James Markus wrote:
First, I purchased the 55mm f2,8 ais looking for that same bite (sharpness) - it was good, like my 60mm f2.8 af-d. but not as sharp. So I purchased a 900,000 serial number ai for $38 with free shipping. It was as sharp as Scott's - imo. then I got a late serial number ai again 1,050,000 serial number series. Then I purchased an even older factory ai'd Nikkor-P.C. 55mm f3.5 in mint condition for $78. It's my favorite, and I think it is the sharpest of the bunch. I had them mounted on everything. Nikon, Canon, and other bodies. I sold two since then, but I had to keep a backup just in case.
It's fun to go down the rabbit-hole of Nikkor lens versions for a specific focal-length, and for certain cases like the Micro-Nikkor 55mm (and friends) it can be done very cheaply. And newer isn't always better, as has been noted on this thread. The original 55/3.5 design, while of moderate maximum aperture, performed VERY well, and is arguably a better lens than the 55/2.8 that replaced it.
I replaced my AI'ed 24/2.8 N.C. with a modern 24/2 AiS thinking I had made a major upgrade (both an additional stop and modern coating/optics), but the reality was that the older lens probably performed better in most situations, partly due to a less aggressive design. Then there's the case of my 105mm addiction, where I replaced a 105.2.5 AiS with a Micro-Nikkor 105.2.8, and was vastly disappointed (to the point where I had to re-purchase the 105/2.5). After much nudging from this thread I recently purchased an AI'ed 105/2.5 Sonnar version for very little money, and have been most impressed by how it renders. Even the "lowly" 100/2.8 Series E is quite a lot of fun for under $100 (and super portable to boot). I also invested in a relatively "cheap" copy of the 105.2 DC lens (though more than the cost of all my other 105's combined), and I'm pretty sure on a "bang for buck" assessment, the Sonnar is the winner!
