AI/AIS Nikkors

Since I have and use a lot of Nikon gear, almost all manual focus, I thought it would be a good idea to join this group. The gear that gets the most use are my FM2n with a 50/1.4 Nikkor, and the F3HP.

Here is another place the get a lens AI'd. http://www.aiconversions.com/PricesAndShipping.htm . I've never used him as my lenses are all non AI since I have an early F2. HTH

Some AIs lenses were a good improvement, among those the Micro55/2.8 (even though a lot of people prefer the old 3.5) the 28/2.8 and the 105/2.5
I wish I could get an 18 or a 135 (my favorite tele)... just keep looking

Do you currently own said "O"? If so, take it to a repair shop and get them to mill the aperture ring to AI spec. If not, keep your eyes peeled on eBait, KEH, etc, for an AI'd "O". Can be had for less than $100.

-J

The Ai/S 35/2 is on the wish along with other lenses, with my contract coming to an end shortly (and no work currently on the horizon) I'll make do with an O in stop down mode on my F3HP, FE and FM.

Bill, they're out there. Another possibility is to grab a Nikkor-O 35f2 or Nikkor-OC 35f2 with the AI conversion ring. Then, it'll be allowed into both groups.

-J

Since I own a F3HP, a FM and a FE I should join the sister group to my Pre-AI Group. To date my only AI(S) lenses include a 35-105 F3.5 Macro AIS, 28 f2.8 AI, 50 F1.8 AIS, 50 1.4 AIS and a 105 f2.5 AIS. I would love to get a 35 f2 lens at some point but I find them thin on the ground and once in a while I get to use my brother's Nikkor 20 f2.8 AIS lens.

Interesting. With respect to AI lenses and the late non-AI lenses made prior to the AI update, I haven't had that experience, except with that one late 135f2.8 that was AI converted. I do find that I prefer the longer focusing throw of the AI lenses to the AIS lenses, though. At the moment, I don't have any factory AI lenses, but have two AI'd 50f2 Nikkor-H's (one Nippon Kogaku version and one Nikon version), the AI'd 85f1.8 K-series lens, a Nikkor-NC 24f2.8 AI'd, a Nikkor-O 35f2 AI'd, and three AIS lenses, those being my 20f2.8, 55f2.8 (fourth lens that I've had, and, like the other three, no problems), and 300f4.5 EDIF.

-J

Well, I've discovered some additional reasons as to why the Ai 85mm f2 gets such a bad reputation. I got mine as a lightweight alternative to the 105mm 2.5, 85mm 1.8 H.C and the 85mm 1.4 Ais. The focus was stiff, with the rear mount screws locked down tight, typical Ai stuff. I didn't want to break into it since I got it for a good deal and it was quite clean. Well, shooting at a wedding at the reception I launched it onto the floor, hardwood and it took more of a slide then drop, I was on my knees changing lenses and that one got away. Quick check was severely restrained focusing, so into the guts I went over this last week.

So I daub on the lube on all the right spots, let it sit for a few days to soak in and start opening it up. Inside, WOW. Very similar to the Ai 135mm 2.8, which is to say, Trouble. So many points of design, manufacturing, and assembly that conspire to fail, or at least not work very well.

I'll bet that Nikon had a few heads rolling when the Ai hit the fan. Seems to me that with the early Nikkors, up to the mid 70's, the metal barrelled lenses had exquisite design, manufacturing, and assembly. Yes they are heavy, and yes they have a lot of screws (slotted and thin, with soft metal so strips are common), but most of the time they are built to last. They probably cost Nikon a lot to make, and no doubt took a fair bit of time to make.
Fast forward to the mid to late 70's. Competition increases, and sales go up, and I think this put pressure to make a more simplified design for the manufacturing cost side. The internals of the Ai series reflects this, using smaller helicoid rings and a more standardized apeture assembly. But the Ai was a failure IMO. They cut costs on the raw side, but the design of the internals were excessively fiddly, causing sample variation from poor workmanship. (I don't blame the worker, putting together a 135mm 2.8 is and was hell, I'd go nuts if it did that lens every day for a week.) I have no doubt that many Ai lenses were returned to be fixed, and I'd say that could be even worse, the Ai internals made for regular adjustments or repairs nearly impossible to do correctly.
By the Ais series, Nikon has fixed the problem. Many parts are stamped instead of milled, fixed into place by lighter screws and secured by the infamous Red Glue. The internal design more closely mimics the early metal barrel series, but with subtle cost savings in materials and parts. Top of the line lenses such as the 85mm 1.4 resemble the early lenses very closely.

So my advice, having been into the depths of Ai. If you are looking for a specific lens, if its made in Ais, that is the most preferred. If there is a choice between a more worn Ais and a 'mint but stiff' Ai, I think I'd still take the Ais. A cheap Ai that has a stiff focus may seem like a good deal but there is way more to go wrong inside. If you get a CLA on it there may not be that great of an improvement.

So, I did fix the little 85mm. Took 2 weeks, and it still has a bit of a slow section of focus which I'm sure will work out in time. Nice and sharp as well. I sure wish I'd waited for an Ais version though..

Been lucky so far. Took my original 55 to Montana in the summer of '91, then to Colorado in the summer of '93, yet, it still worked perfectly, unlike the 135f2.8 Nikkor AI'd that I owned. That one did develop a gummy diaphragm...

Oh, btw, thanks on the F3P. It's currently without an MD-4. Makes it harder to do time exposures, since one of the other bodies has to be used, unless I use the self-timer, or set it on "T". But, that's ok.

-J