where there’s smoke there’s fire

Ken DePue wrote a detailed step by step instructions on how to “shave” a Nikon teleconverter and make it work with a wider range of F-mount lenses:

For those who shoot with Nikon, you may have noticed that their current lineup of teleconverters only work with certain lenses. This is due to the fact that the front element of the TC protrudes beyond the lens mounting flange. This can cause it to strike the rear element of many lenses.

To prevent Nikon users to putting the TC on lenses not designed for use with them, Nikon added a small tab to the standard F-mount. This mates up with a matching notch in the lens. Without that notch in the lens, the TC cannot be mated to the lens. In this image, the TC on the left has been shaved, while the TC on the right is not.

However, if one were to remove the tab on the TC, then this feature is defeated and allows the TC to be used on other lenses, both Nikkors and third-party lenses.

Now keep in mind….. you are altering the TC without Nikon’s blessing, so you are voiding any warranty you may have, in addition to making the TC where Nikon may not provide service for it even if you were to pay for it. Also, keep in mind that many lenses will still not be compatible with the TC after shaving due to obstructions in the rear of the lens, either the glass itself or other physical parts of the lens.

So the standard “Proceed at Your Own Risk” warning is hereby inserted. Proceed at your own risk!

Read More »