Want to Buy WTB: Nikon AI conversion thingie

[Eric Rose]

I need three of these little guys. Yes I know I can just get out the old Dremel and cut the f-stop ring to fit, but I would rather do this if at all possible. The other question is, does this same "prong" thing work for all pre-AI Nikkor lenses?

I have attached a photo of what I am looking for.

Thanks for your help.

Eric

 

[Bob-D659]

No one sells those clamp on AI "notches", you have to custom make one for each lens, as the length depends on the max aperture of the lens. Those older lenses have a threaded aperture ring and are not thick enough to catch the AI tab when machined, which is why someone made that small extender piece.

Edit, you still have to machine some of those rings so they don't run under the AI tab and stress it to the point of breaking.

2nd edit, and the machined notch on that one should run way to the right, it wasn't done properly.

 

[dehk]

Here, check this out. http://www.chr-breitkopf.de/photo/aiconv.en.html#ai_pos
Might as well get your dremel out, i used an angle grinder, lol.

 

[Leigh B]

We used to do a lot of AI conversions, 30+ years ago. Nikon sold conversion kits that included a new aperture ring.

I've never seen the little hook piece. Must have been custom-made by somebody... not Nikon.

- Leigh

 

[ausphoto]

Try www.kohcamera.com
Jimmy Koh has a few of these Nikon factory conversion kits left and they are specific for each lens

 

[PhotoJim]

John White at http://www.aiconversions.com is still in business as far as I know - he'd be worth talking to, especially if you're in North America. He does a very nice job.

 

[OldBodyOldSoul]

Here's vote for John White, I have been his customer and he does a great job.

 

[ausphoto]

There are hack-job conversions that result in functional lenses but are irreversible and there conversions that use genuine Nikon factory conversion kits that allow you to undo your conversion without damage to the lens. Also a conversion with a genuine Nikon factory conversion kit results in a lens that is both functional and that has lost nothing of its collector value (as owners used the factory service to upgrade their lens). Also, the conversion with a genuine kit is a dead easy job.... just loosen some screw and swap out a ring, as well as the rabbit ears (see here http://www.flickr.com/photos/heritagefutures/4862704880/ )

 

[ausphoto]

And the above link should have been
http://www.kohscamera.com/
Sorry for that!

[edit] I have no direct interest in koh's camera except that I am a very happy customer of his

 

[Eric Rose]

well I guess it's the dremal. now to get the screws out. they seem to be frozen in.

 

[Bob-D659]

Yes they are usually glued in. You need some heat and a Japanese Crosspoint screwdriver. Those are not Phillips heads. If your lens has the same fine ribbing on the aperture ring and no screws in the lens mount, the Dremel will cut it, but it still won't work as there is not enough "meat" to hook the AI tab on the camera. Use a soldering iron to apply heat to the screw head to soften the thread locking compound.

 

[ausphoto]

serious advice... before you get the dremel out, e-mail Jimmy Koh and see if he has a kit.... I got my kit for $25...

 

[Eric Rose]

Thanks Bob. Will dig out the soldering iron.

 

[bobwysiwyg]

Here's vote for John White, I have been his customer and he does a great job.

Just had a lens done by John two weeks ago, not much more than the quoted price for the kit. He does a great job.