vi0lat0r

"Hello - i just noticed i must have accidentally broken this prong off the back of my 50mm nikon nikkor f1.2 ai-s lens."

 

- It's difficult to see how you could apply that much force to the lens and not notice! The back element-protector is made of aircraft grade dural, and doesn't just snap with a slight knock.

 

Anyway, the loss of the protrusion shouldn't make any difference to the lens, but I do wonder if the amount of force needed to break it might have done other, unseen, damage to the lens.

 

"...but my 1.2 lens had this somewhat more fragile, chrome aluminum post that sticks out even more."

 

- That doesn't sound anything like my Ai-S 50mm f/1.2. Are you sure the lens hasn't been repaired or modified by a previous owner?

 

Can you post a picture of the damaged lens?

Hey joe thanks for the reply!

Imgur

Here are pics of both my damaged 1.2 nikkor and my nikkor 1.4 (undamaged).

The prongs look different, and i also wondered about the snapping strength required but judging on the differences on my two lenses, it looks like the 1.2 is “easier” to break due to its shape, thinner nature, and potential risk if material purity/consistency is off. i looked really carefully around the lens for other collateral damage and didnt see any so far. Regardless im open to more feedback if you have any!

Are you talking about the stepped "post" that steps out from the lens mount? This is the maximum aperture index post.

 

If so, it will cause the following problems:

 

If you are using an FA or F4, you won't have access to matrix metering

 

If you are using an FG, N2000, or N2020 you won't be able to use full program mode or shutter priority(I forget if any of those cameras even have shutter priority).

 

Aside from that, it does provide some "bump" protection for the big rear lens element, but just be careful.

 

And, there again, unless you are using one of the cameras mentioned above you won't have a problem.

Yes i believe so - it is the stepped post that is directly below the dead center point of the lens. It looks like it mates to a similar “stepped” area of the camera body on my F3 and FM2n. The stepped post also aligns with the maximum aperture, so it sounds like you all have solved the question of mine. PHEW! It is weird because all of my other nikkor lenses have this super robust uncoated post, but my 1.2 lens had this somewhat more fragile, chrome aluminum post that sticks out even more.

Regardless, happy day today and fantastic help from everyone and i hope my 10 rolls of film that could not get hand checked thru carry on xray in korea develop fine (400iso)

Hello - i just noticed i must have accidentally broken this prong off the back of my 50mm nikon nikkor f1.2 ai-s lens. To me, the prong looks like it prevents the rear element of the lens from being scratched if rolled over and possibly extra support for being bumped? The lens still fits ultra tight into the mount i just have not had any time to film test yet, and i appreciate any of your help in feedback!

I have copied a link of my lens, and some screenshots of some non-broken versions.

Jon

Imgur