Declicked AIS lens owners, a question

Started Oct 23, 2014 | Discussions
Albert Contributing Member • Posts: 871
Declicked AIS lens owners, a question

So I'm bidding on a Nikkor 50mm F1.2 AIS lens.  (Wish me luck!)  If I win it; I'm going to declick it.  I currently have the Sigma 50mm F2.8 Macro on my D600 which I love; but the screw motor is insanely loud and you hear it in the videos.  So I was looking to buy a AIS lens to declick for use on video.

But I had a question for the owners of a declicked lens.  In the DSLR, when you change the aperture ring, does it jump in full aperture numbers like F2,2.8,4,5.6,8 etc.. or with the declicked, does it change in say, 1/3rd aperture?

I can't find anything on the subject; but I figure someone with a declicked lens (and come one, your camera is right next to your computer, we just refuse to admit it!) one of you guys can take 20 seconds to answer this for me!

Thanks!

Albert

 Albert's gear list:Albert's gear list
Nikon D750 Nikon AF Micro-Nikkor 60mm f/2.8D Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28mm f/1.8G Tamron SP 45mm F1.8 Di VC USD Nikon AP-F 70-300mm F4.5-5.6E +6 more
Snapshott Senior Member • Posts: 2,309
Re: Declicked AIS lens owners, a question
2

I don't have a lens without the ball bearing that clicks the aperture into place but this is a mechanical coupling. So I believe that the aperture will open and close continuously and smoothly only stopping when you stop moving the aperture ring.

 Snapshott's gear list:Snapshott's gear list
Nikon D80 Nikon D7000 Nikon D750 Nikon AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/4D ED-IF Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D +19 more
OP Albert Contributing Member • Posts: 871
Re: Declicked AIS lens owners, a question

I understand that; I'm just wondering if when you rotate the aperture; if it starts increasing/decreasing by 1/3rd of a stop in what the camera shows as aperture; or if in full increments...

 Albert's gear list:Albert's gear list
Nikon D750 Nikon AF Micro-Nikkor 60mm f/2.8D Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28mm f/1.8G Tamron SP 45mm F1.8 Di VC USD Nikon AP-F 70-300mm F4.5-5.6E +6 more
MisterHairy Senior Member • Posts: 2,561
Re: Declicked AIS lens owners, a question

Albert wrote:

I understand that; I'm just wondering if when you rotate the aperture; if it starts increasing/decreasing by 1/3rd of a stop in what the camera shows as aperture; or if in full increments...

I actually can't remember, it is so long since I tried it but I think that it will be the finest graduation available within the camera's firmware.

One thing which I did notice though was that without the detents, the force from the spring in the camera's mount was sufficient to push the lens' aperture ring back towards wide open on the couple of de-clicked lenses that I have used. Not ideal!

 MisterHairy's gear list:MisterHairy's gear list
Fujifilm X100F Leica Q2 Leica Q2 Monochrom Fujifilm X-Pro3 Fujifilm X-T4 +19 more
The Big One Veteran Member • Posts: 4,564
Re: Declicked AIS lens owners, a question
1

Albert wrote:

So I'm bidding on a Nikkor 50mm F1.2 AIS lens. (Wish me luck!) If I win it; I'm going to declick it. I currently have the Sigma 50mm F2.8 Macro on my D600 which I love; but the screw motor is insanely loud and you hear it in the videos. So I was looking to buy a AIS lens to declick for use on video.

But I had a question for the owners of a declicked lens. In the DSLR, when you change the aperture ring, does it jump in full aperture numbers like F2,2.8,4,5.6,8 etc.. or with the declicked, does it change in say, 1/3rd aperture?

I can't find anything on the subject; but I figure someone with a declicked lens (and come one, your camera is right next to your computer, we just refuse to admit it!) one of you guys can take 20 seconds to answer this for me!

Thanks!

Albert

I don't have a declicked lens, but you can simulate this by slowly moving the aperture ring (i.e. grip it firmly and forcefully to mitigate the ball bearing + spring which makes the 'click' action).  On my D7000 at least, I only see full stop increments being displayed.  I assume that this could be different on different bodies, but I have no experience with that.

Hope this helps!

Cheers

 The Big One's gear list:The Big One's gear list
Nikon D60 Nikon D7000 Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D Sigma 10-20mm F4-5.6 EX DC HSM Sigma 30mm F1.4 EX DC HSM +3 more
WindwardHaole Senior Member • Posts: 1,553
Re: Declicked AIS lens owners, a question
1

Unless the 50, 1.2 uses a different aperture selection method, the actual declicking of the lens should not be difficult. The 3-4 AI-AIS Nikkors I've disassembled (destroyed) did not use ball bearings for aperture clicking. Apertures were selected by a simple, angled metal spring with a U at the end, which clicks into detents on the aperture selection ring. As to the possible negative effects of declicking, it seems that you could remove the aperture spring and if the result is not what you want, just replace it. Aloha.

sillyconguru Veteran Member • Posts: 3,057
Re: Declicked AIS lens owners, a question

I don't know about the D600, but the D200, D300s & D700 only show full aperture stop changes (i.e. 2, 2.8, 4, etc.) when using the aperture ring.

