Zoom-Nikkor AI-S 50-300mm f/4.5 ED

[mongo]

The new Nikon TCs (E series) cannot mount on the old AI-S lenses.

Sar, Mongo has modified his 14EII and 20EIII to fit any Nikon lens. Mongo was surprised you have not modified yours. It only takes about half an hour each and you could not even tell where Mongo had performed the surgery. Mongo is happy for you to look at his and use them if you like. Then, if you want to modify yours, Mongo is happy to help you with that. Being able to use these converters on Ai and AI-s lenses may give you a lot more options.

PS - MOngo also has a newly acquired "Vivitar X2 Macro Focusing Converter" (from the 1970's) he would like your opinion on. It can only be used on Ai and AI-s lenses.

[mongo]

One more thing Sar, - are you saying that the Kenko X2 converter is not 2 stops slower (like the Nikon 20EIII) but in fact 2 and 2/3rds stop slower ???

[Sar NOP]

Sar, Mongo has modified his 14EII and 20EIII to fit any Nikon lens. Mongo was surprised you have not modified yours. It only takes about half an hour each and you could not even tell where Mongo had performed the surgery. Mongo is happy for you to look at his and use them if you like. Then, if you want to modify yours, Mongo is happy to help you with that. Being able to use these converters on Ai and AI-s lenses may give you a lot more options.

Mongo, as you can see on the image above my AI-S lenses physically cannot be mounted on the Nikon TC serie Exx because the lens elements touch eachother.
I'm wondering how Mongo can modify the Nikon TC to fit for example this 50-300 !?!

One more thing Sar, - are you saying that the Kenko X2 converter is not 2 stops slower (like the Nikon 20EIII) but in fact 2 and 2/3rds stop slower ???

Yes, the Kenko is 2/3 rd stop slower than the 20E3.
I always shoot in manual mode and when I use these two TC on my 600 for example to photograph the same scene, under the same lighting conditions, the pictures shot with the Kenko are 2/3 EV darker than those taken with the Nikon. That's why the AF performances are so different between these TCs on my 200-400.

[mongo]

Thanks for the feedback and information Sar.

From the configuration of your 50-300mm, the AF-S converters cannot be modified to fit but only because of the protruding rear elements of the lens. Most other AI-s lenses that do not have his protruding element would not be a problem.

For example, Mongo’s 300mm f2.8 AI-s, like many other long Ai-s lenses, does not have a protruding rear element. Mongo’s 400mm f5.6 AI-s does not either . From memory, neither do the 600mm f5.6 AI-s and 400mm f3.5 AI-s lenses. So, all of these could use the MODIFIED AF-S converters and mongo uses them already on his 300mm and 400mm AI-s lenses. That conversion is simple and is commonly done to be able to use the newer converters on the older lenses. That was the conversion Mongo was referring to. (See the attached image for quick details). Mongo has developed a clean and foolproof way of doing this.

It is now obvious that the conversion Mongo has in mind will not help you with the 50-300mm but it may allow you to use the new converters on other older lenses you may have that do not have a protruding rear element. Of course, care should be taken to ensure that there is sufficient distance between the converter element and the rear lens element each time depending on which lens it is to be mounted on. Sorry if Mongo’s initial comments may have given you false hope – that was not Mongo’s intention. So, if it still interests you, Mongo is still happy to help.

Regards
Mongo

[Sar NOP]

Thanks mongo for all these informations and your help.
For the moment, the modification still won't allow me to use them on my 50-300. But when one day I get the 400/2.8 AI-S, I will certainly need your help to remove this lug on my AF-S TCs.

[Sar NOP]

Some more images from last Monday :

D2X (Crop Mode 2x), handheld

1280x850px





1280x850px





1280x850px

[mongo]

#2 and particularly #3 are amazing examples of this lens' capabilities. Very impressive indeed.

[Sar NOP]

Yes Mongo, this old timer Zoom-Nikkor is really impressive : its optical quality, my copy at least, is as good as my 200-400 VRI !!!
Yesterday afternoon, I used it with my Kenko 2x for birding at Long Reef for the first : the results were fantastic !
Here are some shots, all MF and handheld :

D2Hs, @600mm
1280x850px



D2Hs, @600mm
1280x850px



D2Hs, @600mm
1280x850px



D2Hs, @600mm
1280x850px



D2Hs, @600mm
1280x850px




D2Hs, @600mm
1280x850px

[mongo]

Mongo must say Sar - this lens continues to impress and amaze; particularly #1,3 and 6. It is rare that a zoom performs this well through a converter – let alone a X2 converter. These are excellent shots.

If Mongo had not just purchased his 300mm, he would be out looking for a 50-300. The weight and size difference is minimal . The 300mm weighs 2.4kg while the 50-300 weighs 2.2kg(Ai) and almost 2kgs(AIs). Mongo would like to try it one day.

Mongo notices you still use the D2Hs quite a bit even thought you have a new D7000. If you have time, it would be nice to know it what circumstances you use one camera body in preference to the other.

[Sar NOP]

Yes Mongo can try this 50-300 one day when we get together again.

I still love my D2Hs. I use it when I need better colours accuracy, better Auto WB and high speed frame rate/buffer capacity.