Scotland NG Gathering 2016: Lens Chipping Service

[Bjørn Rørslett]

During the Scotland Event in May, 2016, there will be provisions for on-the-site CPU modification ('chipping') of your manual lenses for Nikon mount. Most likely, Erik ('Dr.Lens') and I will work together to provide a  modification service. Many lenses can be done in a very short time, whilst others take longer. Thus I need to have an overview of what lens(es), if any, the participants are interesting in having modified.

In accordance with the underlying idea of Nikongear, prices will be kept to the minimum. The modification itself will be £10 for NG Supporters, £20 for ordinary members. In addition, you pay a nominal price for the CPU and mounting hardware. The exact price of the latter depends on the overall interest, but again will be kept to the lowest possible level, perhaps down to £30 per lens (I'll refine the estimate later).

[chris dees]

I definitely wil have a few lenses for chipping.
16/2.8 AI-S (chip is broken)
28/2.0 N.C AI-converted
105/2.5 P.C AI-converted

When they are worth it:
20/3.5 UD AI-converted
24/2.8 N.C AI-converted
50/1.4 S.C AI-converted
55/3.5 P.C Micro AI-converted
135/2.8 Q.C AI-converted
200/4.0 Q.C AI-converted

Probably a few Nippon Kogaku lenses for cleaning.

[Bjørn Rørslett]

Hm. We're looking to busy days ...

Doubt there will be much time for cleaning of lenses, though, if the amount of chipping work piles up.

[Wannabebetter]

[redacted] *Sourced answer to my question.

[David Paterson]

Yoou can add my 400/5.6 ED AIS to the list . . . .

[rosko]

The followings firmly need:

# micro nikkor 105mm f/4;

# Nikkor 105mm f/2.5 AI

# Nikkor28mm f/2 AI;

#  Voigt 90mm f/3.5 apo lanthar SL;

# PN11 ring (not sure it's doable and I am aware that's would be a bigger job)


According to the final price:

# Zoom Nikkor 36~72mm;

# Nikkor 300mm f/4.5 ED (non IF)

# Micro nikkor 55mm f/2.8 AIS (but there is some play in the focusing ring which is still quite firm although it was recently serviced).

# Micro-Nikkor 55mm f/3.5 which I plan to do its AI conversion.

# Nikkor 55mm f/1.2 AI, but I know that will be a huge challenge, regarding the thinness of the flange (or the big rear glass !)...

That's it !

[Erik Lund]

Really a huge interest I chipping here I see      and Bjørn has set the price at bargain level.

Please be aware that some lenses are a whole lot more difficult and time consuming to chip than others... So... Given we only have few days let's see how much we manage to do 

PN11 is  really easy to chip...
The 55mm 1.2 Ai is one of the only lenses that we have not yet chipped, the reason being that the rear element is larger than that of the 50mm 1.2 Ais. It's actually just as difficult to chip as a Noct Nikkor...

[Bjørn Rørslett]

We might have to change the price for these modifications as Erik tells me I have been overly optimistic

Besides, as the interest in this project seems huge, probably not all lenses can be done on the spot - Erik won't see anything of the countryside

I'll go through the suggested lenses and make a priority list from them. Some are easier than others and what Erik and I can do is setting up the CPU and drill the required holes, then let the NG participants take over to complete the mission. A kind of "drive-in" self-service as it were.

[MILLIREHM]

Still got some chips in stock and need to learn how to do the chipping - and I appear not to be part of the gathering

Main remaining question still is (besides the exact tools used)
you drill (and countersink) two holes for the screws that hold the contact blocks
BUT is there a thread cutting procedure as well or is this worked like screws in wood?
(maybe it's the wrong place here - if so, sorry)

[Erik Lund]

The holes in the contact block backing plate has threads for the two screws.

[Bjørn Rørslett]

To add to what Erik states: the metal backing plate accepts screws for metal not the wood-screw type. In fact, the latter type will damage the rear guard. The factory screws have heads of a dedicated shape that can be sunk easily so as not to chafe on the camera's mount.

The lateral tolerance for positioning of the holes in the bayonet mount is quite tight, that is why we prefer using a drilling template (jig). The metal thickness of the mount rim should be 0.8-0.9 mm as the screws are designed to come flush to the rear surface of the metal plate. Remember there might be other lens parts inside so screws could easily snag on these if they were longer. Older bayonets are thinner and might be acceptable even without additional metalwork on them to make them the correct thickness. Newer mounts need trimming.

[rosko]

probably not all lenses can be done on the spot -
the NG participants take over to complete the mission. A kind of "drive-in" self-service as it were.

That is absolutly fine for me. I understand in case of rushing lenses to process you have to restrain each attendant in order to make everybody happy.

And I am sure there will be many further occasions to get together again...

So, i will be more than happy to help if needed (drill, file) but I am completely ignorant about the programming stuff...

I guess one  of the log cabins will turn into assembling lens factory...

[Bjørn Rørslett]

We could set up a "do it yourself" shop ... People can take their Dremel with them and we all pitch in for a crate of beer and/or whisky. That'll be entertaining and likely to create a raucous and lively mood after a while

I have extra jigs and mounting hardware. No problem. Programming can be done on the spot if I bring my remedies.

[chris dees]

I will do the dishes.
My eyes are not good enough for those tiny screws.

[MILLIREHM]

Thank you Erik And Bjørn for the feedback and valuable insights. I think I have go further improve my imagination of all these parts (was a spontaneous question, its years ago since I have made my last considerations) and some disassembling/reassembling training.

BTW a chipping- do it yourself workshop would indeed be a fine idea

(Wolfgang, lets buy a Dremel at first) ;-)