400mm f/3.5 ED IF Ai-S

[mxbianco]

i realized that i have the gel holder instead of the filter holder

its very sharp...even at 3.5

There's three kinds of filter holder:
Gel holder (I think you can fit a naked glass in the gel holder, maybe a 40.5mm or 42mm glass)
Filter holder (39mm thread)
Polarizer filter holder (the official one is C-PL1S, but the C-PL2S can be fitted)

The polarizer filter holder (+included filter, special with a gear around it) commands horrible prices: seen at up to 400$, but sometimes you can find a reasonable seller (bought mine for 65,40€)

There is a neat system for turning the polarizer without removing the filter holder, including photos

Here you can find a compatibility chart for all the drop-in filter holders:
https://www.nikonimgsupport.com/eu/BV_article?articleNo=000005861&configured=1&lang=en_GB&setRedirect=true

In the chart, it is stated that the C-PL2S is incompatible with the 400/3.5, but I was able to fit it by using a rectangular piece of black closed cell foam, which moves it out by about 6-7 mm.
The springy action of the foam holds it firmly in place so it does not rattle.

Ciao from Massimo

[paul hofseth]

Fellow optics addicts;

I suspact that the glass quality of the rear filters may have some influence on results, even with fairly paralell rays: Minolta writes (in the leaflet accompanying my 800mm catadiopric)that the filter preferrably should be one of their special ones (which I assume has another glass composition than their usual clear one), but that if necessary an ordinary one could be used. Possibly different dispersion data even if little refraction takes place.

p.

[Birna Rørslett]

If in any doubt, drop the rear-mount filter on the 400 and suchlike designed lenses. It won't harm anything, except dust might fall more freely into the lens innards. Use a lens cap to solve the latter issue.

[richardHaw]

anyone selling the holder??

damn, i did not realize that i sold off my holders when i left Japan

[rs]

There's one here, complete with L37c filter:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/394462875780?hash=item5bd7d1d084:g:cwUAAOSw~Dlj6257

NOTE: I have no idea if it's the same as the 400 f3.5 one, although looking at mxbianco's  link above to the polariser holder compatibility chart which shows 300 and 400 using the same holder, the chances are pretty good this is compatible.

[Birna Rørslett]

I have both the 300/2.8 Ais and the 400/3.5 AI and the holder is interchangeable. In fact, it can be used on the 500/4P and the 600/5.6 ED-If as well.

The newer 300/2.8 AFS uses 52mm filters internally so needs a different holder.

[John Geerts]

I have both the 300/2.8 Ais and the 400/3.5 AI and the holder is interchangeable. In fact, it can be used on the 500/4P and the 600/5.6 ED-If as well.

The holder is also present on the 300/2.8 AF-I 

[richardHaw]

okay, a friend gave me a spare

now i need the actual filter!

it seems that the filter is special, too...with a raised lip. is this the same filter used on the 500/8 mirror-lens?

[Birna Rørslett]

I think so, yes.

[richardHaw]

thanks!

anybody has one for sale?

[Akira]

okay, a friend gave me a spare

now i need the actual filter!

it seems that the filter is special, too...with a raised lip. is this the same filter used on the 500/8 mirror-lens?

Apparently, the filter holder can just accept generic 39mm filters...

https://www.destoutz.ch/lens_400mm_f3.5_183918.html#thumb

[richardHaw]

wouldnt the spec be different?

[Birna Rørslett]

Place inside the holder is limited thus ordinary filters might be too thick. The thread pitch is quite fine as well.

I'll make a try later today.

[Birna Rørslett]

OK, tried 'standard' filters and the issue is their rim is too thick. They won't seat properly. Lots of Dremel work will be required and danger of damaging the filter itself is high.

Starting with a gel filter holder, I managed to put a 39mm IR filter into the holder after removing the filter from its keeper ring. Insertion was from the 'flip' side and a few drops of judiciously applied superglue made the combination final. And non-interchangeable as well. So might not be what you are looking for?

I do have sets of the coloured 39mm Nikon filters for the 400 and similar lenses, but only found a single L37C. If I were to find another it could well end up on another Continent