If you still have your original v1 converters kicking around, about 2 dollars worth of supplies and a bit of patience can get you a v2. It just doesn’t look pretty - But hey, who looks at the back of these things?
Magnets. How DO they work?
Optically, the V1 and V2 converters are identical. The V2 was introduced with the X100F and introduced auto-switching. Magical! It must be some form of electronics! Actually it’s just a magnet.
The lens detection on the X100F and X100V is triggered by a magnetic field placed on the lens at approximately the position shown below.
Just magnets.
Polarity wise, one polarity triggers the telephoto conversion, and the other triggers the wide angle.
So, with a bit of deal hunting for v1 versions of these lenses, an Amazon order, a dollar store trip, and a bit of trial and error, I was able to convert my V1 lenses into what is functionally V2 versions. I bought some 4mm wide by 2mm tall magnets and some 5 minute epoxy. I had tape on hand and tested placement first with that. My total costs? It was about $250 Canadian for each of the conversion lenses, $0.25 worth of magnets, and the tube of epoxy was $1.50. If I was to buy the v2 lenses, they would go for about $450 Canadian each, plus taxes. Over $500 in savings for buying the V1 and doing the mod.
With my magnets, I required 2 on each lens stacked - So if you can come across a 4mm x 4mm magnet, you’re probably fine too. With better magnets, you can even get by with a 2mm x 1mm magnet on the ledge below the threads, as I found online. I’m fine with an uglier presentation as it’s functional, does not impede performance, and doesn’t affect the look of the camera.