Nikkor f/2.8 10.5mm modified for FX

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Nikkor f/2.8 10.5mm modified for FX

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msmoto

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I have just obtained my first FX digital, and I read somewhere about cutting off the hood of the 10.5mm f/2.8 Nikkor so it would be more acceptable on the FX format. So, I did just that, and it is a stunning lens. Some additional trimming is required on my first attempt, but here is a full size file on Flicker which blows my mind. This is an incredibly sharp lens. Look and see what I mean. Dpeth of field is immense of course. Exposure data: ISO 1600 1/160 at f/5.0 NIIKON D4

http://www.flickr.com/photos/fantinesfotos/7050923197/sizes/o/in/photostream/

So, to modify, one puts a file card inside the hood, around the perimeter of the lens and tapes this to the hood. This protects the surface from debris while cutting. Next, mark a line around the lens hood at the point at which the short and long sides of the hood meet, closest to the lens surface. Cut on this line. There are many saws, I used a high speed cutting tool initially, being careful to not cut through and hit the lens surface. The hood is plastic, so it "melts" when using a tool of this type. Once the hood comes off, finish up with a file, being extremely careful to not touch the lens surface.

This modification is not for the faint of heart. If you scratch the lens, it is trash. But as the results above show... pretty cool!

Posted 1 year ago #
TaoTeJared

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That looks good - I had seen youtube vids that have done that a few times.

Tokina re-released it's 10-17mm fisheye without the hood for FX as well. Hell of a good way to use a DX lens!

You don't happen to have the 35mm 1.8 to try on the D4 do you?

Posted 1 year ago #
DutchNikon

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Looking good,

At what aperture was this pic. taken ? would it improve in the BG when stopping down a bit more ?

Posted 1 year ago #
msmoto

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@Tao... No, I do not have the DX 35mm f1.8 to try, but I will stick the DX 12-24mm f/4.0 on it.

DutchNikon said:
Looking good,

At what aperture was this pic. taken ? would it improve in the BG when stopping down a bit more ?

This was at f/5.0. Yes, I think it might be a slight bit better with f/8.0 but actually the depth of field was about from 14 inches to nearly infinity. I was playing while waiting for a lunch date.

An interesting note. I had asked the mall security about shooting a photo of some general stuff and he said I could not shoot the store fronts or people. But I could shoot the flag and things like that. Of course the guy had no clue as to exactly what I got into the shot when I was about a foot from the gum ball machines....ha,ha,ha. And a flag shot will follow... like right here. 1/160 sec at f/5.0, ISO 100 ..... the 8+MB file on Flicker

http://www.flickr.com/photos/fantinesfotos/7051718329/sizes/o/in/photostream/http://www.flickr.com/photos/fantinesfotos/6905672592/sizes/o/in/photostream/

Or if you do not want to see the really large one

Posted 1 year ago #
Yetibuddha

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Nice mod!

Posted 1 year ago #
shawnino

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There are places that remove AA/IR filters from bodies for a fee. Is there anybody who does this type of lens surgery for a fee? I am far too clumsy to attempt this myself.

Posted 1 year ago #
msmoto

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This is very easy if one just uses a lot of care Tao said it is on uTube.... maybe someone can check. the important thing is to go sllooooooowwwwllllyyyy........ If one goes to a hobby shop and purchase one of the small hobby saws about six inches long, fine teeth, it will make the job easy. Just saw gently and be patient. I will try to get a photo of the end result up sometime soon. And the cut off piece so folks can see the piece removed.

Posted 1 year ago #
DutchNikon

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>>he said I could not shoot the store fronts or people<<

:-) try to avoid that in a mall during opening hours... lol

Posted 1 year ago #
DutchNikon

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>>There are places that remove AA/IR filters from bodies for a fee. Is there anybody who does this type of lens surgery for a fee?<<

That's not lens surgery, thats "Body Surgery"... :-)

Posted 1 year ago #
msmoto

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Ho, ho, ho.... OK, what I have done....

First, the taped up piece(s) removed. (See decription above)

And what the lens looks like after trimming. The strange mark on the coating is not a defect, but something on the coating I think I can remove. It does not show up in the photos that I can tell.

I know it is not pretty, but rather than go in and try to make it look really nice, I wanted to stop before I really screwed up.

And do not forget, the lens cap must have something inside so it does not come down on the lens surface. In original form, the hood kept the lens cap off the front element. Now the little foam pieces held in with duck tape do this.

And that is it. Any questions? Ha, ha,ha.... I have found I love the lens and the effect. After some practice keeping things lined up I think I will have some fun with buildings.

Posted 1 year ago #
El_Pickerel

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What I wonder regarding the DX 35mm f/1.8G: on full frame, the corners are blacked out unless you are focusing on a very close subject. However, what will it look like with the 12MP crop mode the D4 offers?

Posted 1 year ago #
msmoto

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@El_Pickerel

OK, let me stick the 12-24mm f/4.0 DX Nikkor on it and see what happens. It is the only other DX lens I have left. I am doing the 70-200mm w/teleconverters tomorrow, so maybe I will take the 12-24 with me. This is too much fun!

Posted 1 year ago #
Gabbb

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The 12-24 should cover the whole frame from like 18mm onwards.

Posted 6 months ago #
msmoto

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Well, I sold the 12-24mm DX lens to a DX person as I was getting the 16-35mm....so....I do not know.

Posted 6 months ago #
Geoff_K

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I tossed my 12-24 on the D800E i had and from 18 it looked ok. at 12mm it looked similar to your 10.5mm shot with the black circle.

When I get another D800E, I plan to use it from 18-24mm until I decide just how wide I want/need, then likely purchase a FF lens.

Posted 6 months ago #

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Nikkor f/2.8 10.5mm modified for FX

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