Is that the legendary AI-S, or one of the other 28/2.8's? (the AI or E)
I don't remember if it is AI or AIS, but I can tell you it is the 0.2 M close focusing model and it is not an E. I have read that it out performs other 28mm f/2.8s.
I should know because it is one of my favorite lenses, and I like it as a general purpose walk about with a nice sharp close focus feature.
HCE HCE wrote:
I don't remember if it is AI or AIS, but I can tell you it is the 0.2 M close focusing model and it is not an E. I have read that it out performs other 28mm f/2.8s.
I should know because it is one of my favorite lenses, and I like it as a general purpose walk about with a nice sharp close focus feature.
0.2m is the AI-S and definitely the best of the 2.8's, especially compared to the E.
The AI and E are both 0.3m close focus (there are a few 0.3m AI-S versions out there, same optics as the AI)
I am also planning to the sell the 85mm f1.8 H AI version I have., given I havent used it much since I like the smaller form factor of the 85mm f2 AI.
Send me a PM.
CGrindahl wrote:
Welcome back Jim. As I mentioned at Nikon Cafe, I'd completely forgotten the fact I'd started that thread. It was a delight to see it still operating, though without quite the abundance of this thread. You came back after Fred Miranda trimmed this thread quite dramatically, from about 6300 pages down to slightly over 400. The "lost" pages are in fact in a newly created "archive" so if you want to head back down memory lane you can do so by visiting the second post of this abbreviated thread...
With regard to the 85 f/2 AI-s, it was my first 85mm manual focus lens. At the time I was attempting to keep each lens purchase below $300 and I was fixated on buying the AI-s version lenses, believing they must be the best in terms of design and performance. I was pleased with the lens though I knew even then that the gold standard at this focal length is the 85 f/1.4 AI-s that Laura mentions above. When I finally sold the last five Canon L AF lenses, I liberated enough funds to add the 85 f/1.4 and 135 f/2, as well as the 35 f/1.4 and 28 f/2... great lenses all.
But also I began exploring pre-AI lenses and was introduced to the 85 f/1.8 H.C. that we sent around the world. Laura gives you the link to a blog created for that lens adventure. In fact, the WWW link at the bottom of each of my posts is to that blog.
Knowing what I know now, if funds were limited, I'd be inclined to look for an 85 f/1.8 like this one...
The K version is the last pre-AI lens, though this copy has the Nikon AI conversion kit installed. Many of us prefer the older lenses with scalloped metal focusing rings, but they can be harder to find. Of course, converted K lenses are also a bit scarce. My guess is the f/2 would cost about the same as this K but it will not perform a well as the earlier lens. Good luck. As we say on this thread, "kit building is forever..." ...Show more →
No Spring shots from me, yet. But here are a few b&w conversions from the the Mingei International Museum in San Diego. All were taken with the 50/1.2 on a D800.
Hey, I've got a bit of a technical question and I'm hoping someone can help me. I'm trying to understand something about using non-CPU lenses with digital SLRs that can meter with manual focus lenses. I know we have to input the lens focal length and maximum aperture into the camera's "non-CPU lens data" memory -- but why do we have to put in the maximum aperture? Isn't that what the AI indexing ridge does on an AI lens?
Brontodon wrote:
Hey, I've got a bit of a technical question and I'm hoping someone can help me. I'm trying to understand something about using non-CPU lenses with digital SLRs that can meter with manual focus lenses. I know we have to input the lens focal length and maximum aperture into the camera's "non-CPU lens data" memory -- but why do we have to put in the maximum aperture? Isn't that what the AI indexing ridge does on an AI lens?
Yup, the AI indexing tab reads the aperture, but it needs to know where to start from. Some lenses are damn close (1.4 vs 1.2, 1.8 vs 2.0) so it helps the computer.
Reagan wrote:
^^^^^
You know it's almost April
Spring is in the air
I don't see any blooms
Reagan
No blooms here either Reagan.. and all we see is rain and a few snow flakes even until early last week.
Longing to see the baby greens.
Apologies as I have not been regular or vocal the last few months.
Still settling in with the new job & the Df has not seen light since 3 months sadly. Last visit to the thread I was almost convinced the older pages had disappeared...Lotsa catching up to do indeed.
I will be in Chicago in the Lake Forest area from April 08th till April 20th.
Please let me know if any of you happens to live closeby and would be interested to meet up!
