Classic Nikkors: 43-86mm (late)

[albert_smith]

I just came across my old 43-86mm Nikkor zoom (late AI version),

which was long forgotten in my many boxes of old gear. This lens

(which came in two computations) was considered by many (and

according to some references even Nikon) as a less that decent lens.

I used mine for years, but the acquisition of some great primes in

the 50mm and 85mm focal lengths made the lens seem superfluous, and

it was relegated to the pile of lenses that never got used. Some

recent threads on �bad� lenses made me put it on the camera and

figure out why I stopped using it.<P>

 

 

My lens does in fact distort at both ends, both pincushion at 43mm

and barrel at 86mm. I would not use this lens for serious

architectural type shots. It also is not very sharp until about

f/5.6 or so. The focusing action is quite extended (long throw), and

I seemed to have to play with the focusing ring more than I would

with my primes� it oozes rather than snaps into focus.<P>

 

The great strength of this lens as I have rediscovered is for

flattering portraits of older subjects. Detail at f/3.5 is just soft

enough to mask lines, wrinkles and blemishes, yet sharp enough to

keep the eyes clearly rendered. I do believe I will be using my lens

more often for people type shooting.<P>

 

As these lenses are easily found on used shelves everywhere, and are

built to the level of other similar vintage Nikkors (great!), it

might be worth the cost to experiment if you use manual focus cameras

and shoot people often. One book I have says to look for a serial

number over a million to get the latest version, while another lists

that serial number a bit lower. The prime factor is that an original

AI lens is the one to grab (what ever that serial number might be).

Once the lens was offered as AI, the optics and coating were improved

over the first version.<P>

 

Some shots made with the 43-86mm f/3.5 Nikkor: <a

href="http://www.photo.net/photodb/presentation.tcl?

presentation_id=231154"> LINK </a>

[kelly_flanigan1]

This lens came out 40 years ago; it was made for almost 2 decades; with several design changes. Thus is has abit of weird reputation; some hate it; and some love it. It was permanently afixed to some Nikkorex-F models; my uncle bought one of these at Hudsons in Detroit. About 1973/1974; they added multicoating to the F lens; and made a big optical design change about 1976.

[gary_watson]

I must have lucked out and bought an over-spec'd 43-86/3.5, since mine's sharp at wider apertures. The late-run AI versions are shunned and underpriced, thanks to the poor rep of their non-AI ancestors.Although it doesn't have a huge zoom range, it's useful for informal shooting with good light.Mine gets used most during summer picnics, trips to parks and short hikes when one body/lens is all I want. The 50-85mm coverage is great for kid shots and candids.

[mskovacs]

I had a couple of the latest model AI design including one with a 7 digit serial number. Both were pretty reasonable performers (much better than their reputation would indicate) but I sold them both. The 7 digit one had some collectable value so I got a little extra for that. I think it was higher than the highest number listed on <a href=http://home.aut.ac.nz/staff/rvink/nikon3.html>Roland Vink's site</a> so I should check if I still have photos of the lens and email him. The other one was identical with a high 900,000 6 digit number.

[Brian1664876441]

I keep a Non-AI version on my Nikon FTn in a CTTZ case and an AI version on my F2 in a CH5 case. I have newer zooms, but these do fine. The AI version is a terrific price these days.

 

Here are some shots with the 9 element Nikkor-C non-AI version; note the distortion on straight edges:

 

http://www.photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=358054

 

and a couple of shots with the 11 element AI version.

 

http://www.photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=358572

 

I will be posting some more shots with the AI version soon.

[jae_myung_shim]

So, the distortion was NOT corrected at the later (AI) version. Then what did the change in the number of lens elements do?

[Brian1664876441]

I am trying to get shots posted with several different "classic" lenses.

 

The distortion may not have been fully corrected, but it is no where near as pronounced as in the 9 element version. I will be getting some additional shots taken with the 11 element version posted soon. I found a good roll that ran the zoom range and had a lot of wide-open pictures.

 

As I was looking at pictures taken with the 9 element version, distortion in faces in corners was evident. The 11-element version does not do this; you have to look for straight edges to see the distortion. The 11 element version is also much sharper, especially below F8. I plan to get some detail shots with the new version up soon.

[jae_myung_shim]

Thanks, Brian. I'm interested in seeing your pictures.