85mm PC Nikkor

[BobSmith]

Has anyone here successfully modified this lens to work on a 14nx or SLR/n. Care to share some details?

Thanks,

Bob Smith

[DouglasUrner]

What's the problem with using the lens on those cameras?

Doug

[BobSmith]

parts of the lens hit the "chin" on the bottom of that camera when you try to mount it. I've heard of several modifications that will make it fit or at least partially functional. I found a few things in the archives here. I'm just looking for more recent first hand experience in order to help a friend that's trying to use this lens.

Thanks

Bob Smith

[DouglasUrner]

Is your friend trying to use it for macro work?

I think there are some thin extension rings that let you clear the chin on these cameras. Supposed the Kenko ones will pass through the signals from the electronics in the lens.

Doug

[BobSmith]

extension tubes or a 1.4x teleconverter are the easy solution but both alter the expected performance of the lens quite a bit. Someone was making a special thin adaptor so that focus range is only slightly reduced. Others have reported making it work by modifying the tilt/shift axis and/or grinding down one or more control knobs. I'd like to find more specifics about that if possible. I think I've tracked down the guy who used to make the adaptors thanks to the archives here.

Thanks

Bob Smith

[Rick_Kattelmann]

The 85 PC works great on the Kodaks, and one is semi-permanently attached
to one of my 14ns. Removing the latch that keeps the lens from rotating is a worthwhile modification of the lens to make it fit on the camera. The rotation mechanism is stiff enough to minimize any stability issues without the lock. Some people have filed or ground down the latch.

If you are unwilling to chop the offending piece out of the lens, I still have a C spacer, screws, and instructions from Butkowski that are available. This spacer fits underneath the lens mount and pushes the lens out a few millimeters. I never installed the spacer and am not sure what the modified minimum focus distance would be.

Rick

[AlecThigpen]

I do not know about the 85, but I use the 28mm PC on the 14n(x) all the time. I just use it with a Newton bracket, and on a tripod. I either turn the camera 90 degrees to vertical for rise or fall, or I tilt the tripod 90 degrees AND the Newton bracket 90 degrees and the camera is upside down, and there is no problem using the shift that way for rise, or normal horizontal orientation for falling movement. As long as the knob is either on the side or the top, no problem. Just orient the camera for what you want from those options.