85 1.4 Choices

[richardHaw]

I have used the AIS version for many years with excellent results. As far as I know the optics and coating are unchanged from the AI version

the 85/2's Ai and Ai-S versions have different coatings, i can tell one from the other just by the color of the glass which came in handy because somebody was trying to sell me an Ai and claimed that it is Ai-S.

PS: have you read my PM reply?

[Roland Vink]

Interesting ... I just compared my AI and AIS 85/2 and the coatings look the same. These lenses can be distinguished quite easily without having to study the coatings, the AI has the DOF scale on the barrel between the chrome and focus rings, the AIS has the DOF scale on chome.

[richardHaw]

not only that, there are screws on the focusing ring for the Ai one. the barrel's outer construction are different. even the front ring's construction is different but they do look similar at first look.

as for the coatings, one has greenish while one has magenta tint. this might be a production batch variation and you may have the later Ai one. I compared the one being sold to me to the one that I have and the coatings are different as I described.

[Roland Vink]

I'll have another look at coatings again in better light ...

[Hugh_3170]

My Ai 85mm f/2.0 has predominantly greenish tinges to its coatings - at least under artificial light.  I will check it again in the morning under daylight.

Its Serial No. is 2627xx, which implies that it was one of the last of the Ai 85mm f/2.0 lenses - made not very long before the AiS version was released in 1981.  Maybe the last of the Ai lenses were supplied with the newer coatings?  Just a guess I admit.

Edit:  I have rechecked the colours of the reflections off the coatings of this lens under bright daylight @ 11:00am local time.  The reflections are still predominantly green, although there is some less obvious magenta relections as well.  I compared these with the relections off my AiS 105mm f/2.5 lens, Serial No. 9355xx, and they looked very similar.

[David H. Hartman]

Observation of manual focus 85mm Nikkors...

85/2.0 AI: Didn't like odd barrel design.
85/2.0 AIS: Small, light, good performance but nothing special.
85/1.8 K AI(ed) medium, excellent sharpness, printed b&w for friend. Perhaps more flare in harsh conditions. Tried to buy from friend 10 years ago, no luck.
85/1.4 AIS: Large (presence), excellent sharpness, better sharpness than f/2.0 AIS from f/2.0 to f/5.6. Maybe better than 105/2.5 AIS. Good bokeh.

Dave Hartman

[Roland Vink]

Here are the coatings of the 85/2, AI on the left, AI-S middle and right.

The AI is a little greener, but not dramatically different from the AI-S.

[pluton]

It is my understanding that when we see a different color reflection from the surface of two sample lenses, it is possible that the specifications of the coating have been changed, but also there is the possibility that the type of optical glass has been changed.
You never quite know...

[Akira]

In the second picture, the coating of the middle one looks different.  As I understand, the reflected color of the coating can change after cleaning it several times.

[Hugh_3170]

These don't look to be much different to my late mode Ai 85mm f/2.0 and the 105mm f/2.5 AiS.

Here are the coatings of the 85/2, AI on the left, AI-S middle and right.

The AI is a little greener, but not dramatically different from the AI-S.

[richardHaw]

The coatings are a tad different.
This is also what i use as a hint in the online auction sites as sometimes, some idiot will sell and Ai for an Ai-S as they probably do not know the difference or just plain malicious.  In my case, the shop keeper at a reputable store probably just did not know enough about the Nikkors. Good thing I remembered this bit or else I would have  been ripped off

[Airy]

I thought the best way to tell apart AI from AIS was the lens mount ?

[richardHaw]

I thought the best way to tell apart AI from AIS was the lens mount ?

the smallest aperture number should be a bright orange. that is the easiest way

[Erik Lund]

Well yes if the mount was not changed, serial # is the best, unless the ring has been changed, so really just look on Roland's page to make sure

[Erik Lund]

To easy to paint the min aperture number