Downside to using AI / AIS lenses on Digital Bodies?

David, be nice. Remember, Lex is a moderator here. :-)

The 45 AiP f2.8 should meter with the DSLRs-D200, D300, D700 etc.

Fab, I had one of those. It's an OK lens optically, but ergonomically it is the worst. Hated it! Plus the silver lens on a black body doesn't look too great anyway. Would pay $250 for a black one. Not $600. They are more collectors items than users I say. For $600 I'd buy a nice Zeiss.

My problem with with AIS, AI and older lenses was just the fact I couldn't focus the darn things reliably anymore when I switched

to digital with it's DX tunnel vision. Never had problems focussing them on my old manual bodies. To me photography is about

seeing, and the finder is most important!

 

My long beloved 105 1.8 still was great for a concert lens, when I was lucky enough to catch focus right. Sold it, bought an

85mm f1.4 AF, no regrets! Same true on my fast shorter lenses. I suppose I should have tried the katzeye screen.

 

Instead I learned the 17-55 beat the pant off most of them and nailed the focus for me reliably on my D200. Too bad its so scary

looking with its hood, I prefer subtle.

 

Sold the 20 2.8, 24 f2, 105 1.8, a couple of 50s. Still have 180 which is great when I get it focused, and a few other odds and

ends. But they'll have to pry the 35mm f1.4 AIS out of my dead fingers. I can't wait to use it on a D700 or whatever when I get

one. Not in the budget for a while though.

Neil, I feel your pain about the difficulty focusing.

 

I put a Katz eye focusing screen in my D2H. The split prism really helps in most situations. It's just like

focusing a manual film SLR

I've an AI-converted 55mm f/3.5 P.C. Micro-Nikkor, which I use on both my D200 and FM2n. It's the sharpest lens I have, and despite it being 34 years old, it still works and looks like new. I doubt whether many of Nikon's recent lenses will still function and work equally well in 34 years.

 

I also use a 28mm f/2.8 AI-S which is in fair condition both mechanically and optically, yet it still gives me sharp and contrasty images on both the D200 and film. Those old AI(-S) lenses are (often) beautifully made and continue to work well, especially if you have a body that can meter with them.

"Another, the the 28mm f/2.8 AI-S which a certain "expert" with the initials K & R describes as "a spectacular and inexpensive lens. There is no sharper wide angle lens made by Nikon for SLR cameras, and it is the only Nikon wide angle, along with the 15mm f/3.5, that is completely free from barrel distortion at ordinary distances." --- is not so good -"

 

Ellis, what's wrong with the 28mm f2.8 AI-S on DSLR? I have one and am using it on my D700. Everything seems to be fine, sharpeness when stepped down to f/11. Vignetting is the only issue (and flare).

Hmmm... the AiS 28mm f/2.8 is definitely a gem on the D300. From 2.8 to 5.6 it's definitely better than the AiS 28 f/2.0. And for close-up work you can't find a better lens. Remember, the AiS will focus down to 0.2m.

 

BTW: the Ai 28 f/2.8 (with a minimum focus of 0.3m) is only mediocre.

To my post above it should read:

 

...for close-up work you can't find a better wide-angle lens.