This may seem like a trivial problem, but it's like going for a hike with a stone in your shoe.

The clear body cap on my new Nikon TC-14E doesn't stay on. The internal mount sticks out too far for the cap. Every 14E the store had, where I got mine, was the same way. Nikon says they never heard of this problem and the dealer just shrugs.

Is there anything else I can use? Any thoughts as to alternatives for a cap?

Thanks for the help with the pebble.

-- Habib (poorhabib@hotmail.com), August 14, 1999

Answers

The body cap for the TC-14E & TC-20E is not the same as the body cap for camera bodies. It looks the same but it is slightly deeper to accomodate the extending lens elements. Also, it is not clear but is black. The Nikon number is "BF-3". The cap on the other end should be an "LF-1". Both are black with the numbers on the inside. I have both a TC-14E & TC-20E in front of me as I am writting this and the caps seem to lock in just fine.

-- Clarke Ross (rross@fuse.net), August 14, 1999.

Clarke, That would explain it. Sounds like my dealer switched my caps and gave me the body cap. Hmmmmm.

Thanks for the help. It's greatly appreciated.

-- Habib (poorhabib@hotmail.com), August 16, 1999.

god forbid on an african safari you lose one of the teleextender caps. Now I carry a spare. The problem is getting a spare. This is truly an unique item for any store to carry. Black body caps to replace the freebie white one that comes with the camera, yes. Extra caps for the tele, no. That is probably why the dealer the dealer gave you the wrong one plus the fact that until you learn all this the hardway, one would never know. I can't tell you how I would sit in a safari vehicle mumbling to my wife that I caouldn't thread the damn cap.

-- mark haflich (jhaflich@erols.com), August 19, 1999.

Another point should be added regarding the TCe caps. They only fit correctly one way. You must line up the small black dot on the outer edge of the cap with the white mounting dot on the teleconverter. Theoretically, you could put the cap on 3 ways. In my experience, and that of several others, you can easily jam the cap on if the dots do not match up. It is dificult to remove when this happens The small black dot is not easy to see on the cap so you might want to put a dab of paint or tape near it. This would also help you keep it separat3 from the similar body caps that do not fit at all. When properly aligned the word Nikon is right side up as you hold the TC with the mounting dot upright. Little known trivia, and as stated above you do not want to lose the cap on safari or have it jammed.

Good shooting.

Petr Bick

-- Peter Bick (Bick@iquest.net), November 08, 1999.