Fitting an old 35/3.5 PC F on a D300?

<p>Hello, Can you mount an old 35/3.5 PC F on a D300?<br>

I have been told you can, but I thought the lens would need to be AI converted.</p>

<p>I believe you will have interference, but if you can post a picture of the mount end taken just off profile, we can tell you for sure. Lots of things could have happened in the decades since that lens was made.</p>

<p>Its a preset lens; thus no autodiaphram; thus nothing to AI convert.</p>

<p>Here I have an old Nikkor PC the 35mm F2.8; maybe I am missing something' it just has a Nikon F mount like a lenscap or extension tube or T mount. </p>

<p>On a 4x5 Speed Graphic One gets a circular image; the lenses rear almost fouls the shutter.</p>

<p><img src="http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y148/ektar/Speed%20Gr%2035mmPC/tripods-298.jpg?t=1234922672" alt="" width="398" height="424" /></p>

<p><img src="http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y148/ektar/Speed%20Gr%2035mmPC/tripods-297.jpg?t=1234922704" alt="" width="499" height="452" /></p>

<p><img src="http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y148/ektar/Speed%20Gr%2035mmPC/tripods-296.jpg?t=1234922753" alt="" width="487" height="381" /></p>

<p>The Nikonian site (<a href="http://www.nikonians.org/nikon/slr-lens.html">link</a> ) has a lens compatibility chart that indicates that non-AI lenses will NOT mount on the D300.<br>

It is true that the PC-Nikkors are totally manual, pre-set or stop-down lenses anyway, but I believe there may be issues with clearing the mirror on many, if not all, digital Nikons for the perspective control lenses. I do not know if having the AI modification will cure this or not. I could only find a link that your PC 35mm f/3.5 would not mount on Nikon F5 bodies, if you are talking about the ancient pre-AI lens and not the PC-E tilt lens.<br>

I have the PC-Nikkor 35mm f/2.8 which has governed far too much of my history with cameras.</p>

<p>Joe and Kelly, Thank you for the advise.<br />Kelly have you tried your lens on a DSLR?<br>

JDM, Yes it is the ancient 1962-1968 f3.5.</p>

<p>Yes you can but you have to be careful. There is a apature prong on the camera that could rub against the shes mount. I know my 35 2.8 MF does. Other than that, it takes great pics in manual mode.</p>

<p> </p>

<blockquote>

<p>Can you mount an old 35/3.5 PC F on a D300?</p>

</blockquote>

<p>See page 352 of your D300 instruction manual ... Nikon <strong>specifically</strong> lists <strong>this lens</strong> as NOT compatible.</p>

<p>The PC 35/2.8 is a different animal from the PC 35/3.5, as there are specific serial number ranges of the 35/2.8 that are not compatible with modern bodies (including the D300), while other versions can be safely used.</p>

<p>I know the manual says it is NOT compatible. <br />But like Errol with his 2.8, the owner of the lens says it fits on a D300?<br /><a href="http://www.photo.net/photodb/user?user_id=533353">Michael </a>, It seems he was lucky not to damage his camera then?</p>

<p>The PC Nikkor has NO fork/prong; it is a preset lens.</p>

<p>One doesnt not; or cannot make a preset lens an AI lens; there is NO diaphrame to INDEX.<br>

*** Thats what AI stands for; AUTOMATIC INDEXING.***<br>

<br /> At least on my PRESET 35mm F2.8 PC its rear just looks like a NIkon F flange; it doent come close to a mirror at all. LOOK at the image in the thread above; there is NOTHING sticking out to hit the mirror</p>

<p>In order to make a preset lens an AI one would have to have somebody make a Auto diaphrame version; Nikon could do this for a few hundred thousand dollars to a million dollars.<br>

<br /> The ONLY issues are if the lens is too fat ; or if the shift knob hits anything. The lens here works on a Nikon F. f2, F3, F4. a D200, A Canon 5D; a speed graphic.<br>

<br /> Here is another PRESET lens; a 10.5cm F4 Nikkor-t; it will fit on any Nikon slr ever made; thus the folks on the Nikonians are newbies; or being conservative; maybe they are not aware of preset lenses; or they were used before they were born?<br>

The 105mm F4 here just has a Nikon F flange; it just fits on any Nikon Bayonet; there is NOTHING to foul; nothing to convert.</p>

