The Nikon ais lenses aren't dead

[Danny Vange]

Lovely shot. I'm planning to buy a 180mm f2.8 AIS when one passes my way for a good price. Colours and bokeh are wonderful

 

[John Crowe]

Be sure it is the AI-S, which is the newer ED version.

 

[Danny Vange]

Be sure it is the AI-S, which is the newer ED version.

Thanks for the tip, John

 

[Brian]

I did not realize that Nikon discontinued the Non-ED version of the 180/2.8 when going to the AIS series. They produced both ED and non-ED (Stands for Extra-Dollars, 1970s camera shop joke) in Ai. The Gold Ring (and back then the price tag) identified the ED version. These days- almost no price difference on the used market.

 

[John Crowe]

I did not realize either until I checked before posting. Yes, either of the gold ring AI or AI-S is fine. If looking at AI just need to ensure gold ring. If buying AI-S it will be gold ring. If buying online it can be difficult to tell difference between AI and AI-S, so one needs to check for the gold ring and/or *ED.

 

[Brian]

In the category of "Nikon Mythology", and something that one of the Senior salesreps told me in the 1970s- The "rumor was" the original Nikkor-P 180/2.8 was so good that people believed Nikon had used an ED element in it without marking as such. I'm not sure if it is true- but for $75, picked up a Nikkor-P 180/2.8 Factory Ai'd some 30+ years ago.

 

[buanadha]

In the category of "Nikon Mythology", and something that one of the Senior salesreps told me in the 1970s- The "rumor was" the original Nikkor-P 180/2.8 was so good that people believed Nikon had used an ED element in it without marking as such. I'm not sure if it is true- but for $75, picked up a Nikkor-P 180/2.8 Factory Ai'd some 30+ years ago.

that's a great story (I want it to be true, even if it isn't )

I love that lens, though. I liked it so much I have 2 - one at home and one at my office both Ai'd (at factory, I guess also)

 

[erchitara]

I love some of the old ais lenses because of course they are not perfect, but some of them have lots of character and are build and operate really well.

Speaking of character, I came to like my pre-AI 135mm f/3.5.
It's quite a fair bit unpredictable, which makes it all the more endearing.
This is what can happen if the sun is somewhere behind your subject.