Ai and K Nikkors 400mm f5.6 ED "non-IF"

[Snoogly]

It was very soothing to crack open the toolbox after a long dormant time, even though my workspace is shared with fermenting sauerkraut.

[Hugh_3170]

A good hobby shop that supplies paint to those folks that assemble plastic kits (ships, planes, cars etc) should have similar mat black paint to the Humbrol product. 

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 Now I need to source suitable Matt black paint in Japan.
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[Matthew Currie]

The bluebirds never left this winter, and are busily nesting already, perhaps to get a jump on the competitive tree swallows.  Anyway, I figured it's a good time to break out the old 400.  Here's a crop, 400/5.6 AI, F8, ISO 640, Nikon D7100.

[Snoogly]

Gosh, it's hard to focus! The overcast weather didn't help.

Should you ever need to clean the optics, it's easily done as you long are ready to handle some large and heavy hunks of glass. Amazingly 'simple' design.

[Gerhard2006]

Looks like you nailed the focus what camera did you use? This is one sharp lens, the detail in the feathers is awesome. Regards Gerry

[Snoogly]

Z6ii.

I think the problem was the weather conditions - dull doesn’t even come close to describing it. The EVF view was dull too, whereas on the same day with the reflex 500mm the EVF was brighter.

[oldfauser]

I love my version of the 400mm f/5.6 P.C. Nikkor - I have started using mine for astrophotography!  Turns out have a slightly stiff focus is a really good thing as it stays where you set it. 

taken with my DF at ISO 800, ten 45 second photos stacked

second one is the Orion Nebula - again with the awesome 400 f/5.6 P.C. nikkor!

Art

[Erik Lund]

Good tracking! Very nice head for the purpose.

[dibyendumajumdar]

I am also planning to use my 400mm f5.6 PC AI Nikkor with a Z6 for astro photography.

My copy of the 400mm is fine but I recently tried to get it serviced anyway.
FixationUK said they don't do manual lenses anymore (in the past they serviced my old manual lenses).
Nikon UK also said they can't.
Wondering if anyone knows where to get the 400mm lens serviced in the Uk.

[Akira]

I am also planning to use my 400mm f5.6 PC AI Nikkor with a Z6 for astro photography.

My copy of the 400mm is fine but I recently tried to get it serviced anyway.
FixationUK said they don't do manual lenses anymore (in the past they serviced my old manual lenses).
Nikon UK also said they can't.
Wondering if anyone knows where to get the 400mm lens serviced in the Uk.

I guess Grays of Westminster, a reputed Nikon shop in London, should know the right repair persons or facilities to repair old MF Nikkors.

[dibyendumajumdar]

I guess Grays of Westminster, a reputed Nikon shop in London, should know the right repair persons or facilities to repair old MF Nikkors.

I guess I can ask them but not sure if they would tell me who they use.
I once bought a mint F2AS from them - to find later that it was actually serviced and renovated prior to sale by Sover Wong - who sent me images when I asked him by the serial number. From that time, I am a bit wary of buying used from Grays.

[Roland Vink]

If Greys of Westminster had the camera serviced by Sover Wong, that is a good thing. He's probably the best person to service F2 cameras in the universe. It would be worth asking them if they know who can service manual lenses.