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Tim Tucker Senior Member • Posts: 1,337
Declicked and CPU'ed AIS lens owners, a question

Nothing will change, it will be a standard AiS lens without any home positions on the aperture ring. All you are removing is the spring, which is just a strip of metal with a "u" in it. This just engages with notches in the aperture ring.

With my non-CPU lenses, they all step in whole stops only (apart from the widest aperture you program in if it is not a full stop). As I said, this will not change.

With an AiS lens (and only the AiS) I think that if you can add a CPU and this all changes. It will then meter in 1/3 stops, though someone will have to confirm this.

pluton Veteran Member • Posts: 3,596
Re: Declicked AIS lens owners, a question

D3 and D800(E) have setting for full/half/third aperture readout.

-- hide signature --

-KB-

afoton
afoton Senior Member • Posts: 1,887
Re: Declicked and CPU'ed AIS lens owners, a question

It is only display whole stops in the finder. But it is metering with the actual aperture.

OP Albert Contributing Member • Posts: 871
Re: Declicked and CPU'ed AIS lens owners, a question

Thanks!  Just picked up a used NIkkor 50mm F1.2 this afternoon.  Got an insane price on it.  Will find some time to declick it.

 Albert's gear list:Albert's gear list
Nikon D750 Nikon AF Micro-Nikkor 60mm f/2.8D Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28mm f/1.8G Tamron SP 45mm F1.8 Di VC USD Nikon AP-F 70-300mm F4.5-5.6E +6 more
Tim Tucker Senior Member • Posts: 1,337
Re: Declicked and CPU'ed AIS lens owners, a question

Albert wrote:

Thanks! Just picked up a used NIkkor 50mm F1.2 this afternoon. Got an insane price on it. Will find some time to declick it.

Should be easy. Set to smallest aperture, remove bayonet mount, aperture ring should lift out. The aperture ring will either locate via a post attached to the main body (aperture ring lifts out) or a post screwed through the aperture ring (remove screw lift out aperture ring). If the bayonet mount does not lift out easily then set the lens to minimum focus distance. Remove two small screws holding leaf spring to the inside of the aperture ring. Reassemble, take care to line the post on the aperture ring up, if the bayonet mount does not slip in easily reduce focus distance until it does.

OP Albert Contributing Member • Posts: 871
Re: Declicked and CPU'ed AIS lens owners, a question

My concern is having some sort of added friction so it's not so loose; but not wanting the friction tape I choose to "shed" into the lens as I use it".

Tim Tucker wrote:

Albert wrote:

Thanks! Just picked up a used NIkkor 50mm F1.2 this afternoon. Got an insane price on it. Will find some time to declick it.

Should be easy. Set to smallest aperture, remove bayonet mount, aperture ring should lift out. The aperture ring will either locate via a post attached to the main body (aperture ring lifts out) or a post screwed through the aperture ring (remove screw lift out aperture ring). If the bayonet mount does not lift out easily then set the lens to minimum focus distance. Remove two small screws holding leaf spring to the inside of the aperture ring. Reassemble, take care to line the post on the aperture ring up, if the bayonet mount does not slip in easily reduce focus distance until it does.

 Albert's gear list:Albert's gear list
Nikon D750 Nikon AF Micro-Nikkor 60mm f/2.8D Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28mm f/1.8G Tamron SP 45mm F1.8 Di VC USD Nikon AP-F 70-300mm F4.5-5.6E +6 more
Tim Tucker Senior Member • Posts: 1,337
Re: Declicked and CPU'ed AIS lens owners, a question

Albert wrote:

My concern is having some sort of added friction so it's not so loose; but not wanting the friction tape I choose to "shed" into the lens as I use it".

You don't need to add friction as the friction does not come from the aperture ring. if you wanted to add friction then do it to the internal ring that the aperture ring attaches to by simply adding a little helicoid grease. You would have to remove this ring from the bayonet mount but it is not difficult as it is either held in by a spring clip (more modern) or is on a fine screw thread in the older models.

burrencrawler New Member • Posts: 2
Re: Declicked AIS lens owners, a question

Albert wrote:

So I'm bidding on a Nikkor 50mm F1.2 AIS lens. (Wish me luck!) If I win it; I'm going to declick it. I currently have the Sigma 50mm F2.8 Macro on my D600 which I love; but the screw motor is insanely loud and you hear it in the videos. So I was looking to buy a AIS lens to declick for use on video.

But I had a question for the owners of a declicked lens. In the DSLR, when you change the aperture ring, does it jump in full aperture numbers like F2,2.8,4,5.6,8 etc.. or with the declicked, does it change in say, 1/3rd aperture?

