Have a set of pre-Ai Nikkor glass, BUT...

chip j · Jan 1, 2018

I have the 24 2.8, 28 3.5, 35 2.8, 50 1.4, 105 2.5 Sonnar, 135 3.5, & 200 4.0. I didn't pay a lot for them. The 20mm & 85mm 1.8 are pricey, and I already have the 20mm 3.5 & 85mm 2.0 in AIs. Should I take the plunge for the pre-AI 20 & 85?? (Oh, and I have the 55 Micro & 135 2.8 too). I got them for their unbeatable build and because they were designed for B&W. Don'texpect to use them much. Thanks, Chip

Marco Gilardetti · Jan 2, 2018

I suggest you simply try them out first, and then decide.

In my opinion, as you're not going to use it often and you don't even mention which kind of usage it would have, there is no sense for you to buy a 85mm f:1,8. Which one is better is object of constant debate, which probably means that there are no perceivable differences for most people. See this recent thread.

I don't get exactly which 20mm you mention, perhaps the f:2,8? In this case there might be differences more easily perceived, but again if you don't try out the 20mm f:3,5 first you'll never know wether it fits your expectations or not.

BrianShaw · Jan 2, 2018

Your museum collection would be incomplete without them!

E. von Hoegh · Jan 2, 2018

Designed for black & white??
The 20mm 3.5 Nikkor UD is a big, heavy, sharp, heavy, lens, it has some bloating but is otherwise excellent. The 85 1.8 is good too, but you already have a good 85. Another good pre Ai is the 35 f:2 Nikkor O, it's faster and has more even illumination than the 2.8, which I also had. Another must have is the 50 f:2 Nikkor H, it's better wide open than the 1.4 at f:2, and at all smaller stops. 28 3.5, 35 2.8, 50 2.0 are all about the same size and weight & balance perfectly on an F (or F2) with plain prism.
The 135 f:3.5 is also a tele Sonnar and goes all the way back to the 13.5cm Nikkor Q-C for the rf Nikons ca.1954.

removedacct3 · Jan 2, 2018

Designed for black & white? You mean single coated?

chip j · Jan 2, 2018

Yes, I guess. Mr. von Hough, I already have a 35 2.0 AI.

Ap507b · Jan 2, 2018

I have a collection of pre AI glass. It gets used whenever I use my F or F2 Photonic as I like period glass for period cameras. Doesn't get used that often admittedly & don't think about what film it's best for. It gets used with whatever is loaded in the camera without a second thought. Makes me happy. Will be adding pre AI 28mm F3.5 & 105mm F2.5's in time when I can find them at good prices.

E. von Hoegh · Jan 2, 2018

chip j said:
Yes, I guess. Mr. von Hough, I already have a 35 2.0 AI.

H-o-e-g-h.
TYVM
Get the pre-Ai .

E. von Hoegh · Jan 2, 2018

Ap507b said:
I have a collection of pre AI glass. It gets used whenever I use my F or F2 Photonic as I like period glass for period cameras. Doesn't get used that often admittedly & don't think about what film it's best for. It gets used with whatever is loaded in the camera without a second thought. Makes me happy. Will be adding pre AI 28mm F3.5 & 105mm F2.5's in time when I can find them at good prices.

All of my Nikkors are pre-Ai. They do an excellent job, if they did not they would have been replaced.

Theo Sulphate · Jan 2, 2018

Just look at it. How can you not get the 85/1.8?

Ap507b · Jan 2, 2018

E. von Hoegh said:
All of my Nikkors are pre-Ai. They do an excellent job, if they did not they would have been replaced.

Apart from the 43-86 bought as a curiosity to see how bad it really was & the 50mm F1.4 Nikkor S, I have AI or mostly AIS versions of the same focal lengths (only have a 50mm 1.8 AIS) . To be honest they all arrived before the Pre AI glass but have never found the pre AI primes to be wanting enough to use a later lens.

E. von Hoegh · Jan 2, 2018

Theo Sulphate said:
Just look at it. How can you not get the 85/1.8?

View attachment 192766

Why?? I'm in the process of adapting an early J-9 to F mount. Cost, $88.75 for the lens, and some work.

Theo Sulphate · Jan 2, 2018

Ap507b said:
Apart from the 43-86 bought as a curiosity to see how bad it really was ...

According to Ken R., the later versions of that lens were much better.

E. von Hoegh said:
Why?? ...

My enthusiastic plea for buying the lens was directed at Mr. Chip J.

Ap507b · Jan 3, 2018

Theo Sulphate said:
According to Ken R., the later versions of that lens were much better.

Have read that the later ones are better but my interest was only in trying the early one. Waited until I found labelled with Nippon Kogaku cheap enough on ebay.

RalphLambrecht · Jan 3, 2018

chip j said:
I have the 24 2.8, 28 3.5, 35 2.8, 50 1.4, 105 2.5 Sonnar, 135 3.5, & 200 4.0. I didn't pay a lot for them. The 20mm & 85mm 1.8 are pricey, and I already have the 20mm 3.5 & 85mm 2.0 in AIs. Should I take the plunge for the pre-AI 20 & 85?? (Oh, and I have the 55 Micro & 135 2.8 too). I got them for their unbeatable build and because they were designed for B&W. Don'texpect to use them much. Thanks, Chip

Ken Rockwell's site is a good source of independent info for this.

Have a set of pre-Ai Nikkor glass, BUT...

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency