Source for Nikon lens coupling prongs?

logan2z · Jan 30, 2021

I have a Nikon AI lens that didn't come with the coupling prong ("ears'') installed and I'd like to purchase one and install it. Does anyone know a source for these, other than eBay? I've checked some of the obvious places and didn't have any luck.

logan2z · Jan 30, 2021

Out of curiosity, were there any AI lenses that didn't come from the factory with this part installed? The lens in question is a 28mm/2.8 AI. The mounting holes are present.

Auer · Jan 30, 2021

logan2z said:
I have a Nikon AI lens that didn't come with the coupling prong ("ears'') installed and I'd like to purchase one and install it. Does anyone know a source for these, other than eBay? I've checked some of the obvious places and didn't have any luck.

Buy a junk lens that has the prongs?

George Mann · Jan 30, 2021

I have never seen a Nikkor without one that wasn't removed by someone. The screws may also be hard to find.

BradS · Jan 30, 2021

The latest 50mm f/1.8 AIS came from the factory sans bunny ears. There were others.

Probably easiest, cheapest and fastest way to get replacement ears is to scavenge some from a junk lens from eBay.

logan2z · Jan 30, 2021

BradS said:
The latest 50mm f/1.8 AIS came from the factory sans bunny ears. There were others.

Probably easiest, cheapest and fastest way to get replacement ears is to scavenge some from a junk lens from eBay.

Might have to resort to that.

Did the lenses that didn't come with the bunny ears have holes in the lens barrel for the screws, or were they sans holes?

BradS · Jan 30, 2021

No holes...

beemermark · Jan 30, 2021

There were quite a few nikon lenses that came with the screw holes but without the rabbit ears. As someone suggested, buy the cheapest junk lens you can find an take the ears off that.

mshchem · Jan 30, 2021

Quick search on the bay shows this.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/F92263-2-O...or-AI-Lens-Replacement-Part-NOS-/203255089745

I wouldn't try anything like this myself, too fumble fingers. I bet Nikon could do this (pre Covid)

Vincent Peri · Jan 30, 2021

I have an extra prong and screws. Just send me your mailing address and I'll get it out to you Monday. It's free, including shipping, but if you want, you can make a donation to your favorite charity.

EDIT: It seems the screws are stripped, and I can't get them to loosen no matter what I do. They're on a junk Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 lens that I was occasionally using as a loupe. I can ship you the whole lens and you can see what you can do with it.

Let me know.

logan2z · Jan 30, 2021

Vincent Peri said:
I have an extra prong and screws. Just send me your mailing address and I'll get it out to you Monday. It's free, including shipping, but if you want, you can make a donation to your favorite charity.

Thanks so much Vincent, much appreciated! PM on the way...

Vincent Peri · Jan 30, 2021

Aha! perseverance pays off. I managed to get the screws loose using a pair of needle nose pliers. No need to ship the lens too.

logan2z · Jan 30, 2021

Vincent Peri said:
Aha! perseverance pays off. I managed to get the screws loose using a pair of needle nose pliers. No need to ship the lens too.

Excellent, thanks again!

shutterfinger · Jan 30, 2021

https://www.metricscrews.us/ if you need some.

logan2z · Jan 30, 2021

shutterfinger said:
https://www.metricscrews.us/ if you need some.

Thanks, that site might come in handy.

AnselMortensen · Jan 30, 2021

BradS said:
No holes...
View attachment 265224

Is that a Series E? That might explain the lack of bunny ears.

reddesert · Jan 31, 2021

Trivia alert! That is the Nikon 50/1.8 AI-S "compact" version that came after the Series E lenses. It is short like the Series E, looks like the Series E second version, and doesn't have a non-AI coupling prong, but it isn't marked Series E. These often came as normal lenses in the FE2/FM2 era. Like this: https://www.destoutz.ch/lens_50mm_f1.8_2257006.html The earlier 50/1.8 AI and AI-S are longer, like this: https://www.destoutz.ch/lens_50mm_f1.8_3209712.html You can browse the versions of these lenses at http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/serialno.html#50slow

This 50/1.8 is the only fairly usual Nikon MF lens I commonly see that originally came without a coupling prong, besides the Series E lenses. There are unusual lenses like the PC lenses with a preset aperture ring, which don't have any meter coupling and no prong.

Some later 3rd party manual focus lenses omitted the prong. Some early 3rd party lenses had a prong fastened by only one screw (I have a couple of Vivitars like that, such as the 28/2.5). Many of these have lost their prongs, because small rotations of the prong about the one screw cause it to loosen. Nikon was right to use two screws. They nailed the little details a lot of the time.

Source for Nikon lens coupling prongs?

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