Dismantling the 35mm f/2.8 Ai

[richardHaw]

https://richardhaw.com/2016/05/28/repair-nikkor-35mm-f2-8-ai/
Just finished the latest post in my repair blog
pretty simple lens.

[Thomas G]

Richard, the title says: 35/1.2  I think I may like one 

The article is a pleasure to read and full of valuable knowledge, even if you consider it a simple lens yourself.
Thank you.

[Jacques Pochoy]

As for each of your articles, this one is a real pleasure to read, almost as mesmerizing as a Conan Doyle novel . While I don't mess anymore with my lenses and cameras, I do find those mechanical and optical feats fascinating !
I'm happy now, as I have a very good shop with Nikon credentials that do it for me, as he even salvage old parts (to his boss annoyance, about using space in the shop) so I can have some AI'sed lenses with the original second hand parts, just as some thorough cleaning of my lenses.

Still, I think it's almost a lost art in our kleenex world and applaud your sharing it with the rest of the world...

[richardHaw]

Richard, the title says: 35/1.2  I think I may like one 

The article is a pleasure to read and full of valuable knowledge, even if you consider it a simple lens yourself.
Thank you.

Thanks, Thomas!
The title was corrected
It is pretty simple. Its like a VW beetle for people who wanted to start car restoration or a seiko 5 for watchmakers
but as usual, beginners will screw their first attempt. that's normal

[richardHaw]

As for each of your articles, this one is a real pleasure to read, almost as mesmerizing as a Conan Doyle novel . While I don't mess anymore with my lenses and cameras, I do find those mechanical and optical feats fascinating !
I'm happy now, as I have a very good shop with Nikon credentials that do it for me, as he even salvage old parts (to his boss annoyance, about using space in the shop) so I can have some AI'sed lenses with the original second hand parts, just as some thorough cleaning of my lenses.

Still, I think it's almost a lost art in our kleenex world and applaud your sharing it with the rest of the world...

Thanks, Jacques! that was very encouraging!
i hope that my guides are useful for beginners and veteran repairmen. it is always nice to see someone do it before you do so that you know what to fix and expect. just last night, my notes came in handy for a repairman of 40 years somebody gave him a lens with the helicoids undone and with my notes, he saved plenty of time looking for where the helicoids should mate

[Akira]

A thorough write up, as always, Rick!

The Ai 35/2.8 is allegedly the best 35/2.8 ever made.  I'm looking for one, but it is rarely seen.  I actually see one less often than Ais.

[richardHaw]

A thorough write up, as always, Rick!

The Ai 35/2.8 is allegedly the best 35/2.8 ever made.  I'm looking for one, but it is rarely seen.  I actually see one less often than Ais.

Thanks, Akira. I see them from time to time here in Shinjuku. I saw one yesterday at the camera bazaar in Shibuya Tokyo selling for 8,000
If you want, I can buy one for you when I see one. just give me your max budget and you can just get it from me in Shinjuku.

[richardHaw]

 

[Roland Vink]

The Ai 35/2.8 is allegedly the best 35/2.8 ever made.  I'm looking for one, but it is rarely seen.  I actually see one less often than Ais.

There are two AI 35/2.8 versions which are quite different:

The first continues from the K (New Nikkor) version. It can be distinguished by DOF scale under the focus ring. The K version has serial numbers from 773111 (many of these are AI converted), continuing to the AI version 851001. This is the version with 6 elements in 6 groups which is said to be the best among the 35/2.8 versions. Distortion is very low and sharpness is good, I think bokeh is smoother for the old version though.

Mid way during AI production the 35/2.8 was replaced with a new model. It has a shorter focus throw and DOF scale level with the focus ring, serial numbers from 350001. This is the one Richard is repairing. It has 5 elements in 5 groups. It has a less good reputation, barrel distortion is a bit higher and sharpness may be less, but in my limited use it performs very well. The AIS has the same optics and a slightly longer focus throw.

[richardHaw]

There are two AI 35/2.8 versions which are quite different:

The first continues from the K (New Nikkor) version. It can be distinguished by DOF scale under the focus ring. The K version has serial numbers from 773111 (many of these are AI converted), continuing to the AI version 851001. This is the version with 6 elements in 6 groups which is said to be the best among the 35/2.8 versions. Distortion is very low and sharpness is good, I think bokeh is smoother for the old version though.

Mid way during AI production the 35/2.8 was replaced with a new model. It has a shorter focus throw and DOF scale level with the focus ring, serial numbers from 350001. This is the one Richard is repairing. It has 5 elements in 5 groups. It has a less good reputation, barrel distortion is a bit higher and sharpness may be less, but in my limited use it performs very well. The AIS has the same optics and a slightly longer focus throw.

aaaaarg 

now i have to look for it

[Akira]

Thanks, Akira. I see them from time to time here in Shinjuku. I saw one yesterday at the camera bazaar in Shibuya Tokyo selling for 8,000
If you want, I can buy one for you when I see one. just give me your max budget and you can just get it from me in Shinjuku.

Rick, thanks very much for your kind offer.  At this moment, I have to spend my money for different stuffs, so my camera equipment purchase plan is on hold now (for a good reason, though).

There are two AI 35/2.8 versions which are quite different:

Roland, thanks for sharing your insight.  I took it granted that the optical design was changed along with the Ai was replaced with Ais.  Of course, I was looking for the 6-element version.  I'll be careful if any chance arises.

[richardHaw]

i might get one tonight
new-nikkor

[richardHaw]

OK, i just bought 2. a really nice K version and a beat-up Ai. Now, can I just swap the aperture rings on these 2?

[John Geerts]

I think so, I swapped it with a 24/2.8 AI and that worked perfectly.

[richardHaw]

From a 35mm? 
I hope it works, sometimes nikon would update the insides without people knowing. This is prevalent during the pre ai days