Looking for a pre-AI coupling prong.

[chris dees]

I bought a mint Nippon Kogaku Nikkor-H 85/1.8, but the coupling prong is missing.
Does somebody know where I can find these or have one hidden in a drawer and want to sell it to me (with screws)? I'm looking for the rounded one (without holes).
Thanks.

[Erik Lund]

I should have somethiing like that in one of my boxes...

[Øivind Tøien]

When I buy a used AIS or earlier lens, one of the first things I do is to remove the coupling prong. It has no function  for any camera of interest for me other than bringing the lens into a collectors state. (Yes, I have an original F2 photomic that couples to that prong, but it is honestly not used any more and I also have a better working AI compatible prism for it). The prong tends to get in the way when handling in a bag, getting hung up in the fabric. It also can scratch other lenses if there is inadequate padding between them. I leave the screws in for sealing though, although it is not a big deal if they are missing.

[chris dees]

I should have somethiing like that in one of my boxes...

Thanks Erik, that would be great!

[chris dees]

Thanks Erik, that would be great!

I know it's of no use for modern DSLR's, but I have a nice collection of these lenses and want to have them as compleet (and original) as possible.

[Øivind Tøien]

Nothing wrong with that. 

[Bjørn Rørslett]

I'll have a spare. Send me a PM if interested.

[Frank Fremerey]

Our local NPS has a box full of there as spare parts, mabe your's too?

[Akira]

I leave the screws in for sealing though, although it is not a big deal if they are missing.

Haven't you experienced stiff rotation problem of the aperture ring when you put the screws back into the thread of the aperture ring?  I have had the problem with my Ais 50/1.4.  When I had my local Nikon service to remove the prong, they used shorter black screws to fill the threads.  The aperture operated normally.

[Bjørn Rørslett]

A small metal file will sort any issue quickly. Or a Dremel ...

The shorter {black] screws are for fastening an old type prong ("rabbit ears") on a newer aperture ring which is thinner than an old one.

[Akira]

The shorter {black] screws are for fastening an old type prong ("rabbit ears") on a newer aperture ring which is thinner than an old one.

Is the black screw you are referring to a flathead one, or a phillips-head one?  The black one I saw was a phillips-head one.

[Øivind Tøien]

Haven't you experienced stiff rotation problem of the aperture ring when you put the screws back into the thread of the aperture ring?  I have had the problem with my Ais 50/1.4.  When I had my local Nikon service to remove the prong, they used shorter black screws to fill the threads.  The aperture operated normally.

I have not really had that problem, but then most of my lenses have the thinner prong with hole in it, and the metal in the aperture ring is fairly thick. Perhaps the problematic ones never got any screws?   

[Akira]

Øivind, thanks.

I never removed the prong by myself except for that on the Ais 50/1.4.  So, the stiff aperture ring problem might be only for this particular lens...

[simsurace]

I removed the prongs on my manual Nikkors and put the screws back. I didn't notice any stiffness. But I'd like to keep the prongs should I ever have to sell these wonderful lenses (I hope not)

[Roland Vink]

With some lenses, when you remove the prong and replace the screws, the screws are too long and contact the surface inside the aperture ring. If it barely touches there will be increased and uneven resistance on the aperture ring, but more likely the ring will lock up completely. In this case either remove the screws, or shorten them, or source some of the short black screws that Akira mentioned (these screws seem specific for lenses with the prong removed, they are not from old pre-AI lenses)