raid
Dad Photographer
I took some photos here in Pensacola with my D700 and an AI'd Nikkor 50/1.4. I like using this combo. Here are some results from last weekend. I did not do any PP. The old prime lens is a great performer, in my opinion.
Link: https://raid.smugmug.com/Pensacola2020D700/i-vdLRkwg/A
Link: https://raid.smugmug.com/Pensacola2020D700/i-vdLRkwg/A
peterm1
Veteran
" I took some photos here in Pensacola with my D700 and an AI'd Nikkor 50/1.4. I like using this combo. Here are some results from last weekend. I did not do any PP."
Raid, I like that combo too. The other good combo is the D700 with any Nikkor 105mm f2.5, although I have a special soft spot for the Sonnar version of that lens. And if you want to go in the other direction the early (pre AI but AI converted) 35mm f2 renders beautifully and pairs nicely with this body.
PS somehow I ended up with no less than 4 versions of the 50mm f1.4 and I enjoy using them all. The early all metal bodied pre AI version (S model?); the later but still pre AI version with rubber rings but otherwise similar body (K model? This one came as a "body cap" on a Nikkormat I bought cheaply so essentially got it for free); the AIS 50mm f1.4 and the AF D 50mm f1.4 which was kindly given me by a friend - its AF was not working but after disassembly I managed to rectify this as it appeared to be no more than a bump or a drop which had dislodged the mechanical AF drive shaft. All are very good if not perfect though there are some differences in rendering I am sure. I also picked up the AIS version at a camera fair for no more than $30 AUD as it had a sticky diaphragm. I also managed to fix this by disassembly and cleaning of the iris of all oil though I have not cleaned the helicals so it may recur sometime. But its a simple job to remove all elements in this specific model so its no chore to redo the job if I need to in a year or two. (Some AIS versions are a bit harder to get all glass out I believe but I was lucky).
Raid, I like that combo too. The other good combo is the D700 with any Nikkor 105mm f2.5, although I have a special soft spot for the Sonnar version of that lens. And if you want to go in the other direction the early (pre AI but AI converted) 35mm f2 renders beautifully and pairs nicely with this body.
PS somehow I ended up with no less than 4 versions of the 50mm f1.4 and I enjoy using them all. The early all metal bodied pre AI version (S model?); the later but still pre AI version with rubber rings but otherwise similar body (K model? This one came as a "body cap" on a Nikkormat I bought cheaply so essentially got it for free); the AIS 50mm f1.4 and the AF D 50mm f1.4 which was kindly given me by a friend - its AF was not working but after disassembly I managed to rectify this as it appeared to be no more than a bump or a drop which had dislodged the mechanical AF drive shaft. All are very good if not perfect though there are some differences in rendering I am sure. I also picked up the AIS version at a camera fair for no more than $30 AUD as it had a sticky diaphragm. I also managed to fix this by disassembly and cleaning of the iris of all oil though I have not cleaned the helicals so it may recur sometime. But its a simple job to remove all elements in this specific model so its no chore to redo the job if I need to in a year or two. (Some AIS versions are a bit harder to get all glass out I believe but I was lucky).
raid
Dad Photographer
Hello Peter. I have a 105/2.5 Sonnar, but it is pre-AI. When I bought the D700 (used), I accepted the fact to mainly use it with the AI'd 50/1.4 (only).
peterm1
Veteran
Raid, if you have some basic metal work skills all you need is a needle file, a small metal saw (or a Dremel tool with a small, fine cutting disk) and some knowledge of where to put the notch which has to be cut. Even disassembly of the rear mount to work on the ring is simple. It is a very very easy task to AI one of these and takes less than an hour first time round (about 20 minutes thereafter). All info is readily available on the internet about what to do and how to do it and this is how I taught myself. I must have AI'd well over half a dozen lenses of various focal lengths and models by now.
Too bad you are not in Oz otherwise I would happily do it for you. It is such a nice lens it is a shame not to use it. on this camera.
raid
Dad Photographer
Thanks, Peter!
I will get this lens out to check it out again.
I will get this lens out to check it out again.
peterm1
Veteran
Raid if it helps the link below is pretty good - and guess what, an example he references in the article is a 105mm f2.5. The key thing is where the slot you cut ends. This varies with the maximum aperture on the specific lens. For an F2.5 lens it must end in line with the f11 position plus half a stop (i.e. half way between f11 and f16). That position mechanically conveys the lens's maximum aperture to the arm in the camera body's lens mount
https://pindelski.org/Photography/2013/02/06/nikkor-ai-conversions-diy/
This guy is pretty good too. You will find other guides in the internet on how to take the rear mount and aperture ring off the 105mm. (It is generally as simple as doing nothing more than removing some screws in the lens mount at the back. But in some lenses (I cannot recall if the 105 mm is one of them) the arm which carries the aperture setting to the iris can need slight finessing - this is usually as simple as setting the focus distance on the lens to the shortest distance - so the lens its physically at its longest then retracting the mount and the aperture ring. Simple once you know this trick).
https://richardhaw.com/2016/01/21/diy-ai-conversion/
raid
Dad Photographer
Thanks for the information, Peter. I will look into having the 105 lens converted.
I loved using this lens on my F2. I have also an SLR version.