I can't find anything on the subject; but I figure someone with a declicked lens (and come one, your camera is right next to your computer, we just refuse to admit it!) one of you guys can take 20 seconds to answer this for me!

Thanks!

Albert

It actually doesnt jump at all, try it with say a helios 2/58 or Jupiter lenses, there is no jump, it's as smooth as butter, you can actually see the aperture diaphragm opening and closing as gradually as the ring turns smoothly, its super cool. I want to get my Lumix LX100 de clicked, but am nervous about it.

Dimitris Servis Regular Member • Posts: 105
Re: Declicked AIS lens owners, a question

Hi Albert

any news on that? I am also thinking of removing the metal strips from the mounts of some AIS lenses that are difficult to chip, i.e. 50 1.2, 85 1.4 and 35 1.4 and I am also thinking whether it will allow half stops.

Thanks

Dimitris

 Dimitris Servis's gear list:Dimitris Servis's gear list
Nikon D750 Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm F1.4G Nikon AF-S Micro-Nikkor 105mm F2.8G IF-ED VR Nikon 85mm F1.8G Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm F4G ED VR +12 more
OP Albert Contributing Member • Posts: 871
Re: Declicked AIS lens owners, a question

So I cleared the kitchen table; watched the "Declicking your AIS" video a few times; looked over the images from other websites; and proceeded to declick my AIS...

FAIL

I couldn't get the screw off.  I had the Lens CLA'ed and they have them puppies locked down tight!  I bent 2 screw drivers, and the screw started to strip..  so I gave up.  Didn't want to strip the screw or worse yet; slip and scratch the rear element..  So I might give it another try; but probably with my more beefy tool set and not my jeweler's screwdrivers.  

Dimitris Servis wrote:

Hi Albert

any news on that? I am also thinking of removing the metal strips from the mounts of some AIS lenses that are difficult to chip, i.e. 50 1.2, 85 1.4 and 35 1.4 and I am also thinking whether it will allow half stops.

Thanks

Dimitris

 Albert's gear list:Albert's gear list
Nikon D750 Nikon AF Micro-Nikkor 60mm f/2.8D Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28mm f/1.8G Tamron SP 45mm F1.8 Di VC USD Nikon AP-F 70-300mm F4.5-5.6E +6 more
Dimitris Servis Regular Member • Posts: 105
Re: Declicked AIS lens owners, a question

Hi Albert

thanks for the response. Just in case you missed that, Nikkor mount plate screws require JIS screwdrivers not Phillips. It makes a huge difference. I also always tape a silicon glove on the rear element...

I am thinking of removing the metal strip then and see what happens. Let me know if you have any success before I do!

Thanks a lot

Dimitris.

Albert wrote:

So I cleared the kitchen table; watched the "Declicking your AIS" video a few times; looked over the images from other websites; and proceeded to declick my AIS...

FAIL

I couldn't get the screw off. I had the Lens CLA'ed and they have them puppies locked down tight! I bent 2 screw drivers, and the screw started to strip.. so I gave up. Didn't want to strip the screw or worse yet; slip and scratch the rear element.. So I might give it another try; but probably with my more beefy tool set and not my jeweler's screwdrivers.

Dimitris Servis wrote:

Hi Albert

any news on that? I am also thinking of removing the metal strips from the mounts of some AIS lenses that are difficult to chip, i.e. 50 1.2, 85 1.4 and 35 1.4 and I am also thinking whether it will allow half stops.

Thanks

Dimitris

 Dimitris Servis's gear list:Dimitris Servis's gear list
Nikon D750 Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm F1.4G Nikon AF-S Micro-Nikkor 105mm F2.8G IF-ED VR Nikon 85mm F1.8G Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm F4G ED VR +12 more
OP Albert Contributing Member • Posts: 871
Re: Declicked AIS lens owners, a question

Thanks for the tip about the JIS!  I will try to find one and if I do I will let you know!

One of the websites says while he's at it; he also too out the DOF preview lever; so I am curious if you do it; whether or not you are going to remove that as well.  I really don't see a reason to unless it gets in the way.  Having shot my kid's xmas play this week; I really wish I had it declicked..

 Albert's gear list:Albert's gear list
Nikon D750 Nikon AF Micro-Nikkor 60mm f/2.8D Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28mm f/1.8G Tamron SP 45mm F1.8 Di VC USD Nikon AP-F 70-300mm F4.5-5.6E +6 more
OP Albert Contributing Member • Posts: 871
Re: Declicked AIS lens owners, a question

I just checked with my box-o-tips; I have JIS tips but the smallest one in the box JIS-0 is too big    Oh well..

 Albert's gear list:Albert's gear list
Nikon D750 Nikon AF Micro-Nikkor 60mm f/2.8D Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28mm f/1.8G Tamron SP 45mm F1.8 Di VC USD Nikon AP-F 70-300mm F4.5-5.6E +6 more
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