<p><img src="http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y148/ektar/Images%20of%20cameras/Nikkor105mmF4.jpg?t=1234925943" alt="" width="509" height="469" /></p>

<p>Sure, it may fit, but it may also cause damage. Nikon did not exclude it for no reason. After all, you can "fit" non-AI lenses on a D300, but eventually you will damage the camera if you continue to do so.</p>

<p>Apparently there are interference issues somewhere, so caveat emptor.</p>

<p>As I noted above, the 35/2.8 PC is different. Some will mount, some will cause damage. Errol may well have a version in a serial number range that is not excluded.</p>

<p>It it is easier for Nikon to say just NON-AI and not go into preset lenses. Most folks have no preset lenses; or even have the ability to understand exceptions<br>

Even Bjorn Roslett;s site mentions that the 105mm F4 T; and 35mm F2.8 PC are used on my D200</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Kelly, It is the Nikon User Manual Michael is referring to. But like you I don't understand why they list it? <strong></strong><br /><strong></strong><br>

<strong>Incompatible Accessories and Non-CPU Lenses </strong>The following accessories and non-CPU lenses can NOT be used with the D300:<br /><strong><strong><strong>•</strong></strong>PC 35mm f/3.5 (old type)</strong></p>

<p>It might be something as simple as the shift knob interfering with the viewfinder prism. Or perhaps full shift is not possible with this lens. Or there may be internal interference issues. I don't own it, so I don't know what the incompatibility is. But apparently <em>something</em> causes interference <em>sometimes</em> .</p>

<p>Michael, I want it to fit but unless there is someone with first hand experience, I'd best pass on this one as you advise.</p>

<p>Dang, never realized the 35mm PC isn't recommended on a D300. I have a 28mm PC and used it on my D300 without checking the manual. I guess I'm lucky it wasn't the 35mm!</p>

<p>Kent in SD</p>

<p>Having just run into this with an older 35/2.8PC on an F3, I can speak from experience, at least with that lens.</p>

<p>Before doing anything with a 35/3.5 PC, measure to see if the shifting mechanism or the knob will hit the prism. It will on the old Photomic F finder, and because of this only a non metered F can be used with it. But it will clear a Nikkormat. It all depends on how far forward the prism overhangs. The later 35/2.8 PC has a longer barrel and will clear all Nikon finders.</p>

<p>Although the PC is a preset lens with no aperture ring at the back, the rear part protrudes behind the lens flange, just as a pre-AI lens aperture ring does, and because of this, it will push on (and possibly damage) the AI tab on the camera.</p>

<p>Because this part is not an aperture ring and has no mechanical function, it is easy to remove and to file or turn down. All you need to do is to remove the bayonet mount, and then take the ring off. Unlike AI-converting a normal lens, you need not leave any portion to engage the AI tab. Just turn/file/grind the whole thing down to the level of the lens flange. It will now work on an AI camera without incident, assuming the shift mechanism clears the prism.</p>

<p>I turned mine down on a lathe, but you could do the job with a file, a belt sander, or even with a sheet of sandpaper on a flat table. You only need to take off about 1/16 of an inch. </p>

<p> </p>

<p>Like Matthew says.</p>

<blockquote>

<p>Although the PC is a preset lens with no aperture ring at the back, the rear part protrudes behind the lens flange, just as a pre-AI lens aperture ring does, and because of this, it will push on (and possibly damage) the AI tab on the camera.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>It's not just a matter of "indexing" the lens, it's parts of the lens where metal is present that is absent on an AI lens. Although I chose not to do it, an "AI-conversion" was offered by Nikon for the PC-Nikkor 35mm f/2.8 at the time of the switch.</p>

<p>I have a D300 and over the summer bought a used 2.8 35mm PC ( serial #851XXX of that helps). In order to get it to mount on my D300 I sent it to http://www.aiconversion.com/ and had a Type A conversion done (I think it cost $15 because a PC lens requires less machining)<br>

After receiving the modified lens, it mounts perfectly on my D300. As far as shift knob clearance there is plenty of room between the shift knob and the overhanging prism. It took me about 30 minutes to get used to using a preset aperture and every now and than I get annoyed with myself for forgetting to manually stop down the lens.<br>

