Rear of 35mm f2 Nikkor-O and D700 Mirror contact!!!

[Peter]

Just the heads up When I first bought my Nikkor-O 35mm f2 and I did an Ai conversion to fit to my D700 I would notice a louder shutter noise than any other lenses.
I also noticed a feeling or tug on the lens while shutter was in action, this does not seem good right?
My images had no issues exposure was fine it was just not right in the mechanics department.
A little inspection and notices a tiny mark on the lower part of my mirror on the same side the rear lens element mounting yoke (I guess that's the name) that protrudes higher above the rest of the yoke.
Yes my mirror was hitting this and as it didn't seem to damage my mirror or shutter it did make contact and that wasn't a good thing.
Solution? I filed that puppy down touched it up with flat black model paint and now it's a great addition with I think great IQ.
I don't know if this is just a 35mm f2 Nikkor-O lens issue or O.C. or serial manufacturing date.
I just scored another Nikkor-O 35mm f2 with a factory Ai ring off Ebay so I will see if it's the same and if it will need filing down as well.

[Bent Hjarbo]

I just tried my copy on my D700, didn't hear any new noises.
My copy has an factory conversation, it is a Nikkor-O #805449.
I have used a lot more on my D800, and also here's no problem.
Br Bent

[Peter]

Mine is 776149 earlier model.
Out of all the old pre Ai lenses I own this one was long on the rear parts.
I will see what the next one looks like when I get it.

[Bjørn Rørslett]

Some older Nikkors, in particular wide-angle lenses, have a dominant protruding shroud in their stray light baffle that can cause issues with modern cameras. One notes the problem for example when attaching these lenses to an FT-1 adapter, or an FX camera. The solution is easy, just remove about 1 mm of the flange and the issue is gone. I have a jig comprised of one-half D3X body, the frontal part, that allows me to find any misalignments or problem-causing fit before trying the lens on a real camera.

I have seen oversized baffles on early 20/3.5, 24/2, 28/3.5, and 35/2 to name some. These lenses will fit most, but not all, Nikons.

The "bump" in the lens when the shutter is released could be caused by the return spring of the aperture lever not being taut enough.

[Peter]

Thanks Bjørn.

The tug stopped after I removed the material from the shroud but noticed today the aperture blades although snappy at full stop at times it ever so slightly does not close all the way.
This lens was well used to begin with $15.00 thrift store find. I shoot at f8 to f11 most of the time on this lens.
Where can one buy an new spring Bjørn?

[Bjørn Rørslett]

Peter, any local camera repair shop should have these floating around. Ask politely for a 'sample'.

[Peter]

I will have to go to Albuquerque to find a real camera shop.
My neck of the woods Santa Fe has like two and all they do is sell used and new stuff no repairs.
Sort of weird as Santa Fe is a big Art community or was in the past..
I will check into this.
Thanks!!

[Akira]

Hi, Peter, thanks for the heads-up.

I found some MF Nikkors made loud noise from their aperture mechanism when the shutter was released, but I figured that was the aperture lever of the lens was not correctly synchronized with the lever on the body (the lenses weren't anything mentioned here).  I didn't know that there was possible mechanical interference.

[FGAng]

Peter can you measure the extension from the mount, estimate what was before you file it down.  Thanks.

[Erik Lund]

The Nikon cameras vary in dimensions,,, re this issue - take off 1 mm from the top most part of the shroud and you are defiantly fine!

[Peter]

I just filed it flush with the rest of the shroud, next time I will take a small portion.
I will see how the next 35mm looks when it comes in next week.

[Peter]

Hi, Peter, thanks for the heads-up.

I found some MF Nikkors made loud noise from their aperture mechanism when the shutter was released, but I figured that was the aperture lever of the lens was not correctly synchronized with the lever on the body (the lenses weren't anything mentioned here).  I didn't know that there was possible mechanical interference.

As I mentioned in my beginning of this thread I looked at the mirror and noticed a little bit of a tiny rub mark.
 looking into the camera take a look at the right of the mirror frame edge see if you can see any marks in the black finish where it has been rubbing or hitting.
All I know is this is the only non Ai lens that I own that did this and was disturbing! After taking it down it is working normal with no loud shutter only issue now what I mentioned to Bjørn about the aperture not completely closing sometimes at the max closed setting as Bjørn pointed out it may need a new spring.
I am happy with the lens as it produces a good image and a good walk around lens much more usable than the 28mm IMO and wider than the nifty fifty.

[Akira]

Peter, the MF Nikkors that emitted loud mechanical noise didn't interfere with the mirrors at all.  One of such lenses was the venerable Nikkor Q C 200/4.0.  Other than the noise, it worked amazingly on my D7000, 610 or 750.  I also noticed Ais 50/1.2 made similar loud noise on Df body.  The combo was displayed in the Nikon Showroom in Ginza, Tokyo.

[richardHaw]

this is scary
i personally haven't encountered anything like this but I am aware of the issue.

does anybody have a list of known cameras that does this!?

[Peter]

Received the new well used new to the flock 35mm Nikkor-O f2 came with the HN-3 hood.
The rear is nowhere near as high as my other one was, sort of odd they would be different.
Never the less it's a good shooter with clean glass and normal external user looks and no mirror contact.