Detecting El Nikkor "N" Lenses

[Neil Poulsen]

Do El Nikkor "N" or "A" lenses include the "N" or the "A" as part of the labeling on the lens? If not, can one determine if a lens is an actual "N" or "A" lens from the serial number?

[Oren Grad]

No. The packaging says "N" or "A", but the lens itself doesn't.

But the barrel cosmetics are different from the older ones - certainly in the N series, and I believe the A series as well.

[Neil Poulsen]

Does it matter whether the lens is multi-coated? I'm curious, how would you describe the cosmetics as being different?

[Oren Grad]

I don't know about the coating - although I had an old-type 50/4 for a while years ago, I've never had the opportunity to do a direct comparison of old and new types.

Re barrel cosmetics, easiest just to point to some photos.

Scroll down on this page for a picture of the N-type 50/2.8:

http://blogs.salon.com/0004217/2004/11/15.html

Scroll down on this page for a picture of the old-style 50/4:

http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography...or/index10.htm

The picture on this page is the A-type 150/5.6 - possibly a mismatch to what's actually being offered:

http://www.adorama.com/US%20%20%20%20360982.html

A lineup of older macro, micro and EL lenses, with an N-type EL at the far right:

http://nikonhistoricalsociety.yuku.c...-mm-f-3-5.html