Differences between the Ai and Ais versions of the Nikkor 35mm f/1.4 models ?

[Lowell]

Other than the fact that the Ai version has 7 aperture blades and the Ais version has 9 aperture blades, and the focus throw, is there significant performance differences between these lenses?  Said another way, does the magic ascribed to the Ais lens also apply to the Ai version?

Any thought and information would be much appreciated.

Thanks

[Roland Vink]

Same optics, so should give the same results. AIS lenses after about no.479xxx have the newer yellow-green Super Integrated Coating (SIC) compared to the older Nikon Integrated Coating (NIC) so there may be some difference when shooting into the light, not sure if it is significant.

[Akira]

The focus throw of Ai is longer than that of Ais.  During the film days, I always preferred Ais because I could focus faster.  But now I would prefer the longer throw of Ai which allows more precise control of focusing, so long as the optical systems are identical.

[Lowell]

Roland and Akira,

Thank you very much for the information and taking the time to reply.  This is very helpful.

Lowell

[richardHaw]

i was considering this lens for some time. is it still relevant these days (image quality)?

[Frank Fremerey]

Richard: I use it every day. It is a dreamy renderer at 1.4 with bitingly sharp parts where focus hits and a straight high performer @f=4 or f=5.6

Find shiploads of shots with this lens in the "366 days" thread. Also Fons Baerken shoots a lot currently with that lens and Bjørn Rørslett hat shots many tenthousands of shots and always sang it's praise

[Lowell]

Frank,

Do you have any experience with the Ai version?  It appears that most are referring specifically to the Ais version.  My question really relates to whether the Ai carries the same qualities as the later Ais lens.  The Ai has 7 aperture blades and, as Roland points out, a different coating than the Ais lens but appears to have the same optical design.

Any thoughts there?

thanks,

Lowell

[Alaun]

Happens I have both, a quick and dirty (as my window ) comparison:

(to me, pictures seems of the same quality)

[Lowell]

Alaun,

Thank you very much for taking the time!  They do seem to be quite similar.  I'm impressed.  I am looking to replace my 35mm f/2 AFD.  I can really see its limitations, especially on my D800E.

Nice images by the way.  Nice that there is some strong back lighting.

This is really helpful for me.

Lowell

[Frank Fremerey]

Lowell: Werner did that perfectly. I really cannot say which version I had ten years ago, but it was definitely a build from the 1980ies. The one I currently own and use is a 2006 build.

[Lowell]

Frank,

I agree.  The images provided by Werner are most helpful.  It looks like from Roland Vink's sheets, that Nikon went to AIS around 1981 when several lenses have similar change from AI to AIS.  I assume that indexing was added to several lenses with little other changes and then later coating were changed for the AIS lenses.  Certainly, this is most helpful. 

Thanks

Lowell

[JJChan]

I've been looking at getting an AIS.

Is there a lot of difference SIC vs old IC coatings?

Alaun, is your AIS serial number >479XXX (thanks Roland for your amazing website) - the flare from backlight in your examples is so well controlled!

JJ

[richardHaw]

Richard: I use it every day. It is a dreamy renderer at 1.4 with bitingly sharp parts where focus hits and a straight high performer @f=4 or f=5.6

Find shiploads of shots with this lens in the "366 days" thread. Also Fons Baerken shoots a lot currently with that lens and Bjørn Rørslett hat shots many tenthousands of shots and always sang it's praise

thank you, i am going to hunt for a junk

[Alaun]

the non AIS has ser.no. 3720xx and the AIS has 4708xx

so according to Roland's website, it does not have the most modern coating, but the coatings are different:

 

[Lowell]

Werner,

I assume that the AI is on the left and AIS on the right. 

As background, I own both the AI and AIS versions of the 105mm F/2.5 lens.  People favor and use both lenses.  The coating on BOTH of those lenses has the greenish cast like on the right. 

Thanks for taking the time to take these really helpful images.

Lowell