out a suitable piece from the aperture ring.

Oskar, two pieces, actually. The machining is easy, the hardest part is usually removing the ring from the lens. Some DIY instructions, courtesy of Christoph Breitkopf.

 

http://www.chr-breitkopf.de/photo/aiconv.en.html

 

If you're scared, the instructions are sufficiently detailed that you can take them to any competent camera repair tech and have him do the mod for you. Watch out for insanely high quotes.

 

If you want to push things to the limit, this page by Lars Holst Hansen has instructions on how to cut or add every possible projection: AI coupling ring (all you need for D300), EE servo post (keeps it from damaging D40, D50, D60, D70, D75, D80, D90, D100), focal length index post (only useful on FA and FG, as far as I know. Maybe also F4) and max aperture post (also FA, FG, F4).

 

http://www.zi.ku.dk/personal/lhhansen/photo/fmount.htm

 

John White (in the US) does the AI ring and EE post as a "type B" conversion.

I have a very nice 55 f3.5 micro Nikkor that was AI'd by John White. This lens is a joy to use on the D80. Focusing is precise. It not only is a very sharp lens, the bokeh is very smooth. Here's a couple of shots.<div></div>

Another shot with this lens on a D70<div></div>

I have an AI'd 55mm f/3.5 P.C. Micro-Nikkor, which is probably the sharpest lens I have. It's 34 years old and it still works and looks like new. Mine is mostly used for product photography, for which it's great. Naturally it's also a wonderful macro lens (although working distance is a bit tight, especially when using the PK-13 tube to get down to lifesize) but it also works well for landscapes and even portraiture, although it's obviously optimized for close-up photography. Well worth having it converted, if you'd ask me.

Joseph, thanks very much. I'll attempt to get someone to fix a couple of my early Nikkors.

Steve, I love the fox-glove picture. (or whatever flower that is :))

Joseph, I actually had a local experienced Nikon repairman do it for me, since I didn't have the tools. He charged me 40 euros, which is obviously far from enough to buy the tools. My point is that if one doesn't want to do it oneself, it's very likely that there will be some person not too far away with the skills and the tools to do it.