CGrindahl wrote:
Welcome back Jim. As I mentioned at Nikon Cafe, I'd completely forgotten the fact I'd started that thread. It was a delight to see it still operating, though without quite the abundance of this thread. You came back after Fred Miranda trimmed this thread quite dramatically, from about 6300 pages down to slightly over 400. The "lost" pages are in fact in a newly created "archive" so if you want to head back down memory lane you can do so by visiting the second post of this abbreviated thread...
With regard to the 85 f/2 AI-s, it was my first 85mm manual focus lens. At the time I was attempting to keep each lens purchase below $300 and I was fixated on buying the AI-s version lenses, believing they must be the best in terms of design and performance. I was pleased with the lens though I knew even then that the gold standard at this focal length is the 85 f/1.4 AI-s that Laura mentions above. When I finally sold the last five Canon L AF lenses, I liberated enough funds to add the 85 f/1.4 and 135 f/2, as well as the 35 f/1.4 and 28 f/2... great lenses all.
But also I began exploring pre-AI lenses and was introduced to the 85 f/1.8 H.C. that we sent around the world. Laura gives you the link to a blog created for that lens adventure. In fact, the WWW link at the bottom of each of my posts is to that blog.
Knowing what I know now, if funds were limited, I'd be inclined to look for an 85 f/1.8 like this one...
The K version is the last pre-AI lens, though this copy has the Nikon AI conversion kit installed. Many of us prefer the older lenses with scalloped metal focusing rings, but they can be harder to find. Of course, converted K lenses are also a bit scarce. My guess is the f/2 would cost about the same as this K but it will not perform a well as the earlier lens. Good luck. As we say on this thread, "kit building is forever..." ...Show more →
Thanks for your detailed response, Curtis. Looks like the lens you linked is already gone, but I'll keep my eyes open for others.
What does AI conversion involve? Can a converted lens be mounted on a D750? Will it meter like the AI and AI-s models?
After writing this I did some online research and I've answered my own questions pretty well.
I have a local camera shop with a shelf full of old Nikkors. I haven't been there for a couple of years but I'm pretty sure there were some pre-AI lenses there that I ignored previously. Guess I need to drop by again.
Brontodon wrote:
Hey, I've got a bit of a technical question and I'm hoping someone can help me. I'm trying to understand something about using non-CPU lenses with digital SLRs that can meter with manual focus lenses. I know we have to input the lens focal length and maximum aperture into the camera's "non-CPU lens data" memory -- but why do we have to put in the maximum aperture? Isn't that what the AI indexing ridge does on an AI lens?
The AI indexing tab indicates relative aperture, not absolute aperture (IE how far you've stopped down from wide open, not which exact aperture is selected). That's why you get an aperture delta reading if you haven't entered the non-CPU lens data.
AI and later lenses with aperture rings also have a max aperture indexing post on the mount that communicates maximum aperture, but it's vestigial, only a handful of bodies from the 1980's ever had the hardware to engage it (the last was the F4) and only the FA used it as intended for matrix metering with AI and later lenses (it provides flash info to the other 3-4 bodies with support). AI-converted lenses lack that post, which is why the FA is the only body that matrix meters with AI lenses but not AI-converted.
Matrix metering relies on the focal length and actual working aperture as part of its scene evaluation, which is why you need to enter non-CPU lens data to enable matrix metering. If you don't you only get centre-weighted and spot metering (both of which work fine with relative aperture information)
There are 3 fundamental items which make a lens AI. They are the AI indexing tab, the min aperture tab (that little tab which engages the switch on the mount of cameras which don't have AI tabs, and indicates min aperture has been selected for aperture control from the body) and the maximum aperture indexing post. The first two are on the aperture ring, the third is inside the bayonet. AI-converted lenses have the first two but not the third (which is why there is actually no such thing as an 85/1.8 AI, only 85/1.8 K's with a factory installed AI conversion kit)
HCE HCE wrote:
I don't remember if it is AI or AIS, but I can tell you it is the 0.2 M close focusing model and it is not an E. I have read that it out performs other 28mm f/2.8s.
I should know because it is one of my favorite lenses, and I like it as a general purpose walk about with a nice sharp close focus feature.
I am looking forward to using this same lens. I recently received one from Japan with a SN in the desirable 82XXX+ range but it had to go back. The focus ring was very stiff and when I took it out on a cold Maine day it developed condensation inside the lens. I am guessing the previous owner enjoyed taking pictures in the rain. The Japanese dealer was very accommodating and went out of his way to find me a replacement win the same serial range.
Here is an image where the internal condensation added an interesting ghost circle in the middle...
