Conversion of Nikon 50-300 zoom: Morning to the All Knowledgeable UHHers: I was given an old Nikon F-mount 50-300 lens. Does anyone out there in photoland know of a repair facility...

rwww80a Loc: Hampton, NH

Morning to the All Knowledgeable UHHers:

I was given an old Nikon F-mount 50-300 lens. Does anyone out there in photoland know of a repair facility that could do an Ai conversion for this lens. I checked Amazon to see if the adapter rings were still available, unfortunately none listed but maybe some shop has one stocked away in a parts drawer.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

What are you trying to adapt it to?
--Bob

rwww80a wrote:

Morning to the All Knowledgeable UHHers:

I was given an old Nikon F-mount 50-300 lens. Does anyone out there in photoland know of a repair facility that could do an Ai conversion for this lens. I checked Amazon to see if the adapter rings were still available, unfortunately none listed but maybe some shop has one stocked away in a parts drawer.

rwww80a Loc: Hampton, NH

From Nikon F manual to Nikon Ai, for auto exposure

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

rwww80a wrote:

Morning to the All Knowledgeable UHHers:

I was given an old Nikon F-mount 50-300 lens. Does anyone out there in photoland know of a repair facility that could do an Ai conversion for this lens. I checked Amazon to see if the adapter rings were still available, unfortunately none listed but maybe some shop has one stocked away in a parts drawer.

Curious to see where this goes, and why.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Doubt it.
--Bob

rwww80a wrote:

From Nikon F manual to Nikon Ai, for auto exposure

pendennis

This fellow still does the AI conversions:

https://www.aiconversions.com/

rwww80a Loc: Hampton, NH

Back in the 70s, Nikon changed their lens mount from the fork and pin aperture control arrangement to a bar on the lens aperture ring and a body mounted index. This was done on their early auto exposure/auto focusing SLR bodies (ex F3). Some of the earlier Nikon digital SLR bodies had this feature as well as electrical contacts on the lens. My old D200 was purchased so I could use the old lens as well as the newer (at the time) Ai mount.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

rwww80a wrote:

Morning to the All Knowledgeable UHHers:

I was given an old Nikon F-mount 50-300 lens. Does anyone out there in photoland know of a repair facility that could do an Ai conversion for this lens. I checked Amazon to see if the adapter rings were still available, unfortunately none listed but maybe some shop has one stocked away in a parts drawer.

You might find the lens works better in the current manual focus mode on a digital mirrorless camera with enabling mirrorless technologies. It won't become autofocus, but with the right body, it will pick-up stabilization and focus-peeking.

How much would you have to spend in the idea of an AI-conversion before the better option is any of the dime-a-dozen 70-300 zooms Nikon offers with native AF and VR?

rwww80a Loc: Hampton, NH

I've thought of both of your points. Stabilization in camera body is a great function with the older lens'.
Cost of Ai conversion is somewhere from $30 to $50 so it is still alot cheaper than buying another lens.
A bunch to think about!

User ID

rwww80a wrote:

From Nikon F manual to Nikon Ai, for auto exposure

Many shops just machined away part of the "skirt" on the aperture ring and added a tiny post that engages the follower tag on the camera.

Ive had a couple of such mods in use and they work just like any other Ai type lens. Neatly done its nearly invisible.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

User ID wrote:

Many shops just machined away part of the "skirt" on the aperture ring and added a tiny post that engages the follower tag on the camera.

Ive had a couple of such mods in use and they work just like any other Ai type lens. Neatly done its nearly invisible.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

rmalarz wrote:

Doubt it.
--Bob

Yes! I'm sure it's possible, but it would require a very talented technician and lots of money.