I bought the lens largely based on my interest in shooting panoramic photos as in this article:<br>

http://www.moosepeterson.com/digitaldarkroom/lessons/panoramas.html<br>

and the lens works great. I turn my camera vertically shift the lens up and down and pan across. Here's a 14 frame pano 2up x 7 frames across. Photoshop was able to stitch it with not problem (but needed lots of time).</p>

<p> </p><div></div>

<blockquote>

<p>One doesnt not; or cannot make a preset lens an AI lens; there is NO diaphrame to INDEX.</p>

 

</blockquote>

<p>Kelly, just to set the record straight, preset lenses do have a diaphragm. It just always stays where you set it (preset) and cannot be changed by any mechanical link with the camera.</p>

<p>Mike; There is NO autodiaphram on a preset lens; thus saying one is going to convert it to AUTO INDEXING; ie AI is gooble gook; nonsense. In lay usage folks probably mean milling what is required to fit an XYZ Nikon Body; its not really adding auto indexing; ie AI since there is no autodiaphram on a preset lens.<br>

Preset lenses have a diaphram; thats what preset means. One "presets" the diaphrame. One twists the preset ring that is wide open to focus; stop down to shoot. Thats how I shot High school sports photos with an Exakta VX; before the Nikon F was invented. Thus I sort of know what a preset lens; I have used them for 1/2 century. A NON preset lens has no extra ring to rapidly flick back and forth for stopdown; many older lenses were like this; rangefinder lenses are like this.<br>

INDEXING ie AI is Auto Indexing; this came out in the mid/later 1970's. One doent have to go thru the set to F5.6; mount lens; rotate the Fstop ring to index the fstop; like my 1965 Nikkormat.<br>

BEFORE Manual indexing of setting each lens to F5.6 on an autodiaphram lens/camera; one set the maximum fstop (fastest) of the lens one the cameras TTL orism finder. Thus if one had a 20cm F4 Nikkor on a Nikon F; one set the meter to F4 and maybe the asa to 400 for Trix;. If one put a 5.8cm F1.4 on the camera; one had to align the TTL meter to F1.4. at one time there was not even a manual indexing method with auto diphrame lenses; one reset the fstop each time one changed lenses; IF they had a differnet max aperture.</p>

<p>l Got my first Nikon F used in 1962; it had a usd 5.8cm F1.4 Nikkor. I AI converted it myself; later others learned how to do this.<br>

One can AI convert a preset lens so its rear features clear a modern camera; but one is really not making the lens Auto Indexing; since there really is no autodiaphram to index; ie no linkage. For somebody like me who was around before Nikon F's were born; who has taken the National camera repair courses in the 1960's; who has worked in camera repair; saying that one is AI'ing a preset lens sounds like there are holes in folks knowledge; since there is really no autodiaphram on a preset lens; to AUTO INDEX. It is gooble gook; nonsense.<br>

It would be FAR better to say one has an Acme 135 mm preset; and one wants to make it fit a Nikon D1000; it requires milling in XYZ place. Once can have an autodiaphram ACME lens that is converted to AI and it still can foul a modern camera; or it may not.</p>

<p>Here I have a Bessa R rangefinder I got about 8 or 9 years ago; it works with the 1965 Orion 28mm F6 Russian LTM well; a couple of years after usiing this combo gurus ont eh web said this is a bad combo; thus camera bodies and lenses must vary; or folks are saying since there combo didnt work (fouls body) then they assume and preach that this will not work. In a goofy way it like discovering one cannot drink out of a garden hose 50 year later; or ride a bike without a helmet' or play hockey or broom ball without a helmet; or play dodgeball.<br>

A company may also have products that varied during production; ie variants in size; features. Thus its easier to say one XYZ lens will not work; then do expensive research on a mess of variants.<br>

There is one part from a 100 year old car that fits on most all modern cars; ie an exact fit; but most will say it will not work.</p>

<p>In camera repair one tries all sorts of combinations; justt do not force anything; check for clearnances; use common sense.</p>

 

<p>@ Kelly-<br>

I have no doubt that you know what a preset lens is. I am also familiar with this beast, if only because of having used them at least 15 years before your half century . I was merely trying to clarify, for those perhaps less informed, that your statement: "there is NO diaphrame (sic) to INDEX" should not be taken literally. It is clear to me that you mean there is no <strong>auto</strong>diphragm, and thus indexing is impossible.</p>