Nikon 35mm f/2.8 - Ai version

[richardHaw]

The "K" version of the 35/2.8 Nikkor is surprisingly sharp and as already stated, very low in geometric distortion. I got a nice one the last time I visited Erik Lund in Copenhagen, and he helped me AI-modify it in a perfect manner. Add the CPU and it turns into a highly useful, sharp and inconspicuous compact optic that even performs great in IR.

speaking of copenhagen, i lost the address of one of many camera shop. i want to send something there in summer

back to the topic. so, my 35mm f/2.8 Ai's optic should be the same as the K? sorry im just confused right now. opening up lenses, i see nikon change thing as they go through the production. the changes are subtle but can render interchangeability of the parts impossible such as position of the screws and shape of an element's edge(fit). but the change in optical formula is something major. the Nikkor-P is an example of that.

[richardHaw]

The AI 35/2.8 you have is the newer version - 5 elements in 5 groups. This one has mild barrel distortion and a very short focus throw of only 100°. The AIS version with the same optics has a longer focus throw of 120° (the only case where an AIS lens has a longer focus throw than the AI version)

However if you prefer really long focus throw, look for the K or early AI version. The focus throw is about the same as the Nikkor-S version. This one has 6 elements in 6 groups, distortion is nearly zero and I think it's a bit sharper, although the bokeh may not be quite as rounded.

Hello. i was not aware that there was another rework of the optic
this is starting to get confusing for me.
Another reason for getting this is the funny typo. Nikkor is mispelled as niikor frequently by japanese people and i got this as a joke to make fun of some of my friends who make this kind of mistakes hahaha

[richardHaw]

Good examples Ian.

From what I understood from others too,  the K-Ai, is very well regarded (6 elements in 6 groups). Serialnummer range from 773 to 870. Prices on Ebay gone up to 150 euro and more. I got one a few weeks ago in a box with lenses and am surprised by it's quality. The bokeh is beautiful too. It's a definitely a keeper. BTW I rate this Lens higher than a 7. Comes closer to a 8,5-9

Some examples here:   EDIT (Serialnumber 791xxx)

nice pic of the working class neighborhood the lines look pretty straight

[Akira]

The AI 35/2.8 you have is the newer version - 5 elements in 5 groups. This one has mild barrel distortion and a very short focus throw of only 100°. The AIS version with the same optics has a longer focus throw of 120° (the only case where an AIS lens has a longer focus throw than the AI version)

However if you prefer really long focus throw, look for the K or early AI version. The focus throw is about the same as the Nikkor-S version. This one has 6 elements in 6 groups, distortion is nearly zero and I think it's a bit sharper, although the bokeh may not be quite as rounded.

Roland (and folks), the Ai/K version of 35/2.8 is exactly what I'm looking at for my pano work.  Why don't you stop adoring this one in order to keep the second-hand price low!!!   

[richardHaw]

Roland (and folks), the Ai/K version of 35/2.8 is exactly what I'm looking at for my pano work.  Why don't you stop adoring this one in order to keep the second-hand price low!!!   

hey you should join me this thursday. we are going to shoot some underground sexy stuff in nakano

[Roland Vink]

Hello. i was not aware that there was another rework of the optic
this is starting to get confusing for me.

All the optical variants with serial numbers are listed on my site: http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/lenses.html#35  (the thick bar separates different optics, the thin line is for different versions or barrel styles)

Nikon released no less than 4 different 35/2.8 optics between 1959 and 1981, five if you count the series-E 35/2.5, and seven if you count the two PC versions. Must have been a favorite with the designers

[Erik Lund]

speaking of copenhagen, i lost the address of one of many camera shop. i want to send something there in summer

http://oneofmanycameras.com/

[richardHaw]

All the optical variants with serial numbers are listed on my site: http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/lenses.html#35  (the thick bar separates different optics, the thin line is for different versions or barrel styles)

Nikon released no less than 4 different 35/2.8 optics between 1959 and 1981, five if you count the series-E 35/2.5, and seven if you count the two PC versions. Must have been a favorite with the designers

your site must be getting like 30-40 hits a day from me alone!
thank you very much for your effort.

35 2.8 is a very practical lens. that is probably the reason why Nikon has made so many. when i was freelancing at the newspaper, the editor encourages us to use 35mm. anything wider than that he says distorts too much, exaggerating the story. anything longer will not show enough of the environment. this old guy believed in showing the truth so he always told us to have some BG in the picture to show some context.

i will probably not buy another 35, i am quite happy with these 2. i shot with the Niikor-S this afternoon (the one with the typo) and it is pretty sharp at f/8. i am OK so far with it's optics, but of course it is no match for the Ai in terms of clarity. the newer lens is also superior due to a brighter viewfinder compared to this Niikor-S where the viewfinder is a bit dark.

[richardHaw]

http://oneofmanycameras.com/

thank you! i lost mikeno62's message 
it was he and daitocamera that inspired me to share my notes to the world!

i dream of a future where everybody can just share notes and replacement parts freely

[PeterN]

PS: modified text after merging the two threads on the 6-element K/AI lens. The link to Roland's website was already included so I have removed that one too.

Herewith a few shots taken yesterday-evening after receiving my copy of this lens. All hand-held taken with D750. No 1-3 at ISO12.800, f4, 1/60. No.4 ISO200, f8, 3sec (and moving the camera in circles). I would have pushed aperture and lower shutter speed if I had a tripod with me but I did not. I also wanted to see how the lens performed at 2.8 and 4 instead of its - apparent- sweet spot of f8.

Processing: import NEF into LR with Nikon Standard camera profile, pushed shadows a bit, no NR (except for LR's standard color NR) to see how it works out.  #3 is cropped and I removed some other reflections to put emphasis on the one seen in the photo











 

[Erik Lund]

Last one is amazing

First images suffer from darkness,,,

[PeterN]

Last one is amazing

First images suffer from darkness,,,

Normally I would not have posted them.

[richardHaw]

https://richardhaw.com/2016/05/28/repair-nikkor-35mm-f2-8-ai/

I actually use this as my lucky lens

i tend to get good deals when i have this with me

the 35/2 is winning me over lately but this one has it's charm

[Bjørn Rørslett]

This isn't too dark ...

Copenhagen wall art with the 35/2.8 K after Erik had AI-modified it and it had got its bespoke CPU.

(Df)

I'll remove this photo, as it already is posted (by virtue of the merged thread) and replace. Later tonight.

[Akira]

Thanks, Peter, for sharing your experience with this intriguing lens!  I'm afraid that your initial examples are too dark to judge the image quality in the peripheral areas.  So, please keep posting!

PS: Mods: if you think this belongs to a generic 35/2.8 thread or another thread, perhaps you are willing to move it?

No, I would like this particular optics NOT to be mixed with other 35/2.8 Nikkors.