Kurious about the K-ringset

Do you have the whole set (K1 to K5)? K2 and K3 can form a longer ring then K1. Add K4 and/or K5 inbetween K2 & K3 to make longer ring/tube as required. See picture.

The original intent was the same as today's modern PK tubes. The K rings were the first extension rings in the Nikon F system. According to Peter Braczko's "Complete Nikon System", stacking all five together with a 50mm lens would give 1:1 magnification.

Today as you say only the K1 (6mm?) is really useful, as the modern PK series (8, 14 & 27.5mm) is much better suited for longer extensions.

Arnab - as you know, K1 is useful because it is the only one that will mount between a body and lens by itself.

With the others, you need BOTH the K2 and K3 (with the lens and body mounts), and as options, the K4 and/or K5 sandwiched between the K2 and K3.

So, bottom line, if you have K1 through K5, you have many options on how short/long you want your extension tube to be.

KL

I use K1 regularly with short lenses that need just a bit closer focusing. ..Riddles in the dark [...] when using that lens at f/22 (closed aperture), but it works.

I use K3 + BR2A m.o.l. regularly to mount a shorter lens (say: 50mm) reversed on an longer (say: 200mm) lens for great magnifications.

The other rings I seldom use. Makes K1 the lord of the (K)rings, h訨h议

good luck

Lego.

Lego

I already posted that in your previous thread. Lego blocks are a toy. Allows one to build various things depending on how they are put together.

As such, you can use the "useless" parts as lens shades (K4, K5).

K3 + K4 or K5 can serve as lens shades for a reversed lens.

Just play around with them like one would with tinker toys. Most versatile piece of accessories.

Have to agree with Vivek. The K-rings are the Nikon equivalent to Lego blocks. You can use them in any imaginable ways and then some more.

I use K-rings heavily for adapting exotic lenses (X-ray lenses and suchlike) to "F"-mount, for sunshades, for setting up the proper spacing between a relay lens and prime lens, for photomicrographic applications, for close-up use with wide-angles such as the 20/3.5 AIS, for stacking lenses, for mounting teleconverters on lenses not ordinarily accepting TCs, for exension tubes, for bellows spacers, etc. etc. the list goes on and on. I must have purchased at least 15 complete K-ring sets over the last 10 years and still need more of them.

K-1 is regarded as the most useful, but I find the K-2 and K-4 even more important. However, all of them can be used for *some* purposes.

Funny how the price of these gems of accessories hasn't climbed to stratospheric levels - yet. You can still get a perfect K-ring set for less than 50$.

Got it. Thanks guys!