adding CPU to manual focus Nikkor lenses

[cougar_daniels]

Have a look at legacy2digital, which offers CPU lens conversion for Nikkors non-Ai through AiS.

[Scheimpflug]

SPAM!

Not only is their very first post an advertisement, it isn't even in the right section!

[cougar_daniels]

I honestly thought this would be of interest to this forum. Should I just wait for someone to let the forum know this service exists? I can delete if you wish.

No harm intended!

[Scheimpflug]

Sorry, perhaps I jumped a bit quickly.

Welcome to the forums.

Are you affiliated with legacy2digital, or have you used their services? I looked at their website and did some google searches, but I couldn't find any pictures of converted lenses or reports from customers...

[Rolf]

There is a very short thread at FM about this company. Nothing special. The prices are not really cheap so that for customers outside USA it could be without of interest.

[kansalliskala]

[stingOM]

Do you mean like this one:
Click here to see on Ebay

[cougar_daniels]

First, I am professional photographer with more than 25 years of Nikon experience. I have teamed up with a machinist with extensive optical and prototyping experience to modify Nikon lenses for enthusiasts. So, yes, I am affiliated with L2D, but I certainly didn't mean to spam -- and would gladly remove my posts if that's the perception. Rather, I thought that members of this forum would like a) to know about the service and b) post questions or experiences that might be pertinent to adding CPUs to MF Nikkors.

We use a programmable CPU chip, but our service's focus is machining the lens mounts so that the CPU may be used with the large number of lenses that cannot directly take a chip without modification. We also ensure that the positioning of the chip is precise and will not produce wear either on the lens or camera side contacts. To my knowledge, there have only been a couple of services offering lens conversions of this kind.

As for int'l customers, the cost of shipping is NOT prohibitive unless your lens is low value AND you use Fedex or UPS. I see no reason why int'l customers would not be interested in the service.

[Rolf]

[Scheimpflug]

[cougar_daniels]

Agreed! There will be updates to the site with more images of converted lenses, and as more customers receive lenses posts from them about their experiences on forums like this. I completely understand the trust issue, though. It takes some time to establish a reputation for quality and reliability.

[kds315*]

I never understood the hype about chipping old Nikkors as all the newer Nikon bodies all have the ability to program the focal length and aperture setting of a Nikon lens. It just saves a few keystrokes. Or is it the focus indication? Or having the correct exif data programmed? I know that Bjørn Rørslett on nikongear.com has all his lenses chipped but to me it simply sounds as a convenience, not a "must have".

Machining non AI lenses to AI in my eyes is a much more important service....

[sichko]

[kds315*]

I know about that, from a D200 onwards I meant. Although I personally use an older D70 since many years w/o problems with manual lenses.

[sdjensen]

[Esox lucius]

chipping older Nikkors certainly brings advantages to those who are not using pro/prosumer Nikon DSLR bodies, but for the rest - this only saves a few keystrokes as Klaus mentioned