Just got my Ai'd Lenses back!!

<p>Ever get a package you've been anxiously anticipating just before having to go to work?!? Well I did this morning, my Nikkor NC 24/2.8, Nikkor-S 35/2.8, Micro-Nikkor 55/3.5 and Nikkor-Q 135/3.5 all arrived back from John White Ai Conversions sometime yesterday but I missed the package till this morning when I took the dog out.</p>

<p>I did take the time to mount each lens, fire off some test shots on my D300, and email John to let him know that I'd received the package. First impression is pretty good, I'll post pictures of the lenses themselves and some user notes later this week here on the thread for anyone else who may be interested in resuscitating some old glass.</p>

<p>However will you get any useful work done today?</p><div></div>

Other than price, is there any advantage to using AI'd lenses over just buying AI lenses off the bat?

<p>Not really, unless you already have the older style lenses.</p>

 

<p>Enjoy, Tony.</p>

<p>Some of my best lenses are older than many of the people who contribute to this forum ;-></p>

<p>Thanks guys! </p>

<p>@ John - it is very difficult to be productive right now! (hence I'm on this forum, hmm....)</p>

<p>@ Mark and Bob - I had the lenses with a Nikkormat kit that I learned on back in high school but the price of Ai vs non Ai + conversion is just about a wash so no advantage unless the lens you want wasn't made in Ai, or you get a real bargain!</p>

<p> </p>

<p>John Morris - it just struck me your cat looks like THE Morris LOL</p>

<p>And I thought I was the only one using old Nikon glass on a DSLR?</p>

<p>On my D50 my favorite lenses are the 20/F3.5, 24/F2.8 and the 50/F2. Which equate angles of view of 30mm, 36mm & 75mm respectively.</p>

<p>I have pre-AI, AI and AIS lenses. The pre-AI lenses are often better built than the more recent ones. In some cases not very much improvement was realized with the AI/AIS models. I have a few versions of the 50/1.8 and I don't think they are any better than the 50/2 HC, 'K' or AI models. John White converted a 200/4 Nikkor Q for me. I like this lens better than the 200/4 AI. Later I got a 200/4 Nikkor QC which had factory AI conversion but I enjoy using all of them. For most purposes I prefer the 55/3.5 Micro Nikkor PC and 'K' lenses to the later 55/2.8 AIS. I think that most of the improvements in the 35/2 manual focus Nikkors came in the coatings. I have a 35/2 Nikkor O which I like. I would get an OC model before getting an AI or AIS. My favorite Nikkor 35 is the 35/2.8 'K'. It's sharp at all f/stops and all distances. </p>

<p>John White does a great job. He AI'ed four of my lenses about 8 years ago so I could use them on my F100. I have had no problems with any of the lenses.</p>

<p>Enjoy your glass.</p>

<p>Are the 'K' lenses the ones that came just before AI, and which have pretty much the same styling?</p>

<p>John, yes. 'K' immediately preceded AI.</p>

<p>The funny thing about the 'K' lenses is that of you don't look carefully at the back of the mount and if a factory AI ring was attached, you think you're looking at an AI lens. Of my many 55mm f/3.5 Micro Nikkors three looked like AI lenses. When I checked more carefully it turned out that two wwre AI lenses but one was a factory converted 'K'. </p>

<p>I've got three Ai'd "K" lenses: the 28 3.5, 50 1.4, and the 135 2.8. While I like the red coating on the front element, the "cool factor" isn't the main reason I bought these lenses. </p>

<p>The 28 can be shot directly into the sun with ease. It's small and a lot of fun to use - and it works great with an IR converted body. I picked up my copy on ebay for $35, then spent $25 for the conversion ring. It's one of the best $60 investments I've ever made.</p>

<p>I bought the 50 1.4 simply because I needed something fast between the 28 and the 75-150 Series E. I picked up the 50 on ebay as well for $68 and spent another $25 for the conversion ring. Now my walkaround manual kit consists of the 28, 50, and 75-150. </p>

<p>I've also got the 135 "K" version. I had the Ai-S version, but liked the larger body of the older lens. I also found that I liked the longer focus throw of the older lens as well. I'm able to fine tune my focus better than with the newer lens. Some might say that it takes longer to focus - which is true. But I'll take the extra accuracy any day.</p>

<p>I have Ai'd the 50/1.4, 28/3.5 and 105/2.5. total investment for these fine lenses about $200. Glass is great, built like tanks.</p>