I loved using this lens on my F2. I have also an SLR version.
f.hayek
Well-known
Raid, there's a fellow by the name of John White located in Michigan who has been doing the modification for decades and charges less that $50 with the shipping, IIRC. Had a lens modified once and his turnaround was within a week. Good workmanship.
Also, if you go to the bottom of Roland Vink's webpage (he has catalogued serial numbers of cameras and lenses, with dates of manufacture and AI conversion kits). Scroll to the bottom and he lists some vendors who still might hav the OEM conversion kits.
Also, if you go to the bottom of Roland Vink's webpage (he has catalogued serial numbers of cameras and lenses, with dates of manufacture and AI conversion kits). Scroll to the bottom and he lists some vendors who still might hav the OEM conversion kits.
raid
Dad Photographer
Thanks for this information, f.hayek. I will contact John White once I check out my 105 lens. Roland Vink's website should also be very useful.
Koh's Camera may be the one to contact:
Do you need AI Conversion ring ? $20.00 each, We have the following AI ring in stock, All ( Factory brand new old stock ), if you order we need lens serial number too, 45, 51, 54, 65, 66, 67, 68, 70, 73, 77, 79, 86, 88 All New $20.00 Each ( Need Lens Serial Number ) Installation available for additional $15.00, We don't have any AI ring for below non AI lenses
Koh's Camera may be the one to contact:
Do you need AI Conversion ring ? $20.00 each, We have the following AI ring in stock, All ( Factory brand new old stock ), if you order we need lens serial number too, 45, 51, 54, 65, 66, 67, 68, 70, 73, 77, 79, 86, 88 All New $20.00 Each ( Need Lens Serial Number ) Installation available for additional $15.00, We don't have any AI ring for below non AI lenses
peterm1
Veteran
I did manage to find a conversion kit for my Nikkor 50mm f2 (another very good lens) on eBay about a decade back but these days any factory conversion rings are as rare as hen's teeth. As I am sure you know it's made much more difficult in that Nikon regularly updated their lenses and even lenses that are of the same overall spec (e.g. 50mm f2) and even in some cases look much the same as one another may not take the same aperture ring. So its necessary to get the specific model number ring listed in the NZ site you mentioned. I have seldom been that lucky as to find the ones I need so have had to learn how to make the conversion myself. As I say, for blokes like me who have fiddled with tools for years (but are never the less not expert) its not hard but might be for those who lack confidence to tackle the job (which is understandable - I once was too).
raid
Dad Photographer
I think that I have a Nikkor 24mm/2.8 pre-AI. This lens also deserves to be used again.
f.hayek
Well-known
The 24/2.8 takes kit 22, 23 or 24 depending upon its serial number.
Northwest Camera Repair and Crystal Camera both have kit #24 that will fit your lens if it is between serial numbers 242821 – 257010.
raid
Dad Photographer
I will check it out. Thank you.
Timmyjoe
Veteran
Nice images Raid.
I agree with Peter that the D700 and the AI'd 50mm f1.4, 105mm f2.5 and 35mm f2.0 work really well together. I used to pair the D700 with a Df and a bevy of AI'd Nikkors.
I find the Df the easiest when manually focusing the old Nikkor glass, but the D700 was a very close second. The D4 on the other hand, worked very poorly.
Was never able to find any of the Nikon conversion kits, so all my pre-AI Nikkors were AI'd in the machine shop. It is a joy to use the old glass with the new digital sensors.
Best,
-Tim
I agree with Peter that the D700 and the AI'd 50mm f1.4, 105mm f2.5 and 35mm f2.0 work really well together. I used to pair the D700 with a Df and a bevy of AI'd Nikkors.
I find the Df the easiest when manually focusing the old Nikkor glass, but the D700 was a very close second. The D4 on the other hand, worked very poorly.
Was never able to find any of the Nikon conversion kits, so all my pre-AI Nikkors were AI'd in the machine shop. It is a joy to use the old glass with the new digital sensors.
Best,
-Tim
raid
Dad Photographer
Thanks Tim. I will check out my Nikon inventory.
f.hayek
Well-known
John White does the machine-coversions (expertly) and a printed thin tape with the ƒ-stops visible through the finder.
See the links above; some still have a handful of kits. I lucked out a few years ago when Koh's Camera had a single conversion kit for the 8/2.8 Fisheye. Cost was so low I bought one and years later came across a non-AI copy for 2/3 the price of an AIS.
Timmyjoe
Veteran
Thanks, but I've got a machine shop, and it's quicker to just AI the lenses myself. So far that has included the 20mm f3.5, 35mm f2.0, 50mm f1.4, 85mm f1.8 and 105mm f2.5.
Best,
-Tim
Ko.Fe.
Lenses 35/21 Gears 46/20
It is hard to fail any FF DSLR with 50mm lens on it. As long as you willing to workout weight and size.
I used to use Canon 5D with 50 1.2. Best IQ I ever had and JPEG1 SOOC. But after years of use bulk of it became as large factor. Even at home.
I still have EOS300 and original 50 1.8, my daughter took it over. I wish Canon would came with same size, weight FF DSLR, but they have to feed mirrorless crowd.
I used to use Canon 5D with 50 1.2. Best IQ I ever had and JPEG1 SOOC. But after years of use bulk of it became as large factor. Even at home.
I still have EOS300 and original 50 1.8, my daughter took it over. I wish Canon would came with same size, weight FF DSLR, but they have to feed mirrorless crowd.
